RBC recognized as a 'Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality' by the Human Rights Campaign

TORONTO, Dec. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) announced today that RBC Wealth Management-U.S. and RBC Capital Markets-U.S. each received a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2014 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). This rating individually recognizes both RBC businesses as one of the "Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality." The Human Rights Campaign Foundation administers this benchmarking survey and report that studies corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality. RBC joins the ranks of 303 major U.S. businesses that also took top marks this year.

"RBC Wealth Management is proud to be recognized as a "Best Place To Work" for LGBT employees for the fourth year," said John Taft, CEO, RBC Wealth Management-U.S. and executive sponsor of the RBC Wealth Management-U.S. Gay, Lesbian, Allied and Diverse Employees (GLADE) Employee Resource Group (ERG). "The values of diversity and inclusion extend from the way we make a difference in the lives of our employees and their families to the way we do business. In a relationship business, it is how we treat people that matters. This rating affirms that we are doing things right for our employees, our clients and for the communities in which they live and work."

"We are honored to receive this esteemed rating, alongside several of our clients and business partners who value diversity," said Deborah Freer, U.S. Chief Operating Officer of RBC Capital Markets and Executive Sponsor of RBC Capital Markets' PRIDE ERG. "This recognition underscores RBC's commitment to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace, and is a testament to the great progress we have made."

As an advocate for equal employment opportunities, RBC maintains a workplace that embraces diversity and inclusion. The company provides benefits to employees' opposite and same sex domestic partners, introduced health care tax equalization benefits in the U.S. in 2013 and transgender benefits in 2012. In addition, the company supports both national and local organizations that serve the LGBT community through sponsorships, grants and the employee matching gift program.

RBC supports several LGBT ERGs globally, including: RBC GLADE, (1999), RBC PRIDE Canada (2006), RBC PRIDE Capital Markets (2011), and RBC GLOBE UK (2011). All groups have a mission to create a welcoming and open working environment that allows LGBT employees to achieve their full potential.

The 2014 CEI rated 934 businesses in the report, which evaluates LGBT-related policies and practices including: non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBT community. RBC's efforts in satisfying all of the CEI's criteria resulted in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a 'Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality.'

For more information on the 2014 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

About RBC
Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) is Canada's largest bank and one of the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We are one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies, and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management services, insurance, investor services and capital markets products and services on a global basis. We employ approximately 79,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 15 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 44 other countries. For more information, please visit rbc.com.

RBC supports a broad range of community initiatives through donations, sponsorships and employee volunteer activities. In 2012, we contributed more than $95 million to causes worldwide, including donations and community investments of more than $64 million and $31 million in sponsorships.

About the Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

SOURCE RBC