Coutts has a rich and colourful history spanning more than 300 years which underpins the business’s values and unique approach to managing the needs of clients at every stage of their wealth.
Coutts was founded in 1692 by John Campbell. Thomas Coutts joined the business in 1761 and is widely credited with instilling the qualities of trust, understanding and expertise that continue to drive Coutts today.
When Thomas died in 1822, his estate and a 50% share in the bank passed to his second wife, Harriot, and the business assumed the name Coutts & Co. As senior partner, Harriot (later Duchess of St Albans) took an active interest in the business, deciding that her fortune should be passed to a family member at her death.
Consequently, in 1837, Angela Burdett – who at 23 was the youngest of Thomas’s grandchildren – inherited the interest in a trust that included the half-share in the bank.
Angela devoted much of her inheritance to philanthropy, helped by notable aides like Charles Dickens – a legacy that The Coutts Foundation builds on today.
Coutts became an unlimited liability company in 1892 and in 1919, amalgamated with the National Provincial & Union Bank of England Ltd in order to take full advantage of the post-war market and compete with larger banks.
The merger of the Westminster Bank and the National Provincial in 1969 saw Coutts form part of the larger NatWest group. In 1987, Coutts gained international representation when it first established operations in Geneva.
In 2015, Coutts announced the sale of its Swiss bank, Coutts & Co. Limited in line with a strategic focus on the key markets of importance to clients. Today, Coutts maintains a strong focus on meeting the needs of international clients with an affinity to the UK.
