HSBC Bank plc vs Royal Bank of Scotland
HSBC Bank has a blended long-term credit rating of AA- and Royal Bank of Scotland AA-, the same grade. HSBC Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland hold separate banking licences, so eligible savings with each are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000 per person separately. In the CMA's August 2026 service quality survey, 48% of Royal Bank of Scotland's personal customers would recommend it for overall service; HSBC Bank is not one of the brands surveyed. In the FCA's latest complaints figures, HSBC Bank received 0.29 banking complaints per 1,000 accounts and Royal Bank of Scotland 2.83.
HSBC Bank plc
S&P, Moody's, Fitch
Royal Bank of Scotland
S&P, Moody's, Fitch
Rating History Comparison
Comparison Summary
| Metric | HSBC Bank plc | Royal Bank of Scotland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Rating | AA- | AA- | Same grade |
| Normalized Score | 83 | 83 | Equal |
| Agencies | S&P, Moody's, Fitch | S&P, Moody's, Fitch | Same |
| Outlook | Positive | Stable | Different |
| Trend | NEW |
Different | |
| Investment Grade | Yes | Yes | Same |
Service record and deposit protection
| Measure | HSBC Bank | Royal Bank of Scotland |
|---|---|---|
| Would recommend for overall service (CMA survey, Aug 2026, personal, GB) | not surveyed | 48% (rank 17 of 17) |
| Would recommend for online and mobile banking | not surveyed | 66% (rank 14 of 17) |
| Banking complaints per 1,000 accounts (FCA) | 0.29 (2025 H1) | 2.83 (2025 H2) |
| Complaints upheld by the bank | 52% | 59% |
| Major operational or security incidents reported to the FCA, last 12 months | not collected | 10 (to Jun 2026) |
| Banking licence (FCA reference) | 114216 | 114724 |
HSBC Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland hold separate banking licences, so eligible savings with each are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000 per person separately.
Survey: CMA / Ipsos, share of each brand's own customers who would recommend it (full rankings). Complaints: FCA firm-level data for the licence holder (all banks). Incidents: figures each bank must publish under the FCA's BCOBS 7 rules (all banks). A service score is about experience, not financial strength.Frequently asked questions
Is HSBC Bank or Royal Bank of Scotland financially stronger?
HSBC Bank has a blended long-term credit rating of AA- and Royal Bank of Scotland AA-, the same grade. A credit rating is an agency's opinion of a bank's ability to repay its debts, not a guarantee, and it says nothing about service.
Do HSBC Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland share FSCS protection?
HSBC Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland hold separate banking licences, so eligible savings with each are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000 per person separately.
Which has better customer service, HSBC Bank or Royal Bank of Scotland?
In the CMA's August 2026 service quality survey, 48% of Royal Bank of Scotland's personal customers would recommend it for overall service; HSBC Bank is not one of the brands surveyed. In the FCA's latest complaints figures, HSBC Bank received 0.29 banking complaints per 1,000 accounts and Royal Bank of Scotland 2.83. A service score reflects customers' experience, not the bank's financial strength.
Compare with Other Banks
Select another bank to compare: