BATH PRIVATE BANKER RECOGNISED FOR COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE

17 February 2005

Bath private banker, Paul Crook was last night recognised by the Chairman of The Royal Bank of Scotland for his charitable efforts for children in Nepal.

Over 400 members of the RBS Group were nominated to receive awards in just six categories. Presented at an exclusive ceremony in Edinburgh and hosted by BBC presenter, Diane-Louise Jordan, the awards were launched this year to recognise the contribution that RBS Group employees make to their local communities and for good causes.

Paul’s runner-up prize in the Individual Volunteer Award category, was in recognition of his tireless efforts in assisting the setting up and running the Disabled Welfare Association (UK), which aims to help disadvantaged children in Nepal. The intitial aim of the charity was to raise £8,000 but sheer determination has seen them raise over £84,000 in just two years. The charity has now recently purchased some land in Nepal and is currently funding the construction of a purpose built home for 20 disabled and orphaned children.

On his award, Paul commented; "I am delighted to have received this prestigious accolade which will help us further raise the profile of what is still quite a young charity.

"The support we have had, particularly in and around Bath, has been fantastic and we now have over 250 individual organisations and businesses supporting us. Schemes such as sponsoring a Nepalese child and arranging fancy dress walks, have all contributed to the charity’s rapid success."

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group Chairman, Sir George Mathewson said: "The point of these awards is to recognise the outstanding commitment of the thousands of staff across the Group who volunteer their own time to helping others in their community. We are very proud of what our people have achieved. By taking an active involvement in their local communities they can develop a wide range of skills which can be brought to the workplace thereby benefiting themselves, their colleagues and the Group. We also recognise the importance of helping our staff support the causes that matter to them as a key part of being an employer of choice."

For further information on the work undertaken by the DWA (UK), or to make a donation, please visit www.dwauk.com or email Paul at paul.crook@coutts.com.

Notes to Editors

For further information please contact:

Claire Symonds, Regional PR Manager, Coutts & Co. Tel: 020 7957 2650, mob: 07970 001149, email: claire.symonds@coutts.com

Overall Winners Award – Chosen from the winners across all 6 categories: The Royal Bank of Scotland Branch Network, Scotland

Individual Fundraising Winner: Rosa Cavedaschi, Enfield Customer Telephone Centre

Rosa was diagnosed with MS in 1997 and her condition has progressively worsened and she is now a wheelchair user. In 1999 Rosa created Hope 2000 to raise money for MS. What began as a small initiative amongst family and friends has grown over the years and Rosa has to date raised more than £20,000 for the charity

Team Fundraising Winner: Royal Bank of Scotland Branch Network, Scotland

3,700 staff from 350 branches throughout Scotland joined forces to raise £50,000 for local charities in a 10 day fundraising event to coincide with the Olympics, called the Pride and Passions Games. A series of events, all with an Olympic theme, took place in RBS branches throughout Scotland involving staff, customers and local celebrities. All the money raised was topped up through the bank’s community cashback scheme and the total figure raised was £125,000, exceeding everyone’s expectations.

Individual Volunteer Winner: Neil Graham retail analyst based in Edinburgh

Following a visit to Peru in 1999, where Neil was overwhelmed by the squalor and poverty he witnessed, Neil became a leading fundraiser for The Vine Trust. This charity, based in Bo’ness, West Lothian is working to offer hope to and health to the street boys of Peru in the Amazon. The Trust is currently funding the construction of a second medical boat to provide health services to the area and Neil himself has raised more than £10,000.

Team Volunteer Winner: Coutts Bank Von Ernst, Miami

After Hurricane Ivan struck the Caribbean leaving 80% of homes and businesses in the Cayman Islands devastated, the RBS Group immediately chartered a 747 jet, which was one of the first planes to land on the island, carrying essential supplies. On its return journey, 51 members of RBS staff and their families, who were working for Coutts Bank on the island, were flown to safety in Miami where they were looked after by staff of Coutts Bank von Ernst. The relief effort for the Cayman Islands, which was co-ordinated in less than 12 hours by staff of Coutts Bank Von Ernst in Miami, was a phenomenal example of team work that meant so much to the colleagues who had lost their homes in the hurricane.

Charitable Partners Winner: 2 teams of bankers from CBFM Scotland

Two teams of corporate and commercial bankers from Glasgow and Dunfermline swapped their normal banking roles to get involved with The Princes’ Trust for a week long residential challenge. One team took on the role of fundraising culminating in a charity auction at the Glasgow Concert Hall hosted by Carol Smillie. The second team undertook a project to create a safe and attractive outdoor area for the local community. The two events raised more than £16,000 for the Princes’ Trust and provided team building and personal development opportunities for those involved.

Business Leader Winner: Judith Cadigan-Parisi, Vice President, Commercial Lending, Citizens Bank, Rhode Island

Judith is well known in the local lending community as an influential individual who has consistently demonstrated a high level of commitment to non-profit organisations. Judith has the highest number of non-profit clients in her loan portfolio, more than any other commercial lender in the state. Judy’s breadth of commitment is demonstrated by the various organisations with which she is actively volunteering as a board or committee member in addition to her already busy work and family commitments. It is the personal sacrifices that Judith makes to volunteer that are testament to her commitment to helping local communities.

• Coutts & Co is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered in England No. 36695. Registered office: 440 Strand, London, WC2R 0QS

• Calls may be recorded