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Filed pursuant to Rule 433 | Registration Statement Nos. 333-162219,
333-162219-01, 333-162193 and 333-162193-01
RBS Investor Products
Building Tomorrow TM
Enhanced Participation Notes([TM])
RBS Enhanced Participation Notes Risk/Reward Profiles
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Enhanced Participation Notes[TM] ("EPNs") are market-linked investments that
seek to enhance your exposure to market returns up to a stated cap. EPNs are
unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the RBS issuer that are linked to
broad market measures, such as the S and P 500 Index, or to specific assets,
such as stocks, currencies, commodities, or exchange traded fund shares. If held
to maturity, and if the linked market measure appreciates, EPNs will pay a
specified multiple (greater than 100% and up to 300%) of the return of the
linked market measure, up to the stated cap. Like all debt securities, payments
on EPNs are subject to the credit risk of the issuing company--in this case,
either The Royal Bank of Scotland plc ("RBS plc") or The Royal Bank of Scotland
N.V. ("RBS NV"), as specified in the applicable prospectus. However, unlike
conventional bonds, EPNs involve risk to your principal invested if the linked
market measure declines in value. EPNs are generally available in $1,000
increments with typical maturities of between one and three years.
There are three broad categories of EPNs with different levels of risk to
principal at maturity. The last page of this fact sheet contains a brief summary
of these categories. The following are examples of hypothetical EPN terms to
show the return Profiles of three EPN categories. EPNs are registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and offered by means of a prospectus
specific to the relevant EPN offering. Before buying any EPNs, you should read
the relevant prospectus for a detailed explanation of the terms, risks, tax
treatment and other relevant information. We also urge you to consult your
accounting, legal and tax advisors before investing. Hypothetical information
below does not reflect the terms of any actual EPN.
To find out more RBS Investor Products 1-866-747-4332 investor.products@rbs.com
Category and Return Profile Level of Principal at Risk at Maturity Hypothetical Terms
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EPNs with Full Exposure
[GRAPHIC OMITTED] []Full exposure to any decline in the Term: 24 months
linked market measure. Upside Participation Rate:
[]At maturity, you will be exposed to 300%
any decrease in the linked market Maximum Return: 25%
measure on a one-to-one basis.
Downside Exposure:
[]You may lose some or all of your Full exposure (100% of
investment. principal invested at risk)
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EPNs with Fixed Buffer
[GRAPHIC OMITTED] []Full exposure to any decline in the Term: 24 months
linked market measure beyond the Upside Participation Rate:
fixed buffer. 200%
[]At maturity, you will be exposed to Maximum Return: 20%
any decrease in the linked market Fixed Buffer: 10%
measure below the fixed buffer on a
one-to-one basis. Downside Exposure:
[]You may lose some or a substantial Full exposure beyond the
portion of your investment. fixed buffer (i.e., 90% of
principal invested at risk)
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Category and Return Profile Level of Principal at Risk at Maturity Hypothetical Terms
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EPNs with Contingent Buffer
[]Full exposure to any decline in Term: 24 months
the linked market measure if the Upside Participation Rate:
market measure falls to or below 200%
the contingent buffer level at any
time during the term of the EPNs. Maximum Return: 23%
[]The contingent buffer offers Contingent Buffer: 30%
protection at maturity against a Knock-Out Event:
decrease in the linked market Linked market measure falls
measure only if a Knock-Out Event to or below the contingent
does not occur. If a Knock-Out buffer level at any time during
Event occurs, you will be exposed the term of the EPNs.
to any decrease in the linked Downside Exposure:
market measure on a one-to-one Full Exposure if a Knock-Out
basis. Event occurs. No exposure if
[]You may lose some or all of your a Knock-Out Event does not
investment. occur; in this case, the EPN
will offer protection of your
invested principal at maturity
against a decline in the value
of the linked market measure.
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Assuming the same maturity date and linked market measure, EPNs without a
buffer (i.e., full exposure to any decline in the linked market measure) tend
to have greater upside potential (i.e., higher upside participation rates
and/or stated caps) than those with a buffer. Similarly, EPNs with a contingent
buffer tend to have higher upside participation rates and/or stated cap than
EPNs with a fixed buffer, assuming all other terms are the same. Any payment on
the EPNs remains subject to the credit risk of RBS the issuer, which will be
either RBS plc or RBS NV, as specified in the applicable prospectus.
What advantages do Enhanced Participation Notes provide?
Enhanced return, up to a cap. When EPNs mature, you will be entitled to receive
any increase in the value of the linked market measure multiplied by the
participation rate, up to a stated cap. For example, if the EPN that you buy
promises to pay you 200% of any increase in the value of the linked market
measure up to a stated cap of 25%, then, if the value of the linked market
measure increases, you will receive at maturity twice the return of the linked
market measure subject to a maximum return on the note of 25%. The enhanced
participation feature can help investors to potentially outperform a direct
investment in the linked market measure in a moderately bullish market
environment, subject to a pre-determined cap.
Reduce market downside exposure (only for EPNs with a buffer).
[] For EPNs with a fixed buffer, regardless of how the linked market measure
performs, you will be entitled to receive at least a portion of the
principal of the note back at maturity, subject to the credit risk of the
issuer. The fixed buffer provides a modest protection of your investment
against a decline in the value of the linked market measure. For an EPN
with a 10% buffer, the linked market measure would have to decline 11% for
you to experience a 1% loss, and 90% of your principal is at risk if the
linked market measure falls to zero.
[] EPNs with a contingent buffer provide a tactical cushion against a modest
decline in the value of the linked market measure only if the linked market
measure does not fall to or below the level of the contingent buffer at any
time during the term of the EPN. If the value of the linked market measure
falls to or below the level of the contingent buffer at any time during the
term of the EPNs, you will be exposed to the full decrease in the value of
the linked market measure with no cushion against any market measure
decline. In such an instance, you will experience a 1% loss for every 1%
decline in the value of the linked market measure, and you may lose some or
all of your investment.
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Asset diversification. EPNs can provide exposure to a variety of market measures, including some not readily available through mutual funds or exchange traded funds. However, all EPNs of the same issuer will carry the same credit risk and, as such, will not offer portfolio diversification from a credit perspective. Strategic investment solution for an overall portfolio. EPNs offer investors a single packaged solution, which are more readily accessible to most investors than executing complicated investment strategies. They can play a strategic role as a portion of an investment portfolio by offering the potential for enhanced growth, up to a specified limit, while providing a modest protection against market declines in the case of EPNs with a buffer. EPNs are not meant to serve as the primary portion of any investment portfolio. As with all investments, you should carefully consider the risk of asset and credit concentration of EPNs in your portfolio. What are some of the risks of an investment in Enhanced Participation Notes? Poor market performance. If the linked market measure performs poorly, you could experience lower returns than anticipated and may lose some or all of your invested principal. Lower returns. Because returns are limited by a stated cap, if the linked market measure performs well, your returns could be lower than they would have been if you were invested directly in that market measure. In addition you will not receive any dividends, interest payments or other distributions from the linked market measure. Depending on the performance of the linked market measure, your EPNs may provide lower returns than other bonds. Limited liquidity. There may be little or no secondary market for the EPNs, so you may not be able to sell them prior to maturity. If you are able to sell your EPNs, you may receive less than you paid. You should be willing and able to hold your EPNs until the maturity date. Credit risk. EPNs are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the relevant RBS issuer. If RBS plc or RBS NV, as applicable, goes bankrupt or is unable to pay its debts, you could lose your full investment, even if the linked market measure is performing well. The notes are unsecured and not backed by FDIC insurance or any other governmental support. Further, all EPNs of the same issuing company carry the same credit risk. Tax consequences. Signi[]cant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the EPNs are uncertain. You[]should consult your tax advisor before investing. See "Risk Factors" in the applicable prospectus for more information. What do I pay when I buy an Enhanced Participation Note? EPNs are generally offered in new issue offerings at $1,000 per note. Part of the $1,000 you pay for each new issue EPN goes to the broker selling you the investment. Because the broker is paid a selling commission for its EPN sales, the broker is incentivized to sell you the EPN. This amount will be disclosed to you on the cover of the relevant prospectus. The $1,000 that you pay for each new issue EPN will also include hedging costs, principally re[]ecting a pro[]t component built into the price that the RBS issuer may have paid to hedge its obligations under the EPN. As a result of these fees and costs, the value that you might expect to receive if you were able to resell your EPNs on the day that you purchase them will be less than $1,000. What is RBS' role in selling Enhanced Participation Notes? The proceeds from the sale of EPNs will be used for the RBS issuer's general corporate purposes and, in part, by RBS plc, RBS NV or its af[]liates in connection with hedging the issuer's obligations under the EPNs. RBS Securities Inc., a U.S. broker-dealer, will be paid an underwriting discount or selling commission for EPNs offered through it. RBS Securities Inc. and its af[]liated companies also expect to engage in trading, hedging and investment activities related to the EPNs or any of the linked market measures. RBS Investor Products | page 3 |
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RBS Investor Products
RBS Investor Products are divided into four broad categories depending on the
level of risk to your principal invested at maturity: Protection, Fixed Buffer,
Contingent Buffer and Full Exposure. These broad categories are intended to help
you to first understand the degree of your principal at risk at maturity, before
you consider the upside potential of RBS Investor Products. The following
description is only an overview of the four categories of RBS Investor Products,
and does not represent any particular security nor guarantee performance. Capped
EPNs are available only in the Fixed Buffer, Contingent Buffer or Full Exposure.
Any payment on the EPNs remains subject to the credit risk of RBS plc or RBS NV,
as applicable, as the issuer of the EPNs, and The Royal Bank of Scotland Group
plc ("RBS Group") or RBS Holdings N.V. ("RBS Holdings"), as applicable, as
guarantor of the issuer's obligations under the EPNs.
Protection investments provide for full or partial protection on your invested
principal at maturity against downside market movements, subject to the
creditworthiness of the issuer and the guarantor. These securities are designed
for investors who place a priority on the preservation of principal at maturity, while
potentially offering better returns than traditional fixed income investments. These
securities tend to have a longer term than securities that do not offer protection,
and principal invested is not protected prior to maturity.
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Fixed Buffer investments provide a modest buffer at maturity against downside
market movements. These securities are designed for investors who seek potential
growth or income, and who also seek some cushion against modest market declines
up to a specified buffer. You are exposed to the full market decline in the
underlying asset beyond the specified buffer, and you can lose some or a
substantial portion of your investment.
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Contingent Buffer investments provide some protection against downside market
movements only if the underlying asset does not fall to or below a specified
level during the term of the securities. If the underlying asset falls to or
below this specified level, you are exposed to the full market decline in the
underlying asset at maturity without any cushion against downside market
movements. These investments are for more aggressive investors who can tolerate
full downside risk but find the contingent buffer to be an appealing form of
tactical cushion. You can lose some or all of your investment.
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Full Exposure investments expose investors to full downside risk to any decline
in the underlying asset. These investments are meant for investors who are
willing to take full market risk in return for either enhanced appreciation or
access to a unique underlying asset or strategy. You can lose some or all of
your investment.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE: RBS Group, RBS plc, RBS Holdings and RBS NV (collectively, the
"RBS Entities") have each filed a registration statement (including a
prospectus) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, for the
offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read
the prospectus in the relevant registration statement and other documents,
including the applicable EPN product supplement, related to this offering that
has been filed with the SEC for more complete information about the RBS Entities
and the offering of the securities. You may get these documents without cost by
visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, RBS plc, RBS
NV, any underwriter or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to
send you the prospectus and EPN product supplement if you request by calling
toll free (866) 747-4332.
Dated October 11, 2011
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