The UK's Royal Bank of Scotland group has launched its new digital banking app called Bó - saying they 'love the fada' in the name.

The service - which aims to compete against popular start-ups such as Revolut and Monzo - has a name which translates to 'cow' in Irish.

However, the translation is not acknowledged by the bank in their explanation of the name.

RBS (which encompasses retail bank NatWest) said: "Why are we called Bó? Well it's because we like the way it sounds. It's warm and friendly, gentle even.

"We also like it because Bó doesn't mean anything in English so it's a word that we can own, that will grow with us and become associated with what we're trying to do."

In an online blog post, the company also explains the choice of a fada in particular - describing it as "an accent from Irish and it's what turns a short 'o' into a longer 'oh' sound".

It also offers readers tips on how to use a fada when typing on phone or computer keyboards.

The company adds: "We love our fada, it's unique, changes how we look and how we sound, but you don't have to use it."

The app itself offers similar features to other digital banks, with a focus on allowing users to keep track of their spending through features such as instant transaction alerts.

Bó chief executive Mark Bailie said they hope to "help people build the habits and routines that will allow them do money better day-by-day and week after week so they can fund their lives and lifestyles in a more sustainable way".