Founded by an Act of the Scottish Parliament in 1695, Bank of Scotland was the first bank in Europe to successfully issue paper currency and is the UK's oldest surviving clearing bank.
In 2001 Bank of Scotland merged with the Halifax, creating HBOS plc a diversified financial services group with powerful brands, strong distribution and a substantial customer base.
HBOS is the UK's largest provider of mortgages and savings with over 23 million customers as well as significant and growing shares in key retail, corporate, international, treasury and insurance and investment markets.
HBOS Retail brands appreared over 3,500 times in "best buy" tables in 2006, significantly more than any of the Big Four banks.
HBOS employs over 74,000 people world-wide and over 65,700 in the UK. The Group has 2.1 million small shareholders - the biggest small shareholder base in the UK.
The Group's historic headquarters building on The Mound has been a familiar part of the Edinburgh skyline for 200 years. The Mound has gone through a major restoration programme, completed in mid-2006. Craftsmen have carefully restored the building's historically important architectural features - like the magnificent Bryce Hall - and created a modern headquarters fit for the 21st century.
The Mound is also home to The Museum on the Mound, one of only three banking museums in the UK. It tells the story of "money" in all its shapes and forms in a way that is interactive, fun and informative for all age groups. The museum is open all year round and entry is free of charge.
More information on the restoration as well as the Museum located in the Mound can be found at www.hbosplc.com/abouthbos/History/Corporate_headquarters.asp
The Group has a network of Regional Offices, departments and over 1,100 branches throughout the UK. Whilst predominantly located in Scotland, corporate offices are situated in the major commercial centres across the UK and overseas, throughout North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Bank of Scotland also has subsidiaries Bank of Scotland Ireland and BankWest in Western Australia.
