Isle of Man Bank has written to its customers to explain a planned move of its business to the island branch of Royal Bank of Scotland International.

The bank insists that while products and services are moving to RBSI, customers will notice no changes to their accounts and the Isle of Man Bank brand will continue.

Isle of Man Bank has applied to the high court for approval of a scheme to transfer over the legal entity. The court hearing is expect to take place on May 21.

If the high court approves the scheme - which also requires the consent of the Financial Services Authority regulator - then the business will be transferred to RBSI at just after midnight on May 28.

Anyone who thinks they will be adversely affected by the transfer has the right to object and have their views considered by the court. You have until May 14 to submit your objections in writing or you can attend the court hearing in person or be represented by an advocate, at your own cost.

In a customer guide sent to customers, Isle of Man Bank explains that it is changing the structure of its business to ’allow us to respond to changes in the trading environment, to simplify our bank and continue the Isle of Man Bank business, brand, product and services’.

Currently, Isle of Man Bank Ltd and Jersey-based RBSI Ltd are both owned by RBSI (Holdings) Ltd which is in turn owned by the RBS Group.

After the transfer, the island bank’s business will be part of the Isle of Man branch of RBSI but will continue to trade as Isle of Man Bank. This is how sister brands NatWest International and Coutts Crown Dependencies already operate.

In the letter to customers, the banks states: ’Our aim to minimise the impact of these changes.

’We recognise the importance of Isle of Man Bank to our customers and community as well as our staff. In view of this, the business will continue to trade as Isle of Man Bank and we’ll continue to use and develop the Isle of Man Bank brand.’

It added: ’Your accounts and any products and services you have will move to RBSI trading as Isle of Man Bank. There are no changes to your account numbers or sort codes.

’Although your accounts will move to a different legal entity within our group structure, they’ll stay in the Isle of Man. You’ll still be able to use the same services, cards and cheque books and deal with the same people. There are no changes to your products and services as a result of the transfer.’

Objections should be sent to Isle of Man Bank transfer proposal, 2 Athol Street, Douglas, IM99 1AN.