The 18th century Chinese silk wall-hangings in the boardroom of Coutts were given to the private bank by Lord Macartney, who was then ambassador to China. The exquisite designs show scenes from Chinese life including workers weaving silk and cultivating rice in paddy fields.

At that time Coutts had almost no business in Asia. Three hundred years later Hong Kong, Singapore and India are becoming some of the key growth areas for new customers.