The Rise and Fall of RBS: How a Scottish Bank Became the Biggest in the World

🏦RBS grew from a small Scottish bank into the largest in the world through aggressive acquisitions and relentless ambition.

💰Under the leadership of Fred Goodwin, RBS engaged in reckless spending, acquiring fast cars and private jets.

🌧️The global financial crisis of 2008 pushed RBS to the brink of collapse, threatening to take down the entire British economy with it.

🦖RBS's bid to take over NatWest, a bank twice its size, was met with skepticism and snobbery from the financial industry.

🔥The ambitious takeover bid ultimately led to RBS's downfall, with the bank requiring a government bailout to survive.

How did RBS become the largest bank in the world?

—RBS grew through aggressive acquisitions and the relentless ambition of its boss, Fred Goodwin.

What led to RBS's downfall?

—RBS's downfall was ultimately caused by the global financial crisis of 2008 and the catastrophic consequences of its reckless spending and risky acquisitions.

Did RBS's bid to take over NatWest succeed?

—Yes, RBS successfully acquired NatWest, despite skepticism and snobbery from the financial industry.

How did the financial crisis of 2008 affect RBS?

—The financial crisis pushed RBS to the brink of collapse, requiring a government bailout to prevent its failure.

What lessons can be learned from RBS's rise and fall?

—RBS's story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of reckless spending, risky acquisitions, and the need for responsible financial management.

00:01In 2008, RBS teetered on the brink of collapse, a story that began with its transformation from a small Scottish bank to the largest in the world.

00:14Under the leadership of Fred Goodwin, RBS engaged in reckless spending, acquiring fast cars and private jets.

01:34The global financial crisis of 2008 pushed RBS to the brink of collapse, threatening to take down the entire British economy with it.

09:43RBS's bid to take over NatWest, a bank twice its size, was met with skepticism and snobbery from the financial industry.

12:37The ambitious takeover bid ultimately led to RBS's downfall, with the bank requiring a government bailout to survive.