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The Royal Bank of Canada Review

The Royal Bank of Canada is one of the largest financial institutions in Canada, offering a wide variety of products and services while incorporating multiple business lines. RBC operates globally and continually works to build a reputation for excellence with their customers, employees, and investors.

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Written by: Piggyy

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4.5/5

Piggyy Rating

The Royal Bank of Canada
  • Personal Loans

    4.7/5

  • Car Loans

    4.1/5

  • Personal Line of Credit

    4.7/5

  • Home Equity Line of Credit

    4.1/5

  • Student Line of Credit

    4.5/5

Borrowers who are in search of a trustworthy source of financing for their various businesses should try RBC, it just might be the right place for you. Head on over to their website or visit one of their thousands of Canadian branch locations.

Company information

 

RBC has provided financial services to Canadians since its incorporation in 1869. It has grown to be one of the largest financial institutions in Canada and has expanded internationally. Currently, RBC has 86,000 employees and serves 17 million customers worldwide. The bank offers products and services for personal, commercial, wealth management, capital markets, investment and treasury, insurance, corporate, and investment banking. RBC is also, by market capitalization, one of the largest banks in the world.

 

 A board of directors governs the company, following the Bank Act and all regulations, including those in the Canadian Securities Act, The Toronto Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, and the US Securities and Exchange Commission. RBC’s continuing success is due, in part, to being strategic in their business practices and focusing on their purpose, vision, and values. 

 

Main Office Address:

RBC , 88 Queen’s Quay West , 12th floor

Toronto, ON , M5J 0B8

 

Business Hours:

Business hours will vary depending on the branch and location. Contact your branch for their hours. Typical hours are:

Monday: 9:30 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday: 9:30 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday: 9:30 am-5:00 pm

Thursday: 9:30 am-5:00 pm

Friday: 9:30 am-6:00 pm

Saturday: 9:00 am- 4:00 pm

Sunday: closed

 

The call center is open 24/7 to assist you.

RBC is closed for all federal holidays.

 

Email:

[email protected]

Phone:

1-800-769-2511

 

Type of Loans Offered at the Royal Bank of Canada 

 

People borrow to meet specific needs. For example, it may be to consolidate debt, buy a car, renovate a home or buy a home. RBC has lending products designed to meet the needs of borrowers to help them achieve their goals. Types of loans available are personal loans, car loans, home improvement loans, RRSP loans, energy saver loans, lines of credit, and mortgages.

 

Personal loans

You can use a personal loan for many things. You might want to consolidate debt, buy furniture or appliances, take a vacation, pay for a wedding or have another purpose. RBC personal loans can be a great option because:

 

  • You can choose a flexible or variable rate
  • Terms of 1-5 years are available
  • You can make weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly payments
  • If you want to make changes to your payment amount, frequency, or payment date, you can do it online
  • There are no penalties to prepay or pay off your loan early
  • You have the option to skip a payment once a year

 

Car loans

RBC has several options for borrowers who want to finance a vehicle purchase. RBC offers financing for vehicles through their branches and dealerships for new or used vehicles, newcomers to Canada, electric vehicles, or vehicle(s) for business purposes.

 

Features of RBC car loans are:

 

  • Fixed or variable rates
  • Choice of payment frequency-monthly, semi-monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly
  • No fees for prepaying or paying off the loan early
  • Ability to skip a payment once a year
  • 1-8 year terms (12-96 months)
  • Financing available for vehicles up to 10 years old
  • Special financing rates at select dealerships, currently Chevrolet, Chrysler, Hyundai, Kia, Tesla, Alfa Romeo, Buick, Cadillac, Dodge, Fiat, Genesis, GMC, Jeep, Maserati, and Ram

 

Newcomer Automotive Loan Program

RBC’s Newcomer Automotive Loan Program is for borrowers who have been in Canada for three years or less. 

 

Features of the program are:

 

  • The borrower may not need Canadian credit history
  • Maximum loan amount of $75,000
  • Maximum amortization of 96 months
  • Flexible payment frequency of monthly, semi-monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly
  • No fees or charges to prepay or pay off the loan early
  • Fixed or variable rates
  • Financing of up to 100% of the purchase price available
  • RBC financing for the Newcomer Automotive Loan Program is available at over 4500 dealerships across Canada

 

Loans for electric vehicles

Many buyers are considering an electric vehicle for environmental reasons or to reduce their vehicle’s operating costs. RBC has a financing program for borrowers who want to buy a battery-electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, or hybrid electric vehicle.

 

These loans offer:

 

  • Special financing rates for certain clean energy vehicles; currently Chevrolet, Chrysler, Hyundai, Kia, and Tesla 
  • Choice of monthly, semi-monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly payment options
  • Terms of up to 8 years (96 months)
  • Minimum loan amount of $7,500
  • No penalties or fees for prepaying or paying off the loan early

 

Loans for business vehicles

Businesses often need to purchase vehicles or add to the vehicles they have. RBC has vehicle financing for businesses that are incorporated, partnerships, not-for-profit, and registered charities. Businesses can use this program to finance one or multiple vehicles up to a maximum loan amount of $250,000.

 

Features of the business vehicle loans include:

 

  • Minimum amount of $7,500 to a maximum of $250,000
  • Payment frequency of monthly, semi-monthly, bi-weekly, and weekly
  • Terms of up to 7 years (84 months)
  • Special financing rates at select dealerships, currently Chevrolet, Chrysler, Hyundai, Kia, Tesla, Alfa Romeo, Buick, Cadillac, Dodge, Fiat, Genesis, GMC, Jeep, Maserati, and Ram
  • Available for passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks
  • Upfit financing is available to add features to the vehicle, such as ladders or a mobile workstation

 

Boat or RV (recreational vehicle) loan

RBC has financing specifically for boats and RVs. Borrowers can apply for these loans at dealerships by asking for RBC financing and providing the required information.

 

RBC boat and RV loans offer the following features:

 

  • Financing up to 20 years (240 months)
  • Competitive interest rates
  • Available for units up to 10 years old
  • Minimum loan amount of $7,500
  • Monthly, semi-monthly, bi-weekly, and weekly payment options
  • No fees or penalties to prepay or pay off the loan early

 

Home improvement loans

The costs of home improvements can be very high, depending on what you choose to do. There are several ways to finance home improvements through RBC. First, consider how much you need to borrow, how long you want to take to repay the loan, and the terms and conditions of the loan. Options for financing home improvements at RBC include unsecured options like a personal loan which we have seen or a Royal Line of credit. Secured options include the Secured Royal Credit Line, RBC Homeline Plan, Mortgage Add-On, Built-In Mortgage Add-On, and a mortgage refinance.

 

Royal Credit Line

A Royal Credit Line is an unsecured, revolving credit product. Lines of credit have a set limit, and a borrower can draw funds up to the limit, for example, $10,000. Once the limit is paid down or off, borrowers can draw funds up to the limit again without reapplying. The Royal Credit Line is a very flexible product that you can use for any reason, including home renovations. Having the ability to draw funds as you need them can be very helpful since you often don’t know exactly how much money you’ll need when you begin a renovation project.

 

Royal Credit Line features:

 

  • Minimum credit limit of $5,000
  • Competitive, variable interest rate based on RBC prime
  • Flexible repayments-you can make only the minimum payment or pay as much as you want
  • No annual fee
  • Accessible 24/7 using a mobile app, online banking, or RBC ABM’s 

 

Secured Royal Credit Line 

The Secured Royal Credit Line works the same way as an unsecured Royal Line of Credit. The difference is that the borrower uses the equity in their home or an investment portfolio as security for the credit line. This means that if the borrower defaults on making payments on the secured line of credit, the bank can take the asset to satisfy the debt. 

 

Some advantages that a Secured Royal Credit Line has over an unsecured Royal Credit Line are:

 

  • Limits start at $5,000 but can go up to 65% of the value of your home less any outstanding mortgages, potentially resulting in a higher credit limit than an unsecured credit line 
  • Rates are based on prime and can be lower than an unsecured line of credit
  • Minimum payments can be as low as interest-only

 

RBC Homeline Plan

RBC Homeline Plan is a type of mortgage that allows you to access the equity in your home. Once the Homeline plan is in place, you can access the credit that has been made available by paying down the debts secured by your Homeline Plan without reapplying. In addition, you can borrow up to 80% of the value of your home and use it for purposes such as home renovations.

 

Benefits of the RBC Homeline Plan include:

 

  • The ability to access the available equity in your home as a line of credit
  • As you pay down your mortgage, the line of credit limit increases to a maximum of 65% of the value of your home
  • Rates that are lower than a credit card or personal loan
  • The option to combine the line of credit balance with your mortgage to make one payment
  • Minimum payments can be as low as interest only

 

Mortgage Add-On

RBC’s Mortgage Add-On is a mortgage product that gives you the option to increase your mortgage balance to 80% of the appraised value of your home. The existing mortgage rate is blended with the current three-year fixed-term rate. Your monthly payment will change to accommodate the additional principal and the new rate.

 

Benefits of the RBC Mortgage Add-On include:

 

  • Minimal costs to set up the plan
  • One payment instead of multiple payments 
  • Choice of monthly, semi-monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly payments
  • Rates are typically lower than personal loans, credit cards, or credit line

 

Built-In Mortgage Add-On

Any RBC mortgage funded on or after April 15, 1996 (except Quebec) is eligible to be considered for the Built-In Mortgage Add-On. This product works the same way as the Mortgage Add-On, except that you cannot exceed the original amount of the mortgage. An appraisal is required to determine the home’s value, but no legal fees are required. You can use this feature as many times as you like, and it can be a very convenient way to get the funds you need to renovate your home.

 

Mortgage refinance

You can refinance your mortgage if the Mortgage Add-On or mortgage Built-In Add-On does not give you the amount you need for your home renovations or other financial goals you may have. This process usually involves an application for credit, an appraisal, and legal fees. Speak to your RBC advisor for more details.

 

RRSP loans

RBC offers RRSP loans for customers who want to make their current year’s RRSP contribution or catch up on unused contribution room from previous years.

 

RRSP loans:

 

  • Have a limit of up to $50,000
  • Can have an interest rate as low as prime
  • Allow borrowers to defer their payments for 90 days
  • Can have an amortization period of up to 10 years
  • Allow borrowers to pay off or prepay the loan with no fees or penalties
  • Can be paid monthly, semi-monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly

 

Energy saver loan

The Energy Saver loan is for loans of $5,000 or more that are used to make qualifying purchases for products or services to improve the energy efficiency of a home. Borrowers can get a 1% discount off the loan rate or $100 to help cover the cost of the required energy audit. The loan term can be from 5 to 10 years. The audit must be completed within 90 days of the borrower receiving the funds for the loan.

 

Credit lines

You can apply for either an unsecured or secured Royal Credit Line, as we have seen earlier. An additional line of credit that RBC has is the Royal Credit Line for Students.

 

Royal Credit Line for Student

The Royal Credit Line for Students is available for undergraduates enrolled in university, college, or a trade school and students in a graduate program not covered by the Professional Studies program. There is a Royal Credit Line for Students students in Professional Studies and a Royal Credit Line for Medical and Dental Students.

 

Royal Credit Line for Students features and requirements:

 

  • Flexible credit limits with a minimum credit limit of $5,000
  • Accessible for two years after graduation, after which the student needs to begin principal repayments
  • Competitive, variable interest rate based on prime
  • Pay only on credit used
  • Program for students studying abroad
  • Proof of enrollment required
  • Co-signer required

 

Mortgages

RBC has a wide range of mortgages available, depending on what you would like to do. We have already looked at the RBC Homeline, RBC Mortgage-Add-On, RBC Built-In Mortgage Add-On, and a mortgage refinance. RBC also has mortgages for new purchases, investment properties, and vacation homes.

 

Fixed and Variable Rate Mortgages

Fixed and variable rate mortgages refer to the interest rate. A fixed-rate mortgage has the rate fixed for the term. The advantage of a fixed-rate mortgage is that your payments will be predictable for the duration of the mortgage term.

 

A variable rate mortgage has a rate that adjusts as the RBC prime rate adjusts. With a variable rate mortgage, your rate will increase if the prime rate increases, and if it decreases, your rate will decrease. Your payment will change if it is not high enough to accommodate the increase in the rate. A variable rate mortgage can have lower rates than a fixed-rate mortgage, and if rates are increasing, you can lock in your mortgage at the fixed rate for a term as long as or longer than your remaining term.

 

Vacation Homes

RBC has a mortgage to help you buy a vacation home. You can amortize it over 25 years if you have a downpayment of 20% of the property value or more or over 30 years if your down payment is less than 20% of the property value.

 

Investment Property Mortgage

Borrowers who want to buy a rental, convert their own home to a rental, or begin building a portfolio of rental properties can consider this mortgage. Borrowers can get a mortgage of up to 80% of the appraised property value.

 

RBC mortgage features:

 

  • Competitive interest rates
  • Option to increase mortgage payments by10% in a 12 month period
  • Option to make a prepayment of up to 10% of the original mortgage amount in a 12 month period
  • 120 day rate guarantee on new mortgages and 30 day rate guarantee on renewals
  • A Double-up option which allows borrowers to prepay a minimum of $100 up to the original mortgage payment amount on any and every payment period 
  • Skip a mortgage payment once a year

 

Cashback mortgage

The RBC Cashback mortgage offers homeowners cashback when they buy a home. The money is advanced the day the mortgage is funded and can help cover legal costs, moving expenses, land transfer taxes or be used for anything else. This mortgage is beneficial for first time home buyers with a 5% downpayment. The cashback amount is based on the amount of the mortgage and can be a maximum of 7% or $20,000.

 

Current Mortgage Offers:

 

  • Eligible mortgages qualify for up to $2500 in cash
  • Cash bonus and fees covered to switch your mortgage to RBC
  • Offers are available until June 30, 2022

 

Documents required to apply for a loan at RBC

 

Different loans may have other criteria but, generally, you will need to be the age of majority in your province and provide:

 

  • One or two pieces of valid photo identification such as a driver’s license, passport, or government identification card
  • Proof of address that is less than 12 months old such as a utility bill
  • Your payslips from the previous month
  • A letter of employment from your employer that is less than three months old
  • RBC will do a credit check
  • Your banker will request any additional information to complete the application process

 

Why Choose RBC?

 

RBC offers customers excellent service, a wide variety of products and services, and many ways to do your banking.

 

Service

RBC has branches and ABM’s all over Canada for you to get advice and do your banking. In addition, customer service is available through the call center 24/7 to help you resolve any issues you might have.

 

Products and services

RBC can meet all your banking needs. RBC has bank accounts, credit cards, loans, credit lines, mortgages, investments, and many tools to help you take control of your finances and plan your future.

 

Convenience

You can do your banking at the branch, ABM, online, over the phone, or using your mobile app. RBC offers 24/7 banking convenience with banking options that are easy to navigate. You can choose when, where, and how to bank.

 

How to Sign Up

 

You can apply for:

 

  • A personal loan or line of credit at the branch or by calling 1-855-834-1782
  • For RRSP loans, you can apply in branch or by calling 1-855-834-1782
  • For car loans or boat and RV loans, you can apply at the dealership and ask for RBC financing 
  • For a Student Line of Credit, apply at the branch or call 1-866-881-6618
  • For RBC mortgages, get pre-approved online and a mortgage specialist will contact you within 24 hours
1

Begin the process by clicking the “start online pre-approval” button.

2

Next, select whether you want to purchase real estate, refinance your mortgage or switch your mortgage to RBC.

3

Fill out the all information on the following screen so that the RBC mortgage specialist can contact you:

4

The third screen will lead you to select a mortgage specialist.

Frequently asked questions

What does RBC stand for?

RBC stands for “Royal Bank of Canada.”

How to cancel an e-transfer?

There are three ways to cancel an e-transfer, depending on your system. You can cancel it online, on your mobile iOS, or your mobile android.

 

Online: Sign on to online banking, go to “accounts summary” on the right-hand side and choose “payment history.” Next, select the e-transfer you want to cancel and select “cancel payment.” To complete the transaction, follow the instructions.

 

Mobile iOS: Go to the navigation bar and tap “move money,” tap “cancel Interac e-transfer,” tap the “history” tab and select “transfer.” Scroll to the bottom of the app and tap “cancel transfer.”

Mobile Android: On, the navigation bar, tap “move money,” tap the “action” button, and tap “cancel an Interac e-transfer.” Then, choose the transfer you want to cancel, scroll to the bottom, and tap “cancel transfer.”

How can I check my credit score at RBC?

You can check your credit score if you have online banking at RBC. Sign in to your RBC online banking, click the link that says “view your credit score,” and agree to the terms and conditions. It will be added to your dashboard, and you will be able to see your score.

How do I set up an auto-deposit at RBC?

Registering for auto-deposit will allow e-transfers to be deposited directly to your account without you having to sign in and complete additional steps to accept the transfer. The service is free and makes accepting e-transfers simple. To sign up for auto-deposit:

  1. Sign in to online banking.
  2. Go to “accounts summary” at the right of the screen.
  3. Choose “pay bills and transfer funds.”
  4. Select “register for e-transfer deposit.”
  5. Follow the steps to complete the process.
What time does RBC close?

RBC branches often close at 5:00 pm or 6:00 pm on weekdays and 4:00 pm on Saturdays. Hours will vary by branch and location, so check your branch’s hours of operation online or by phone.

 

You can access customer service 24/7 by calling RBC at 1-800-769-2511. Access to your accounts is available 24/7 and online, on your mobile app, or at RBC’s ABMs.

How do I close an RBC account?

You can close your account by visiting a branch or by calling RBC at 1-800-769-2511.

What can I use a loan for?

Loan proceeds can be used for almost anything. Some examples of how you can use a loan are: to consolidate debt, buy furniture or appliances, a home renovation, buy a car or recreational vehicle, travel, pay for a wedding or purchase an investment. 

How much can I borrow?

The amount you can borrow will depend on several factors, such as your income, the amount of debt you currently have, and your credit rating. Using RBC’s loan calculator will give you an idea of how much you can borrow.

What can I do to protect my savings?

Investing in Guaranteed Investment Certificates or keeping your money in a savings account will protect your money from market fluctuations.

Conclusion

 

RBC has provided banking services to customers in Canada and globally for over 150 years. The Retail Banker International has recognized RBC’s excellence in banking by granting them awards for the North American Retail Bank of the Year, the Best Loyalty/Rewards Strategy, and the Best Latin/ Caribbean Bank of the Year. Customers can expect excellent products, services, and advice from RBC.

Piggyy

״The secret of happiness, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less״ - Socrates

content table close

Piggyy

״The secret of happiness, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less״ - Socrates

content table close

Piggyy

״The secret of happiness, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less״ - Socrates