History of RBC Financial Group

At Royal Bank we are extremely proud of our history and of the contributions of many generations of Royal bankers who have demonstrated a strong esprit de corps both within the bank and the communities that they served.

	Quick to the Frontier
	The company from 1864-present
	In Remembrance
	A tribute to Royal Bank wartime employees
	Anytime, Anywhere Financial Services
	An illustrated timeline documenting Royal Bank's pioneer application of its first computer through to today's e-commerce initiatives.
	RBC Logo
	One of Canada's most recognized corporate symbols
	FAQ
	Frequently asked questions about our history

As early as 1875 the Halifax Chronicle saw vast potential in the upstart Merchants' Bank of Halifax (later renamed The Royal Bank of Canada in 1901) and publicly noted the bank's impressive ability to remain "always moving, alive and active." Willing to test the outer limits of the Canadian banking consensus, Royal Bank's evolution from a small regional bank into a national institution is attributed to the strength of its people and to its bold strategies tempered by the required caution.

The history of Royal Bank closely parallels the evolution of Canada from growth to maturity. Whether opening a branch at the "end of steel" in support of emerging communities alongside Canada's fledgling national railway, or aggressively pursuing new e-commerce delivery channels, Royal Bank has always anticipated and responded to the needs of Canadians.

Did You Know? Did you know that in 1898 Royal Bank hauled a 4 1/2 ton safe by horse and pulleys over the mountains from Skagway, Alaska to Atlin in northern British Columbia to open a branch during the Klondike gold rush?

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