The deal would leave the Royal Bank of Scotland, the Clydesdale and the Airdrie among the surviving Scottish banks.

It even wants UK regulators to watch over Scottish banks, although Scotland would no longer be in fiscal union with the UK.

Salmond also expects the Bank of England to remain Scotland's lender of last resort, bailing out Scottish banks if they hit trouble.

Since 1709 all coins have been issued from London, though three Scottish banks issue their own banknotes, which are legal tender throughout Britain.

Scottish banks are increasingly concerned about worried customers looking to move funds out of the region because of fears over the impact of independence.