<\/p>\n
Rick Haythornthwaite was speaking at Gogarburn which still bears the RBS logo<\/p>\n
NatWest chairman Rick Haythornthwaite has said it will use the 300th anniversary of Royal Bank of Scotland next year to review the brand and its commitments north of the border.<\/p>\n
Speaking to the media after the AGM in Edinburgh, he said RBS continued \u201cto mean a lot to people north of the border\u201d.<\/p>\n
However, the bank dropped the brand in favour of NatWest and Mr Haythornthwaite was reminded that the NatWest name meant nothing to people north of the border as it has no presence. <\/p>\n
\u201cI take your challenge,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is a difficult question up here and actually one of the things we are looking at carefully is what is our commitment, how do we strengthen it?<\/p>\n
\u201cScotland is very important to us. Are we living up to that as a commitment is a live question.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is more we can and should do and what that is, we are always open to ideas. The branding will be part of that question. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt is not the main question, the main question is our commitment to investment, to entrepreneurs and helping to back growth.\u201d<\/p>\n
When it was pointed out that the bank felt so attached to RBS that it decided to ditch the brand, he said: \u201cNo doubt the 300th anniversary will focus minds.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following an AGM that he was forced to briefly adjourn because of disruption by a number of climate activists, he also commented on the impact of the Iran war. <\/p>\n
Consumers are seeing uncertainty about inflation, but \u201cthey are showing resilience, given what they have been through over the past five years,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are still spending, more wisely, being far more responsible, they have no debt, low arrears, high savings, business balance sheets are strong, but in the business world that uncertainty is leading to delays in hiring decisions and investment.<\/p>\n
Rick Haythornthwaite: we are open to ideas (pic: DB Media Services)<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no doubt we are seeing a storm, but we are not seeing an uptake in arrears. Let\u2019s see if this is a six-week war, or a year-long war. If it goes on for a year then clearly the government has some very big decisions to make.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll we remind them of is that investment matters and investors want predictable, stable political environments. And you need strong banks. I think they understand that.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the advance of AI, he said \u201cthe world competes on the basis of trust and trust would have to be maintained by putting a lot of thought into relationships.<\/p>\n
\u201cPart of that is by deploying AI in a responsible fashion. But it is an integral part of our company now. It is intertwined in everything we are doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that \u201cin the key decisions in people\u2019s lives that involve finances they still want a human being at the other side.<\/p>\n
\u201cAI can bring the data together, but ultimately when key decisions are made a human touch makes a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
On its impact on the workforce, he said: \u201cI don\u2019t think it is a job destroyer, it\u2019s a job changer. There\u2019s no doubt the nature of jobs are changing. Right now we\u2019re seeing roles being enhanced.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t #NatWest #chair #puts #RBS #brand #agenda #Daily #Business<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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