Financial Economy and Royal Bank Of Scotland Essay

Financial Economy and Royal Bank Of Scotland - Essay Example RBS is engaged in international banking and financial services business and thus confronts with the challenges posed by any changes taking place in financial economic conditions only in the United Kingdom but throughout the world. This paper provides an insightful study on the effects of financial economic factors on the activities, operations, profits and reported earnings of the Royal Bank of Scotland. The paper starts from discussing the prime banking and financial services activities of the bank and its international operations. It then moves towards the company's debt/ gearing level and analyzes the impact of changes in interest rates, inflation and exchange rates in the activities and earnings of the company. The paper also sheds light on the extent of the RBS' involvement with the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The Royal Bank of Scotland is one of the largest companies in the UK as well as the world. The company is ranked as the greatest company in Scotland, second largest in the United Kingdom and sixth largest in the world. The company is involved with provision of financial services to a variety of customers ranging from large corporations to small businesses and individuals (Scotland PLC: The financial industry in Edinburgh, 13.04.07). RBS has its banking operations in various parts of the world. Being a banking and financial services company, the Royal Bank of Scotland is greatly influenced by changes in financial economic conditions. RBS- Operations The Royal Bank of Scotland has a wide range of operations in various areas of banking i.e. corporate markets (investment and risk management services in both the UK and global large businesses and financial institutions), retail markets (including retail operations and wealth management), Ulser bank providing products and services to retail and corporate customers in Ireland, Citizens commercial banking organisation, RBS insurance and manufacturing (RBS annual report, 2006). The major business segments of RBS are personal banking, private banking, business banking and corporate banking (Royal Bank of Scotland, 13.04.07). Overseas Operations The Royal Bank of Scotland has its operations in different parts of the world including UK the home market, the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific. The company's operations in UK include dealing in the areas of corporate markets, retail markets, insurance and manufacturing. In the United States, RBS has its operations in the areas of corporate and retail banking. The company is engaged in the same operations as in UK all over the Europe, whereas in Asia Pacific the RBS is involved with corporate market, retail market and manufacturing operations (RBS Annual Report, 2006). Retail Operations The company operates in a vast range of financial services including retail operations. The Royal Bank of Scotland's retail banking operations includes services to personal and small business customers. In this regard, the company provides its services in the areas of consumer banking, business banking, cards and direct finance in the United Kingdom. The Royal Bank of Scotland's has its international wealth management operations in continental Europe and Asia Pacific region, as well as in the UK home market. RBS- Debt/Gearing: The Royal Bank o