RBC in the Caribbean - News

RBC Named Best Private Bank in Trinidad by Global Finance

(November 2024)

RBC Royal Bank (RBC) announced today that it has been recognized as the Best Private Bank in Trinidad & Tobago by Global Finance, a leading financial publication.

This prestigious award highlights RBC’s commitment to providing exceptional financial services and personalized wealth management solutions to its clients.

The recognition comes as a testament to the Bank’s dedication to innovation, client satisfaction and its strong performance in serving the needs of high-net-worth individuals and families in Trinidad.

RBC Launches Holiday Home & Auto Expo

(November 2024)

RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited announced today the return of its Holiday Home and Auto Expo, a festive event designed to celebrate the start of the holiday season. The Expo will feature a no-fee loan, discounted RBC financing rates for clients, and unbeatable prices on the latest car models and homes. On-the-spot financing and insurance options will also be available.

Designed to create an engaging and family-oriented atmosphere, the Expo will provide a one-stop shopping experience for all home and auto needs. RBC has partnered with various reputable companies within the home and auto industries to bring this event to life.

RBC Royal Bank’s 9th edition of Race for the Kids raises $1M in the fight against children's cancer

(October 2024)

The RBC Caribbean Children’s Cancer Fund will receive an additional one-million-dollar boost as a result of the 2024 RBC Race for the Kids. The ninth edition of the race, which had new start and end points as well as a new route, saw 5,300 people registered across three categories – a 15K, and two 5K races, one time and one untimed – coming together to vie for prizes and medals and as advocates for the fight against childhood cancer.

“This day is all about helping children in the fight against cancer,” emphasised Marc Jardine, Managing Director RBC Royal Bank, Trinidad and Tobago. “Hosting this event brings out a remarkable spirit of care, support, and advocacy, uniting many in the fight against childhood cancer,” he said.

Presentation College’s refurbished Tennis Courts reopened after $20,000 donation from the RBC Education Foundation

(October 2024)

The tennis courts at Presentation College, San Fernando, have been reopened after undergoing a complete refurbishment following support from the RBC Education Foundation.

The project was made possible through a generous $20,000 donation from RBC as part of its continued commitment to helping clients thrive and communities prosper.

“Our commitment to this goal is rooted deeply in our dedication to investing in youth and their potential,” said Simone Edwards, Vice President, Personal Banking and Head of the RBC Education Foundation.

“We believe that by investing in skills development, we can empower the next generation to excel, to lead, and to create positive change in their communities and beyond. We want to empower our youth to help build a stronger Caribbean,” she added.

Manzanilla’s Vertical Solar Greenhouse wins top award in RBC’s Young Leaders Program

(September 2024)

Manzanilla Secondary School has emerged victorious in the prestigious RBC Young Leaders 2024 competition. The six-member team, known as the Agri-preneurs, captivated the judges with their innovative project proposal inspired by a comment from Prime Minister Keith Rowley about the importance of school-based gardens as vital for building food security.

The Agri-preneurs proposed the construction of a vertical solar greenhouse using eco-friendly materials and a rainwater harvesting system to reduce energy consumption. Their compelling pitch, which included a model of the proposed garden, to a panel of judges from RBC and the Inter-American Development Bank earned them the top prize of $100,000 to bring their project to life. The theme for this year’s competition was “Conserve, Produce, Enhance”.

RBC appoints new Managing Director for Trinidad & Tobago

(September 2024)

RBC has announced the appointment of Marc Jardine to the position of Managing Director, RBC Royal Bank (Trinidad & Tobago) Limited. The news was shared by Chris Duggan, Head Caribbean Banking and follows the announcement of current Managing Director, Richard Downie’s retirement later this year.

Jardine, currently RBC's Vice President (VP), Business Banking, Trinidad & Tobago, took on the additional duty of Managing Director effective September 2, 2024. He is currently a Director of RBC Royal Bank (Trinidad & Tobago) Limited and sits on the Board for RBC Merchant Bank (Caribbean) Limited. As Managing Director, he will lead and oversee the overall operations and business strategy for RBC Trinidad & Tobago.

Registration opens for the 9th edition of RBC’s Race for the Kids

(September 2024)

Registration is now open for the 9th edition of RBC’s Race for the Kids, the signature event supporting the RBC Caribbean Children’s Cancer Fund. Scheduled for Sunday, October 20, in Trinidad & Tobago, this event aims to bring the community together for a noble cause.

With new routes and start and end points, the RBC team has also diversified its categories to allow for timed segments for the 5K and 15K races as well as an untimed category in the 5K for “fun” walkers. This first race will start at 5:45 a.m.

“Helping communities prosper where the Bank serves is at the heart of RBC’s Purpose,” said Marc Jardine, Managing Director, RBC Royal Bank, Trinidad & Tobago. “This event is a testament to the incredible support and solidarity within our community. Every participant helps us get closer to providing essential care for children battling cancer in the Caribbean.”

RBC sponsors Redemption Sound Setters Steel Orchestra Pan Camp

(August 2024)

In the heart of National Steelpan month, it is encouraging to share stories of our pan tradition being passed on to the younger generation. In July, the Tobago based RBC Redemption Sound Setters Steel Orchestra hosted a pan camp for 41 youngsters comprising children from Tobago and the United States between the ages of five and 16.

The Vacation Pan Camp 2024 was designed for novices. Under the keen tutelage of Shaquille Broomes and Dachelle Morrison, the students were exposed to both the theory and practical elements of the steelpan, including acquiring knowledge of scales and chords at the introductory level. The vacation camp provided an opportunity to profile careers in the steelpan industry and demonstrate productive use of leisure time.

RBC donates $175,000 to Hurricane Beryl relief efforts

(July 2024)

In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, RBC Royal Bank (RY on TSX and NYSE) (“RBC”) and RBC Foundation USA announced a donation of C$175,000 to the Canadian Red Cross and the American Red Cross in support of Caribbean and U.S. relief efforts. The devastating hurricane impacted several Caribbean and U.S. communities where RBC operates, including Barbados, the Cayman Islands, and Tobago.

RBC’s contribution will support emergency relief efforts, including shelters, hygiene kits, and social assistance to those in the affected communities.

RBC relaunches Young Leaders Program

(July 2024)

RBC Royal Bank is bringing back its award-winning Young Leaders Program. Marc Jardine, Vice President Business Banking RBC Royal Bank, Trinidad and Tobago made the announcement at a relaunch event at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre on July 5.

RBC Young Leaders, a program designed to create opportunities for young people to learn financial literacy and become civic-minded, has been around since 1981 but was on pause for the past four years.

“At RBC, we understand that investing in the next generation of leaders will make for a stronger Caribbean,” said Jardine. “We are confident the program creates positive opportunities for students to think of sustainable projects, apply what they learn in school, reinforce the power of teamwork, teach them finance and budgeting, and enable them to develop skills for themselves and for the benefit of the school.”

RBC recognized by CFI for Best Digital Banking Services award

(June 2024)

RBC Financial (Caribbean) Limited (“RBC”) has been awarded the coveted “Best Digital Banking Services - Caribbean 2022” by Capital Finance International (CFI). The award is an endorsement of the Bank's strength in the area of digital banking.

“We are honoured to receive this recognition from Capital Finance International,” said Chris Ronald, Head of Caribbean.

“RBC has been on a digital transformation journey. We began this pursuit when we started to make significant investments in the channels we believed would be the future of banking across the region. We are grateful to CFI for recognizing the value of our digital banking channels. This award serves as a reminder that we are committed to anticipating howour client’s banking needs and preferences continue to evolve so we can serve them today and in the future. This recognition supports our vision to be the premier digitally enabled relationship bank.”

RBC appoints new Area Vice President and Country Head for Cayman

(April 2024)

RBC Royal Bank (Cayman) Limited (“RBC”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Khadene Lobban as Area Vice President (“AVP”), Personal Banking and Country Head, RBC Cayman Islands, effective May 1, 2024. She will succeed Ericka Rolle, who has transitioned to her new role as Managing Director and Vice President, Personal Banking for The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands.

In her new role as AVP and Country Head, Lobban will assume full responsibility for the Cayman market, steering it into its next phase of growth, focusing on strengthening relationships with the Government, regulatory bodies, and the community.

With a career of over two decades in the financial services industry, Lobban brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of strong business performance and leadership to her new role. In addition to her most recent role as Branch Manager, she also held the role of Private Banker with RBC Wealth Management and prior to this, senior roles in Marketing and Change Management at other Financial Institutions across Cayman.

RBC Royal Bank appoints new Managing Director for The Bahamas and Turks & Caicos

(April 2024)

RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited has announced the appointment of Ericka Rolle as Managing Director, The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI).

Rolle, who currently serves as Country Head in the Cayman Islands will return to The Bahamas to assume her new position effective May 1, 2024. In addition to being Managing Director, she has been appointed to the role of Vice President of Personal Banking.

She is replacing LaSonya Missick, who has moved on to a new role as Regional Vice President, Personal & Private Banking and RBC FINCO. In addition, she serves as a Caribbean Banking Executive Management Committee (EMC) member. Missick is the first Bahamian to be appointed to RBC Caribbean’s executive leadership team.

As Managing Director, Rolle will serve as RBC’s lead on all governance and regulatory matters.

RBC appoints new Head of Caribbean Banking

(April 2024)

RBC Financial (Caribbean) Limited, (“RBC”) has appointed Chris Duggan, a native of the Cayman Islands, as Senior Vice President and Head of RBC Caribbean Banking. He succeeds Chris Ronald, who has been leading the bank’s operations in the Caribbean for the last 2.5 years and has recently returned to Canada as Regional President, Atlantic Provinces at RBC.

Duggan, who is based in Nassau, The Bahamas, is taking on responsibilities as Head of RBC Caribbean Banking to carry out the bank’s strategic direction and manage the overall business strategy and vision across the Caribbean region. He has a career spanning more than two decades in the financial industry across both the United States and the Caribbean.

RBC Race for the Kids raises $100K for students at The UWI, Cave Hill Campus

(April 2024)

RBC Royal Bank (Barbados) Ltd raised BBD 100,000 for students at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Cave Hill Campus, during the eighth edition of the RBC Race of the Kids on Sunday.

More than 1,600 people participated in the event with some running the 5K course, while others walked and skated along the route at their own pace.

The RBC event supports The UWI Cave Hill Campus with the funds raised going towards bursaries and the First Year Program at the University. This year, part proceeds will be used to support the development of a mental health app for the students.

Registration now open for RBC’s Race for the Kids 2024

(March 2024)

Lace up your running shoes as registration is now open for the 8th edition of RBC’s Race for The Kids in Barbados. The 5K race set for Sunday, April 14th, supports youth and children's causes in the countries where the Bank holds the Race.

The University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus has been RBC's charity partner for the event in Barbados since it began hosting the Race locally in 2017.

“We are inviting everyone to embark on a journey of fitness and philanthropy as every stride contributes to enriching the lives of students at The UWI,” said Shimon McIntosh, Managing Director, RBC Barbados. “Your participation translates into scholarships and resources for those who aspire to excel academically and pave a brighter future,” he added.

RBC Celebrates 60 years in Cayman with YMCA Donation

(January 2024)

RBC Royal Bank (Cayman) Ltd celebrated 60 years of serving the Cayman Islands as a trusted financial service provider and active community supporter with a $20,000 donation to the YMCA.

The announcement, which took place on January 25 at a celebration at Camana Bay, was attended by clients, leaders and members of the community.

The donation will go towards the YMCA Financial Assistance Programme’s 2024 Annual Giving Campaign, enabling Caymanian children and youth to engage in sports, character development, and resilience-building activities they might otherwise miss.

RBC hosts its 2023 Global Citizens Conference in The Bahamas

(January 2024)

In a powerful testament to human connection and dedication, RBC Royal Bank celebrated the exceptional commitment of nearly 100 colleagues from across the globe, during the RBC Global Citizens Conference, held from January 18-23, in The Bahamas.

The award, which was started in 2016, celebrates employees who are active volunteers both inside and outside of RBC, and who create positive social change through their actions. The recipients, including four from the Caribbean – Roxanna Cordner, Trinidad & Tobago; Wendy Riberio, Trinidad & Tobago; Joanaila Geerman-Lacle, Aruba; Claricia Hart-Sprott, St. Maarten - were recognized for going above and beyond to breathe life into RBC’s purpose of helping communities prosper. As part of the activities, donations were also made to two Bahamian NGOs.

RBC Royal Bank named Caribbean's Best Private Bank for 2023

(May 2023)

Royal Bank of Canada has once again taken top honours, being named the Caribbean’s Best Private Bank by Global Finance Magazine.

In addition to receiving the regional award, RBC also captured the Best Private Bank award in The Bahamas, Barbados, and Trinidad & Tobago. Global Finance regularly selects the top performers among banks and other financial services providers.

These awards have become a trusted standard of excellence for the global financial community. “I am extremely proud of our team for being recognized for another year of exceptional commitment to our clients, communities, and one another,” said Dwight Burrows, Regional Vice President, Private Banking, Caribbean.

“These achievements directly reflect their hard work and dedication to putting our clients at the centre of everything we do. It also demonstrates the power of a collaborative, innovative, and client-focused approach to delivering differentiated solutions that go beyond traditional banking for our private banking clientele.”