Turning points
Ten items representing decisive moments in the history of NatWest Group or of British banking as a whole.
Explore the objects
31: Cloth stock account, 1653-59
Stocktaking account of Nottingham cloth merchant Thomas Smith, showing his business evolving into a bank.
32: Goldsmith's ledger, 1671-72
Customer ledger of London goldsmith and banker Edward Backwell.
33: Founding charter, 1727
Royal charter establishing the Royal Bank of Scotland.
34: Bank articles, 1826
Articles establishing Lancaster Joint Stock Banking Co, England's first big shareholder-owned provincial bank.
35: Banknotes bill, 1844
Parliamentary bill proposing regulation of the right to issue banknotes.
36: Branch sign, c.1909
Enamel plaque from Bordon Army Camp branch of London County & Westminster Bank.
37: Acquisition letter, 1924
Letter from Messrs Drummond announcing its acquisition by the Royal Bank of Scotland.
38: Clock, 1961
Promotional clock produced for North Central Finance Company.
39: Poster, 1982
Poster responding to the Monopolies & Mergers Commission's rejection of two bids to buy the Royal Bank of Scotland.
40: NatWest offer document, 1999
Document outlining the Royal Bank of Scotland's bid for the acquisition of NatWest.