1995 - Present

When Merchants' Bank of Halifax was incorporated in 1869, its original 134 shareholders were Halifax businessmen who needed a progressive business bank to support their enterprises. Today, many Canadians are either direct or indirect owners of shares in Royal Bank through pension funds and mutual fund holdings, and close to 90 percent of Royal Bank's staff are shareholders in the bank. Above, customer service staff in Toronto in 1996.

In step with Royal Bank's commitment to developing leading edge technology in its banking processes is a concerted effort by the bank to distribute quality information to keep clients abreast of change, new products and new possibilities. International developments in communications and computer networks have brought with them banking products and international financial services that could only be wished for 20 years ago. Shown here is the cover of Royal Bank's 10 minute guide to the Internet, now in its third edition.

Acquisitions, new businesses and changes within the financial services industry have led to new ways of doing business and to new careers for bankers. For Laurence Black working out of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, business is anything but routine as he visits clients throughout the Middle East with a portable computer and a cellular phone.

Gord Nixon, President and Chief Executive Officer, RBC Financial Group, surrounded by RBC Capital Markets employees at the New York Stock Exchange, January 10, 2002. Over the years, RBC has assumed a significant trading presence on the NYSE through its US acquisitions, and now occupies eleven seats on the exchange. RBC first listed on the NYSE in 1995.

John E. Cleghorn, chairman and chief executive officer was photographed on October 16, 1995 with Catherine Kinney, group executive vice-president, New York Stock Exchange, after placing the first "buy" order of the day - for the first Royal Bank shares sold on the New York Stock Exchange.

New technologies and delivery channels have led to new alliances with non-financial service providers. At a press conference in July 1999, pictured above, it was announced that the Royal Bank / AOL alliance would enable AOL Canada to accelerate its growth strategy and would enhance Royal Bank's ability to offer greater electronic access and functionality to its clients.