The Royal Bank of Scotland was once one of the most successful and profitable financial institutions in the world; revered, admired and trusted by millions of savers and investors. A trusted employer for tens of thousands of people, with branches on nearly every high street in the land. Now, the very mention of the bank's name causes fury and resentment, and the former CEO, Fred Goodwin, is regarded by many as the one of the principal culprits of the worst financial crash since 1929.


In this book, award-winning financial journalist Ian Fraser reveals how the 'light touch, limited touch' approach to financial regulation of New Labour and the aggressive, confrontational, autocratic and reckless style of Fred Goodwin led to disaster, not just for RBS, but for everyone in the UK.


The fall of RBS has been one of the most catastrophic events of the on-going global financial crisis. This book reveals new and never-revealed-before details about how Fred Goodwin brought the biggest company in the world to the very brink of ruin.