RBC Expands Global Youth Charity Program - RBC Charity Day for the Kids

• Virtual celebrations held by RBC Capital Markets employees in Canada, U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Barbados and Bahamas
• US$5 million donated to over 50 charities worldwide
• 19 Canadian charities – SickKids, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada, Children's Aid Foundation, Kids Help Phone, Covenant House Toronto, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Camp Ooch, Capitalize for Kids, Family Navigation Project – Sunnybrook Hospital, Inn from the Cold, Brown Bagging for Calgary Street Kids Society, Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation, Montreal Children's Hospital, Fondation jeunes en tête, La Traversée, CHU Ste. Justine, Covenant House Vancouver, Aunt Leah's, BC Children's Hospital Foundation

TORONTO, June 16, 2021 /CNW/ - As part of a global charitable initiative called RBC Charity Day for the Kids, US$5 million is being donated to more than 50 youth-focused charities around the globe, reaffirming RBC's strong commitment to supporting youth organizations. What started out in 2015 as RBC Trade for the Kids, has progressively become an integral charitable initiative for all RBC Capital Markets staff globally.

The troubling impacts of COVID-19 continue to affect many children and youth around the world due to greater stress caused by social isolation and lack of in-person activities. During this period, demand for youth mental health and wellness services has notably increased. RBC continues to strengthen its community response efforts, and supports more than 150 youth mental health organizations across the country, making it one of the largest supporters of youth mental well-being resources in Canada.

Since 2015, RBC Charity Day for the Kids has donated more than US$20.2 million to 100 youth-focused charity partners around the world. This year's global RBC Charity Day for the Kids event consisted of increased internal and external awareness and education related to the work and efforts of our youth-focused charity partners. Employees in Canada, U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Barbados and Bahamas celebrated RBC's year-round culture of giving and philanthropy by virtually taking part in a day full of creative and engaging multimedia content.

In Canada, where RBC Charity Day for the Kids celebrated its fifth year, former patients, families and staff from 19 of Canada's leading youth charities (see full list of charities here) made the day compelling by sharing their heart-felt, surprise webcam reactions to the reveal of the RBC Charity Day the Kids' donation announcements with RBC staff globally.

"Charities and non-profits globally, and in particular those supporting youth mental health services, continue to feel significant strain brought on by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Derek Neldner, CEO and Group Head of RBC Capital Markets. "There is a growing need to provide necessary support services and resources to navigate these extremely challenging times and RBC and its employees are proud to rally support for these worthy initiatives. RBC Charity Day for the Kids is one of the many ways in which our employees and clients have the opportunity to learn more about supporting our youth through direct engagement with our charity partners. We thank our charity partners for their commitment to helping revive our communities, as well as our employees and clients for living our culture of giving."

In 2020, RBC donated CA$140 million to charitable organizations through cash donations and community investments.

For more on RBC Charity Day for the Kids and the benefitting charities, click here.

About RBC

Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 86,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank, and one of the largest in the world based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our 17 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.‎

We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/community-social-impact.

About RBC Capital Markets

RBC Capital Markets is recognized by the most significant corporations, institutional investors, asset managers, private equity firms, and governments around the globe as an innovative, trusted partner with an in-depth expertise in capital markets, banking, and finance.

We are well-established in the largest, most mature capital markets with over 7,900 employees across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region in 58 offices and 14 countries, collectively encompassing more than 85% of global investment banking activity each year.

About RBC Charity Day for the Kids

Launched in 2015 in New York, RBC Charity Day for the Kids – formerly known as RBC Trade for the Kids, is a day focused on raising money and awareness of some of RBC's longstanding charitable partnerships aimed at supporting children and youth. In 2021, RBC Charity Day was held for the fourth time globally across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Caribbean, supporting over 50 charities.

To date, through this initiative, RBC has donated US$20.2 million to 100 charities. For more on RBC Charity Day for the Kids and the benefitting charities, click here.

SOURCE RBC Capital Markets