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Royal Bank of Canada

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FY2015 Annual Report · Royal Bank of Canada
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ROYAL BANK OF CANADA ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Helping clients thrive and
communities prosper

RBC

By the numbers

#1
largest bank
in Canada

~78,000
employees

#13
largest bank
in the world

~40
countries

16 Million+ $100 Million+
donations, sponsorships
clients across
and community
a diversified mix
investments to
of businesses
causes worldwide

All figures as at October 31, 2015. Geographic rankings based on market capitalization.

Our values guide, unite and inspire us to do what’s right

Client First
We will always earn the right
to be our clients’ first choice

Diversity & Inclusion
We embrace diversity for
innovation and growth

Collaboration
We win as One RBC

Accountability
We take ownership for personal
and collective high performance

Contents

Executing on our strategy

Achieving strong performance

Delivering stability and growth

Helping communities prosper

Message from Dave McKay

Message from Katie Taylor

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Integrity
We hold ourselves to the highest
standards to build trust

1

2

3

4

5

8

9

Enhanced Disclosure Task Force
Recommendations Index

Reports and Consolidated Financial
Statements

Ten-Year Statistical Review

Glossary

Directors and Executive Officers

Principal Subsidiaries

Shareholder Information

115

116

205

207

210

211

212

To view our online annual report, please visit: rbc.com/ar2015

Executing on our strategy

RBC is focused on markets and client segments where we can apply our strengths to win business,
deepen relationships with clients and our communities, and create shareholder value. We are
pursuing initiatives to drive sustainable growth and contribute to the success of our employees,
clients, shareholders and communities.

Purpose

Vision

Helping clients thrive and
communities prosper

To be among the world’s most trusted
and successful financial institutions

Strategic Goals

In Canada: To be the
undisputed leader in
financial services

Highlights
(cid:2) Continued to lead across key businesses and client segments
(cid:2) Delivered solid volume growth
(cid:2) Led peers in retail client cross-sell
(cid:2) Launched innovative products and services to meet clients’

evolving needs and expectations

(cid:2) Ranked as the most valuable brand1 in Canada

In the U.S.: To be the
preferred partner to corporate,
institutional and high net
worth clients and
their businesses

(cid:2) Announced acquisition of City National Bank2 creates a
powerful platform for long-term growth in the U.S., and
provides significant opportunity to build deeper client
relationships

(cid:2) Expanded capabilities, presence and brand awareness
(cid:2) Won several significant mandates in corporate and

investment banking

(cid:2) Strategically added top talent

In select global financial
centres: To be a leading
financial services partner
valued for our expertise

(cid:2) Prudently built out our wealth management, asset

management and capital markets presence and capabilities
(cid:2) Realized significant operational improvement in our custodial

business and continued investment in client-focused
technology solutions

(cid:2) Refocused international wealth business to better serve high

net worth clients from our key operational hubs
Improved business performance in the Caribbean

(cid:2)

1. Brand Finance
2. Acquisition closed on November 2, 2015

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

1

Achieving strong performance
In 2015, we grew earnings by 11%, increased our annual dividend by 8% from
last year, delivered strong return on equity of 18.6% and strengthened our
Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio to 10.6%.

Metrics

Diluted EPS Growth

Return on Equity

Capital Ratio (CET1)

Dividend Payout Ratio

Objectives

Results

Achieved

7%+

18%+

Strong

40% – 50%

12.2%

18.6%

Strong

46%

✓

✓

✓

✓

Solid Earnings

Net Income (C$ Billion)

$10.0

$9.0

$8.3

Profitable Growth

Return on Equity (ROE)

19.7% 19.0% 18.6%

Financial Strength

Solid Returns to Shareholders

Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) Capital ratio

Dividends Declared per Share

10.6%

9.6%

9.9%

$3.08

$2.84

$2.53

13

14

15

13

14

15

13

14

15

13

14

15

Total Shareholder Return1

RBC

Global Peer Average

Three-year

Five-year

Ten-year

14%

15%

11%

12%

10%

8%

Since 2005 we’ve increased our dividend by an
annualized rate of 10%

1. Annualized TSR is calculated based on the TSX common share price appreciation plus reinvested dividend income. Source: Bloomberg, as at October 31, 2015. RBC is compared to our

global peer group. The peer group average excludes RBC; for the list of peers, please refer to our financial performance objectives section of our 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

2

Royal Bank of Canada Annual Report 2015

Delivering stability and growth
Our diversification by business and geography contributes to consistent performance
and growth opportunities. Our employees collaborate across businesses and
geographies to ensure our clients benefit from the full breadth of RBC’s unmatched
capabilities, advice, and solutions to meet their financial needs and aspirations.

Earnings by business segment

$10 Billion1

52% 
11% 
7% 
6% 
24% 

  Personal & Commercial Banking 
  Wealth Management
  Insurance
  Investor & Treasury Services
  Capital Markets

Personal & Commercial Banking
• Number 1 or 2 share in all key Canadian

Banking product categories
• Largest sales force in Canada
• Continued to deliver client innovations:

(cid:2) Host Card Emulation technology allowing
clients with Android devices to use RBC
Wallet™ anywhere in the world

(cid:2) RBC Newcomer Advantage™ offering new
financial solutions to help newcomers get
established quickly

(cid:2) Cheque-ProTM allowing high cheque volume

clients to easily make deposits online
• Continued to focus on quality asset and

revenue growth

Wealth Management
• Top 5 global wealth manager2:

(cid:2) #1 in Canada – Largest fund company3 and

leader in high net worth market share4
(cid:2) 7th largest brokerage firm in the U.S.5
(cid:2) Our Global Asset Management business is

one of the fastest growing asset managers in
the world6

• Announced key acquisition of City National

Bank adding private and commercial banking
capabilities complementing our presence in
the U.S.

• Focused U.S. & International business to better
serve high net worth and ultra-high net worth
clients from our key operational hubs

Insurance
• A Canadian market leader and among the

fastest growing insurance organizations in
the country7

• Ranked as #1 Banking-Based Insurance

Brand Globally8

Investor & Treasury Services
• Rated by our clients #1 global custodian for

five consecutive years9

• Dominant offshore provider in Luxembourg
and Dublin, and rated UCITS Fund Admin-
istrator of the Year10

• Canada’s leading asset management

provider11 with number one ratings across
client service, custody, fund administration
and Canadian dollar transactions

• High level of investment in client-focused

technology solutions

Capital Markets
• 10th largest bank globally and in the

Americas12

• Best Investment Bank in Canada across

Equity, Debt and M&A for 8th consecutive
year13

• Strategically aligned with ~90% of global

investment banking fee pool12

• Leveraged depth of capabilities including
cross-border solutions to deepen client
relationships

Revenue by geography

$35.3 Billion1

Canada
63%

United States
19%

International
18%

We work together to bring the best of RBC to our clients to help them achieve their goals

• Helped over 200,000 Canadians buy a home

this year

• Supported businesses globally with nearly

$130 billion in business loans

• Helped 4.9 million clients bank online every month

Investment Funds Institute of Canada, June 2015 and company data
Investor Economics, April 2015

1. Amount excludes Corporate Support
2. Scorpio Partnership Global Private Banking Benchmark 2015
3.
4.
5. By assets under administration – company data
6. Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey
7. Company data
8. Brand Finance

For more awards, please visit: rbc.com/aboutus/awards.html

Global Investor ISF Global Custody Survey 2011 to 2015

9.
10. Custody Risk, European Awards, 2015
11. Global Investor ISF Global Custody Survey 2015; R&M Global Custody Survey 2015;
Global Investor ISF Fund Administration Survey 2015; Global ISF Beneficial Owners
Survey 2015; The Banker, November 2014
Thomson Reuters Global Investment Banking Review, Q3 2015
Euromoney

12.
13.

Royal Bank of Canada Annual Report 2015

3

Helping communities prosper
As a recognized leader in corporate citizenship, we’re focused on delivering
high-value impact through our efforts, initiatives and investments. We are proud
to support our employees as they actively contribute their time, resources and
expertise to making a difference in the world. Together, we’re creating meaningful
impact and contributing to a prosperous future.

Impact

Community and Social

Invest in communities where
we live and work, and issued
more than 4,500 grants to
support the volunteer efforts of
our employees.

Initiatives

Lead in corporate citizenship
as our efforts make a positive
and lasting impact.

Shape thought leadership
by contributing our expertise
to shape the future.

$100 Million+

Contributed in donations,
community investments,
and sponsorships in
communities around the
world.

Youth
We know that when you believe in young people,
anything is possible. We support a wide range of key
programs that span education, health, sports,
entrepreneurship, career development and financial
literacy, to make sure young people have the right skills
and opportunities to succeed.

Arts
Our support of the arts is a long-
standing priority, as we recognize the
arts are the heart of our communities
and culture. We are particularly
focused on the next generation of
artists through our Emerging Artists
program.

Environment
The RBC Blue Water Project® is our
10-year global commitment of
$50 million to help protect fresh
water, now and for future generations.
This year, nearly 25,000 employees
participated in 850 Blue Water Day
makeover events in over 25 countries.

Our contribution of time, funds and expertise to the world around us
will continue to be a focus and drive our success moving forward

For more information, please visit: rbc.com/community-sustainability/index.html

4

Royal Bank of Canada Annual Report 2015

Message from Dave McKay

At RBC, we help our clients thrive, and our communities prosper. This simple statement sums up who
we are, what we stand for and what we seek to achieve each day when we come to work. It also reflects
our successes and achievements throughout 2015, from record earnings, to our ongoing investments
in delivering an exceptional client experience, to the deep commitment we have to making a positive
difference in the communities where we live and work.

DAVE McKAY
President and Chief Executive Officer

We earned a record $10 billion, up 11% from
last year, reflecting consistent strength across
our businesses. We earned $6.73 per share on
a diluted basis, delivered a return on equity of
18.6%, and strengthened our capital position,
ending with a Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio
of 10.6%. We also raised our dividend twice
during 2015, for an annual increase of 8%. I am
pleased to say we met all of our financial
objectives, which measure our progress toward
maximizing Total Shareholder Returns (TSR).
We delivered compound annual TSR of 14% and
11% over the three- and five-year periods,
respectively.

We achieved these results despite a challenging
macroeconomic environment. Global growth
remains uneven, holding back investment and
employment. Canada’s economy struggled in the
first half of the year due to a sharp pull-back in
oil prices, which negatively affected other parts
of the economy and impacted real GDP growth.
Growth improved in the second half of the year
due to strengthening export demand, higher
consumer spending and residential investment
spurred in part by lower energy prices and a
weak Canadian dollar. Interest rates in Canada
and abroad remained at or near historical lows,
reflecting central bankers’ ongoing concern
about the near-term health of their economies.

Against this backdrop, our record earnings
reflect our progress in attracting and serving the
needs of personal, business and institutional
clients, the power of our diversified business
model, and our prudent approach to risk
management. We also remained focused on
managing costs and reducing the rate of growth
of our expenses, while continuing to invest, with
a particular focus on innovation, technology and
digitization.

Focus on innovation
The financial services industry continues to face
change including advancements in disruptive
technology, new competitors, and a
corresponding evolution in client needs and
expectations. We have a long and successful
history of innovation and are leveraging
technology to improve the way we serve our
clients by delivering simple, useful, timely and
secure mobile and digital experiences.

The results we have seen to date show that we
are having an impact. We have close to 5 million
active digital customers per month, of which
2 million are mobile and tablet users. They
deposited more than $2.5 billion by cheque
through our mobile channel in the feature’s first
five months of availability.

Innovation also drives efficiency, and we
continue to simplify how we work and digitize
processes.

We are confident that we have a number of
significant advantages which we can leverage as
we navigate the digital transition including a
brand which has the trust of millions of clients
around the world, a proven innovation track
record that has led to securing patents in areas
including secure cloud payment and security
technology, our global scale, and depth and
breadth of products and services. At the same
time, we will continue to move quickly to ensure
we have the technology and solutions our
clients want to see from their financial services
provider.

An undisputed Canadian leader
Our success continues to be driven by the
strength and stability of our businesses, centred
first and foremost on our clients and their
success.

See Dave McKay’s video message to stakeholders: annualreports.rbc.com/ar2015/ceo.html

Royal Bank of Canada Annual Report 2015

5

Our success
continues to be
driven by the
strength and
stability of our
businesses,
centred first
and foremost on
our clients and
their success.

Beyond Canada,
we are focusing
our efforts on
target geographic
markets and
desirable client
segments.

Looking forward, we are confident that we will continue to grow by appealing
to key client segments including high and ultra-high net worth clients as well
as newcomers to Canada who represent an important and growing market.

In Canada, we continued to bolster our position as
the undisputed financial services leader, building
on our scale and breadth and ensuring we serve
our clients as One RBC, bringing the best we have
to offer from all our businesses.

We hold the number one or two market position in
all key retail and business product categories. We
remain the market leader in business banking,
underwriting a quarter of all business loans under
$25 million and providing a key source of capital
to the small- and medium-sized businesses which
fuel Canada’s economy.

We continue to be Canada’s top wealth manager
with a leading share of the high net worth market,
the largest fund company, the top investment
bank with leading rankings across Equity, Debt &
M&A for the 8th consecutive year, a market
leader and among the fastest-growing insurance
organizations in the country, and a leading
provider of Canadian clearing, cash management
and trade finance through our Investor & Treasury
Services business.

Looking forward, we are confident that we will
continue to grow by appealing to key client
segments including high and ultra-high net worth
clients as well as newcomers to Canada who
represent an important and growing market. We
will also continue to focus on underpenetrated
commercial banking segments and building loyalty
amongst our existing client base as a result of the
differentiated experience they have with us.

Beyond Canada, we are focusing our efforts on
target geographic markets and desirable client
segments.

Preferred partner in the U.S.
We view the U.S. as our second home market –
there simply is no other developed market which
provides the same combination of size, earnings
potential, access to new entrants and connectivity
to Canada. Our goal is to be the preferred partner
to U.S. corporate, institutional and high net worth
clients and their businesses, primarily through our

Capital Markets and Wealth Management
businesses.

Our Capital Markets business derives half of its
earnings from the U.S., and is a top 10 global
investment bank. Our Wealth Management
business is a leading global player, and the 7th
largest brokerage firm in the U.S., where our brand,
reputation and expertise are enabling us to
continue to win new business and attract and
retain top talent. We are acquiring new clients
while strengthening and growing existing relation-
ships by focusing on improving productivity and
cross-selling.

The US$5.5 billion acquisition of Los Angeles-
based City National Corporation marks a major
milestone in our U.S. strategy and complements
our existing capital markets and wealth
management presence, providing significant
opportunities to deepen our relationships with
high net worth and mid-market commercial clients.

Since City National serves high net worth clients
located in major metropolitan areas, it is strongly
positioned to benefit from the significant wealth
creation taking place in those markets. We
announced this transaction in January, closed it in
November and will start reporting combined
results beginning in the first fiscal quarter of 2016.

A focus on select global financial centres
Internationally, our aim is to be a leading financial
services partner in select global financial centres
in the U.K., Europe, Asia and the Caribbean.

With that in mind, in 2015, we continued to
refocus a number of our international businesses
on specific markets where we can be a leader.
We’ve strengthened our retail Caribbean banking
business by exiting non-core regions, and we’ve
largely completed the realignment of our U.S. &
International Wealth Management business, which
will let us better serve our clients from our key
operational hubs in Canada, the United States, the
British Isles, and Asia.

See Dave McKay’s video message to stakeholders: annualreports.rbc.com/ar2015/ceo.html

6

Royal Bank of Canada Annual Report 2015

We are prudently building out our wealth
management, asset management and capital
markets capabilities in the U.K. and Europe. I’m
encouraged by our ongoing progress in winning
client mandates as it demonstrates our
strengthening market position in the region.

We continued to extend our Global Asset
Management business internationally and, today,
roughly 30% of our institutional assets are from
outside of Canada. In Capital Markets, we opened
offices in Frankfurt and Paris, and expanded a
number of our research teams. We’ve also seen
benefits from selectively expanding our
investment banking sector and geographic
coverage to markets and industry sectors that we
know well, and we are also extending our loan
book where it makes sense to help drive new
origination.

Investor & Treasury Services built on its reputation
for leading client service and further enhanced its
strong position among global custodians, thanks
to robust levels of activity from new and existing
clients.

Our employees drive our results
Our successes this year would not have been
possible without the dedication and
professionalism of our talented and highly
engaged employees. Our teams put clients first,
collaborate effectively and look for ways to
continue to deliver an exceptional client
experience and nurture client trust. They also
continue to create pride throughout the
organization by giving their time and expertise to
have a positive impact on our communities.

We will continue to build an even better workplace
by ensuring our people succeed in an
environment of respect and inclusion where
everyone has the opportunity to contribute and
realize their potential.

Helping our communities prosper
The depth of our commitment to clients and to
our employees is matched by our passionate
belief in making a positive social and
community impact. In 2015, we contributed
more than $100 million in donations,
community investments, and sponsorships.
However, we are giving much more than money
in our efforts to help communities prosper.
Over the course of the year, thousands of RBC
employees, retirees, families, friends and
community members donated their time to
causes and initiatives that matter to them. This
year’s Blue Water Day was a great demon-
stration of our community commitment coming
to life, as 25,000 employees in 26 countries
rolled up their sleeves and completed
850 community makeovers, cleaning up
shorelines, parks and streets.

Thank you
I’d like to personally thank all of our clients
who continue to trust us with their business.
I also want to thank all of our employees,
whose commitment and hard work helps
clients thrive and contributes to our vision of
being among the world’s most trusted and
successful financial institutions. And to you,
our fellow shareholders, I would like to
reiterate our commitment to continuing to
deliver high-quality, sustainable earnings
growth.

David McKay
President and Chief Executive Officer

Royal Bank of Canada Annual Report 2015

7

Message from Katie Taylor

premier U.S. private and commercial bank,
to serve as a powerful expansion platform
for long-term growth in the U.S.

Ensuring RBC has the depth of talent to
implement strategy and top performers
who will exhibit excellence in its execution
is another priority of the Board. We actively
assess management’s bench strength,
reviewing development plans for senior
executives who possess the strengths
most valuable to RBC.

In today’s challenging market conditions
and competitive technological
environment, promoting strong risk
conduct and embedding a risk
management culture throughout RBC are
key priorities. The Board carefully
assesses whether management’s plans
appropriately balance strategic oppor-
tunities with risk discipline. We oversee
the frameworks and processes designed to
identify the principal risks to the
businesses and the systems implemented
to manage those risks. The Board is
involved in determining the amount and
type of risk that RBC will accept in the
pursuit of business objectives, approving
the Bank’s risk appetite and monitoring
risk profile to ensure plans and activities
are prudently focused on generating long-
term shareholder value.

The Board fosters a culture of integrity
and good governance
We regard good governance as a business
imperative, positively impacting corporate
performance by establishing the structures
and processes that drive RBC to meet
strategic objectives and achieve long-term
sustainability. To maximize our
contribution, your Board and its
committees are committed to adapting
best governance practices to the needs of
the organization. This year we won Best
Overall Corporate Governance in the
Excellence in Governance Awards in
recognition of the integration of high
governance standards throughout RBC.

Your Board is also proud of RBC’s
contributions to the communities it serves.
We understand that a good company is
simultaneously purpose-driven,

principles-led and performance-focused.
The strong reputation and brand of RBC are
founded on a business approach in which
we work to make a positive impact on
society, the environment and the
economy. In setting the tone at the top, the
Board nurtures the strong corporate values
that are entrenched in the culture of RBC,
and reinforces the ethical principles on
which our reputation and success are
founded.

The Board is committed to the ongoing
success of RBC and creating long-term
value for our shareholders and other
stakeholders
The Board places strong emphasis upon
selection of director candidates, assessing
the Board’s existing strengths against the
evolving needs of the Bank. An important
element of this is ensuring that a diversity
of viewpoints, backgrounds and
experience are present at the Board. In
addition to Toos Daruvala, a Director and
Senior Partner with McKinsey & Company
who joined the Board earlier in 2015, we
were pleased this year to welcome
Thierry Vandal, the recently retired
President and Chief Executive Officer of
Hydro-Que´bec, who brings to the Board
extensive experience in the energy
industry, regulatory affairs and
cybersecurity.

The Board of Directors is confident that
RBC has the right people in place to build
on its success. The Board extends its
thanks to Dave McKay and his leadership
team for their collective focus on
delivering an exceptional client
experience, and on helping our clients
thrive and communities prosper. And as
always, a special thank you to all of RBC’s
employees, whose passion and
commitment to our clients continues to
drive our success.

Kathleen Taylor
Chair of the Board

KATIE TAYLOR
Chair of the Board

Dear fellow shareholders,

This year your Board of Directors
maintained its focus on delivering long-
term shareholder value and positioning
RBC for future growth. Record earnings,
increased dividends and strategic
expansion of our already strong U.S.
presence are among the hallmarks
of 2015.

RBC has the right strategy to drive growth
and create value
Central to our role as directors is our
responsibility to ensure that RBC has the
right strategy, talent and risk management
to succeed and deliver long-term value.
Your Board actively engages with our
outstanding management team to develop
the strategic plans aimed at achieving our
shared vision: to be among the world’s
most trusted and successful financial
institutions. Aspects of enterprise and
business segment strategy are discussed
at every board meeting and we participate
in an annual session focused on
longer-term growth plans. We work closely
with management on how best to enhance
the Bank’s strong capital position and
create value by investing in organic growth
and strategic acquisitions. This year the
Board contributed to management’s
planning and deliberations in the acquis-
ition of City National Corporation, a

For more information on our governance policies, please visit: rbc.com/governance/index.html

8

Royal Bank of Canada Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) is provided to enable a reader to assess our results of operations and financial condition for the fiscal year ended
October 31, 2015, compared to the preceding two fiscal years. This MD&A should be read in conjunction with our 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements and
related notes and is dated December 1, 2015. All amounts are in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise specified, and are based on financial statements prepared in
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), unless otherwise noted.

Additional information about us, including our 2015 Annual Information Form, is available free of charge on our website at rbc.com/investorrelations, on the Canadian
Securities Administrators’ website at sedar.com and on the EDGAR section of the United States (U.S.) Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) website at sec.gov.

Table of contents

Caution regarding forward-looking

statements

Overview and outlook

Selected financial and other highlights
About Royal Bank of Canada
Vision and strategic goals
Economic and market review and outlook
Defining and measuring success through
Total Shareholder Returns

Key corporate events of 2015

Financial performance

Overview
Impact of foreign currency translation
Total revenue
Provision for credit losses
Insurance policyholder benefits, claims
and acquisition expense
Non-interest expense
Income and other taxes
Client assets

Business segment results

Results by business segment

9

10
10
11
11
11

12

13

14
14
14
15
16

16
17
17
18

19
19

How we measure and report our business
segments
Key performance and non-GAAP
measures
Personal & Commercial Banking
Wealth Management
Insurance
Investor & Treasury Services
Capital Markets
Corporate Support

Results by geographic segment

Quarterly financial information

Fourth quarter 2015 performance
Quarterly results and trend analysis

Financial condition

Condensed balance sheets
Off-balance sheet arrangements

Risk management

Overview
Top and emerging risks
Enterprise risk management
Credit risk

19

20
22
28
32
35
36
40

41

41
41
42

44
44
45

48
48
49
50
56

Market risk
Liquidity and funding risk
Insurance risk
Operational risk
Regulatory compliance risk
Strategic risk
Reputation risk
Legal and regulatory environment risk
Competitive risk
Systemic risk

Overview of other risks

Capital management

Additional financial information

Accounting and control matters

Critical accounting policies and
estimates
Future changes in regulatory disclosure
Controls and procedures

Related party transactions

Supplementary information

67
72
84
84
86
86
87
87
89
89

89

91

101

101

101
106
106

107

108

See our Glossary for definitions of terms used throughout this document

Caution regarding forward-looking statements

From time to time, we make written or oral forward-looking statements within the meaning of certain securities laws, including the “safe harbour” provisions of the United States
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and any applicable Canadian securities legislation. We may make forward-looking statements in this 2015 Annual Report, in
other filings with Canadian regulators or the SEC, in other reports to shareholders and in other communications. Forward-looking statements in this document include, but are
not limited to, statements relating to our financial performance objectives, vision and strategic goals, the economic and market review and outlook for Canadian, U.S., European
and global economies, the regulatory environment in which we operate, the outlook and priorities for each of our business segments, and the risk environment including our
liquidity and funding risk. The forward-looking information contained in this document is presented for the purpose of assisting the holders of our securities and financial
analysts in understanding our financial position and results of operations as at and for the periods ended on the dates presented and our financial performance objectives,
vision and strategic goals, and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “believe”, “expect”, “foresee”,
“forecast”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “estimate”, “goal”, “plan” and “project” and similar expressions of future or conditional verbs such as “will”, “may”, “should”, “could” or
“would”.

By their very nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, which give rise to the possibility that

our predictions, forecasts, projections, expectations or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that our assumptions may not be correct and that our financial performance
objectives, vision and strategic goals will not be achieved. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements as a number of risk factors could cause our
actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. These factors – many of which are beyond our control and the effects of
which can be difficult to predict – include: credit, market, liquidity and funding, insurance, operational, regulatory compliance, strategic, reputation, legal and regulatory
environment, competitive and systemic risks and other risks discussed in the Risk management and Overview of other risks sections; weak oil and gas prices; the high levels of
Canadian household debt; exposure to more volatile sectors; cybersecurity; anti-money laundering; the business and economic conditions in Canada, the U.S. and certain other
countries in which we operate; the effects of changes in government fiscal, monetary and other policies; tax risk and transparency; and environmental risk.

We caution that the foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive and other factors could also adversely affect our results. When relying on our forward-looking statements

to make decisions with respect to us, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Material economic
assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained in this 2015 Annual Report are set out in the Overview and outlook section and for each business segment
under the heading Outlook and priorities. Except as required by law, we do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made
from time to time by us or on our behalf.

Additional information about these and other factors can be found in the Risk management and Overview of other risks sections.

Information contained in or otherwise accessible through the websites mentioned does not form part of this report. All references in this report to websites are inactive textual references and
are for your information only.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

9

Overview and outlook

Selected financial and other highlights

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except per share, number of and percentage amounts)

Total revenue
Provision for credit losses (PCL)
Insurance policyholder benefits, claims and acquisition expense

(PBCAE)

Non-interest expense
Net income before income taxes

Net income
Segments – net income

Personal & Commercial Banking
Wealth Management
Insurance
Investor & Treasury Services
Capital Markets
Corporate Support

Net income
Selected information

Earnings per share (EPS) – basic

– diluted

Return on common equity (ROE) (1), (2)
PCL on impaired loans as a % of average net loans and

acceptances

Gross impaired loans (GIL) as a % of loans and acceptances
Liquidity coverage ratio (3)

Capital ratios, Leverage ratio and multiples (4)

Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio (4)
Tier 1 capital ratio (4)
Total capital ratio (4)
Assets-to-capital multiple (4)
Leverage ratio (4)

Selected balance sheet and other information

Total assets
Securities
Loans (net of allowance for loan losses)
Derivative related assets
Deposits
Common equity
Average common equity (1)
Total capital risk-weighted assets
Assets under management (AUM) (5)
Assets under administration (AUA) (5), (6)

Common share information

Shares outstanding (000s) – average basic

– average diluted
– end of period

Dividends declared per common share
Dividend yield (7)
Common share price (RY on TSX) (8)
Market capitalization (TSX) (8)
Business information (number of)

Employees (full-time equivalent) (FTE)
Bank branches
Automated teller machines (ATMs)

Period average US$ equivalent of C$1.00 (9)
Period-end US$ equivalent of C$1.00

Table 1

2015 vs. 2014
Increase (decrease)

$

$

$

$

$

2015
35,321 $

1,097

2,963
18,638
12,623
10,026 $

5,006 $
1,041
706
556
2,319
398
10,026 $

2014
34,108 $

1,164

3,573
17,661
11,710

9,004 $

4,475 $
1,083
781
441
2,055
169
9,004 $

6.75 $
6.73
18.6%

6.03 $
6.00
19.0%

0.24%
0.47%
127%

10.6%
12.2%
14.0%
n.a.
4.3%

0.27%
0.44%
n.a.

9.9%
11.4%
13.4%
17.0X
n.a.

2013
30,682
1,237

2,784
16,214
10,447
8,342

4,380
886
595
339
1,700
442
8,342

5.53
5.49
19.7%

0.31%
0.52%
n.a.

9.6%
11.7%
14.0%
16.6X
n.a.

$

$

$

$

$

1,213
(67)

(610)
977
913
1,022

531
(42)
(75)
115
264
229
1,022

0.72
0.73
n.m.

n.m.
n.m.
n.a.

n.m.
n.m.
n.m.
n.a.
n.a.

$ 1,074,208 $
215,508
472,223
105,626
697,227
57,048
52,300
413,957
498,400
4,609,100

940,550 $
199,148
435,229
87,402
614,100
48,615
45,700
372,050
457,000
4,647,000

859,745
182,710
408,850
74,822
563,079
43,064
40,600
318,981
391,100
4,050,900

$ 133,658
16,360
36,994
18,224
83,127
8,433
6,600
41,907
41,400
(37,900)

1,442,935
1,449,509
1,443,423

1,442,553
1,452,003
1,442,233

3.08 $
4.1%
74.77 $

2.84 $
3.8%
80.01 $

107,925

115,393

1,443,735
1,466,529
1,441,056
2.53
4.0%
70.02
100,903

72,839
1,355
4,816
0.797 $
0.765 $

73,498
1,366
4,929
0.914 $
0.887 $

74,247
1,372
4,973
0.977
0.959

$

$

$
$

382
(2,494)
1,190
0.24
n.m.
(5.24)
(7,468)

(659)
(11)
(113)
(0.117)
(0.122)

$

$

$
$

3.6%
(5.8)%

(17.1)%
5.5%
7.8%
11.4%

11.9%
(3.9)%
(9.6)%
26.1%
12.8%
135.5%
11.4%

11.9%
12.2%
(40) bps

(3) bps
3 bps
n.a.

70 bps
80 bps
60 bps
n.a.
n.a.

14.2%
8.2%
8.5%
20.9%
13.5%
17.3%
14.4%
11.3%
9.1%
(0.8)%

0.0%
(0.2)%
0.1%
8.5%
30 bps
(6.5)%
(6.5)%

(0.9)%
(0.8)%
(2.3)%
(12.8)%
(13.8)%

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)
(6)

Average amounts are calculated using methods intended to approximate the average of the daily balances for the period. This includes ROE and Average common equity. For further details,
refer to the Key performance and non-GAAP measures section.
These measures may not have a standardized meaning under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other financial
institutions. For further details, refer to the Key performance and non-GAAP measures section.
Liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) is a new regulatory measure under the Basel III Framework, and is calculated using the Liquidity Adequacy Requirements (LAR) guideline. Effective in the second
quarter of 2015, LCR was adopted prospectively, and is not applicable (n.a.) for prior periods. For further details, refer to the Liquidity and funding risk section.
Capital and Leverage ratios presented above are on an “all-in” basis. The Leverage ratio is a regulatory measure under the Basel III framework effective the first quarter of 2015. The Leverage
ratio has replaced the Assets-to-capital multiple (ACM), and is n.a. for prior periods. The ACM is presented on a transitional basis for prior periods. For further details, refer to the Capital
management section.
Represents period-end spot balances.
AUA includes $21.0 billion and $8.0 billion (2014 – $23.2 billion and $8.0 billion; 2013 – $25.4 billion and $7.2 billion) of securitized residential mortgages and credit card loans,
respectively.
Defined as dividends per common share divided by the average of the high and low share price in the relevant period.
Based on TSX closing market price at period-end.
Average amounts are calculated using month-end spot rates for the period.

(7)
(8)
(9)
n.m. not meaningful

10

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

About Royal Bank of Canada

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
78,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 16 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices
in Canada, the U.S. and 37 other countries. For more information, please visit rbc.com.

Our business segments are described below.
Personal & Commercial Banking operates in Canada, the Caribbean and the U.S., and comprises our personal and business banking

operations, as well as our auto financing and retail investment businesses.

Wealth Management serves affluent, high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients from our offices in key financial centres mainly in

Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Channel Islands, and Asia with a comprehensive suite of investment, trust, banking, credit and other wealth
management solutions. We also provide asset management products and services directly to institutional and individual clients through our
distribution channels and third-party distributors.

Insurance provides a wide range of life, health, home, auto, travel, wealth, group and reinsurance products and solutions. In Canada, we

offer insurance products and services through our proprietary distribution channels, comprised of the field sales force which includes retail
insurance branches, our field sales representatives, advice centres and online, as well as through independent insurance advisors and affinity
relationships. Outside Canada, we operate in reinsurance markets globally offering life, accident and annuity reinsurance products.

Investor & Treasury Services serves the needs of institutional investing clients by providing asset servicing, custodial, advisory, financing

and other services to safeguard assets, maximize liquidity and manage risk in multiple jurisdictions around the world. We also provide short-
term funding and liquidity management for RBC.

Capital Markets provides public and private companies, institutional investors, governments and central banks with a wide range of
products and services. In North America, we offer a full suite of products and services which include corporate and investment banking, equity
and debt origination and distribution, and structuring and trading. Outside North America, we offer a diversified set of capabilities in our key
sectors of expertise such as energy, mining and infrastructure, and we have expanded into industrial, consumer and health care in Europe.
Our business segments are supported by Corporate Support, which consists of Technology & Operations and Functions. Technology &
Operations provides the technological and operational foundation required to effectively deliver products and services to our clients, while
Functions includes our finance, human resources, risk management, internal audit and other functional groups.

The following chart presents our business segments and respective lines of business:

Personal &
Commercial Banking

O Canadian Banking
O Caribbean &
U.S. Banking

Wealth
Management

O Canadian Wealth
Management

O U.S. & International

Wealth
Management
O Global Asset
Management

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA

Insurance

O Canadian
Insurance
O International
Insurance

Investor & Treasury
Services

Capital
Markets

O Corporate and
Investment
Banking

O Global Markets
O Other

O Technology & Operations

O Functions

Corporate Support

Vision and strategic goals

Our business strategies and actions are guided by our vision, “To be among the world’s most trusted and successful financial institutions.” Our
three strategic goals are:
•
•
•

In Canada, to be the undisputed leader in financial services;
In the U.S., to be the preferred partner to corporate, institutional and high net worth clients and their businesses; and
In select global financial centres, to be a leading financial services partner valued for our expertise.

For our progress in 2015 against our business strategies and strategic goals, refer to the Business segment results section.

Economic and market review and outlook – data as at December 1, 2015

The predictions and forecasts in this section are based on information and assumptions from sources we consider reliable. If this information or
these assumptions are not accurate, actual economic outcomes may differ materially from the outlook presented in this section. For details on
risk factors from general business and economic conditions that may affect our business and financial results, refer to the Overview of other risks
section.

Canada
The Canadian economy is expected to grow at an estimated rate of 1.2% during calendar 2015, which is below our estimate of 2.7% as at
December 2, 2014 and slightly above our estimate of 1.0% as at August 25, 2015. The first half of the calendar year was impacted by weak
investment by the energy sector and slow export activity. Energy production started to recover in the second half of the calendar year, while an
increase in manufacturing output combined with stronger U.S. economic growth and a weak Canadian dollar drove exports higher. Housing
market activity remained solid through most of calendar 2015, despite a slowdown in oil industry-sensitive markets. Labour markets remained

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

11

strong during most of the calendar year, although the unemployment rate rose slightly to 7.0% in October 2015 as growth in the labour force
outpaced the increase in employment. The Canadian dollar declined in value against the U.S. dollar for most of the calendar year, and reached
an 11-year low in September 2015, mostly due to market expectations of a further divergence in monetary policy between the two countries and
given the sustained downturn in oil prices. The Bank of Canada (BoC) reduced its overnight rate twice during the calendar year, by 25 bps each
time in January 2015 and July 2015, to 0.50%, as lower growth than expected resulted in an increase in excess capacity and created downward
risks to the inflation outlook.

In calendar 2016, we expect the Canadian economy to grow at an estimated rate of 2.2%, driven by firm consumer spending and solid net

exports. We expect housing market activity to soften slightly in calendar 2016, as increased pressure on affordability in some key markets
softens demand. As the pace of economic growth picks up, we expect the core inflation rate to hold above the BoC’s target of 2.0%, leading the
BoC to reverse the interest rate cuts made in 2015 beginning in the fourth calendar quarter of 2016.

U.S.
The U.S. economy is expected to grow at an estimated rate of 2.5% in calendar 2015, which is below our estimate of 3.3% as at December 2,
2014, and slightly above our estimate of 2.4% as at August 25, 2015. Strong consumer spending, solid housing market activity and modest
business investment during the calendar year more than offset the dampening impact of poor weather conditions and a ports strike in the first
calendar quarter. Labour markets generally improved during the year, with the unemployment rate at 5.0% in October 2015, which is within the
range considered full employment by the Federal Reserve (Fed). Despite this improvement in the labour markets and solid consumer spending,
the Fed cited concerns about global developments as well as the low level of inflation at its September 2015 meeting, and maintained its
cautious policy stance by holding its funds target range at historically low levels.

In calendar 2016, we expect the U.S. economy to grow at an estimated rate of 2.8%, reflecting continuing firm consumer spending and
housing market activity, as well as stronger business investment. Given that global financial markets displayed greater stability in the beginning
of the fourth calendar quarter of 2015 compared to the previous calendar quarter, and the U.S. labour market continued to firm, we expect the
Fed to begin to raise its key interest rate from the current funds target range of 0.0% to 0.25%, in December 2015.

Europe
The Euro area economy is expected to grow at an estimated rate of 1.5% in calendar 2015, which is above both our estimates of 1.0% as at
December 2, 2014 and 1.4% as at August 25, 2015, largely due to the effects of the stimulative monetary policy adopted by the European Central
Bank (ECB), and lower oil prices leading to higher consumer spending. The unemployment rate improved to its lowest level since January 2012
and was 10.8% in September 2015 compared to 11.1% in June 2015. The Euro area inflation rate remained below the ECB’s target levels for
most of the calendar year, and was 0.0% in October 2015, as the decline in energy prices offset increases in price levels in other sectors. The
ECB launched its monthly asset purchase program, the Public Sector Purchase Program (PSPP), in March 2015 and committed to monthly
purchases of €60 billion of a combination of euro-denominated public sector securities, asset-backed securities, and covered bonds.

In calendar 2016, we expect the Euro area economy to grow at an estimated rate of 1.7%, as the economy benefits from the stimulus
undertaken by the ECB, a weaker Euro, and lower oil prices. As a result of increased concerns about headwinds from the global economy and to
negate a modest tightening in financial conditions, we expect the ECB to further reduce its deposit rate to (0.4)% from (0.2)%, and to extend the
PSPP past its initial September 2016 commitment.

Financial markets
Equity markets in Canada and the U.S. remained volatile throughout our fiscal year, largely related to the effect of low global oil prices, diverging
monetary policies amongst global central banks, and a decline in Chinese equity markets. Yields on both Canadian and U.S. long-term
government bonds fluctuated during the fiscal year. Credit spreads on corporate bonds in North America generally widened through the fiscal
year, before tightening slightly at the end of October 2015. Crude oil prices generally remained low throughout the fiscal year, and reached a
10-year low in August 2015. Prices for non-precious metals declined for most of the fiscal year due to a combination of strong supply and weak
demand from emerging economies including China.

Regulatory environment
We continue to monitor and prepare for regulatory developments in a manner that seeks to ensure compliance with new requirements while
mitigating any adverse business or economic impacts. Such impacts could result from new or amended regulations and the expectations of
those who enforce them. Significant developments include continuing changes to global and domestic standards for capital and liquidity, over-
the-counter (OTC) derivatives reform, initiatives to enhance requirements for institutions deemed systemically important to the financial sector,
and changes to resolution regimes addressing government bail-in and total loss-absorbing capacity. We also continue to implement reforms
enacted under the U.S. Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act including those related to the Volcker Rule and the Fed’s
enhanced prudential standards for Bank Holding Companies and Foreign Banking Organizations.

For a discussion on risk factors resulting from these and other regulatory developments which may affect our business and financial results,

refer to the Risk management – Top and emerging risks section. For further details on our framework and activities to manage risks, refer to the
Risk management and Capital management sections.

Defining and measuring success through Total Shareholder Returns

Our focus is to maximize total shareholder returns (TSR) through the achievement of top half performance compared to our global peer group
over the medium term (3-5 years), which we believe reflects a longer-term view of strong and consistent financial performance.

Maximizing TSR is aligned with our three strategic goals discussed earlier and we believe represents the most appropriate measure of
shareholder value creation. TSR is a concept used to compare the performance of our common shares over a period of time, reflecting share price
appreciation and dividends paid to common shareholders. The absolute size of the TSR will vary depending on market conditions, and the
relative position reflects the market’s perception of our overall performance relative to our peers over a period of time.

Financial performance objectives are used to measure progress against our medium-term TSR objectives. We review and revise these
financial performance objectives as economic, market and regulatory environments change. By focusing on our medium-term objectives in our
decision-making, we believe we will be well positioned to provide sustainable earnings growth and solid returns to our common shareholders.

12

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

We achieved all our performance objectives in 2015. The following table provides a summary of our performance against our financial

performance objectives in 2015:

2015 Financial performance compared to our medium-term objectives

Diluted EPS growth of 7% +
ROE of 18% +
Strong capital ratios (CET1) (1)
Dividend payout ratio 40% – 50%

(1)

For further details on the CET1 ratio, refer to the Capital management section.

For 2016, our medium-term financial performance objectives will remain unchanged.

2015 results

12.2%
18.6%
10.6%
46%

Table 2

Achieved
✓
✓
✓
✓

We compare our TSR to that of a global peer group approved by our Board of Directors. The global peer group remains unchanged from last year
and consists of the following 10 financial institutions:
•

Canadian financial institutions: Bank of Montreal, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Manulife Financial Corporation, National Bank of
Canada, Power Financial Corporation, The Bank of Nova Scotia, and the Toronto-Dominion Bank.
U.S. banks: JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Wells Fargo & Company.
International banks: Westpac Banking Corporation.

•
•

Medium-term objectives – three and five year TSR vs. peer group average

Table 3

Royal Bank of Canada

Peer group average (excluding RBC)

Three year TSR (1)

Five year TSR (1)

14%
Top half

15%

11%
Mid-point

12%

(1)

The three and the five year average annual TSR are calculated based on our common share price appreciation as per the TSX closing market price plus reinvested dividends for the period
October 31, 2012 to October 31, 2015 and October 31, 2010 to October 31, 2015 respectively.

Common share and dividend information

For the year ended October 31

Common share price (RY on TSX) – close, end of period
Dividends paid per share
Increase (decrease) in share price
Total shareholder return

$

$

2015

74.77
3.04
(6.5)%
(3.0)%

$

2014

80.01
2.76
14.3%
19.0%

$

2013

70.02
2.46
23.0%
28.0%

$

2012

56.94
2.22
17.1%
22.0%

Table 4

2011

48.62
2.04
(10.6)%
(6.7)%

Key corporate events of 2015

City National Corporation
On November 2, 2015, we completed the acquisition of City National Corporation (City National), the holding company of City National Bank.
Total consideration of US$5.5 billion was paid with US$2.6 billion in cash and 41.6 million RBC common shares. In addition, we issued RBC first
preferred shares with a par value of US$275 million in exchange for all outstanding shares of City National preferred stock. For further details,
refer to Notes 11 and 36 of our 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Royal Bank of Canada (Suisse) SA
On August 28, 2015, we completed the sale of Royal Bank of Canada (Suisse) SA, (RBC Suisse), to SYZ Group. As a result of the transaction, we
recorded a loss on disposal of $7 million (before- and after-tax), including deal and transaction costs, in Non-interest expense – Other. For
further details, refer to Note 11 of our 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

RBC Royal Bank (Suriname) N.V.
On July 31, 2015, we completed the sale of RBC Royal Bank (Suriname) N.V. (RBC Suriname). As a result of the transaction, we recorded a total
loss on disposal of $19 million (before- and after-tax), including a loss of $23 million in the second quarter in Non-interest expense – Other, and
a gain of $4 million in the third quarter including foreign currency translation gains reclassified from Other components of equity. For further
details, refer to Note 11 of our 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Certain Caribbean Wealth Management businesses
Subsequent to the end of our fiscal year, we have entered into a purchase and sale agreement on November 4, 2015, to sell our trust, custody
and fund administration businesses in the Caribbean to SMP Partners Group, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
The transaction is expected to close in early 2016. For further details, refer to Note 36 of our 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

13

Financial performance

Overview

2015 vs. 2014
Net income of $10,026 million was up $1,022 million or 11% from a year ago. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $6.73 was up $0.73 and return
on common equity (ROE) of 18.6% was down 40 bps from 19.0% last year. Our Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio was 10.6%.

Our results were driven by higher earnings in Personal & Commercial Banking, Capital Markets and Investor & Treasury Services, partially

offset by lower earnings in Insurance and Wealth Management. Our results were also favourably impacted by a lower effective tax rate reflecting
favourable income tax adjustments, the positive impact of foreign exchange translation, and a gain of $108 million (before- and after-tax) from
the wind-up of a U.S.-based funding subsidiary that resulted in the release of foreign currency translation adjustment (CTA) which was recorded
in Corporate Support. Prior year results included a loss of $100 million (before- and after-tax) related to the sale of RBC Jamaica and a provision
of $40 million ($32 million after-tax) related to post-employment benefits and restructuring charges in the Caribbean.

Personal & Commercial Banking earnings mainly reflected solid volume growth across most businesses in Canada, strong fee-based
revenue growth, and higher earnings in the Caribbean, partially offset by higher costs to support business growth and lower spreads. Capital
Markets earnings were driven by growth in our global markets businesses mainly reflecting increased client activity, continued solid performance
in our corporate and investment banking businesses, and the positive impact of foreign exchange translation, partially offset by lower results in
certain legacy portfolios. Investor & Treasury Services earnings mainly reflected higher earnings due to increased client activity in our foreign
exchange forwards business and higher foreign exchange transaction volumes, an additional month of earnings in Investor Services of
$42 million ($28 million after-tax), increased custodial fees, and higher earnings from growth in client deposits. These factors were partially
offset by lower funding and liquidity results. Wealth Management earnings decreased primarily reflecting higher costs in support of business
growth in our Global Asset Management and Canadian Wealth Management businesses, restructuring costs of $122 million ($90 million after-
tax) largely related to our U.S. & International Wealth Management business, lower transaction volumes, and higher provision for credit losses
(PCL), partly offset by higher earnings from growth in average fee-based client assets. Insurance results decreased mainly due to a change in
Canadian tax legislation impacting certain foreign affiliates which became effective November 1, 2014, a lower level of favourable actuarial
adjustments, and higher net claims costs, which were partially offset by higher earnings from new U.K. annuity contracts, and a favourable
impact of investment-related activities on the Canadian life business.

For further details on our business segment results and CET1 ratio, refer to the Business segment results and Capital management sections,

respectively.

2014 vs. 2013
In 2014, net income of $9,004 million was up $662 million or 8% from 2013. Diluted EPS of $6.00 was up $0.51 and ROE of 19.0% was down
70 bps. Our CET1 ratio was 9.9%.

Our results were driven by higher earnings in all business segments, including the positive impact of foreign exchange translation. In

addition, our results in 2013 included net favourable income tax adjustments in Corporate Support.

Capital Markets earnings reflected strong equity markets, our continued focus on origination and lending, and increased activity from client-
focused strategies, partially offset by higher litigation provisions and related legal costs. Wealth Management results reflected growth in average
fee-based client assets, partially offset by higher costs in support of business growth. Our insurance results reflected lower net claims costs,
business growth in our European life and U.K. annuity products and favourable actuarial adjustments, partly offset by higher costs in support of
business growth. Insurance results in 2013 included a charge of $160 million ($118 million after-tax) as a result of new tax legislation in Canada,
which affects the policyholders’ tax treatment of certain individual life insurance policies. Personal & Commercial Banking earnings reflected
solid volume growth across most of our Canadian Banking businesses, partially offset by higher costs in support of business growth, and a loss
of $100 million (before- and after-tax) related to the sale of RBC Royal Bank (Jamaica) Limited and RBTT Securities Jamaica Limited (collectively,
RBC Jamaica).

Impact of foreign currency translation

Our foreign currency-denominated results are impacted by exchange rate fluctuations. Revenue, PCL, insurance policyholder benefits, claims and
acquisition expense (PBCAE), non-interest expense and net income denominated in foreign currency are translated at the average rate of
exchange for the period.

The following table reflects the estimated impact of foreign exchange translation on key income statement items:

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

2015 vs. 2014 2014 vs. 2013

Table 5

Increase (decrease):
Total revenue
PCL
PBCAE
Non-interest expense
Income taxes
Net income

Impact on EPS:

Basic
Diluted

$

$

1,012
11
75
652
113
161

0.11
0.11

$

818
9
75
510
103
121

$

0.08
0.08

14

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

The relevant average exchange rates that impact our business are shown in the following table:

(Average foreign currency equivalent of C$1.00) (1)

U.S. dollar
British pound
Euro

(1)

Average amounts are calculated using month-end spot rates for the period.

2015

0.797
0.519
0.707

2014

0.914
0.551
0.680

Table 6

2013

0.977
0.626
0.740

Total revenue

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)

Interest income
Interest expense

Net interest income
Net interest margin (on average earning assets) (1)

Investments (2)
Insurance (3)
Trading (see additional trading information section)
Banking (4)
Underwriting and other advisory
Other (5)

Non-interest income

Total revenue

$

$

$

2015

22,729
7,958

14,771
1.71%

8,095
4,436
552
4,388
1,885
1,194

Table 7

2014

2013

$ 22,019
7,903

$ 14,116
1.86%

$ 21,148
7,899

$ 13,249
1.88%

$

7,355
4,957
742
4,090
1,809
1,039

$

6,408
3,911
867
3,909
1,569
769

$

$

20,550

35,321

$ 19,992

$ 17,433

$ 34,108

$ 30,682

(1)
(2)
(3)

(4)
(5)

Net interest margin (on average earning assets) is calculated as net interest income divided by average earning assets.
Includes securities brokerage commissions, investment management and custodial fees, and mutual fund revenue.
Includes premiums and investment and fee income. Investment income includes the change in fair value of investments backing
policyholder liabilities and is largely offset in PBCAE.
Includes service charges, foreign exchange revenue other than trading, card service revenue and credit fees.
Includes other non-interest income, net gain (loss) on available-for-sale (AFS) securities and share of profit in associates.

2015 vs. 2014
Total revenue increased $1,213 million or 4% from last year, which included the positive impact of foreign exchange translation of
$1,012 million. The negative change in fair value of investments backing our policyholders liabilities, which was largely offset in PBCAE,
decreased total revenue by $463 million.

Net interest income increased $655 million or 5%, mainly due to solid volume growth across most businesses in Canadian Banking, and

higher trading-related net interest income and solid lending growth in Capital Markets. The positive impact of foreign exchange translation also
contributed to the increase. These factors were partially offset by lower spreads.

Net interest margin was down 15 bps compared to last year, largely due to the low interest rate environment, and competitive pressures.
Investments revenue increased $740 million or 10%, mainly due to growth in average fee-based client assets resulting from capital

appreciation and net sales, and the positive impact of foreign exchange translation. Higher securities brokerage commissions in Capital Markets,
and higher fee-based revenue primarily attributable to strong mutual funds asset growth resulting in higher mutual fund distribution fees in
Canadian Banking also contributed to the increase. These factors were partly offset by lower transaction volumes in Wealth Management.

Insurance revenue decreased $521 million or 11%, mainly due to the change in fair value of investments backing our policyholder liabilities
resulting from an increase in long-term interest rates, and a reduction of revenue related to our retrocession contracts, both of which were largely
offset in PBCAE. These factors were partially offset by business growth in Canadian and International insurance, and the positive impact of
foreign exchange translation.

Banking revenue increased $298 million or 7%, mainly due to higher credit card balances and transaction volumes, and improved spreads.

Higher service fee revenue also contributed to the increase.

Underwriting and other advisory revenue increased $76 million or 4%, primarily due to higher debt origination reflecting increased client

issuance activity, and strong growth in M&A activity reflecting increased mandates in the U.S. and Europe. These factors were partially offset by
lower equity origination reflecting decreased client activity as compared to the strong levels last year.

Other revenue increased $155 million or 15%, mainly due to a gain of $108 million (before- and after-tax) from the wind-up of a U.S.-based

funding subsidiary that resulted in the release of CTA, which was recorded in Corporate Support.

2014 vs. 2013
Total revenue increased $3,426 million or 11% as compared to 2013, primarily due to the positive change in fair value of investments backing
our policyholder liabilities of $930 million resulting from a decrease in long-term interest rates, largely offset in PBCAE, the positive impact of
foreign exchange translation, higher revenue from growth in average fee-based client assets in Wealth Management resulting from capital
appreciation and strong net sales, solid volume growth of 5% across most of our businesses in Canadian Banking, and higher trading-related net
interest income in Capital Markets. Strong growth in equity origination reflecting increased issuance activity, higher equity trading revenue due to
strong market conditions, and higher lending activity in Capital Markets also contributed to the increase. These factors were partially offset by
the unfavourable impact of the implementation of funding valuation adjustments.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

15

Additional trading information

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Total trading revenue (1)
Net interest income
Non-interest income

Total trading revenue

Total trading revenue by product

Interest rate and credit
Equities
Foreign exchange and commodities

Total trading revenue

Trading revenue (teb) by product

Interest rate and credit
Equities
Foreign exchange and commodities

Total trading revenue (teb)

Trading revenue (teb) by product – Capital Markets

Interest rate and credit
Equities
Foreign exchange and commodities

Total Capital Markets trading revenue (teb)

Table 8

2015

2014

2013

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

2,398
552

2,950

1,400
1,045
505

2,950

1,400
1,614
504

3,518

1,238
1,590
376

3,204

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

2,029
742

2,771

1,560
814
397

2,771

1,560
1,305
397

3,262

1,293
1,244
333

$

2,870

$

1,661
867

2,528

1,611
594
323

2,528

1,611
972
323

2,906

1,350
942
286

2,578

(1)

Includes a gain of $40 million (2014 – $105 million loss; 2013 – nil) related to a funding valuation adjustment on uncollateralized OTC
derivatives.

2015 vs. 2014
Total trading revenue of $2,950 million, which comprises trading-related revenue recorded in Net interest income and Non-interest income, was
up $179 million, or 6% including the positive impact of foreign exchange translation, mainly due to higher equities trading revenue reflecting
increased client activity primarily in the first half of the year. This factor was partially offset by lower revenue in certain legacy portfolios including
the exit from certain proprietary trading strategies last year to comply with the Volcker Rule, and lower fixed income trading revenue reflecting
challenging market conditions in the second half of the year. In addition, trading revenue in the prior year was unfavourably impacted by the
implementation of funding valuation adjustments.

2014 vs. 2013
Total trading revenue of $2,771 million, which comprises trading-related revenue recorded in Net interest income and Non-interest income, was
up $243 million, or 10% as compared to 2013, mainly due to higher equity trading revenue reflecting strong market conditions and higher
commodities trading revenue. These factors were partially offset by lower fixed income trading revenue largely driven by the unfavourable impact
of the implementation of funding valuation adjustments, and the exit from certain proprietary trading strategies to comply with the Volcker Rule.

Provision for credit losses

2015 vs. 2014
Total PCL decreased $67 million or 6% from a year ago, mainly due to lower PCL in Personal & Commercial Banking, partially offset by higher PCL
in Capital Markets and Wealth Management.

2014 vs. 2013
Total PCL decreased $73 million or 6% as compared to 2013, mainly due to lower provisions in Capital Markets and Wealth Management,
partially offset by higher provisions in Personal & Commercial Banking, primarily in Caribbean Banking.

For further details on PCL, refer to the Credit quality performance section.

Insurance policyholder benefits, claims and acquisition expense

2015 vs. 2014
PBCAE decreased $610 million or 17% from a year ago, mainly due to a reduction of PBCAE related to our retrocession contracts, and the change
in fair value of investments backing our policyholder liabilities resulting from the change in long-term interest rates, both of which were largely
offset in revenue. These factors were partially offset by business growth in Canadian and International insurance, a lower level of favourable
actuarial adjustments in the current year reflecting management actions and assumption changes, and an increase due to the impact of foreign
exchange translation.

2014 vs. 2013
PBCAE increased $789 million or 28% from the prior year, mainly due to the change in fair value of investments backing our policyholder
liabilities, which was largely offset in revenue, and the impact of foreign exchange translation. These factors were partially offset by lower net
claims costs. In addition, our PBCAE in 2013 included the unfavourable impact of the charge of $160 million related to new tax legislation in
Canada, which affects the policyholders’ tax treatment of certain individual life insurance policies, and a favourable impact from interest and
asset-related activities on the Canadian life business.

16

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Non-interest expense

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)

Salaries
Variable compensation
Benefits and retention compensation
Share-based compensation

Human resources
Equipment
Occupancy
Communications (1)
Professional fees
Amortization of other intangibles
Other (1)

Non-interest expense
Efficiency ratio (2)

$

$

$

2015

5,197
4,533
1,607
246

11,583
1,277
1,410
888
932
712
1,836

18,638
52.8%

$

$

$

2014

4,834
4,388
1,561
248

11,031
1,147
1,330
847
763
666
1,877

17,661
51.8%

Table 9

2013

4,604
3,924
1,464
256

10,248
1,081
1,235
796
753
566
1,535

16,214
52.8%

$

$

$

(1)
(2)

Amounts have been revised from those previously presented.
Efficiency ratio is calculated as non-interest expense divided by total revenue.

2015 vs. 2014
Non-interest expense increased $977 million or 6% mainly reflecting an increase due to the impact of foreign exchange translation of
$652 million and higher costs in support of business growth. Restructuring costs of $122 million ($90 million after-tax) largely related to our
U.S. & International Wealth Management business also contributed to the increase. These factors were partially offset by lower litigation
provisions and related legal costs in Capital Markets, and continuing benefits from our efficiency management activities. The prior year included
the loss of $100 million related to the sale of RBC Jamaica and a provision of $40 million related to post-employment benefits and restructuring
charges in the Caribbean.

Our efficiency ratio of 52.8% increased 100 bps from 51.8% last year mainly due to the change in fair value of investments backing our

policyholder liabilities, and higher costs in support of business growth, partially offset by continuing benefits from our efficiency management
activities.

2014 vs. 2013
Non-interest expense increased $1,447 million or 9%, primarily due to the impact of foreign exchange translation of $510 million, higher costs in
support of business growth, and higher variable compensation driven by higher revenue in Wealth Management and higher results in Capital
Markets. Increased litigation provisions and related legal costs in Capital Markets, and the loss of $100 million related to the sale of RBC Jamaica
also contributed to the increase. These factors were partly offset by continuing benefits from our efficiency management activities.

Our efficiency ratio of 51.8% decreased 100 bps from 52.8% in 2013, mainly due to continuing benefits from our efficiency management

activities.

Income and other taxes

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)

Income taxes

Other taxes

Goods and services sales taxes
Payroll taxes
Capital taxes
Property taxes
Insurance premium taxes
Business taxes

Total income and other taxes

Net income before income taxes

Canadian statutory income tax rate (1)

Lower average tax rate applicable to subsidiaries
Tax-exempt income from securities
Tax rate change
Effect of previously unrecognized tax loss, tax credit or

temporary differences

Other

Effective income tax rate
Effective total tax rate (2)

$

$

$

$

$

2015
2,597 $

2014

2,706

426 $
577
100
121
50
59
1,333 $
3,930 $
12,623 $

26.3%
(0.9)%
(3.6)%
0.3%

(0.1)%
(1.4)%

20.6%
28.2%

395
529
86
106
51
8

1,175

3,881

11,710

26.3%
(2.3)%
(3.3)%
0.0%

(0.1)%
2.5%

23.1%
30.1%

$

$

$

$

$

Table 10

2013

2,105

370
497
85
119
50
25

1,146

3,251

10,447

26.2%
(1.8)%
(2.8)%
0.0%

(0.5)%
(1.0)%

20.1%
28.0%

(1)
(2)

Blended Federal and Provincial statutory income tax rate.
Total income and other taxes as a percentage of net income before income taxes and other taxes.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

17

2015 vs. 2014
Income tax expense decreased $109 million or 4% and the effective income tax rate of 20.6% decreased 250 bps from last year mainly due to
net favourable tax adjustments in the current year, partially offset by higher earnings before income taxes.

Other taxes increased $158 million or 13%, mainly due to higher business and payroll taxes, as well as higher goods and services sales

taxes. In addition to the income and other taxes reported in our Consolidated Statements of Income, we recorded income tax recoveries of
$878 million (2014 – $643 million) in shareholders’ equity, primarily reflecting foreign currency translation losses from hedging activities.

2014 vs. 2013
Income tax expense increased $601 million or 29% from 2013, mainly due to higher earnings before income taxes. The effective income tax rate
of 23.1% increased 300 bps from 20.1% in 2013, mainly due to favourable income tax adjustments in 2013 related to prior years.

Other taxes increased $29 million or 3% from 2013, mainly due to higher payroll taxes and sales taxes which were partially offset by lower

business taxes.

Client assets

Assets under administration
Assets under administration (AUA) are assets administered by us which are beneficially owned by our clients. We provide services that are
administrative in nature, including safekeeping, collecting investment income, settling purchase and sale transactions, and record keeping.
Underlying investment strategies within AUA are determined by our clients and generally do not impact the administrative fees that we receive.
Administrative fees can be impacted by factors such as asset valuation level changes from market movements, types of services administered,
transaction volumes, geography and client relationship pricing based on volumes or multiple services.

Our Investor & Treasury Services business is the primary business segment that has AUA with approximately 79% of total AUA, as at

October 31, 2015, followed by our Wealth Management business with approximately 16% of total AUA.

2015 vs. 2014
AUA decreased $37.9 billion or 1% compared to last year, mainly reflecting changes in client asset mix and unfavourable market conditions,
partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange translation, net sales and capital appreciation.

The following table summarizes AUA by geography and asset class:

AUA by geographic mix and asset class

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Canada (1)

Money Market
Fixed Income
Equity
Multi-asset and other

Total Canada

U.S. (1)

Money Market
Fixed Income
Equity
Multi-asset and other

Total U.S.

Other International (1)

Money Market
Fixed Income
Equity
Multi-asset and other

Total International

Total AUA

Table 11

2015

2014

$

31,500
685,600
669,900
642,400

31,100
736,200
711,500
618,700

2,029,400

$ 2,097,500

$

$

$

33,100
90,800
152,700
21,800

298,400

47,500
375,400
804,000
1,054,400

28,700
82,500
138,200
16,200

265,600

54,400
405,600
867,200
956,700

2,281,300

$ 2,283,900

4,609,100

$ 4,647,000

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

(1)

Geographic information is based on the location from where our clients are serviced.

Assets under management
Assets under management (AUM) are assets managed by us which are beneficially owned by our clients. Management fees are paid by the
investment funds for the investment capabilities of an investment manager and can also include administrative services. Management fees may
be calculated daily, monthly or quarterly as a percentage of the AUM, depending on the distribution channel, underlying products and
investment strategies. In general, equity strategies carry a higher fee rate than fixed income or money market strategies. Fees are also impacted
by asset mix and relationship pricing for clients using multiple services. Higher risk assets generally produce higher fees, while clients using
multiple services can take advantage of synergies which reduce the fees they are charged. Certain funds may also include performance fee
arrangements, which are recorded when certain benchmarks or performance targets are achieved. These factors could lead to differences on fees
earned by products and therefore net return by asset class may vary despite similar average AUM. Our Wealth Management segment is the
primary business segment that has AUM.

2015 vs. 2014
AUM increased $41.4 billion or 9% compared to last year, primarily reflecting the impact of foreign exchange translation, as well as net sales and
capital appreciation.

18

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Table 12

2015

2014

$ 457,000

$ 391,100

(4,900)
8,800
900
13,400
23,200

(5,600)
14,300
4,100
17,000
36,100

$ 498,400

$ 457,000

Table 13

2014

2013

Total

Total

Total
14,771 $ 14,116 $ 13,249
17,433
19,992
20,550
35,321 $ 34,108 $ 30,682
1,237
2,784
16,214

1,164
3,573
17,661

1,097
2,963
18,638

The following table presents changes in AUM for the years ended October 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014:

Client assets – AUM

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

AUM, beginning balance

Net asset flows:
Money market
Fixed income
Equity
Multi-asset and other
Market impact and other

AUM, balance at end of year

Business segment results

Results by business segment

The following table summarizes our results by business segment:

Personal &
Commercial
Banking
$ 10,004 $
4,309
$ 14,313 $

984
–
6,611

2015

Investor &
Treasury
Services

Insurance

Capital
Markets (1)

Corporate
Support (1)

Wealth
Management

493 $

– $

6,282
6,775 $ 4,436 $

4,436

46
–
5,292

–
2,963
613

818 $

1,220
2,038 $
(1)
–
1,301

3,970 $
4,093
8,063 $
71
–
4,696

(514) $
210
(304) $
(3)
–
125

(Millions of Canadian dollars,
except percentage amounts)

Net interest income
Non-interest income

Total revenue

PCL
PBCAE
Non-interest expense
Net income before
income taxes

Income tax

Net income

$

$

6,718 $
1,712
5,006 $

1,437 $
396
1,041 $

860 $
154
706 $

738 $
182
556 $

3,296 $
977
2,319 $

(426) $
(824)
398

$

2,597

12,623 $ 11,710 $ 10,447
2,105
8,342

2,706
9,004 $

10,026 $

ROE (2)
Average assets

30.0%
$ 386,100 $

19.7%
$ 1,052,800 $ 906,500 $852,000
Net interest income, total revenue and net income before income taxes are presented in Capital Markets on a taxable equivalent basis (teb). The teb adjustment is eliminated in the Corporate
Support segment. For a further discussion, refer to the How we measure and report our business segments section.
These measures may not have a standardized meaning under GAAP and may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other financial institutions. For further details, refer to the
Key performance and non-GAAP measures section.

n.m.
20.3%
17.4%
29,100 $ 13,700 $ 125,300 $ 477,300 $ 21,300

19.0%

44.3%

18.6%

13.6%

(1)

(2)

How we measure and report our business segments

Our management reporting framework is intended to measure the performance of each business segment as if it were a stand-alone business
and reflects the way that the business segment is managed. This approach is intended to ensure that our business segments’ results include all
applicable revenue and expenses associated with the conduct of their business and depicts how management views those results. The following
highlights the key aspects of how our business segments are managed and reported:
•

Personal & Commercial Banking reported results include securitized Canadian residential mortgage and credit card loans and related
amounts for income and provisions for credit losses on impaired loans.

• Wealth Management reported results also include disclosure in U.S. dollars as we review and manage the results of certain businesses

•

•

largely in this currency.
Capital Markets results are reported on a taxable equivalent basis (teb), which grosses up net interest income from certain tax-advantaged
sources (Canadian taxable corporate dividends) to their effective taxable equivalent value with a corresponding offset recorded in the
provision for income taxes. We record the elimination of the teb adjustments in Corporate Support. We believe these adjustments are useful
and reflect how Capital Markets manages its business, since it enhances the comparability of revenue and related ratios across taxable
revenue and our principal tax-advantaged source of revenue. The use of teb adjustments and measures may not be comparable to similar
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) measures or similarly adjusted amounts disclosed by other financial institutions.
Corporate Support results include all enterprise-level activities that are undertaken for the benefit of the organization that are not allocated
to our five business segments, including residual asset/liability management results, impact from income tax adjustments, net charges
associated with unattributed capital and PCL on loans not yet identified as impaired.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

19

Key methodologies
The following outlines the key methodologies and assumptions used in our management reporting framework. These are periodically reviewed by
management to ensure they remain valid.

Expense allocation
To ensure that our business segments’ results include expenses associated with the conduct of their business, we allocate costs incurred or
services provided by Technology & Operations and Functions, which are directly undertaken or provided on the business segments’ behalf. For
other costs not directly attributable to our business segments, including overhead costs and other indirect expenses, we use our management
reporting framework for allocating these costs to each business segment in a manner that is intended to reflect the underlying benefits.

Capital attribution
Our framework also determines the attribution of capital to our business segments in a manner that is intended to consistently measure and
align economic costs with the underlying benefits and risks associated with the activities of each business segment. The amount of capital
assigned to each business segment is referred to as attributed capital. Unattributed capital and associated net charges are reported in Corporate
Support. For further information, refer to the Capital management section.

Funds transfer pricing
Funds transfer pricing refers to the pricing of intra-company borrowing or lending. We employ a funds transfer pricing process that motivates
economically sound business decisions by providing risk-adjusted pricing and profitability guidance after taking into consideration interest rate
and liquidity risk as well as applicable regulatory requirements. Funds transfer pricing also provides the basis for risk-adjusted profitability
measurement for our products and measures.

Provisions for credit losses
PCL are recorded to recognize estimated losses on impaired loans, as well as losses that have been incurred but are not yet identified in our
loans portfolio. This portfolio includes on-balance sheet exposures, such as loans and acceptances, and off-balance sheet items such as letters
of credit, guarantees and unfunded commitments. PCL on impaired loans are included in the results of each business segment to fully reflect the
appropriate expenses related to the conduct of each business segment. PCL on loans not yet identified as impaired are included in Corporate
Support, as Group Risk Management (GRM) effectively controls this through its monitoring and oversight of various lending portfolios throughout
the enterprise. For details on our accounting policy on Allowance for credit losses, refer to Note 2 of our 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial
Statements.

Key performance and non-GAAP measures

Performance measures
Return on common equity
We measure and evaluate the performance of our consolidated operations and each business segment using a number of financial metrics, such
as net income and ROE. We use ROE, at both the consolidated and business segment levels, as a measure of return on total capital invested in
our business. Management views the business segment ROE measure as a useful measure for supporting investment and resource allocation
decisions because it adjusts for certain items that may affect comparability between business segments and certain competitors.

Our consolidated ROE calculation is based on net income available to common shareholders divided by total average common equity for
the period. Business segment ROE calculations are based on net income available to common shareholders divided by average attributed capital
for the period. For each segment, average attributed capital includes the capital required to underpin various risks as described in the Capital
Management section and amounts invested in goodwill and intangibles.

The attribution of capital and risk capital involves the use of assumptions, judgments and methodologies that are regularly reviewed and
revised by management as deemed necessary. Changes to such assumptions, judgments and methodologies can have a material effect on the
segment ROE information that we report. Other companies that disclose information on similar attributions and related return measures may use
different assumptions, judgments and methodologies.

The following table provides a summary of our ROE calculations:

Calculation of ROE

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except
percentage amounts)

Personal &
Commercial
Banking

Wealth
Management

Insurance

2015

Investor &
Treasury
Services

Table 14

2014

2013

Capital
Markets

Corporate
Support

Total

Total

Total

Net income available to

common shareholders

$

Average common equity (1), (2)

ROE (3)

$

4,937
16,500

30.0%

1,021
5,900

17.4%

$

701
1,600

44.3%

$

545
2,700

$ 2,259
16,550

$

20.3%

13.6%

271
9,050

n.m.

$ 9,734
52,300

$ 8,697
45,700

$ 7,991
40,600

18.6%

19.0%

19.7%

(1)
(2)
(3)

Average common equity represents rounded figures.
The amounts for the segments are referred to as attributed capital.
ROE is based on actual balances of average common equity before rounding.

Embedded value for Insurance operations
Embedded value is a measure of shareholder value embedded in the balance sheet of our Insurance segment, excluding any value from future
new sales. We use the change in embedded value between reporting periods as a measure of the value created by the insurance operations
during the period.

We define embedded value as the value of equity held in our Insurance segment and the value of in-force business (existing policies). The
value of in-force business is calculated as the present value of future expected earnings on in-force business less the cost of capital required to
support in-force business. We use discount rates equal to long-term risk free rates plus a spread. Required capital uses the capital frameworks in
the jurisdictions in which we operate.

20

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Key drivers affecting the change in embedded value from period to period are new sales, investment performance, claims and policyholder

experience, change in actuarial assumptions, changes in foreign exchange rates and changes in shareholder equity arising from transfers in
capital.

Embedded value does not have a standardized meaning under GAAP and may not be directly comparable to similar measures disclosed by
other companies. Given that this measure is specifically used for our Insurance segment and involves the use of discount rates to present value
the future expected earnings and capital required for the in-force business, reconciliation to financial statements information is not applicable.

Non-GAAP measures
We believe that certain non-GAAP measures described below are more reflective of our ongoing operating results, and provide readers with a
better understanding of management’s perspective on our performance. These measures enhance the comparability of our financial performance
for the year ended October 31, 2015 with results from last year as well as, in the case of economic profit, measure relative contribution to
shareholder value. Non-GAAP measures do not have a standardized meaning under GAAP and may not be comparable to similar measures
disclosed by other financial institutions.

The following discussion describes the non-GAAP measures we use in evaluating our operating results.

Economic profit
Economic profit is net income excluding the after-tax effect of amortization of other intangibles less a capital charge for use of attributed capital.
It measures the return generated by our businesses in excess of our cost of capital, thus enabling users to identify relative contributions to
shareholder value.

The capital charge includes a charge for common equity and preferred shares. For 2015, our cost of capital was 9.0%.

The following table provides a summary of our Economic profit:

Economic profit

Table 15

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Net income

add: Non-controlling interests

After-tax effect of amortization

of other intangibles
Goodwill and intangibles writedown

Adjusted net income (loss)

less: Capital charge

Economic profit (loss)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Net income

add: Non-controlling interests

After-tax effect of amortization

of other intangibles
Goodwill and intangibles writedown

Adjusted net income (loss)

less: Capital charge

Economic profit (loss)

Personal &
Commercial
Banking

$

$

$

5,006
(8)

22
–

5,020
1,544

3,476

Wealth
Management

Insurance

$

$

$

1,041
2

69
4

1,116
551

565

$

$

$

706
–

–
–

706
148

558

2015

Investor &
Treasury
Services

$

$

$

556
(1)

21
–

576
251

325

Capital
Markets

$ 2,319
–

–
–

$ 2,319
1,550

$

769

Corporate
Support

Total

$

$

$

398 $ 10,026
(101)
(94)

1
–

113
4

305 $ 10,042
4,896
852

(547) $

5,146

2013

Personal &
Commercial
Banking

Wealth
Management

Insurance

2014

Investor &
Treasury
Services

Capital
Markets

Corporate
Support

Total

Total

$

$

$

4,475
1

27
–

4,503
1,439

3,064

$

$

$

1,083
(1)

$

781
–

73
6

1,161
521

640

$

$

–
–

781
147

634

$

$

$

441
(1)

$ 2,055
–

21
–

461
205

256

1
2

$ 2,058
1,333

$

725

$

$

$

169
(93)

$ 9,004
(94)

$ 8,342
(98)

1
–

123
8

117
–

77
696

$ 9,041
4,341

$ 8,361
3,702

(619) $ 4,700

$ 4,659

Results excluding specified items
Our results were impacted by the following specified items:
•

For the year ended October 31, 2015, a gain of $108 million (before- and after-tax) from the wind-up of a U.S.-based funding subsidiary that
resulted in the release of CTA that was previously booked in other components of equity (OCE), which was recorded in Corporate Support.
For the year ended October 31, 2014, in our Personal & Commercial Banking segment:
– A total loss of $100 million (before- and after-tax) related to the sale of RBC Jamaica, comprised of a loss of $60 million (before- and

•

after-tax) in the first quarter of 2014, and a further loss of $40 million (before- and after-tax) in the third quarter of 2014 which includes
foreign currency translation related to the closing of the sale of RBC Jamaica; and

– A provision of $40 million ($32 million after-tax) related to post-employment benefits and restructuring charges in the Caribbean.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

21

The following table provides calculations of our business segment results and measures excluding this specified item for the year ended
October 31, 2014:

Personal & Commercial Banking

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)

Total revenue

PCL
Non-interest expense
Net income before taxes
Net income

Selected balances and other information

Non-interest expense
Total revenue
Efficiency ratio

Revenue growth rate
Non-interest expense growth rate
Operating leverage

Personal & Commercial Banking

2014

Items excluded

Loss related
to the sale
of RBC Jamaica

As reported

Provision for
post-employment
benefits and
restructuring
charges

–
–
(100)
100
100

(100)

$

$

$

–
–
(40)
40
32

(40)

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

13,730
1,103
6,563
6,064
4,475

6,563
13,730
47.8%

5.5%
6.4%
(0.9%)

Table 16

Adjusted

13,730
1,103
6,423
6,204
4,607

6,423
13,730
46.8%

5.5%
4.2%
1.3%

Personal & Commercial Banking is comprised of our personal and business banking operations, and our auto financing and retail investment
businesses, including our online discount brokerage channel, and operates through two businesses: Canadian Banking and Caribbean & U.S.
Banking. We provide services to more than 13.5 million individual, business and institutional clients across Canada, the Caribbean and the U.S.
In Canada, we provide a broad suite of financial products and services through our extensive branch, automated teller machine (ATM), online,
mobile and telephone banking networks, as well as through a large number of proprietary sales professionals. In the Caribbean, we offer a broad
range of financial products and services to individuals and business clients, and public institutions in targeted markets. In the U.S., we serve the
cross-border banking needs of Canadian clients within the U.S. through online channels.

In Canada, we compete with other Schedule I banks, independent trust companies, foreign banks, credit unions, caisses populaires, and
auto financing companies. We maintain top (#1 or #2) rankings in market share in this competitive environment for all key retail and business
financial product categories, and have the largest branch network, the most ATMs and the largest mobile sales network across Canada. In the
Caribbean, our competition includes banks, trust companies and investment management companies serving retail and corporate customers
and public institutions. We continue to be the second-largest bank as measured by assets in the English Caribbean, with 79 branches in
17 countries and territories. In the U.S., we compete primarily with other Canadian banking institutions with operations in the U.S.

Economic and market review
We continued to see solid volume growth across most of our Canadian banking businesses, despite slowing economic conditions in Canada
particularly in the first half of fiscal 2015. The continuing low interest rate environment has driven solid, although slower industry growth
compared to last year. Historically low credit loss rates in our business and consumer products reflected a strong labour market in Canada during
most of the calendar year. Our businesses continued to be impacted by competitive pressures. In the Caribbean, unfavourable economic
conditions continued to negatively impact our results through lower loan volumes, and spread compression.

Highlights
In Canada:
• We achieved solid volume growth across all products, with particular strength in:

–
–

Home equity supported by the RBC Newcomer Advantage and our Employee Pricing campaigns; and
Credit cards through strong account and balance growth in our industry leading Avion® card.

• We achieved improved volume in Business Financial Services as we have focused our attention in certain business segments to strengthen

our market share and we have expanded our sales force in the upper end of the market.

• We have continued to invest in digitizing our client experience with a focus on speed of service and simplifying the end-to-end processes:

–

–

–

Launched Cheque-Pro™, allowing high cheque volume clients connecting to our online banking channels using an in-office scanner to
make deposits;
Continued to evolve the branch network for basic service transactions while investing in our digital and mobile platforms. We currently
have nearly 5 million active clients on our digital and mobile platforms, with particularly strong growth of 23% in the number of active
clients using our mobile platform;
Rolled out Host Card Emulation technology allowing RBC clients with Android devices to use RBC Wallet anywhere in the world with any
mobile network.

22

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

•

As a result of our successes, we received external recognition as an industry leader and were named:
–
–
–
–

Best Global Retail Bank (Retail Banker International) for the second consecutive year;
Best Trade Finance Bank in Canada (Global Finance Magazine) for the third consecutive year;
Best Private Banking Services Overall in Canada 2015 (Euromoney) for the eighth consecutive year;
Bank of the Year in Canada (The Banker).

In the Caribbean:
• We continued to focus on quality asset growth while reducing our structural costs to minimize the impact of challenging market conditions.
• We launched a new mobile payment solution, RBC EZPay, allowing merchants to capture payment transactions by inserting card reader

plugs into a smartphone.
Completed the sale of RBC Suriname to Republic Bank Ltd. in July 2015.
As a result of our successes, we were named #1 Bank in the Caribbean and in Trinidad and Tobago (The Banker).

•
•

Outlook and priorities
Financial conditions in Canada are expected to improve, driven by the continued low interest rate environment, strong labour markets, and
higher net exports. We expect continued solid volume growth across most of our products, but anticipate increasing pricing and competitive
pressures resulting from slowing banking industry growth and the low interest rate environment.

In the Caribbean, challenging market conditions and slow economic growth continue to temper our outlook. We expect net interest margins
to remain challenged due to low interest rates and competitive pressures. However, we expect to strengthen our business performance through
efficiency management, increases in fee revenue, and quality asset growth.

For further details on our general economic review and outlook, refer to the Economic and market review and outlook section.

Key strategic priorities for 2016
In Canada, our priorities are to:
•

Transform how we serve clients by enabling digital access and providing our clients with advice and solutions, personalized offers and
client loyalty rewards.
Accelerate growth in key segments and increase our presence in underpenetrated areas to achieve industry-leading volume growth.
Rapidly deliver secure, enhanced payment and mobile solutions to our clients.
Achieve greater agility and efficiency by simplifying, digitizing and automating processes and the end-to-end client experience.

•
•
•

In the Caribbean, we are focused on targeting markets where we can compete and drive sustainable profitability, with a strategic focus on
corporate, business, professional and business owner clientele. In the U.S., we are focused on meeting the banking and borrowing needs of our
cross-border clients through an innovative direct banking approach by providing seamless access to their entire RBC relationship.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

23

Personal & Commercial Banking

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except number of and percentage amounts and as otherwise noted)

Net interest income
Non-interest income

Total revenue

PCL
Non-interest expense

Net income before income taxes
Net income

Revenue by business
Canadian Banking
Caribbean & U.S. Banking

Key ratios
ROE
NIM (1)
Efficiency ratio (2)
Efficiency ratio adjusted (2), (3)
Operating leverage
Operating leverage adjusted (3)

Selected average balance sheet information

Total assets (4)
Total earning assets (5)
Loans and acceptances (4), (5)
Deposits

Other information

AUA (6)
AUM
Number of employees (FTE) (4)
Effective income tax rate

Credit information

Gross impaired loans as a % of average net loans and acceptances (4)
PCL on impaired loans as a % of average net loans and acceptances

Estimated impact of U.S. dollar and Trinidad & Tobago dollar (TTD) translation on key income
statement items

$

$

$

$

$

2015

10,004
4,309
14,313
984
6,611
6,718
5,006

13,379
934

30.0%
2.71%
46.2%
n.a.
3.5%
1.3%

386,100
369,000
367,500
298,600

223,500
4,800
35,007
25.5%

0.49%
0.27%

$

$

$

$

$

2014

9,743
3,987
13,730
1,103
6,563
6,064
4,475

12,869
861

29.0%
2.77%
47.8%
46.8%
(0.9)%
1.3%

367,900
351,300
350,700
278,800

214,200
4,000
36,113
26.2%

0.55%
0.31%

$

$

$

$

$

Table 17

2013

9,434
3,585
13,019
995
6,168
5,856
4,380

12,220
799

30.5%
2.78%
47.4%
n.a.
(1.3)%
n.a.

354,300
338,700
336,800
262,200

192,200
3,400
37,951
25.2%

0.55%
0.30%

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)

Increase (decrease):
Total revenue
Non-interest expense
Net income

Percentage change in average US$ equivalent of C$1.00
Percentage change in average TTD$ equivalent of C$1.00

2015 vs. 2014

$

72
43
19

(13)%
(14)%

(1)
(2)
(3)

(4)
(5)

(6)

NIM is calculated as Net interest income divided by Average total earning assets.
Efficiency ratio is calculated as Non-interest expense divided by Total revenue.
Measures have been adjusted by excluding the Q3 2014 loss of $40 million related to the closing of RBC Jamaica, and the Q1 2014 loss of $60 million related to the sale of RBC Jamaica and
the provision of $40 million related to post-employment benefits and restructuring charges in the Caribbean. These are non-GAAP measures. For further details, refer to the Key performance
and non-GAAP measures section.
Amounts have been revised from those previously presented.
Average total earning assets and average loans and acceptances include average securitized residential mortgages and credit card loans for the year ended October 31, 2015 of $56.7 billion
and $7.8 billion, respectively (2014 – $52.4 billion and $8.0 billion; 2013 – $48.4 billion and $7.2 billion).
AUA represents period-end spot balances and includes securitized residential mortgages and credit card loans as at October 31, 2015 of $21.0 billion and $8.0 billion, respectively
(October 31, 2014 – $23.2 billion and $8.0 billion; October 31, 2013 – $25.4 billion and $7.2 billion).

2015 vs. 2014
Net income increased $531 million or 12%. Excluding the loss last year of $100 million (before- and after-tax) related to the sale of RBC Jamaica
and a provision of $40 million ($32 million after-tax) related to post-employment benefits and restructuring charges in the Caribbean, net income
increased $399 million or 9%, largely reflecting solid volume growth across most businesses in Canada and strong fee-based revenue growth,
and higher earnings in the Caribbean. These factors were partially offset by higher costs to support business growth and lower spreads.

Total revenue increased $583 million or 4% reflecting solid volume growth across most businesses in Canada, higher fee-based revenue
primarily attributable to strong mutual funds asset growth resulting in higher mutual fund distribution fees, as well as higher balances and higher
credit card transaction volumes driving higher card service revenue, and the positive impact of foreign exchange translation. These factors were
partially offset by lower spreads.

Net interest margin decreased 6 bps mainly due to the low interest rate environment and competitive pressures.
PCL decreased $119 million, with the PCL ratio improving 4 bps, largely due to lower provisions in our Caribbean portfolios primarily due to
provisions of $50 million on our Caribbean impaired residential mortgage portfolio included in the prior year. Lower provisions in the current year
in our Canadian commercial lending portfolio also contributed to the decrease. These factors were partially offset by higher write-offs in our
Canadian credit card portfolio.

Non-interest expense increased $48 million. Excluding the prior year specified items noted above, non-interest expense increased
$188 million or 3%, mainly reflecting an increase due to the impact of foreign exchange translation, and higher technology and staff costs to
support business growth, partially offset by continuing benefits from our efficiency management activities.

Average loans and acceptances increased $17 billion or 5%, largely due to strong growth in Canadian residential mortgages and business

loans. Average deposits increased $20 billion or 7%, as a result of solid growth in both business and personal deposits.

24

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

2014 vs. 2013
Net income was up $95 million or 2% from 2013. Excluding the loss of $100 million (before- and after-tax) related to the sale of RBC Jamaica,
and a provision of $40 million ($32 million after-tax) related to post-employment benefits and restructuring charges in the Caribbean in 2014,
net income of $4,607 million was up $227 million or 5%, largely reflecting solid volume growth across most of our Canadian businesses, strong
fee-based revenue growth primarily attributable to higher mutual fund distribution fees and card service revenue, and results from the full
integration of Ally Canada. These factors were partially offset by higher PCL largely in the Caribbean.

Average loans and acceptances increased $14 billion or 4% from 2013, mainly due to growth in Canadian residential mortgages, business

loans and personal loans. Average deposits increased $17 billion or 6% from 2013, reflecting solid growth in both personal and business
deposits.

Results excluding the specified items noted above are non-GAAP measures. For further details, including a reconciliation, refer to the Key
performance and non-GAAP measures section.

In Canada, we operate through three business lines: Personal Financial Services, Business Financial Services and Cards and Payments
Solutions. The following provides a discussion of our consolidated Canadian Banking results.

Canadian Banking financial highlights

Table 18

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except number of and percentage amounts and as
otherwise noted)

Net interest income
Non-interest income

Total revenue

PCL
Non-interest expense

Net income before income taxes
Net income

Revenue by business

Personal Financial Services
Business Financial Services
Cards and Payment Solutions

Key ratios
ROE
NIM (1)
Efficiency ratio (2)
Operating leverage

Selected average balance sheet information

Total assets (3)
Total earning assets (4)
Loans and acceptances (3), (4)
Deposits

Other information

AUA (5)
Number of employees (FTE) (3)
Effective income tax rate

Credit information

Gross impaired loans as a % of average net loans and

acceptances

PCL on impaired loans as a % of average net loans and

$

$

$

$

2015
9,377 $
4,002
13,379
912
5,891
6,576
4,877 $

7,634 $
3,091
2,654

36.4%
2.66%
44.0%
0.4%

2014

9,168
3,701
12,869
928
5,687
6,254
4,642

7,285
3,135
2,449

37.0%
2.71%
44.2%
1.2%

$

$

$

2013

8,875
3,345
12,220
908
5,464
5,848
4,352

6,948
2,990
2,282

37.5%
2.72%
44.7%
(0.6)%

364,900 $ 349,500
337,900
352,800
343,100
358,500
263,600
281,200

$ 337,000
326,400
329,400
248,100

213,700
30,853
25.8%

205,200
31,381
25.8%

183,600
31,910
25.6%

0.30%

0.33%

0.36%

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

(5)

acceptances (3)
NIM is calculated as Net interest income divided by Average total earning assets.
Efficiency ratio is calculated as Non-interest expense divided by Total revenue.
Amounts have been revised from those previously presented.
Average total earning assets and average loans and acceptances include average securitized residential mortgages and credit card
loans for the year ended October 31, 2015 of $56.7 billion and $7.8 billion, respectively (2014 – $52.4 billion and $8.0 billion; 2013 –
$48.4 billion and $7.2 billion).
AUA represents period-end spot balances and includes securitized residential mortgages and credit card loans as at October 31, 2015
of $21.0 billion and $8.0 billion respectively (October 31, 2014 – $23.2 billion and $8.0 billion; October 31, 2013 – $25.4 billion and
$7.2 billion).

0.27%

0.25%

0.28%

2015 vs. 2014
Net income increased $235 million or 5% due to solid volume growth across most businesses and strong fee-based revenue growth, partially
offset by higher costs to support business growth, and lower spreads.

Total revenue increased $510 million or 4%, reflecting solid volume growth across most businesses and higher fee-based revenue primarily

attributable to strong mutual fund asset growth resulting in higher mutual fund distribution fees, as well as higher credit card balances and
transaction volumes driving higher card service revenue. These factors were partially offset by lower spreads.

Net interest margin decreased 5 bps compared to last year mainly due to the low interest rate environment, and competitive pressures.
PCL decreased $16 million, with the PCL ratio improving 2 bps, mostly due to lower provisions in our commercial lending portfolio, partially

offset by higher write-offs in our credit card portfolio.

Non-interest expense increased $204 million or 4% mainly due to higher technology and staff costs to support business growth, partially

offset by continuing benefits from our efficiency management activities.

Average loans and acceptances increased $15 billion or 4%, mainly due to strong growth in both residential mortgages and business loans.

Average deposits increased $18 billion or 7%, primarily reflecting solid growth in both business and personal deposits.

2014 vs. 2013
Net income increased $290 million or 7% from 2013, reflecting solid volume growth of 5% across most businesses, strong fee-based revenue
growth primarily attributable to mutual fund asset growth resulting in higher mutual fund distribution fees, as well as higher credit card balances
and transaction volumes driving higher card service revenue, and results from the full integration of Ally Canada.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

25

Business line review

Personal Financial Services

Personal Financial Services focuses on meeting the needs of our individual Canadian clients at every stage of their lives through a wide range of
financing and investment products and services, including home equity financing, personal lending, deposit accounts, Canadian private
banking, indirect lending (including auto financing), mutual funds and self-directed brokerage accounts, and Guaranteed Investment Certificates
(GICs). We rank #1 or #2 in market share for all key personal banking products in Canada and our retail banking network is the largest in Canada
with 1,275 branches and over 4,500 ATMs.

Financial performance
Total revenue increased $349 million or 5% compared to last year, reflecting solid volume growth across most businesses, and increased fee-
based revenue primarily attributable to strong mutual fund asset growth driving higher mutual fund distribution fees.

Average residential mortgages increased 6% compared to 2014, resulting from solid housing market activity supported by the continuing
low interest rate environment and our targeted marketing strategy. Average other loans and acceptances decreased 2% from last year largely due
to lower indirect lending volumes. Average deposits increased 5% from last year as a result of deepening our relationships with existing clients
as well as strong new client acquisition.

Selected highlights

(Millions of Canadian dollars,
except number of)

Total revenue
Other information (average)
Residential mortgages (1)
Other loans and acceptances (1)
Deposits (1), (2)
Branch mutual fund balances (3)
AUA – Self-directed brokerage (3)

Number of:

New deposit accounts opened

(thousands)

Branches
ATM

Table 19

Average residential mortgages, personal loans and deposits 
(Millions of Canadian dollars)

2015

2014

2013

$ 7,634 $ 7,285 $

6,948

197,300
84,100
173,000
122,000
61,400

186,000
85,400
165,100
111,600
60,500

177,900
83,500
156,900
95,300
53,300

216,000

180,000

144,000

108,000

72,000

36,000

0

1,420
1,275
4,542

1,514
1,272
4,620

1,285
1,255
4,622

120,000

100,000

80,000

60,000

40,000

20,000

0

2015 2014 2013

2015 2014 2013

2015 2014 2013

Residential mortgages

Other loans
and acceptances

Deposits

(1)
(2)
(3)

Amounts have been revised from those previously presented.
Includes GIC balances.
Represents year-end spot balances.

Business Financial Services

Business Financial Services offers a wide range of lending, leasing, deposit, investment, foreign exchange, cash management, auto dealer
financing (floor plan), trade products and services to small, medium-sized commercial businesses, as well as agriculture and agribusiness
clients across Canada. Our business banking network has the largest team of relationship managers and specialists in the industry. Our strong
commitment to our clients has resulted in our leading market share in business loans and deposits.

Financial performance
Total revenue decreased $44 million or 1% compared to last year as strong volume growth was more than offset by spread compression
reflecting competitive pressures and the impact of continuing low interest rate environment. The prior year included a favourable cumulative
accounting adjustment related to deferred loan fees in our business lending portfolio.

Average loans and acceptances increased 8% and average deposits were up 10%, despite a very competitive environment, due to increased

activity from existing and new clients.

Table 20

Average business loans and acceptances and business deposits 
(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Selected highlights

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Total revenue
Other information (average)
Loans and acceptances (1)
Deposits (1), (2)

2015

2014

2013

$ 3,091 $ 3,135 $ 2,990

62,000
108,200

57,600
98,500

54,400
91,200

(1)
(2)

Amounts have been revised from those previously presented.
Includes GIC balances.

26

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

64,000
56,000
48,000
40,000
32,000
24,000
16,000
8,000
0

112,000
98,000
84,000
70,000
56,000
42,000
28,000
14,000
0

2015 2014 2013

2015 2014 2013

Business loans and acceptances

Business deposits

Cards and Payment Solutions

Cards and Payment Solutions provides a wide array of credit cards with loyalty and reward benefits, and payment products and solutions within
Canada. We have over 7 million credit card accounts and have approximately 23% market share of Canada’s credit card purchase volume.

In addition, this business line includes our 50% interest in Moneris Solutions, Inc., our merchant card processing joint venture with the

Bank of Montreal. Moneris processes approximately $215 billion in annual credit and debit card transaction volumes.

Financial performance
Total revenue increased $205 million or 8%, compared to last year, driven by higher balances and higher credit card transaction volumes, and
improved spreads.

Average credit card balances increased 7% and net purchase volumes increased 8% due to higher active accounts driven by strength in new

account acquisitions.

Selected highlights

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Total revenue
Other information

2015

2014

2013

$ 2,654 $ 2,449 $ 2,282

Average credit card balances
Net purchase volumes

15,100
90,800

14,100
84,200

13,600
76,200

Table 21

Average credit card balances and net purchase volumes 
(Millions of Canadian dollars)

16,000
14,000
12,000
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
0

96,000
84,000
72,000
60,000
48,000
36,000
24,000
12,000
0

2015 2014 2013

2015 2014 2013

Average credit card balances

Net purchase volumes

Caribbean & U.S. Banking

Our Caribbean banking business offers a comprehensive suite of banking products and services, as well as international financing and trade
promotion services through extensive branch, ATM, online and mobile banking networks.

Our U.S. cross-border banking business serves the needs of our Canadian clients within the U.S. through online and mobile channels, and

offers a broad range of financial products and services to individual and business clients across all 50 states. As well, we serve the banking
product needs of our U.S. wealth management clients.

Financial performance
Total revenue was up $73 million or 8% from last year, primarily due to the positive impact of foreign exchange translation and the full-year
impact of implementation of full service pricing in the Caribbean. These factors were partially offset by lower spreads.

Average loans and acceptances increased 18%, primarily due to the positive impact of foreign exchange translation and modest volume

growth. Average deposits increased 14%, mostly due to the positive impact of foreign exchange translation.

Selected highlights

Table 22

Average loans and deposits (Millions of Canadian dollars)

(Millions of Canadian dollars, number of and
percentage amounts)

Total revenue
Other information

2015

2014

2013

$

934 $

861

$

799

3.87% 4.29%
Net interest margin (1)
Average loans and acceptances (1) $ 9,000 $ 7,600
15,200
Average deposits
9,000
AUA
4,000
AUM
Number of:
Branches
ATM

17,400
9,800
4,800

93
309

79
274

4.58%
$ 7,400
14,100
8,600
3,400

116
351

(1)

Amounts have been revised from those previously presented.

10,000

8,000

6,000

4,000

2,000

0

2015 2014 2013

2015 2014 2013

Loans and acceptances

Deposits

20,000

16,000

12,000

8,000

4,000

0

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

27

Wealth Management

Wealth Management comprises Canadian Wealth Management, U.S. & International Wealth Management and Global Asset Management (GAM).
Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients in target markets around the world. From our offices in key financial centres
mainly in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Channel Islands, and Asia, Wealth Management offers a comprehensive suite of investment, trust, banking,
credit and other wealth management solutions to affluent, high net worth (HNW), and ultra-high net worth (UHNW) clients. Our asset
management group, Global Asset Management, which includes BlueBay Asset Management (BlueBay), is an established global leader in
investment management services, providing investment strategies and fund solutions directly to institutional investors and also to individual
clients through our distribution channels and third-party distributors. On November 2, 2015, we completed the acquisition of City National,
which will enhance and complement our existing U.S. businesses and product offerings.

Economic and market review
Economic activity in Canada and the U.S. slowed during the early part of fiscal 2015, although the U.S. economy started to recover more quickly
than the Canadian economy in the latter part of the year. Despite this stalled economic activity, we continued to see growth in our average fee-
based client assets through capital appreciation and net sales. The Euro area economy grew marginally during the fiscal year, leading the ECB to
implement a highly stimulative monetary policy to help restore investor confidence and stimulate economic activity in the region. Global capital
markets remained volatile throughout the year, leading to lower transaction volumes during the year. In addition, heightened regulation has
driven up compliance and technology costs.

•

•

•

Capital appreciation and strong net sales continued to drive client assets higher, which surpassed $1.2 trillion this year.

Highlights
•
• We continued to grow and invest in our high-performing asset management business and maintained a leading market share of 14.5% of
the Canadian mutual fund asset management industry. We continued to increase BlueBay’s distribution footprint with institutional clients
and expand our international distribution capabilities to U.S. and international institutional clients and professional buyers.
In Canada, our full service private wealth business is the industry leader. We continue to extend our leadership amongst HNW clients by
focusing on delivering comprehensive value to our clients, leveraging our expertise around business owners, succession and wealth
planning.
In the U.S., our second home market, we are among the top 10 full service brokerage firms in terms of assets and number of advisors, and
we continue to focus on improving advisor productivity. Furthermore, our recent acquisition of City National will enhance our U.S. product
offering.
Outside Canada and the U.S., we continued to realign our International Wealth Management business to focus on key client segments,
including HNW and UHNW clients in select target markets, while enhancing our product offering and operating environment, creating a
scalable and profitable business aligned to a more conservative risk profile.
The strength of our global capabilities and continued commitment to deliver integrated global wealth management advice, solutions and
services to HNW and UHNW clients helped us earn significant industry awards. We were ranked or named:
–

For the second year in a row, we ranked 5th largest global wealth manager by client assets (Scorpio Partnership’s 2015 Global Private
Banking KPI Benchmark)
Best Private Banking services overall for an eighth consecutive year in Canada and Best Private Banking services overall for the second
year in a row in Jersey (Euromoney)
A top 50 Global Asset Manager (Pensions & Investments / Towers Watson)
Best Bank-owned Brokerage Firm in Canada (International Executive Brokerage Report Card)
Trust Company of the Year (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners)
RBC Wealth Management® and RBC Asset Management® brand was recognized as the 8th best banking brand globally (Brand Finance
Banking 500)

–

–
–
–
–

•

Outlook and priorities
Global market volatility, investor uncertainty and low interest rates are expected to continue into 2016. Despite the overall economic uncertainty
and volatile equity markets, we expect global private wealth to continue to grow driven by growth in the HNW client segment. Our revenue is
expected to increase mainly due to higher client assets. We will continue to leverage our brand, reputation, and financial strength to increase our
market share of HNW and UHNW globally. In addition, changing demographics and rapid advancements in digitization are expected to drive an
accelerated pace of change, requiring a greater focus on delivering a digitally-integrated, multi-channel experience for our clients and client-
facing professionals.

For further details on our general economic review and outlook, refer to the Economic and market review and outlook section.

Key strategic priorities for 2016
•
•

Leverage and grow our high performing asset management business globally.
Deepen client relationships by bringing the best of RBC to our clients, leveraging the RBC enterprise brand, capabilities and competitive
strengths.
Focus on developing a differentiated client experience tailored to key HNW and UHNW client segments in our priority markets, with a greater
emphasis on digital enablement.
Drive sustainable growth in our international wealth business by enhancing our solution offering and achieving a more scalable and
streamlined operating model.
Leverage the combined strengths of City National and RBC U.S. Wealth Management to create a powerful and scalable engine for growth in
the U.S.

•

•

•

28

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Wealth Management

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except number of and percentage amounts and as otherwise noted)

Net interest income
Non-interest income
Fee-based revenue
Transactional and other revenue

Total revenue

PCL
Non-interest expense

Net income before income taxes
Net income

Revenue by business

Canadian Wealth Management
U.S. & International Wealth Management

U.S. & International Wealth Management (US$ millions)

Global Asset Management (1)

Key ratios
ROE
Pre-tax margin (2)

Selected average balance sheet information

Total assets
Loans and acceptances
Deposits
Attributed capital

Other information

Revenue per advisor (000s) (3)
AUA (4)
AUM (4)
Average AUA
Average AUM
Number of employees (FTE)
Number of advisors (5)

Estimated impact of U.S. dollar, British pound and Euro translation on key income

statement items

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)

Increase (decrease):
Total revenue
Non-interest expense
Net income

Percentage change in average US$ equivalent of C$1.00
Percentage change in average British pound equivalent of C$1.00
Percentage change in average Euro equivalent of C$1.00

$

$

$

$

$

2015

493 $

4,699
1,583
6,775
46
5,292
1,437
1,041 $

2,226 $
2,729
2,181
1,820

17.4%
21.2%

29,100 $
17,700
39,500
5,900

1,089 $

749,700
492,800
755,600
484,700
12,598
3,954

2015 vs. 2014

$

301
263
19

(13)%
(6)%
4%

2014

469

$

4,185
1,659
6,313
19
4,800
1,494
1,083

2,186
2,430
2,221
1,697

19.2%
23.7%

25,800
15,700
36,200
5,500

983
717,500
452,300
690,500
427,800
12,919
4,245

$

$

$

$

Table 23

2013

396

3,463
1,628
5,487
51
4,219
1,217
886

1,889
2,225
2,174
1,373

15.8%
22.2%

21,600
12,100
31,900
5,400

862
639,200
387,200
609,500
367,600
12,462
4,216

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)

Effective the first quarter of 2014, we have aligned the reporting period of BlueBay, which resulted in an additional month of earnings being included in 2014.
Pre-tax margin is defined as net income before income taxes divided by Total revenue.
Represents investment advisors and financial consultants of our Canadian and U.S. full-service wealth businesses.
Represents year-end spot balances.
Represents client-facing advisors across all our wealth management businesses.

Client assets – AUA

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

AUA, beginning balance
Net asset flows
Market impact and other

AUA, balance at end of year

Client assets – AUM

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

AUM, beginning balance

Net asset flows:
Money market
Fixed income
Equity
Multi-asset and other
Market impact and other

AUM, balance at end of year

$

$

$

2015

717,500
(30,600)
62,800

749,700

$

$

2015
452,300 $

(4,900)
8,800
900
13,400
22,300

Table 24

2014

639,200
16,300
62,000

717,500

Table 25

2014

387,200

(5,600)
14,000
4,100
16,900
35,700

$

492,800 $

452,300

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

29

AUA by geographic mix and asset class

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Canada (1)

Money Market
Fixed Income
Equity
Multi-asset and other

Total Canada

U.S. (1)

Money Market
Fixed Income
Equity
Multi-asset and other

Total U.S.

Other International (1)

Money Market
Fixed Income
Equity
Multi-asset and other

Total International

Total AUA
(1)

Geographic information is based on the location from where our clients are serviced.

Table 26

2015

2014

$

21,500 $
34,900
79,800
157,400
$ 293,600 $

$

32,900 $
90,800
152,700
6,400
$ 282,800 $

$

24,500 $
26,500
93,300
29,000
$ 173,300 $

21,600
38,700
83,200
147,300

290,800

28,500
82,500
138,200
3,900

253,100

25,900
33,800
89,200
24,700

173,600

$ 749,700 $

717,500

Financial performance
2015 vs. 2014
Net income decreased $42 million or 4% compared to last year, primarily reflecting higher costs in support of business growth in our Global
Asset Management and Canadian Wealth Management businesses, restructuring costs of $122 million ($90 million after-tax) largely related to
our U.S. & International Wealth Management business, lower transaction volumes, and higher PCL. These factors were partly offset by higher
earnings from growth in average fee-based client assets.

Total revenue increased $462 million or 7%, mainly due to growth in average fee-based client assets resulting from capital appreciation and

net sales, and the positive impact of foreign exchange translation. These factors were partly offset by lower transaction volumes.
PCL increased $27 million mainly due to provisions related to our U.S. & International Wealth Management business.
Non-interest expense increased $492 million or 10%, mainly reflecting an increase due to the impact of foreign exchange translation, higher
costs in support of business growth in our Global Asset Management and Canadian Wealth Management businesses, and the restructuring costs
noted above.

2014 vs. 2013
Net income increased $197 million or 22% from 2013, mainly due to higher earnings from growth in average fee-based client assets resulting
from capital appreciation and strong net sales, and lower PCL.

Business line review

Canadian Wealth Management

Canadian Wealth Management includes our full-service Canadian wealth advisory business, which is the largest in Canada as measured by AUA,
with over 1,600 investment advisors providing comprehensive advice-based financial solutions to affluent, HNW and UHNW clients. Additionally,
we provide discretionary investment management and estate and trust services to our clients through approximately 65 investment counsellors
and 91 trust professionals across Canada.

We compete with domestic banks and trust companies, investment counselling firms, bank-owned full service brokerages and boutique

brokerages, mutual fund companies and global private banks. In Canada, bank-owned wealth managers continue to be the major players.

30

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Financial performance
Revenue increased $40 million or 2% from a year ago, mainly due to higher fee-based client assets reflecting net sales and capital appreciation,
partly offset by lower transaction volumes, reflecting challenging market conditions in the second half of the year.

Table 27

Average AUA and AUM (1) (Millions of Canadian dollars)

Selected highlights

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Total revenue
Other information

$

2015
2,226 $ 2,186 $ 1,889

2014

2013

Total loans and acceptances (1)
Total deposits (1)
AUA
AUM
Average AUA
Average AUM
Total assets under fee-based

1,500
13,600
287,800
60,800
284,300
58,100

3,000
15,300
285,100
55,400
272,900
50,400

2,500
13,400
251,400
43,600
239,100
40,000

300,000

250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

0

2015 2014 2013

2015 2014 2013

60,000

50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

0

programs

182,000

166,700

139,400

AUA

AUM

(1)

Represents an average amount, which is calculated using methods intended to
approximate the average of the daily balances for the period.

(1)

Represents average balances, which are more representative of the impact client
balances have upon our revenue.

U.S. & International Wealth Management

U.S. Wealth Management includes our private client group, which is the 8th largest full service wealth advisory firm in the U.S., as measured by
number of advisors, with over 1,800 financial advisors. Additionally, our correspondent and advisor services businesses deliver clearing and
execution services for small to mid-sized independent broker-dealers and registered investment advisor firms. In the U.S., we operate in a
fragmented and extremely competitive industry. There are approximately 4,000 registered broker-dealers in the U.S., comprising independent,
regional and global players. As previously announced, we completed the acquisition of City National on November 2, 2015, and we are
combining U.S. Wealth Management and City National into one line of business effective the first quarter of 2016.

International Wealth Management includes Wealth Management – International and Wealth Management – Asia. We provide customized

and integrated trust, banking, credit and investment solutions to HNW and UHNW clients and corporate clients with over 1,400 employees
located in 16 countries around the world. Competitors to our International Wealth Management business comprise global wealth managers,
traditional offshore private banks, domestic wealth managers and U.S. investment-led private client operations. In the fourth quarter of 2014, we
announced a restructuring program designed to transform our global businesses into sustainable and profitable businesses aligned with a
conservative risk profile.

Financial performance
Revenue increased $299 million or 12% from a year ago. In U.S. dollars, revenue decreased $40 million or 2%, mainly reflecting the impact of
the restructuring of our U.S. & International Wealth Management business, lower transaction volumes, and a change in the fair value of our
U.S. share-based compensation plan.

Selected highlights

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except
otherwise noted)

Total revenue
Other information (Millions of

$

U.S. dollars)
Total revenue
Total loans, guarantees and

letters of credit (1)

Total deposits (1)
AUA
AUM
Average AUA
Average AUM
Total assets under fee-based

programs (2)

Table 28

Average AUA and AUM (1) (Millions of U.S. dollars)

2015
2,729 $ 2,430 $ 2,225

2014

2013

2,181

2,221

2,174

15,100
20,700
353,500
38,500
376,500
41,500

14,500
19,100
383,700
41,100
382,000
38,400

12,100
18,000
371,900
35,600
361,800
34,700

94,500

94,500

83,200

455,000

390,000

325,000

260,000

195,000

130,000

65,000

0

2015 2014 2013

2015 2014 2013

AUA

AUM

45,500

39,000

32,500

26,000

19,500

13,000

6,500

0

(1)

Represents average balances, which are more representative of the impact client
balances have upon our revenue.

(1)

(2)

Represents an average amount, which is calculated using methods intended to
approximate the average of the daily balances for the period.
Represents amounts related to our U.S. wealth management businesses.

Global Asset Management

Global Asset Management provides global investment management services and solutions for individual and institutional investors in Canada,
the U.S., the U.K., Europe and Asia. We provide a broad range of investment management services through mutual, pooled and private funds,
fee-based accounts and separately managed portfolios. We distribute our investment solutions through a broad network of bank branches, our
self-directed and full service wealth advisory businesses, independent third-party advisors and private banks, and directly to individual clients.
We also provide investment solutions directly to institutional clients, including pension plans, insurance companies, corporations, and
endowments and foundations.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

31

We are the largest retail fund company in Canada as well as a leading institutional asset manager. We face competition in Canada from

banks, insurance companies, asset management organizations and boutique firms. The Canadian fund management industry is large and
mature, but still a relatively fragmented industry.

In the U.S., our asset management business offers investment management solutions and services primarily to institutional investors and

competes with independent asset management firms, as well as those that are part of national and international banks, and insurance
companies.

Internationally, through our leading global capabilities of BlueBay and RBC Global Asset Management®, we offer investment management

solutions for institutions and, through private banks including RBC Wealth Management, to HNW and UHNW investors. We face competition from
asset managers that are part of international banks as well as national, regional and boutique asset managers in the geographies where we
serve clients.

Financial performance
Revenue increased $123 million or 7% from a year ago, mainly due to an increase of 9% in AUM reflecting strong net sales and capital
appreciation, and the positive impact of foreign exchange translation, partly offset by net redemptions in our emerging markets funds.

Table 29

Average AUM (1) (Millions of Canadian dollars)

Selected highlights

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Total revenue (1)
Other information

2015
$ 1,820 $

2014

2013

1,697 $

1,373

Canadian net long-term mutual fund

sales (2)

Canadian net money market mutual fund

(redemptions) sales (2)

AUM
Average AUM

9,857

10,982

8,064

(605)
381,700
374,700

(1,229)
350,600
335,300

(1,348)
306,500
292,100

(1)

(2)

Effective the first quarter of 2014, we have aligned the reporting period of BlueBay, which resulted in
an additional month of earnings being included in 2014.
As reported to the Investment Funds Institute of Canada. Includes all prospectus-based mutual funds
across our Canadian Global Asset Management businesses.

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

0

2015 2014 2013

AUM

(1)

Represents average balances, which are more representative of the
impact client balances have upon our revenue.

Insurance

Insurance comprises our operations in Canada and globally and operates under two business lines: Canadian Insurance and International
Insurance, providing a wide range of life, health, home, auto, travel, wealth, group and reinsurance products and solutions. In Canada, we offer
our products and services through our proprietary distribution channels, comprised of the field sales force which includes retail insurance stores,
our field sales representatives, advice centres and online, as well as through independent insurance advisors and affinity relationships. Outside
Canada, we operate in reinsurance markets globally offering life, accident and annuity reinsurance products. Our competitive environment is
discussed below in each business.

Economic and market review
The global insurance industry has adjusted to the effects of the economic crisis such as slow economic growth rates, persistently low interest
rates and low inflation rates, and continues to stabilize. The approach of many insurance companies has been to review product features/
pricing, conserve capital and reduce expenses. Although these factors continue to put strain on our businesses, product and pricing actions we
have taken in recent years, a migration to lower-cost proprietary distribution channels, conservative investment practices and diversified product
lines have allowed us to continue to navigate this challenging environment. In addition, recent tax legislation impacting certain foreign affiliates,
which became effective on November 1, 2014, has had a negative effect on our financial results.

Highlights
•

Ranked as the #1 Banking-based Insurance brand globally, according to the 2015 Brand Finance Banking 500. The annual study, conducted
by Brand Finance, ranks the world’s biggest banks by their brand value, which reflects the premium generated by the brand in the industry.
• We introduced Pension Plan De-Risking Solutions. Our first offering, Group Annuities, will help employers simplify the management of their

defined benefit pension plans. We are leveraging the strengths of partners across RBC to deliver the solution, bringing the best of RBC to our
clients.
Our Reinsurance business has achieved steady growth, ranking us as the 3rd largest life retrocessionaire and we continue to be active in
the U.K. annuity longevity reinsurance market.

•

Outlook and priorities
Overall, moderate growth in the industry is projected over the short to medium term. We expect continued organic business growth as a result of
the product and pricing actions taken during the last few years, including increasing volumes through our growing proprietary channels and
through our ongoing focus on expense efficiency.

For further details on our general economic review and outlook, refer to the Economic and market review and outlook section.

Key strategic priorities for 2016
•

Deepen client relationships through cross-selling by continuing to provide our customers with a comprehensive suite of insurance products
and services based on their unique family needs.
Continue to improve our proprietary channels distribution efficiency through enhancements to performance management processes, a
proactive sales culture and enhanced cross-selling initiatives.
Continue to simplify the way we do business by streamlining all business processes while diligently managing our expenses.
Pursue select international opportunities, within our risk appetite, with the aim of continuing to grow our core reinsurance business.

•

•
•

32

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Insurance

Table 30

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts and as otherwise noted)

2015

2014

2013

Non-interest income

Net earned premiums
Investment income (1)
Fee income
Total revenue

Insurance policyholder benefits and claims (1)
Insurance policyholder acquisition expense
Non-interest expense
Net income before income taxes
Net income

Revenue by business
Canadian Insurance
International Insurance

Key ratios
ROE

Selected average balance sheet information

Total assets
Attributed capital

Other information

Premiums and deposits (2)
Canadian Insurance
International Insurance

Insurance claims and policy benefit liabilities
Fair value changes on investments backing policyholder liabilities (1)
Embedded value (3)
AUM
Number of employees (FTE)

$

$

$

$

$

3,507 $
445
484
4,436
2,741
222
613
860
706 $

2,725 $
1,711

3,742 $
938
284
4,964
3,194
379
579
812
781 $

2,911 $
2,053

3,674
(17)
271
3,928
2,326
458
551
593
595

1,962
1,966

44.3%

49.7%

41.4%

13,700 $
1,600

12,000 $
1,550

11,900
1,400

5,016 $
2,725
2,291
9,110
(24)
6,952
800
3,163

5,164 $
2,419
2,745
8,564 $
439
6,239
700
3,126

4,924
2,344
2,580
8,034
(491)
6,302
500
2,965

Estimated impact of U.S. dollar and British pound translation on key income statement items
(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)

2015 vs. 2014

Increase (decrease):
Total revenue
PBCAE
Non-interest expense
Net income

Percentage change in average US$ equivalent of C$1.00
Percentage change in average British pound equivalent of C$1.00

$

68
75
–
(7)

(13)%
(6)%

(1)

(2)
(3)

Investment income can experience volatility arising from fluctuation of fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL) assets. The investments which support actuarial liabilities are predominantly
fixed income assets designated as at FVTPL. Consequently, changes in the fair values of these assets are recorded in investment income in the consolidated statement of income and are
largely offset by changes in the fair value of the actuarial liabilities, the impact of which is reflected in insurance policyholder benefits and claims.
Premiums and deposits include premiums on risk-based insurance and annuity products, and individual and group segregated fund deposits, consistent with insurance industry practices.
Embedded value is defined as the sum of value of equity held in our Insurance segment and the value of in-force business (existing policies). For further details, refer to the Key performance
and non-GAAP measures section.

Financial performance
2015 vs. 2014
Net income decreased $75 million or 10%, mainly due to a change in Canadian tax legislation impacting certain foreign affiliates which became
effective November 1, 2014, a lower level of favourable actuarial adjustments in the current year, and higher net claims costs. These factors were
partially offset by higher earnings from new U.K. annuity contracts, and a favourable impact of investment-related activities on the Canadian life
business.

Total revenue decreased $528 million or 11%, mainly due to a reduction of $463 million related to the change in fair value of investments

backing our policyholder liabilities resulting from changes in long-term interest rates, and a reduction of revenue related to our retrocession
contracts, both of which were largely offset in PBCAE. These factors were partially offset by business growth in Canadian and International
insurance, and the positive impact of foreign exchange translation.

PBCAE decreased $610 million or 17%, mainly due to a reduction of PBCAE related to our retrocession contracts, and the change in fair

value of investments backing our policyholder liabilities, both of which were largely offset in revenue. These factors were partially offset by
business growth as noted above, a lower level of favourable actuarial adjustments reflecting management actions and assumption changes, and
an increase due to the impact of foreign exchange translation.

Non-interest expense increased $34 million or 6%, mainly due to higher costs to support business growth as well as increased costs related

to strategic initiatives.

Premiums and deposits were down $148 million or 3%, as the reduction related to our retrocession contracts was partly offset by business

growth in International and Canadian Insurance.

Embedded value increased $713 million, reflecting business growth mainly in International Insurance, a favourable change in interest rate
assumptions, and the impact of foreign exchange translation. In addition, the transfer of capital through dividend payments from our insurance
businesses was lower compared to the prior year. For further details, refer to the Key performance and non-GAAP measures section.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

33

2014 vs. 2013
Net income increased $186 million or 31% from 2013, mainly due to lower net claims costs, business growth in our European life and U.K.
annuity products, and favourable actuarial adjustments reflecting management actions and assumption changes. Our results in 2013 included a
charge of $160 million ($118 million after-tax) as a result of new tax legislation in Canada, which affects the policyholders’ tax treatment of
certain individual life insurance policies, and a favourable impact from investment-related activities on the Canadian life business.

Business line review

Canadian Insurance

We offer life, health, property and casualty insurance products, as well as wealth accumulation solutions, to individual and group clients across
Canada. Our life and health portfolio includes universal life, term life, critical illness, disability, long-term care insurance and group benefits. We
offer a wide range of property and casualty products including home, auto and travel insurance. Our travel products include out of province/
country medical coverage, and trip cancellation and interruption insurance.

In Canada, we compete against over 200 insurance companies, with the majority of the organizations specializing in either life and health,

or property and casualty products. We hold a leading market position in disability insurance products, have a significant presence in life and
travel products, and have a growing presence in the home, auto and wealth markets.

Financial performance
Total revenue decreased $186 million or 6% from last year, mainly due to the change in fair value of investments backing our policyholder
liabilities resulting from changes in long-term interest rates, largely offset in PBCAE. This factor was partially offset by business growth in our life,
health, home and auto insurance businesses.

Premiums and deposits increased $306 million or 13% reflecting business growth.

Selected highlights

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Total revenue
Other information

Premiums and deposits

Life and health
Property and casualty
Annuity and segregated fund

deposits

Fair value changes on

investments backing
policyholder liabilities

International Insurance

Table 31

Premiums and deposits (Millions of Canadian dollars) 

2015
2,725 $

2014

2013

2,911 $

1,962

$

1,484
958

1,266
951

1,245
942

283

202

157

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

54

490

(510)

Annuity and segregated
fund deposits

Property and
casualty

Life and health

2015

2014

2013

International Insurance is primarily comprised of our reinsurance businesses which insure risks of other insurance and reinsurance companies.
We offer life and health, accident and annuity reinsurance products.

The global reinsurance market is dominated by a few large players, with significant presence in the U.S., the U.K. and the Euro area. The

reinsurance industry is competitive but barriers to entry remain high.

Financial performance
Total revenue decreased $342 million or 17%, mainly due to a reduction of revenue related to our retrocession contracts, largely offset in PBCAE.
These factors were partially offset by business growth in our International life and U.K. annuity products and a positive impact of foreign
exchange translation.

Premiums and deposits decreased $454 million, or 17% driven by the reduction related to our retrocession contracts, partially offset by

business growth.

Selected highlights

Table 32

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Total revenue
Other information

Premiums and deposits

Life and health
Property and casualty
Annuity

2015
1,711 $

2014

2013

2,053 $

1,966

$

1,483
(4)
812

2,128
6
611

2,069
50
461

34

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Investor & Treasury Services

Investor & Treasury Services is a specialist provider of asset and treasury services, custody, payments, and transaction banking for financial
institutions and other institutional investors worldwide. We deliver custodial, fund accounting, financing and other services to safeguard client
assets, maximize liquidity and manage risk across multiple jurisdictions. We also provide short-term funding and liquidity management for RBC.
We are a global custodian with a network of offices across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. While we compete against the world’s largest
global custodians, we remain a specialist provider with a focus on asset managers. Our transaction banking business competes primarily with
major Canadian banks.

Economic and market review
The highly competitive environment in the global custody industry continued to pressure margins. Low to negative interest rates globally have
reduced deposit rates, leading to margin compression from deposit-gathering. Moreover, heightened regulation has driven up compliance and
technology costs. However, in the first nine months of the fiscal year, increased client activity and heightened market volatility benefited our
foreign exchange forwards business, drove higher transaction volumes, grew our core fees and benefited deposit growth.

Highlights
•
•

Rated by our clients the #1 global custodian for five consecutive years (Global Custody Survey, Global Investor ISF).
Leading offshore provider in Luxembourg and Dublin, and rated UCITS Fund Administrator of the Year. (Custody Risk, European Awards,
2015).
Canada’s leading asset management provider with number one ratings across client service, custody, fund administration and Canadian
dollar transactions (Global Custody Survey, Global Investor ISF, 2015).
High level of investment in client-focused technology solutions.

•

•

Outlook and priorities
In 2016, our aim is to continue to be the leading provider of custody, asset services and cash management in Canada and a leading provider of
fund services in select offshore markets. Our focus is on driving top-line growth by leveraging our leadership position in Canada and capabilities
in Luxembourg and Ireland to win new business and deepen relationships with existing clients. We are continuing to execute on strategic,
transformational initiatives to deliver and enhance client experience. While we expect the global custody industry to remain challenging in the
near-term, we are well-positioned to compete in the continuously changing operating environment.

For further details on our general economic review and outlook, refer to the Economic and market review and outlook section.

Key strategic priorities for 2016
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Maintain our leadership position in Canada.
Leverage the strength of our leading offshore service offering in Luxembourg and Ireland.
Increase investment in client-focused technology solutions.
Evolve our business model to enhance client service and improve efficiency.
Maintain prudent risk management, exercise sound judgment, and awareness of key issues.
Continue to invest in talent management and employee training and development.
Leverage Investor & Treasury Services expertise in liquidity management in support of our growth strategies.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

35

Investor & Treasury Services

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts and as otherwise noted)

Net interest income
Non-interest income

Total revenue (1)

Non-interest expense

Net income before income taxes
Net income

Key Ratios
ROE

Selected average balance sheet information

Total assets
Deposits

Client deposits
Wholesale funding deposits

Attributed capital

Other Information

AUA (2)
Average AUA
Number of employees (FTE)

$

$

$

2015

818 $

1,220
2,038
1,300
738
556 $

Table 33

2013

671
1,133
1,804
1,348
456
339

2014

732 $

1,152
1,884
1,286
598
441 $

20.3%

19.8%

16.5%

125,300 $
139,600
50,400
89,200
2,700

94,200 $

112,100
42,700
69,400
2,150

83,100
104,300
36,100
68,200
2,000

3,620,300
3,793,000
4,774

3,702,800
3,463,000
4,963

3,208,800
3,052,600
5,208

Estimated impact of U.S. dollar, British pound and Euro translation on key income statement

items

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)

Increase (decrease):
Total revenue
Non-interest expense
Net income

Percentage change in average US$ equivalent of C$1.00
Percentage change in average British pound equivalent of C$1.00
Percentage change in average Euro equivalent of C$1.00

2015 vs. 2014

$

(9)
(9)
(1)

(13)%
(6)%
4%

(1)

(2)

Effective the third quarter of 2015, we have aligned the reporting period of Investor Services, which resulted in an additional month of earnings being included in 2015. The net impact of the
additional month was recorded in revenue.
Represents period-end spot balances.

Financial performance
2015 vs. 2014
Net income increased $115 million or 26%, primarily due to increased client activity in our foreign exchange forwards business and higher
foreign exchange transaction volumes, an additional month of earnings in Investor Services of $42 million ($28 million after-tax), increased
custodial fees, and higher earnings from growth in client deposits. These factors were partially offset by lower funding and liquidity results.
Total revenue increased $154 million or 8%, mainly related to higher revenue from our foreign exchange forwards business and higher

foreign exchange transaction volumes reflecting increased client activity through the first nine months of the year primarily due to market
volatility, an additional month of revenue in Investor Services as noted above, higher custodial fees, and higher net interest income reflecting
growth in client deposits. These factors were partially offset by lower funding and liquidity results due to widening credit spreads and
unfavourable market conditions.

Non-interest expense increased $14 million or 1%, largely reflecting continuing benefits from our efficiency management activities.

2014 vs. 2013
Net income was up $102 million from 2013, largely due to benefits from our efficiency management activities and higher earnings from growth in
client deposits. In addition, results in 2013 included a restructuring charge of $44 million ($31 million after-tax) related to the integration of
Investor Services.

Capital Markets

Capital Markets provides public and private companies, institutional investors, governments and central banks globally with a wide range of
capital markets products and services across our two main business lines, Corporate and Investment Banking and Global Markets. Our legacy
portfolio is grouped under Other.

In North America, we offer a full suite of products and services which include corporate and investment banking, equity and debt origination

and distribution, and structuring and trading. In Canada, we compete mainly with Canadian banks where we are the premier global investment
bank and market leader with a strategic presence in all lines of capital markets businesses. In the U.S., we have full industry sector coverage and
investment banking product range and compete with large U.S. and global investment banks as well as smaller regional firms. Outside North
America, we have a select presence in the U.K. and Europe, and Other international, where we offer a diversified set of capabilities in our key
sectors of expertise such as energy, mining and infrastructure and we have expanded into industrial, consumer and health care in Europe. In the
U.K. and Europe, we compete in our key sectors of expertise with global and regional investment banks. In Other international, we compete with
global and regional investment banks in select products, consisting of fixed income distribution and currencies trading and corporate and
investment banking in Australia, Asia, and the Caribbean.

Economic and market review
Global capital markets improved in the first half of fiscal 2015, which contributed to solid Global Markets and Corporate and Investment Banking
results. However, market conditions deteriorated throughout the latter half of fiscal 2015, reflecting increased market volatility, primarily due to

36

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

the effect of low global oil and commodity prices and diverging monetary policies amongst global central banks, which led to decreased levels of
client activity and volumes. Our corporate and investment banking businesses performed well, reflecting economic growth, particularly in the
U.S., the low interest rate environment, and our continued focus on origination and increased activity from client-focused strategies. Our equity
and fixed income trading businesses performed well, largely reflecting strong results in the first half of fiscal 2015, although markets were
challenged throughout the latter half of the year due to increased market volatility.

Highlights
• We continued to focus on the efficient deployment of our capital and growth in our corporate and investment banking businesses,

•

•

•

•

•

particularly in the U.S. and Europe. We re-allocated capital from trading to corporate and investment banking businesses and managed risks
by narrowing the focus of our trading products.
In Canada, we maintained our market leadership by deepening our existing client relationships despite challenges in both the energy and
commodity sectors, gaining new clients by leveraging our strong cross-border capabilities and improving collaboration with Wealth
Management to drive operational efficiencies, and offering a full suite of global capabilities. We continued to win significant mandates
including acting as exclusive financial advisor to Enbridge Inc. on the transfer of its Canadian liquids pipeline and renewable energy assets,
valued at $30.4 billion, to its partially owned, publicly traded subsidiary Enbridge Income Fund.
In the U.S., we continued to leverage our key strategic investments made in recent years to expand our corporate and investment banking
businesses. We successfully positioned our lending relationships as we continued to focus on origination and increased activity from client-
focused strategies. We exited certain proprietary trading strategies in 2014 and continue to ensure that any remaining strategies comply
with the Volcker Rule. We continued growing our businesses and won several significant mandates including acting as joint bookrunner on
the acquisition financing supporting Permira Advisers Ltd. and the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board’s US$5.3 billion acquisition of
Informatica Corporation, as well as acting as lead financial advisor to Raytheon, one of the world’s largest global defense contractors, on its
announced definitive agreement with Vista Equity Partners to form a new, jointly owned entity valued at US$2.3 billion.
In the U.K. and Europe, we continued to expand our corporate and investment banking businesses. We won new mandates including acting
as advisor to the Bazalgette Consortium on the Group’s successful bid to provide funding for the £4.2 billion Thames Tideway Tunnel
project.
In Other international, we continued to focus on our corporate and investment banking, fixed income trading distribution and foreign
exchange trading capabilities.
As a result of our successes in each of our regions, we received external recognition as an industry leader and were named or ranked:
–
–
–

Best Investment Bank in Canada (Euromoney Magazine) for the eighth consecutive year.
The largest investment bank in Canada by fees for the first nine months of 2015 (Dealogic).
The 10th largest investment bank globally and in the Americas (Thomson Reuters) by fees for the first nine months of 2015.

Outlook and priorities
In 2016, as a result of strategic investments in our investment banking businesses in recent years, particularly in the U.S. and Europe, we
anticipate growth in our investment banking businesses reflecting our focus on client activities. However, we expect that marginal growth in our
lending revenue will be impacted by narrower spreads reflecting increased competition, as well as the risk of higher PCL.

Overall we anticipate net improvements in our global markets businesses driven by growth in our fixed income, currencies and commodities

businesses as compared to the challenging market conditions in 2015. However, improvements in our businesses will be dependent on growth
in the global economy, and stabilizing market conditions. We also anticipate that several tax changes in Canada could negatively impact our
earnings, and heightened regulations will unfavourably impact growth in our businesses.

For further details, refer to our Risk management – Top and emerging risks section. For further details on our general economic outlook, refer to
the Economic and market review and outlook section.

Key strategic priorities for 2016
•

Maintain our leadership position in Canada by focusing on long-term client relationships, leveraging our global capabilities, and continuing
to improve collaboration with Wealth Management.
Expand and strengthen client relationships in the U.S. by building on our momentum through expanded origination, advisory and
distribution activity, and driving cross-selling through our diversified loan book.
Build on our core strengths in Europe in both Corporate and Investment Banking and Global Markets by continuing to grow and deepen
client relationships, and in Asia by optimizing the performance of our existing footprint.
Optimize capital use to earn high risk-adjusted returns by maintaining both a balanced approach between investment banking and trading
revenue and a disciplined approach to managing the risks and costs of our business.
Manage through the significant changes in the regulatory environment.

•

•

•

•

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

37

Capital Markets financial highlights

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts and as otherwise noted)

Net interest income (1)
Non-interest income

Total revenue (1)

PCL
Non-interest expense

Net income before income taxes
Net income

Revenue by business

Corporate and Investment Banking
Global Markets (2)
Other (2)

Key ratios
ROE

Selected average balance sheet information

Total assets
Trading securities
Loans and acceptances
Deposits
Attributed capital

Other information

Number of employees (FTE)

Credit information

Gross impaired loans as a % of average net loans and acceptances
PCL on impaired loans as a % of average net loans and acceptances

Estimated impact of U.S. dollar, British pound and Euro translation on key income statement

items

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)

Increase (decrease):
Total revenue
Non-interest expense
Net income

Percentage change in average US$ equivalent of C$1.00
Percentage change in average British pound equivalent of C$1.00
Percentage change in average Euro equivalent of C$1.00

$

$

$

$

2015
3,970 $
4,093
8,063
71
4,696
3,296
2,319 $

3,697 $
4,477
(111)

2014

3,485
3,881
7,366
44
4,344
2,978
2,055

3,437
3,896
33

13.6%

14.1%

477,300 $
116,200
79,700
60,300
16,550

3,996

0.37%
0.09%

392,300
103,800
64,800
47,600
14,100

3,917

0.08%
0.07%

$

$

$

$

Table 34

2013

2,872
3,708
6,580
188
3,856
2,536
1,700

3,014
3,314
252

14.1%

368,300
100,800
54,700
38,400
11,500

3,718

0.42%
0.34%

2015 vs. 2014

$

602
364
145

(13)%
(6)%
4%

(1)

(2)

The taxable equivalent basis (teb) adjustment for 2015 was $570 million (2014 – $492 million, 2013 – $380 million). For further discussion, refer to the How we measure and report our
business segments section of our 2015 Annual Report.
Effective the first quarter of 2015, we reclassified amounts from Global Markets to Other related to certain proprietary trading strategies which we exited in the fourth quarter of 2014 to
comply with the Volcker Rule. Prior period amounts have been revised from those previously presented.

Revenue by region (Millions of Canadian dollars) 

10,000

7,500

5,000

2,500

0

2015

2014

2013

Asia and other

Europe

U.S.

Canada

Financial performance
2015 vs. 2014
Net income increased $264 million or 13%, driven by growth in our global markets businesses mainly reflecting increased client activity,
continued solid performance in our corporate and investment banking businesses, and the positive impact of foreign exchange translation.
These factors were partially offset by lower results in certain legacy portfolios.

Total revenue increased $697 million or 9%, largely due to the positive impact of foreign exchange translation, growth in our global markets

businesses reflecting increased client activity and more favourable market conditions in the first half of the year, and continued solid
performance in our corporate and investment banking businesses. These factors were partially offset by lower revenue in certain legacy
portfolios. In addition, our prior year trading revenue was unfavourably impacted by the implementation of funding valuation adjustments, and
the exit from certain proprietary trading strategies to comply with the Volcker Rule.

PCL increased $27 million or 61%, primarily due to provisions taken on several accounts. For further details, refer to the Credit quality

performance section.

Non-interest expense increased $352 million or 8%, reflecting an increase due to the impact of foreign exchange translation. Lower variable

compensation and lower litigation provisions and related legal costs were mostly offset by higher costs to support business growth.

38

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

2014 vs. 2013
Net income increased $355 million or 21% from 2013, primarily due to higher equity trading revenue reflecting strong market conditions, strong
growth in most of our investment banking businesses and higher lending revenue. Lower PCL and the positive impact of foreign exchange
translation also contributed to the increase. These factors were partially offset by higher litigation provisions and related legal costs, and higher
variable compensation on improved results. In addition, our 2014 results were unfavourably impacted by lower fixed income trading revenue
largely driven by the unfavourable impact of the implementation of funding valuation adjustments, and the exit from certain proprietary trading
strategies to comply with the Volcker Rule.

Business line review

Corporate and Investment Banking

Corporate and Investment Banking comprises our corporate lending, loan syndications, debt and equity origination, M&A advisory services,
private equity, research, client securitization and the global credit businesses. For debt and equity origination, revenue is allocated between
Corporate and Investment Banking and Global Markets based on the contribution of each group in accordance with an established agreement.

Financial performance
Corporate and Investment Banking revenue of $3,697 million increased $260 million or 8% including the positive impact of foreign exchange
translation, as compared to last year.

Investment banking revenue increased $97 million or 6%, primarily due to strong growth in M&A activity reflecting increased mandates in
the U.S. and Europe, and higher debt origination as a result of increased issuance activity mainly in the U.S. Higher loan syndication activity in
Europe also contributed to the increase. These factors were partially offset by lower equity origination reflecting decreased client activity in all
regions as compared to the strong levels last year, and lower distributions on private equity investments.

Lending and other revenue increased $163 million or 10%, due to solid lending growth in the U.S and Europe, and strong performance in

our securitization businesses.

Selected highlights

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Total revenue (1)
Breakdown of revenue (1)
Investment banking
Lending and other (2)

Other information
Average assets
Average loans and acceptances

Table 35

Breakdown of total revenue (Millions of Canadian dollars)  

2015

2014

2013

$ 3,697

$ 3,437

$ 3,014

1,833
1,864

1,736
1,701

1,574
1,440

63,900
56,200

49,500
42,500

40,000
34,400

4,000

3,200

2,400

1,600

800

0

(1)

(2)

The teb adjustment for 2015 was $25 million (2014 – $13 million, 2013 – $2 million).
For further discussion, refer to the How we measure and report our business segments
section.
Comprises our corporate lending, client securitization, and global credit businesses.

2015

2014

2013

Investment banking

Lending and other

Global Markets

Global Markets comprises our fixed income, foreign exchange, equity sales and trading, repos and secured financing and commodities
businesses.

Financial performance
Total revenue of $4,477 million increased $581 million or 15%, including the positive impact of foreign exchange translation, as compared to
last year.

Revenue in our Fixed income, currencies and commodities business increased $121 million or 7%, mainly due to higher debt origination
reflecting increased client issuance activity in all regions, and higher currencies and commodities trading revenue. These factors were partially
offset by lower fixed income trading revenue reflecting challenging market conditions in the second half of the year. In addition, our prior year
trading revenue was unfavourably impacted by the implementation of funding valuation adjustments.

Revenue in our Equities business increased $218 million or 19%, primarily due to higher equities trading revenue reflecting increased client

activity primarily in the first half of the year, and volume growth in our cash equities businesses. These factors were partially offset by lower
equity origination as compared to the strong levels last year.

Revenue in our Repo and secured financing business increased $242 million or 24%, mainly reflecting higher client volumes and the

positive impact of foreign exchange translation.

Table 36

Breakdown of total revenue (Millions of Canadian dollars)  

Selected highlights

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Total revenue (1)
Breakdown of revenue (1)

Fixed income, currencies and

commodities

Equities
Repo and secured financing (2)

Other information
Average assets

2015

2014

2013

$ 4,477 $ 3,896

$ 3,314

1,881
1,336
1,260

1,760
1,118
1,018

1,680
856
778

494,400 366,000

343,700

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

(1)

(2)

The teb adjustment for 2015 was $545 million (2014 – $470 million, 2013 –
$357 million). For further discussion, refer to the How we measure and report our
business segments section.
Comprises our secured funding businesses for internal businesses and external clients.

2015

2014

2013

Repo and secured
financing

Global equities

Fixed income, currencies
and commodities

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

39

Other

Other includes our legacy portfolio which consists of our bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) stable value products, U.S. commercial mortgage-
backed securities, U.S. auction rate securities (ARS), structured rates in Asia, and certain proprietary trading strategies. In recent years, in order
to optimize our capital employed to improve our risk-adjusted returns and reduce our liquidity risk on various products, we have significantly
reduced several of our legacy portfolios. Our legacy portfolios decreased by 37% as compared to last year.

Financial performance
Revenue decreased $144 million as compared to last year, mainly in certain legacy portfolios, including the exit of certain proprietary trading
strategies last year to comply with the Volcker Rule.

Corporate Support

Corporate Support

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Net interest income (loss) (1)
Non-interest income (loss)

Total revenue (1)

PCL
Non-interest expense

Net income (loss) before income taxes (1)

Income taxes (recoveries) (1)

Net income (2)

Other information

Number of employees (FTE)

Table 37

2015

2014

2013

(514)
210
(304)
(3)
125
(426)
(824)
398

$ (313)
164
(149)
(2)
89
(236)
(405)
169

$

$ (124)
(12)
(136)
3
72
(211)
(653)
442

$

$

$

13,301

12,460

11,943

(1)
(2)

Teb adjusted.
Net income reflects income attributable to both shareholders and Non-Controlling Interests (NCI). Net income attributable to NCI for the year ended October 31, 2015 was $94 million
(October 31, 2014 – $93 million; October 31, 2013 – $93 million).

Due to the nature of activities and consolidation adjustments reported in this segment, we believe that a comparative period analysis is not
relevant. The following identifies material items affecting the reported results in each period.

Net interest income (loss) and income taxes (recoveries) in each period in Corporate Support include the deduction of the teb adjustments
related to the gross-up of income from Canadian taxable corporate dividends recorded in Capital Markets. The amount deducted from net
interest income (loss) was offset by an equivalent increase in income taxes (recoveries). The teb amount for the year ended October 31, 2015
was $570 million as compared to $492 million last year and $380 million for the year ended October 31, 2013.

In addition to the teb impacts noted above, the following identifies the other material items affecting the reported results in each period.

2015
Net income was $398 million, largely reflecting net favourable tax adjustments, asset/liability management activities, a gain of $108 million
(before- and after-tax) from the wind-up of a U.S.-based funding subsidiary that resulted in the release of CTA, and a gain on sale of a real estate
asset. These factors were partially offset by transaction costs related to our acquisition of City National.

2014
Net income was $169 million largely reflecting asset/liability management activities and gains on private equity investments mainly related to
the sale of a legacy portfolio, partially offset by net unfavourable tax adjustments.

2013
Net income was $442 million largely reflecting net favourable tax adjustments, including $214 million of income tax adjustments related to
previous years, and asset/liability management activities.

40

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Results by geographic segment (1)

For geographic reporting, our segments are grouped into the following: Canada, U.S., and Other International. Transactions are primarily recorded
in the location that best reflects the risk due to negative changes in economic conditions and prospects for growth due to positive economic
changes. The following table summarizes our financial results by geographic region.

Table 38

2015

2014 (2)

2013 (2)

(Millions of Canadian
dollars)

Canada

U.S.

Other
International

Total

Canada

U.S.

Other
International

Total

Canada

U.S.

Other
International

Total

Net interest income
Non-interest income

$ 11,538 $ 1,977 $

10,889

4,619

1,256 $ 14,771
20,550
5,042

$ 11,128 $ 1,697 $

10,488

4,257

1,291 $ 14,116
19,992
5,247

$ 10,961 $ 1,448 $

8,601

3,810

840 $ 13,249
17,433

5,022

Total revenue

$ 22,427 $ 6,596 $

6,298 $ 35,321

$ 21,616 $ 5,954 $

6,538 $ 34,108

$ 19,562 $ 5,258 $

5,862 $ 30,682

PCL
PBCAE
Non-interest expense
Income taxes

933
1,976
10,139
1,727

98
–
4,762
649

66
987
3,737
221

1,097
2,963
18,638
2,597

922
2,188
9,650
1,983

52
1
4,199
660

190
1,384
3,812
63

1,164
3,573
17,661
2,706

892
1,425
9,210
1,710

78
10
3,663
370

267
1,349
3,341
25

1,237
2,784
16,214
2,105

Net income

$ 7,652 $ 1,087 $

1,287 $ 10,026

$ 6,873 $ 1,042 $

1,089 $ 9,004

$ 6,325 $ 1,137 $

880 $ 8,342

(1)
(2)

For further details, refer to Note 30 of our audited 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.
Amounts have been revised from those previously presented.

2015 vs. 2014
Net income in Canada was up $779 million or 11% from the prior year, mainly due to solid volume growth and strong fee-based revenue growth
across most businesses in Canadian Banking, a lower effective tax rate reflecting net favourable income tax adjustments, and higher earnings in
Investor & Treasury Services. A gain of $108 million (before- and after-tax) from the wind-up of a U.S.-based funding subsidiary that resulted in
the release of CTA also contributed to the increase. These factors were partially offset by higher costs in support of business growth, and lower
spreads.

U.S. net income increased $45 million or 4% compared to last year, primarily due to the positive impact of foreign exchange translation,
growth in our global markets businesses reflecting increased client activity and more favourable market conditions in the first half of the year,
and higher results in most corporate and investment banking businesses. Lower litigation provisions and related legal costs in Capital Markets
also contributed to the increase. These factors were partially offset by higher costs in support of business growth.

Other International net income was up $198 million or 18% from the prior year, mainly due to lower provisions in our Caribbean portfolios,

and higher lending activity in Europe. These factors were partially offset by restructuring costs related to our U.S. & International Wealth
Management business. In addition, our results last year were unfavourably impacted by a loss of $100 million (before- and after-tax) related to
the sale of RBC Jamaica and a provision of $40 million ($32 million after-tax) related to post-employment benefits and restructuring charges in
the Caribbean.

2014 vs. 2013
Net income in Canada was up $548 million or 9% as compared to 2013, mainly due to solid volume growth across most of our businesses in
Canadian Banking, and higher earnings from growth in average fee-based client assets resulting from capital appreciation and strong net sales in
Wealth Management. Strong fee-based revenue growth primarily attributable to higher mutual fund distribution fees and card services revenue in
Canadian Banking also contributed to the increase. These factors were partially offset by higher costs in support of business growth including
higher staff and marketing costs, and the unfavourable impact of the implementation of the funding valuation adjustments. In addition, results
in 2013 benefited from net favourable tax adjustments. Our results in 2013 were also unfavourably impacted by a charge of $160 million
($118 million after-tax) as a result of new tax legislation in Canada, which affects the policyholders’ tax treatment of certain individual life
insurance policies.

U.S. net income was down $95 million or 8% as compared to 2013, as 2013 benefited from favourable income tax adjustments, including
$214 million related to prior years. Strong growth in our lending portfolio, strong equity markets and our continued focus on equity origination
and increased activity from client-focused strategies were partly offset by higher litigation provisions and related legal costs in Capital Markets.
Other International net income was up $209 million or 24% as compared to 2013, largely due to lower PCL in Capital Markets, higher
trading revenue in Europe, and higher lending in Capital Markets. These factors were partially offset by a loss of $100 million (before- and after-
tax) related to the sale of RBC Jamaica, and a provision of $40 million ($32 million after-tax) related to post-employment benefits and
restructuring charges in the Caribbean. In addition, our results in 2013 were unfavourably impacted by a restructuring charge of $44 million
related to the integration of Investor Services, primarily in Europe.

Quarterly financial information

Fourth quarter 2015 performance

Q4 2015 vs. Q4 2014
Fourth quarter net income of $2,593 million was up $260 million or 11%, from last year. Diluted EPS of $1.74 was up $0.17 and ROE of 17.9%
was down 110 bps. Our fourth quarter earnings reflected solid earnings growth in our Capital Markets and Personal & Commercial Banking
segments, a lower effective tax rate due to net favourable tax adjustments, lower PCL, and the impact of foreign exchange translation. These
factors were partially offset by lower funding and liquidity results in Investor & Treasury Services due to widening credit spreads and
unfavourable market conditions, and restructuring costs and lower transaction volumes in Wealth Management.

Total revenue decreased $363 million or 4%, mainly due to a change in the fair value of investments backing our policyholder liabilities,
and a reduction in revenue related to our retrocession contracts, both of which were largely offset in PBCAE, in our Insurance segment. Lower
equity origination revenue reflecting decreased client issuance activity, and lower fixed income trading revenue primarily due to unfavourable

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

41

market conditions which negatively impacted Capital Markets revenue, while lower transaction volumes in Wealth Management, and lower
spreads in Personal & Commercial Banking also contributed to the decrease in revenue. These factors were partly offset by the positive impact of
foreign exchange translation, and business growth primarily in our life, annuity, home and auto insurance businesses, higher equity trading
revenue in Capital Markets reflecting increased client activity, and solid volume growth across most businesses in Canadian Banking. In
addition, our prior year revenue was unfavourably impacted by the implementation of funding valuation adjustments, and the exit from certain
proprietary trading strategies to comply with the Volcker Rule in Capital Markets, as well as favourable net cumulative accounting adjustments in
Canadian Banking.

Total PCL decreased $70 million from last year, mainly reflecting lower provisions in our Caribbean portfolios due to provisions of

$50 million on our Caribbean impaired residential mortgage portfolio included in the prior year. Lower provisions in our Canadian commercial
lending portfolio also contributed to the decrease. The PCL ratio of 23 bps decreased 8 bps from last year.

PBCAE decreased $460 million or 61%, largely reflecting a change in fair value of investments backing our policyholder liabilities, and a

reduction of PBCAE related to our retrocession contracts, both of which were largely offset in revenue. These factors were partially offset by
business growth as noted above.

Non-interest expense increased $307 million or 7%, primarily reflecting the impact of foreign exchange translation, higher costs in support
of business growth, and restructuring costs of $46 million ($38 million after-tax) largely related to our U.S. & International Wealth Management
business, including the sale of RBC Suisse.

Income tax expense decreased $400 million or 65% from last year, and the effective income tax rate decreased from 20.8% last year to

7.6%, primarily due to net favourable tax adjustments in Corporate Support and Capital Markets.

Q4 2015 vs. Q3 2015
Net income of $2,593 million increased $118 million, or 5% compared to the prior quarter, largely due to a lower effective tax rate reflecting net
favourable tax adjustments, and higher earnings in Insurance and Capital Markets. These factors were partly offset by lower funding and liquidity
results in Investor & Treasury Services, and restructuring costs in Wealth Management as noted above.

Quarterly results and trend analysis

Our quarterly results are impacted by a number of trends and recurring factors, which include seasonality of certain businesses, general
economic and market conditions, and fluctuations in the Canadian dollar relative to other currencies. The following table summarizes our results
for the last eight quarters (the period):

Quarterly results (1)

Table 39

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except per share and percentage
amounts)

Net interest income
Non-interest income

Total revenue

PCL
PBCAE
Non-interest expense

Net income before income taxes

Income taxes

Net income

EPS – basic

– diluted

Segments – net income (loss)

Personal & Commercial Banking
Wealth Management
Insurance
Investor & Treasury Services
Capital Markets
Corporate Support

2015

2014

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

$ 3,800
4,219

$ 8,019
275
292
4,647

$ 2,805
212

$ 3,783
5,045

$ 8,828
270
656
4,635

$ 3,267
792

$ 3,557
5,273

$ 8,830
282
493
4,736

$ 3,319
817

$ 3,631
6,013

$ 9,644
270
1,522
4,620

$ 3,232
776

$ 3,560
4,822

$ 8,382
345
752
4,340

$ 2,945
612

$ 3,647
5,343

$ 8,990
283
1,009
4,602

$ 3,096
718

$ 3,449
4,827

$ 8,276
244
830
4,332

$ 2,870
669

$ 3,460
5,000

$ 8,460
292
982
4,387

$ 2,799
707

$ 2,593

$ 2,475

$ 2,502

$ 2,456

$ 2,333

$ 2,378

$ 2,201

$ 2,092

$ 1.74
1.74

$ 1.66
1.66

$ 1.68
1.68

$ 1.66
1.65

$ 1.57
1.57

$ 1.59
1.59

$ 1.47
1.47

$ 1.39
1.38

$ 1,270
255
225
88
555
200

$ 1,281
285
173
167
545
24

$ 1,200
271
123
159
625
124

$ 1,255
230
185
142
594
50

$ 1,151
285
256
113
402
126

$ 1,138
285
214
110
641
(10)

$ 1,115
278
154
112
507
35

$ 1,071
235
157
106
505
18

Net income

$ 2,593

$ 2,475

$ 2,502

$ 2,456

$ 2,333

$ 2,378

$ 2,201

$ 2,092

Effective income tax rate
Period average US$ equivalent of C$1.00

7.6%
$ 0.758

24.2%
$ 0.789

24.6%
$ 0.806

24.0%
$ 0.839

20.8%
$ 0.900

23.2%
$ 0.925

23.3%
$ 0.907

25.3%
$ 0.926

(1)

Fluctuations in the Canadian dollar relative to other foreign currencies have affected our consolidated results over the period.

Seasonality
Seasonal factors may impact our results in certain quarters. The first quarter has historically been seasonally stronger for our capital markets
businesses. The second quarter has fewer days than the other quarters, which generally results in a decrease in net interest income and certain
expense items. The third quarter results for Investor & Treasury Services are generally favourably impacted by higher securities lending as a
result of the European dividend season. The third and fourth quarters include the summer months during which market activity generally tends to
slow, negatively impacting the results of our capital markets, brokerage and investment management businesses.

42

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Specified items affecting our consolidated results
•

In the second quarter of 2015, our results included a gain of $108 million (before- and after-tax) from the wind-up of a U.S.-based funding
subsidiary that resulted in the release of foreign currency translation adjustment that was previously booked in other components of equity.
In the third quarter of 2014, our results included a loss of $40 million (before- and after-tax) which includes foreign currency translation
related to the closing of the sale of RBC Jamaica.
In the first quarter of 2014, our results included a loss of $60 million (before- and after-tax) related to the announced sale of RBC Jamaica,
as well as a provision of $40 million ($32 million after-tax) related to post-employment benefits and restructuring charges in the Caribbean.

•

•

Trend analysis
The Canadian and U.S. economies have generally improved over the period, reflecting solid consumer spending, stronger labour markets and
firm housing market activity. Since the third quarter of 2014, growth in Canada has moderated with growth contracting in the first half of calendar
2015 due to the sharp decline in global oil prices, and slow export activity. Global equity indices experienced volatility throughout the period
resulting from the possibility of Euro area recession, the lower global oil prices, and diverging monetary policies amongst global central banks.
For further details, refer to the Economic and market review and outlook section.

Earnings have generally trended upwards over the period, driven by solid volume growth and higher fee-based revenue growth in our
Canadian Banking businesses, and higher earnings from growth in average fee-based client assets reflecting capital appreciation and strong net
sales in Wealth Management. Capital Markets results have generally trended upwards since the first quarter of 2014, and were negatively
impacted in the fourth quarter of 2014 by the exit from certain proprietary trading strategies to comply with the Volcker Rule and the
implementation of funding valuation adjustments. Results in our Insurance segment have fluctuated in 2015, as they were impacted by an
unfavourable change in Canadian tax legislation impacting certain foreign affiliates, which became effective November 1, 2014. Investor &
Treasury Services results have generally trended upwards over the period largely due to increased client activity in our foreign exchange business
and higher foreign exchange transaction volumes. Investor & Treasury Services results in the third quarter of 2015 benefited from an additional
month of earnings as a result of aligning the reporting periods, while results in the fourth quarter of 2015 were impacted by lower funding and
liquidity results due to widening credit spreads and unfavourable market conditions.

Revenue has generally fluctuated over the period mostly due to the change in fair value of investments backing our policyholder liabilities,
which is largely offset in PBCAE. Solid volume growth and higher fee-based revenue growth in our Canadian Banking businesses, and growth in
average fee-based client assets in Wealth Management have increased revenue over the period. Trading revenue has generally trended upwards
since the first quarter of 2014, and was unfavourably impacted in the fourth quarter of 2014 by the exit of certain proprietary trading strategies
and the implementation of funding valuation adjustments. Trading revenue in the second half of 2015 was negatively impacted due to widening
credit spreads. Net interest income has trended upwards over the period, largely due to solid volume growth across our Canadian Banking
businesses, and higher trading-related net interest income and solid lending activity in Capital Markets. Starting in the first quarter of 2014, the
positive impact of foreign exchange translation due to a generally weaker Canadian dollar has also contributed to the increase in revenue.
Insurance revenue is primarily impacted by changes in the fair value of investments backing our policyholder liabilities, which is largely offset in
PBCAE.

Asset quality remained strong over the period despite increased lending activity, with PCL remaining relatively stable over the period. The

fourth quarter of 2014 included additional provisions in Personal & Commercial Banking related to our impaired residential mortgages portfolio
in the Caribbean. Wealth Management had provisions related to our U.S. & International Wealth Management business starting in the first
quarter of 2014. PCL in Capital Markets has fluctuated over the period.

PBCAE has fluctuated quarterly as it includes the changes to the fair value of investments backing our policyholder liabilities, which is
largely offset in revenue. PBCAE has also increased due to business growth in our Insurance businesses, as well as actuarial liability adjustments
and generally lower claims costs over the period.

While we continue to focus on efficiency management activities, non-interest expense has generally trended upwards over the period,

mostly to support business growth. Restructuring costs related to our U.S. & International Wealth Management business have increased non-
interest expense since the fourth quarter of 2014. Non-interest expense in 2014 was impacted by the loss related to the sale of RBC Jamaica and
a provision in the Caribbean. Since the first quarter of 2014, non-interest expense has increased due to the impact of foreign exchange
translation generally reflecting the weaker Canadian dollar.

Our effective income tax rate has fluctuated over the period, mostly due to varying levels of income being reported in jurisdictions with
different tax rates, as well as fluctuating levels of income from tax-advantaged sources such as Canadian taxable corporate dividends. Our
effective income tax rate has generally been impacted over the period by higher earnings before income taxes, increased earnings in higher tax
jurisdictions, and by net favourable tax adjustments.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

43

Financial condition

Condensed balance sheets

The following table shows our condensed balance sheet:

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Assets (1)
Cash and due from banks
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
Securities
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed
Loans

Retail
Wholesale

Allowance for loan losses
Segregated fund net assets
Other – Derivatives
– Other

Total assets

Liabilities (1)
Deposits
Segregated fund liabilities
Other – Derivatives
– Other

Subordinated debentures

Total liabilities

Equity attributable to shareholders
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Total liabilities and equity

Table 40

2015

2014

2013

$

12,452
22,690
215,508
174,723

348,183
126,069
(2,029)
830
105,626
70,156

$

17,421
8,399
199,148
135,580

334,269
102,954
(1,994)
675
87,402
56,696

$

15,550
9,039
182,710
117,517

320,666
90,143
(1,959)
513
74,822
50,744

$ 1,074,208

$ 940,550

$ 859,745

$

697,227
830
107,860
196,985
7,362

$ 614,100
675
88,982
174,431
7,859

$ 563,079
513
76,745
162,505
7,443

1,010,264

886,047

810,285

62,146
1,798

63,944

52,690
1,813

54,503

47,665
1,795

49,460

$ 1,074,208

$ 940,550

$ 859,745

(1)

Foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities are translated to Canadian dollars.

2015 vs. 2014
Total assets were up $134 billion or 14% from last year, primarily reflecting an increase of $96 billion due to the impact of foreign exchange
translation as a result of the weaker Canadian dollar.

Interest-bearing deposits with banks increased $14 billion, largely reflecting higher deposits with central banks.
Securities were up $16 billion or 8% compared to last year, primarily reflecting an increase due to the impact of foreign exchange

translation, and an increase in government debt securities largely reflecting our management of interest rate risk, partially offset by a decrease in
equity trading positions mainly due to regulatory requirements and market conditions.

Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements (reverse repos) and securities borrowed increased $39 billion or 29%, mainly

attributable to an increase due to the impact of foreign exchange translation and increased client and business activities.

Loans were up $37 billion or 8%, largely due to volume growth in wholesale loans and residential mortgages, and an increase due to the

impact of foreign exchange translation.

Derivative assets were up $18 billion or 21%, mainly attributable to the increase due to the impact of foreign exchange translation and
higher fair values on interest rate swaps. These factors were partially offset by lower fair values on foreign exchange cross-currency interest rate
contracts and increased financial netting.

Other assets were up $13 billion or 24%, largely reflecting higher cash collateral requirements and an increase due to the impact of foreign

exchange translation.

Total liabilities were up $124 billion or 14% from last year, primarily reflecting an increase of $96 billion due to the impact of foreign

exchange translation as a result of the weaker Canadian dollar.

Deposits increased $83 billion or 14%, mainly reflecting an increase due to the impact of foreign exchange translation and the issuances of
fixed term notes and covered bonds to satisfy our funding requirements. Growth in business and retail deposits also contributed to the increase.

Derivative liabilities were up $19 billion or 21%, mainly attributable to the increase due to the impact of foreign exchange translation and
higher fair values on interest rate swaps. These factors were partially offset by lower fair values on foreign exchange cross-currency interest rate
contracts and increased financial netting.

Other liabilities increased $23 billion or 13%, mainly reflecting an increase due to the impact of foreign exchange translation, higher
obligations related to repurchase agreements largely reflecting increased client and business activities, and an increase in cash collateral
requirements. These factors were partly offset by lower obligations related to securities sold short.

Total equity increased $9 billion or 17%, largely reflecting earnings, net of dividends.

44

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Off-balance sheet arrangements

In the normal course of business, we engage in a variety of financial transactions that, for accounting purposes, are not recorded on our
Consolidated Balance Sheets. Off-balance sheet transactions are generally undertaken for risk, capital and funding management purposes which
benefit us and our clients. These include transactions with structured entities and may also include the issuance of guarantees. These
transactions give rise to, among other risks, varying degrees of market, credit, liquidity and funding risk, which are discussed in the Risk
management section.

We use structured entities to securitize our financial assets as well as assist our clients in securitizing their financial assets. These entities

are not operating entities, typically have no employees, and may or may not be recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In the normal course of business, we engage in a variety of financial transactions that may qualify for derecognition. We apply the
derecognition rules to determine whether we have effectively transferred substantially all the risks and rewards or control associated with the
financial assets to a third party. If the transaction meets specific criteria, it may qualify for full or partial derecognition from our Consolidated
Balance Sheets.

Securitizations of our financial assets
We periodically securitize our credit card receivables, residential and commercial mortgage loans and bond participation certificates primarily to
diversify our funding sources, to enhance our liquidity position and for capital purposes. We also securitize residential and commercial mortgage
loans for sales and trading activities.

We securitize our credit card receivables, on a revolving basis, through a consolidated structured entity. We securitize single and multiple-

family residential mortgages through the National Housing Act Mortgage-Backed Securities (NHA MBS) program. The majority of our
securitization activities are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as we do not meet the derecognition criteria. During 2015, we
derecognized $967 million of purchased mortgages where both the NHA MBS and the residual interests in the mortgages were sold to third
parties resulting in the transfer of substantially all of the risks and rewards (2014 – $nil). For additional details of our securitization activities,
refer to Note 6 and Note 7 of our audited 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

We periodically securitize residential mortgage loans for the Canadian social housing program through the NHA MBS program, which are

derecognized from our Consolidated Balance Sheets when sold to third party investors. During 2015, we securitized $112 million of residential
mortgage loans for the Canadian social housing program (2014 – $158 million).

We also periodically securitize commercial mortgages by selling them in collateral pools, which meet certain diversification, leverage and

debt coverage criteria, to structured entities, one of which is sponsored by us. Securitized commercial mortgage loans are derecognized from our
Consolidated Balance Sheets as we have transferred substantially all of the risk and rewards of ownership of the securitized assets. Our
continuing involvement with the transferred assets is limited to servicing the underlying commercial mortgages sold to our sponsored structured
entity. As at October 31, 2015, there were $1.1 billion of commercial mortgages outstanding related to these securitization activities
(October 31, 2014 – $1.3 billion). During 2015, we securitized $195 million of commercial mortgages which were sold to our sponsored entity
(2014 – $173 million).

In prior years, we participated in bond securitization activities where we purchased government, government related and corporate bonds

and repackaged those bonds in trusts that issue participation certificates, which were sold to third party investors. Securitized bonds are
derecognized from our Consolidated Balance Sheets as we have transferred substantially all of the risk and rewards of ownership of the
securitized assets. Our continuing involvement with the transferred assets is limited to servicing the underlying bonds. As at October 31, 2015,
there were $138 million of bond participation certificates outstanding related to these prior period securitization activities (October 31, 2014 –
$356 million). We did not securitize bond participation certificates during 2015 or 2014.

Involvement with unconsolidated structured entities
In the normal course of business, we engage in a variety of financial transactions with structured entities to support our customers’ financing and
investing needs, including securitization of client financial assets, creation of investment products, and other types of structured financing.

We have the ability to use credit mitigation tools such as third party guarantees, credit default swaps, and collateral to mitigate risks
assumed through securitization and re-securitization exposures. The process in place to monitor the credit quality of our securitization and re-
securitization exposures involves, among other things, reviewing the performance of the underlying assets. We affirm our ratings each quarter
and formally confirm or assign a new rating at least annually. For further details on our activities to manage risks, refer to the Risk management
section.

Below is a description of our activities with respect to certain significant unconsolidated structured entities. For a complete discussion of

our interests in consolidated and unconsolidated structured entities, refer to Note 7 of our audited 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial
Statements.

RBC-administered multi-seller conduits
We administer multi-seller conduits which are used primarily for the securitization of our clients’ financial assets. We are involved in these
conduit markets because our clients value these transactions. Our clients primarily use multi-seller conduits to diversify their financing sources
and to reduce funding costs by leveraging the value of high-quality collateral. The conduits offer us a favourable revenue stream, risk-adjusted
return and cross-selling opportunities.

We provide services such as transaction structuring, administration, backstop liquidity facilities and partial credit enhancements to the
multi-seller conduits. Fee revenue for all such services amounted to $213 million during the year (2014 – $168 million). We do not maintain any
ownership or retained interests in these multi-seller conduits and have no rights to, or control of, their assets.

Our total commitment to the conduits in the form of backstop liquidity and credit enhancement facilities is shown below. The total

committed amount of these facilities exceeds the total amount of the maximum assets that may have to be purchased by the conduits under the
purchase agreements. As a result, the maximum exposure to loss attributable to our backstop liquidity and credit enhancement facilities is less
than the total committed amounts of these facilities.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

45

Liquidity and credit enhancement facilities

Table 41

As at October 31 (Millions of Canadian dollars)

Backstop liquidity facilities
Credit enhancement facilities

Total

2015

2014 (4)

Notional of
committed
amounts (1)

Allocable
notional
amounts

Outstanding
loans (2)

Maximum
exposure
to loss (3)

Notional of
committed
amounts (1)

Allocable
notional
amounts

Outstanding
loans (2)

Maximum
exposure
to loss (3)

$

$

37,770 $ 34,163 $

764 $ 34,927 $

31,019 $ 28,056 $

2,974

2,843

–

2,843

2,177

2,099

864 $ 28,920
2,099

–

40,744 $ 37,006 $

764 $ 37,770 $

33,196 $ 30,155 $

864 $ 31,019

(1)
(2)
(3)

(4)

Based on total committed financing limit.
Net of allowance for loan losses and write-offs.
Not presented in the table above are derivative assets with a fair value of $19 million (2014 – $nil) which are a component of our total maximum exposure to loss from our interests in the
multi-seller conduits. Refer to Note 7 of our audited 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for more details.
Certain amounts have been revised from those previously reported.

As at October 31, 2015, the notional amount of backstop liquidity facilities we provide increased by $6,751 million or 22% from last year. Total
loans extended to the multi-seller conduits under the backstop liquidity facilities decreased by $100 million from last year primarily due to
principal repayments which were offset by exchange rate fluctuations. The partial credit enhancement facilities we provide increased by
$797 million from last year. The changes in both the amount of backstop liquidity facilities and credit enhancement facilities provided to the
multi-seller conduits as compared to last year primarily reflect increases related to exchange rate fluctuations and the outstanding securitized
assets of the multi-seller conduits.

Maximum exposure to loss by client type

Table 42

As at October 31 (Millions)

Outstanding securitized assets

Credit cards
Auto loans and leases
Student loans
Trade receivables
Asset-backed securities
Equipment receivables
Consumer loans
Dealer floor plan receivables
Fleet finance receivables
Insurance premiums
Residential mortgages
Transportation finance

Total

Canadian equivalent

2015

2014

(US$)

(C$)

Total (C$)

(US$)

(C$)

Total (C$)

$ 4,679
8,606
3,473
2,175
584
1,362
706
1,261
441
128
–
1,204

$

510
2,352
–
112
–
–
–
903
377
153
1,020
153

$ 6,628
13,604
4,541
2,956
764
1,781
923
2,552
954
320
1,020
1,727

$ 5,768
8,154
2,536
2,094
767
1,301
–
1,053
436
127
–
857

$

510
1,793
–
112
–
–
–
771
377
–
1,275
153

$ 7,011
10,983
2,858
2,472
864
1,466
–
1,958
869
144
1,275
1,119

$ 24,619

$ 5,580

$ 37,770

$ 23,093

$ 4,991

$ 31,019

$ 32,190

$ 5,580

$ 37,770

$ 26,028

$ 4,991

$ 31,019

Our overall exposure increased by 22% compared to last year reflecting an increase in the outstanding securitized assets of the multi-seller
conduits and exchange rate fluctuations. Correspondingly, total assets of the multi-seller conduits increased by $6,616 million or 22% over last
year, primarily due to increases in the Auto loans and leases, Student loans, Consumer loans, Transportation finance, Dealer floor plan and Trade
receivables asset classes, which were partially offset by decreases in Credit cards and Residential mortgages asset classes. 100% of multi-seller
conduits assets were internally rated A or above, consistent with last year. All transactions funded by the unconsolidated multi-seller conduits
are internally rated using a rating system which is largely consistent with that of the external rating agencies.

Multiple independent debt rating agencies review all of the transactions in the multi-seller conduits. Transactions financed in two U.S.

multi-seller conduits are reviewed by Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s), Standard & Poor’s (S&P) and Fitch Ratings (Fitch). One U.S. multi-
seller conduit is reviewed by S&P. Transactions in the Canadian multi-seller conduits are reviewed by Dominion Bond Rating Services (DBRS) and
Moody’s. Each applicable rating agency also reviews ongoing transaction performance on a monthly basis and may publish reports detailing
portfolio and program information related to the conduits.

As at October 31, 2015, the total asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP) issued by the conduits amounted to $25.5 billion, an increase of
$5.7 billion or 29% from last year. The increase in the amount of ABCP issued by the multi-seller conduits compared to last year is primarily due
to an increase in the outstanding securitized assets of the multi-seller conduits and exchange rate fluctuations. The rating agencies that rate the
ABCP rated 71% (October 31, 2014 – 73%) of the total amount issued within the top ratings category and the remaining amount in the second
highest ratings category.

We sometimes purchase ABCP issued by the multi-seller conduits in our capacity as a placement agent in order to facilitate overall program

liquidity. As at October 31, 2015, the fair value of our inventory was $17 million, a decrease of $25 million from last year. The fluctuations in
inventory held reflect normal trading activity. This inventory is classified as Securities – Trading on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Structured finance
We invest in ARS of trusts which fund their long-term investments in student loans by issuing short-term senior and subordinated notes. Our
maximum exposure to loss in these ARS trusts as at October 31, 2015 was $546 million (October 31, 2014 – $913 million). The decrease in our
maximum exposure to loss is primarily related to the sale of ARS. Interest income from the ARS investments, which is reported in Net-interest
income was, $6.9 million during the year (2014 – $7.2 million).

We also provide liquidity facilities to certain municipal bond Tender Option Bond (TOB) trusts in which we have an interest but do not
consolidate because the residual certificates issued by the TOB trusts are held by third parties. As at October 31, 2015, our maximum exposure

46

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

to loss from these unconsolidated municipal bond TOB trusts was $856 million (October 31, 2014 – $749 million). The increase in our maximum
exposure to loss relative to last year is primarily due to exchange rate differences. Fee revenue from provision of liquidity facilities to these
entities reported in Non-interest income was $3.7 million during the year (2014 – $2.8 million).

We provide senior warehouse financing to unaffiliated structured entities that are established by third parties to acquire loans and issue a
term collateralized loan obligation transaction. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the term collateralized loan obligations certificates is
used to fully repay the senior warehouse financing that we provide. As at October 31, 2015 our maximum exposure to loss associated with the
outstanding senior warehouse financing facilities was $444 million (October 31, 2014 – $nil). The increase in our maximum exposure to loss
relative to the prior year is related to an increase in the outstanding drawings on certain financing facilities.

Investment funds
We enter into fee-based equity derivative transactions with third parties including mutual funds, unit investment trusts and other investment
funds. These transactions provide their investors with the desired exposure to the reference funds, and we economically hedge our exposure
from these derivatives by investing in those third party managed reference funds. Our maximum exposure as at October 31, 2015, which is
primarily related to our investments in such reference funds, was $2.6 billion (October 31, 2014 – $3.4 billion). The decrease in our maximum
exposure compared to last year is primarily due to the liquidation of certain reference funds in response to new regulatory requirements in the
U.S.

We also provide liquidity facilities to certain third party investment funds. The funds issue unsecured variable-rate preferred shares and

invest in portfolios of tax exempt bonds. As at October 31, 2015, our maximum exposure to these funds was $744 million (October 31, 2014 –
$641 million). The increase in our maximum exposure compared to last year is primarily due to exchange rate differences.

Third-party securitization vehicles
We hold interests in certain unconsolidated third-party securitization vehicles, which are structured entities. We, as well as other financial
institutions, are obligated to provide funding to these entities up to our maximum commitment level and are exposed to credit losses on the
underlying assets after various credit enhancements. As at October 31, 2015, our maximum exposure to loss in these entities was $9.7 billion
(October 31, 2014 – $2.4 billion). The increase in our maximum exposure compared to last year reflects additional securitized assets in these
vehicles and exchange rate fluctuations. Interest and non-interest income earned in respect of these investments was $56 million (2014 –
$20 million).

Guarantees, retail and commercial commitments
We provide guarantees and commitments to our clients that expose us to liquidity and funding risks. Our maximum potential amount of future
payments in relation to our commitments and guarantee products as at October 31, 2015 amounted to $315 billion compared to $259 billion
last year. The increase compared to last year relates primarily to business growth and the impact of exchange rate fluctuations in other credit-
related commitments and securities lending indemnifications. Refer to Liquidity and funding risk and Note 26 to our audited 2015 Annual
Consolidated Financial Statements for details regarding our guarantees and commitments.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

47

Risk management

Overview

The ability to manage risk well is a core competency at RBC, and is supported by strong Risk Conduct and Culture, and an effective risk
management approach. RBC defines risk as the potential for loss or an undesirable outcome with respect to volatility of actual earnings in
relation to expected earnings, capital adequacy or liquidity. Organizational design and governance processes ensure that our Group Risk
Management (GRM) function is independent from the businesses it supports.

We manage our risks by seeking to ensure that business activities and transactions provide an appropriate balance of return for the risks

assumed and remain within our Risk Appetite, which is collectively managed throughout RBC, through adherence to our Enterprise Risk Appetite
Framework. Our major risk categories include credit, market, liquidity, insurance, operational, regulatory compliance, strategic, reputation, legal
and regulatory environment, competitive, and systemic risk. In order to avoid excessive concentration of risks, we strive to diversify our business
lines, products and sector exposures. Our objectives and the corresponding priorities are guided by GRM’s mission statement, which is to build
shareholder value through leadership in the strategic management of risk, as shown below.

Mission Statement

Build shareholder value through leadership in strategic management of risk

Objectives

Provide independent and
objective oversight of the
management of significant
risks arising from the bank’s
businesses and operations

Maintain an effective
enterprise-wide risk
management process through
working in partnership with all
areas of RBC

Ensure the continuous
improvement in risk management
processes, tools and practices

Promote strong risk
conduct and culture

Risk Priorities

Keeping Risk
Profile within Risk
Appetite

Embed the Risk
Culture and
Conduct

Identify and
Mitigate
Emerging Risks

Effectively Manage
the Risk Function

Ensure Strong
Compliance
Standards

Successfully
Integrate City
National

2015 Accomplishments
Throughout 2015, we have continued to take a prudent approach to risk management, as evidenced by the fact that we:
•
•

Kept our Risk Profile within Risk Appetite despite economic challenges
Maintained strong credit quality with a PCL as a percentage of average net loans and acceptances ratio of 24 bps, lower than in 2014
and 2013
Maintained strong credit ratings
Avoided major operational risk events
Ensured sound management of regulatory compliance risk
Further enhanced stress-testing capabilities
Increased focus on Risk Conduct and Culture

•
•
•
•
•

Risk management principles
The following general principles apply to the management of risk at RBC:
1.

Effective balancing of risk and reward by aligning business strategy with Risk Appetite, avoiding excessive concentration of risk through
diversification, pricing appropriately for risk, mitigating risk through preventive and detective controls and transferring risk to third parties.
2. Shared responsibility for risk management as business segments are responsible for active management of their risks, with direction and

oversight provided by GRM and other corporate functions groups.

3. Business decisions are based on an understanding of risk as we perform rigorous assessment of risks in relationships, products,

4.
5.

transactions and other business activities.
Avoid activities that are not consistent with our values, Code of Conduct or policies, which contributes to the protection of our reputation.
Proper focus on clients reduces our risks by knowing our clients and ensuring that all products and transactions are suitable for and
understood by our clients.

6. Use of judgment and common sense in order to manage risk throughout the organization.
7. Be operationally prepared for a potential crisis in order to maintain agility and readiness to respond to potential disruptors to the financial

industry.

48

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 
Top and emerging risks

Our view of risks is not static. An important component of our enterprise risk management approach is to ensure that top risks which are evolving
or emerging risks are appropriately identified, managed, and incorporated into existing enterprise risk management assessment, measurement,
monitoring and escalation processes.

These practices ensure management is forward-looking in its assessment of risks to the organization. Identification of top and emerging

risks occurs in the course of businesses developing and pursuing approved strategies and as part of the execution of risk oversight
responsibilities by GRM, Finance, Corporate Treasury, Global Compliance and other control functions.

Top and emerging risks occur as a result of exogenous factors, such as changes in the macroeconomic or regulatory environment, or
endogenous factors, such as changes to our strategic imperatives, or failure to adapt to an evolving competitive or operational environment.

A top risk is an existing, significant risk that can potentially affect our earnings or capital within a one-year time horizon.
An emerging risk has a lower probability of occurring within a one-year horizon, but, in the event it materializes, can have a significant

adverse impact on our ability to achieve our goals.

Top risks

Emerging risks

Weak oil and gas prices

High levels of Canadian household debt

Cybersecurity

Fraud

Anti-Money Laundering

Processing and execution risk

Exposure to more volatile sectors

Financial instability arising from the growth of the shadow 
banking system

Increased exposure to central clearing counterparties

Disruptive financial technology companies

Conduct risk

Litigation risk

Increasing complexity of regulation

Details of the more pressing top and emerging risks we are facing are discussed below.

Weak oil and gas prices
Oil prices have continued to be low throughout 2015 and are forecast to remain depressed in the near future. This has had a severe, direct
impact on the energy sector and has led, indirectly, to a softening of the housing market in Alberta. We have performed a number of low oil price
stress tests, which focus specifically on the impact to our retail and wholesale portfolios. While we could see a rise in PCL, the overall magnitude
depends upon how long oil prices stay low and how our corporate clients undertake management actions of their own. In our view, our exposure
to weak oil and gas prices remains within our risk appetite.

High levels of Canadian household debt
Canadian household debt remains elevated as persistently low interest rates continue to fuel strong home sales, supporting home prices and
contributing to an upward trend in mortgage credit growth. The risks surrounding elevated credit balances largely stem from households’
continued ability to manage existing debt repayments when interest rates rise and a greater share of disposable income is needed to make
payments. Additional risk stems from the potential for high household debt to amplify the impact of an external shock to the Canadian economy
and/or extended downturn in domestic activity. The combination of increasing unemployment, rising interest rates, and a downturn in real estate
markets would pose a risk to the credit quality of our retail lending portfolio. We actively manage our lending portfolios and stress test them
against various scenarios. Our stress testing shows that the vast majority of our mortgage clients have sufficient capacity to absorb interest rate
increases in the ranges currently forecasted. For further discussion relating to our retail portfolio, refer to the Credit risk section.

Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity has become an increasingly problematic issue, not only for the financial services sector, but for other industries in Canada and
around the globe. Cyber-attacks in the industry are increasing in sophistication and are often focused on compromising sensitive data for
inappropriate use or disrupting business operations. Such an attack could compromise our confidential information as well as that of our clients
and third parties with whom we interact and may result in negative consequences, including remediation costs, loss of revenue, additional
regulatory scrutiny, litigation and reputational damage. As a result, RBC continually monitors for malicious threats and adapts accordingly in an
effort to ensure we maintain high privacy and security standards. The bank leverages and invests in advancements in cyber defense technologies
to support our business model, protect our systems and enhance the experience of our clients on a global basis by employing industry best
practices and provide our customers with confidence in their financial transactions. Our investments continue to manage the risks we face today
and position the bank for the evolving threat landscape.

Anti-Money Laundering
RBC is subject to a dynamic set of anti-money laundering/anti-terrorist financing, economic sanctions and anti-bribery/anti-corruption (AML)
laws and regulations across the multiple jurisdictions in which we operate. As the scope of criminal activities such as tax evasion, human
trafficking, bribery and corruption continues to expand, regulators worldwide are intensifying regulatory requirements and increasing
enforcement actions and penalties for those who fail to comply. As a consequence, money laundering, terrorist financing, economic sanctions
violations, bribery and corruption (Money Laundering) pose significant legal, regulatory, financial and reputational risk to RBC. We are committed
to the management of AML risk and have implemented advanced and evolving AML policies, processes and controls (Global AML Program) to
mitigate the risk of Money Laundering activities and meet our regulatory obligations to deter, detect and report such activities. RBC has
appointed a Senior Vice President, Financial Crimes and Chief Anti-Money Laundering Officer who is responsible for the independent oversight
and implementation of the Global AML Program. The Global AML Program addresses our changing business activities, regulatory requirements
and international best practices. RBC continuously enhances transaction monitoring, client due diligence and risk assessment processes and

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

49

practices to prevent or detect activities that pose potential risk to RBC. Internally, annual AML training is mandatory for all applicable employees,
including senior management and the Board of Directors, to help ensure compliance and to educate on emerging AML trends. We meet our
regulatory obligation to perform independent effectiveness testing by conducting regular assessments on the adequacy of the Global AML
Program.

Exposure to more volatile sectors
Our wholesale loan growth has been strong in recent years, largely driven by Capital Markets. Demand for lending related to commercial real
estate and leveraged financing has been particularly strong. To manage risks associated with this increase, we focus on diversification, driven by
limits on single name, country and industry exposures across all businesses, portfolios and transactions. We continue to adhere to strict lending
standards as we grow our wholesale credit portfolio. We also stress test our portfolio to assist in evaluating the potential impact of severe
economic conditions.

Enterprise risk management

Under the oversight of the Board of Directors and Senior Management, the Enterprise Risk Management Framework provides an overview of our
enterprise-wide programs for managing risk, including identifying, assessing, measuring, controlling, monitoring and reporting on the significant
risks that face the organization. While Risk Appetite encompasses “what” risks RBC is able and willing to take, Risk Conduct and Culture
articulates “how” we expect to take those risks.

Risk governance
The Risk Governance model at RBC is well-established. The Board of Directors oversees the implementation of our risk management framework,
establishes the tone at the top, approves our Risk Appetite, provides oversight and carries out its risk management mandate primarily through
its committees which include the Risk Committee, the Audit Committee, the Governance Committee and the Human Resources Committee.

The purpose of the Risk Committee is to oversee our risk management program. The Risk Committee’s oversight role is designed to ensure
that the risk management function is adequately independent from the businesses whose activities it reviews, and that the policies, procedures
and controls used by management are sufficient to keep risks within our Risk Appetite.

The Audit Committee also has a risk oversight role through its responsibilities to review our internal controls and the control environment,

and to ensure that policies related to capital management and adequacy are in place and effective. The Audit Committee regularly reviews
reporting on legal and regulatory compliance risks, including significant litigation issues.

The Governance Committee monitors the effectiveness of our corporate governance, reviews policies and programs, is responsible for the

Code of Conduct, reviews our efforts to understand and meet changing public values and expectations, and identifies, assesses and advises
management on public affairs issues related to our image and reputation.

The Human Resources Committee, along with the Risk Committee, actively oversees the design and operation of our compensation system.
The Group Executive (GE) is comprised of our senior management team and is led by the President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and
includes the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) and Chief Administrative Officer & Chief Financial Officer (CAO & CFO). The GE is responsible for our strategy
and its execution. The GE actively shapes and recommends our Risk Appetite for approval by the Board of Directors. The GE’s risk oversight role
is executed primarily through the mandate of the Group Risk Committee (GRC). The GRC, with the assistance of its supporting senior
management risk committees, is responsible for ensuring that our overall Risk Profile is consistent with our strategic objectives and remains
within our Risk Appetite and that there are ongoing, appropriate and effective risk management processes.

50

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Employees at all levels of the organization are responsible for managing the day-to-day risks that arise in the context of their mandate. As

shown below, RBC uses a Three Lines of Defence Governance Model to manage risks across the enterprise.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Risk Committee

Audit Committee

Governance Committee

Human Resources
Committee

Group Executive & Group Risk Committee
and Senior Management Risk Committees

First Line of Defence

Second Line of Defence

Third Line of Defence

Risk Owners 

Risk Oversight

Independent Assurance

Business and support  
functions embedded in 
the business 

Accountable for: 

Identification

Assessment 

Mitigation 

Monitoring and 

Reporting of risk 
relative to approved
policies and appetite

Establish risk 
management practices 
and provide risk 
guidance 

Provide oversight of the
effectiveness of First
Line risk management
practices

Monitor and independently  
report on the level of risk 
against established 
appetite

Primarily provided by 
internal audit

Independent 
assurance to 
management and the 
Board of Directors on 
the effectiveness of 
risk management 
practices 

Risk Appetite
Our Risk Appetite is the amount and type of risk we are able and willing to accept in the pursuit of our business objectives. Our approach to
articulating Risk Appetite is focused around three key concepts:
•
•
•

The amount of Earnings at Risk that is determined to be acceptable over an economic cycle, using an expected future loss lens;
The amount of Capital at Risk that is determined to be acceptable under stress, using an unexpected future loss lens; and
Ensuring adequate liquidity throughout times of stress.

•

•

Our Risk Appetite Framework has several major components as follows:
Define our Risk Capacity by identifying regulatory constraints
that restrict our ability to accept risk.
Establish and regularly confirm our Risk Appetite, comprised
of drivers that are the business objectives which include risks
we must accept to generate desired financial returns, and self-
imposed constraints that limit or otherwise influence the
amount of risk undertaken. Our self-imposed constraints
include:
– Manage exposure to future losses
– Manage volatility of earnings
–
–
–
–

Avoid excessive concentrations of risk
Low exposure to stress events
Ensure sound management of liquidity and funding risk
Ensure sound management of regulatory compliance risk
and operational risk
Ensure capital adequacy by maintaining capital ratios in
excess of rating agencies’ and regulatory expectations

–

– Maintain strong credit ratings
– Maintain Risk Profile that is in the top half of our peer

group

•

•

•

Set Risk Limits and Tolerances to ensure that risk-taking
activities are within Risk Appetite.
Assess our Risk Posture to confirm whether our strategic
priorities entail taking on more risk over a one year time
frame, using a scale of contracting, stable or expanding.
Regularly measure and evaluate our Risk Profile, representing
the risks we are exposed to, relative to our Risk Appetite, and
ensure appropriate action is taken to prevent Risk Profile from
surpassing Risk Appetite.

Risk Capacity

Risk Appetite 

Risk Limits and
Tolerances

Risk Profile 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

51

The Enterprise Risk Appetite Framework is structured in such a way that it can be applied at the enterprise, business segment, business unit, and
legal entity levels. Risk Appetite is integrated into our business strategies and capital plan. We also ensure that the business strategy aligns with
the enterprise and business segment level Risk Appetite.

Risk Conduct and Culture
We define Risk Conduct and Culture as a shared set of behavioural norms that sustain our core values, protect our clients, safeguard our
shareholders’ value, and support market integrity and stability from undue risk.

The following elements are foundational to our effective Risk Conduct and Culture:

•

•

•

•

•
•

Communicate expectations in a highly visible, clear,
consistent and ongoing manner – “Tone from the top”
Hold people accountable across all businesses in accordance
with the Three Lines of Defence governance model –
“Accountability”
Enable the right motivations by rewarding individuals and
groups for taking the right risks in an informed manner –
“Incentives”
Effective communication of risk issues – “Constructive
challenge”
Provide escalation paths
Take the right risks in order to keep Risk Profile within Risk
Appetite

Taking the right
risks

Providing
escalation
paths

Communicating
expectations

Risk Conduct
and Culture

Supporting
constructive
challenge

Holding
people
accountable

Enabling the
right
motivations

The desired Risk Conduct and Culture flows from RBC Values, Code of Conduct and Risk Management Principles, which include:

•
•
•
•
•
•

Integrity
Accountability for risk management
Compliance with risk policies
Integration of risk in decision-making
Timely escalation and reporting of risk issues
Communication of risk issues

Our enterprise risk management practices have led to the integration of risk disciplines into decision-making and all other key business
processes. For example, our compensation programs and practices are risk-based and designed to reinforce desired risk behaviours and
disincent risk-taking outside of risk limits. Compensation programs align with sound risk management principles and sustainable performance.

Risk metrics are increasingly integrated into how employees are compensated, assessed and developed:
•

Risk-adjusted performance metrics are in place for senior management through to all direct reports of business line heads and business
unit heads.
Talent management and succession planning at senior levels consider risk competencies and experience.
The approach to considering Risk Conduct and Culture as one of the criteria for promotion continues to evolve across individual businesses.
Proportionate consequences and disciplinary actions are used to address compliance violations or policy breaches quickly and consistently
across the organization, with an enterprise-wide, global approach established via the Code of Conduct governance requirements.

•
•
•

Risk measurement
Our ability to measure risks is a key component of our enterprise-wide risk and capital management processes. Certain measurement
methodologies are common to a number of risk types, while others only apply to a single risk type. While quantitative risk measurement is
important, we also place reliance on qualitative factors. Our measurement models and techniques are continually subject to independent
assessment for appropriateness and reliability. For those risk types that are difficult to quantify, we place greater emphasis on qualitative risk
factors and assessment of activities to gauge the overall level of risk to ensure that they are within our Risk Appetite. In addition, judgmental risk
measures can still be developed, and techniques such as stress testing, and scenario and sensitivity analyses can also be used to assess and
measure risks.

Quantifying expected loss
Expected loss is used to assess earnings at risk and is a representation of losses that are statistically expected to occur in the normal course of
business in a given period of time. For credit risk, the key parameters used to measure our exposure to expected loss are probability of default,
loss given default, and exposure at default. For market risk, a statistical technique known as Value-at-Risk (VaR) is used to measure losses under
normal market conditions.

Quantifying unexpected loss
Unexpected loss is used to assess capital at risk and is a statistical estimate of the amount by which actual losses can exceed expected loss
over a specified time horizon, measured at a specified level of confidence. We hold capital to withstand these unexpected losses, should they
occur. For further details, refer to the Capital management section.

Stress testing
Stress testing examines potential impacts arising from exceptional but plausible adverse events, and is an important component of our risk
management framework. Stress testing results are used in:
•
•
•
•
•

Monitoring our Risk Profile relative to Risk Appetite in terms of earnings and capital at risk;
Setting limits;
Identifying key risks to and potential shifts in our capital and liquidity levels, and our financial position;
Enhancing our understanding of available mitigating actions in response to adverse events; and
Assessing the adequacy of our target capital levels.

52

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Our enterprise-wide stress tests evaluate key balance sheet, income statement, leverage, capital, and liquidity impacts arising from risk
exposures and changes in earnings. The results are used by the GRC, the Board of Directors and senior management risk committees to
understand our performance drivers under stress, and review stressed capital, leverage, and liquidity ratios against regulatory thresholds and
internal targets. The results are also incorporated into our Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP) and Capital Plan analyses.

We annually evaluate a number of enterprise-wide stress scenarios over a multi-year horizon, featuring a range of severities. Our Board of

Directors reviews the recommended scenarios, and GRM leads the scenario assessment process. Results from across the organization are
integrated to develop an enterprise-wide view of the impacts, with input from subject matter experts in GRM, Corporate Treasury, Finance, and
Economics. Recent scenarios evaluated include global recessions, Canadian recessions, and energy price shocks.

Ongoing stress testing and scenario analyses within specific risk types such as market risk, liquidity risk, structural interest rate risk, retail

and wholesale credit risk, operational risk, and insurance risk supplement and support our enterprise-wide analyses. Results from these risk-
specific programs are used in a variety of decision-making processes including risk limit setting, portfolio composition evaluation, Risk Appetite
articulation, and business strategy implementation.

In addition to ongoing enterprise-wide and risk specific stress testing programs, we also use ad-hoc and reverse stress testing to deepen

our knowledge of the risks we face. Ad-hoc stress tests are one-off analyses used to investigate developing conditions or stress a particular
portfolio in more depth. Reverse stress tests, starting with a severe outcome and aiming to reverse-engineer scenarios that might lead to it, are
used in risk identification and understanding of risk/return boundaries.

In addition to internal stress tests, we participate in a number of regulator-required stress test exercises at both the consolidated and

subsidiary levels.

Back-testing
We back-test many market and credit risk parameters, including Probability of default, Loss given default, and Usage given default. Back-testing
is performed on a quarterly basis by comparing the realized values to the parameter estimates that are currently used to ensure the parameters
remain appropriate for regulatory and economic capital calculations.

Validation of measurement models
We widely use models for many purposes, including valuation of financial products and the measurement and management of different types of
risk. Models are subject to validation by qualified employees that are sufficiently independent of the model design and development, or by
approved external parties. Model validation is a comprehensive independent review of a model that evaluates the applicability of the model’s
logic, its assumptions and theoretical underpinnings, the appropriateness of input data sources, the interpretation of the model results, and the
strategic use of the model outputs. By reviewing and evaluating a model’s assumptions and limitations, initial and ongoing model validation
helps ensure the model incorporates current market developments and industry trends. Our model validation process is designed to ensure that
all material underlying model risk factors are identified and successfully mitigated.

Risk control
Our enterprise-wide risk management approach is supported by a comprehensive set of risk controls. The controls are anchored by our
Enterprise Risk Management and Risk-Specific Frameworks. These frameworks lay the foundation for the development and communication of
policies, establishment of formal risk review and approval processes, and the establishment of delegated authorities and limits. The
implementation of robust risk controls enables the optimization of risk and return on both a portfolio and a transactional basis.

Our risk management frameworks and policies are organized into the following five levels:

Level 1: Enterprise Risk Management Framework provides an overview of our enterprise-wide program for identifying, assessing, measuring,
controlling, monitoring and reporting on the significant risks we face. This framework is underpinned by our Risk Appetite Framework and Risk
Conduct and Culture Framework.

Level 2: Risk-Specific Frameworks elaborate on each specific risk type and the mechanisms for identifying, measuring, monitoring and reporting
of our principal risks; key policies; and roles and responsibilities.

Level 3: Enterprise Risk Policies articulate minimum requirements, within which businesses and employees must operate.

Level 4: “Multi-risk” Enterprise Risk Policies govern activities such as product risk review and approval, stress testing, risk limits, risk approval
authorities and model risk management.

Level 5: Business Segments and Corporate Support – Specific Policies and Procedures are established to manage the risks that are unique to
their operations.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

53

ENTERPRISE RISK
MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

Enterprise Risk Conduct
& Culture Framework

Enterprise Risk
Appetite Framework

CREDIT
RISK
FRAMEWORK

MARKET
RISK
FRAMEWORK

OPERATIONAL
RISK
MANAGEMENT
FRAMEWORK

IT RISK
MANAGEMENT
FRAMEWORK

REPUTATION
RISK
FRAMEWORK

REGULATORY
COMPLIANCE
MANAGEMENT
FRAMEWORK

INSURANCE
RISK
FRAMEWORK

CAPITAL
MANAGEMENT
FRAMEWORK

LIQUIDITY RISK
MANAGEMENT
FRAMEWORK

RISK DATA
AGGREGATION &
RISK REPORTING
FRAMEWORK

Supporting Risk-Specific Enterprise-Wide Frameworks and Policy Documents (examples)

Credit Risk
Mitigation
Policy

Management of
Market Risk
Standing Order

Fraud Risk
Framework

Information
Security Policy

RBC Code of
Conduct,
Fiduciary Risk
Policy

Global AML
Framework,
Privacy Policy

Insurance
Risk
Mitigation Policy

Dividend
Policy

Liquidity
Risk
Policy

Risk Data
Standards, Risk
Reporting
Standards

Enterprise-Wide Policies for Multiple Risk Types
(e.g. Product Risk Review & Approval Policy; Risk Limits Policy; Stress Testing Policy)

Capital Markets

Insurance

Investor & Treasury Services

Personal & Commercial Banking

Wealth Management

Corporate Support

Area Specific Risk Policy and Procedures

The approval hierarchy for risk frameworks and policy documents is as follows:

Board of Directors or Board Committees

Senior Management Committees (e.g. Policy Review Committee, Ethics & Compliance Committee, Asset Liability Committee) for most other frameworks
and policies. Board or Board Committee approval is required in some instances (e.g. RBC Code of Conduct, Dividend Policy, and AML Framework)

Generally within businesses or Corporate Support committees. GRM approval required if there are significant risk implications

Risk review and approval processes
Risk review and approval processes are established by GRM based on the nature, size and complexity of the risk involved. In general, the risk
review and approval process involves a formal review and approval by an individual, group or committee that is independent from the originator.
The approval responsibilities are governed by delegated authorities based on the following categories: transactions, structured credit, projects
and initiatives, and new products and services.

Authorities and limits
The Risk Committee of the Board of Directors delegates credit, market and insurance risk authorities to the President & CEO and the CRO. The
delegated authorities allow these officers to approve single name, geographic (country and region) and industry sector exposures within defined
parameters to manage concentration risk, establish underwriting and inventory limits for trading and investment banking activities and set
market risk tolerances.

The Board of Directors also delegates liquidity risk authorities to the President & CEO, CAO & CFO, and CRO. These limits act as a key risk
control designed to ensure that reliable and cost-effective sources of cash or its equivalent are available to satisfy our current and prospective
commitments.

Reporting
Enterprise and business segment level risk monitoring and reporting are critical components of our enterprise risk management program and
support the ability of senior management and the Board of Directors to effectively perform their risk management and oversight responsibilities.
On a quarterly basis, we provide to senior management and the Board of Directors the Enterprise Risk Report which includes a comprehensive
review of our Risk Profile relative to our Risk Appetite and focuses on the range of risks we face along with an analysis of the related issues and
trends. In addition to our regular risk monitoring, other risk specific presentations are provided to and discussed with senior management and
the Board of Directors on top and emerging risks or changes in our Risk Profile.

Risk Pyramid
We use a pyramid to identify and categorize our principal risks. The Risk Pyramid provides a common language and discipline for the
identification and assessment of risk in existing businesses, new businesses, products or initiatives, and acquisitions and alliances. It is
maintained by GRM and reviewed regularly to ensure all key risks are reflected and ranked appropriately.

The placement of the principal risks within the Risk Pyramid is a function of two primary criteria:

•

•

Risk Drivers – Key factors that would have a strong influence on whether or not one or more of our risks will materialize. We have
identified four key risk drivers: Macroeconomic, Strategic, Execution and Transactional / Positional; and
Control and Influence – The risk types are organized vertically from the top of the pyramid to its base according to the relative degree of
control and influence RBC is considered to have over each risk type.

54

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Risk Drivers
•

Macroeconomic: Adverse changes in the macroeconomic environment in which we operate can lead to a partial or total collapse of the
real economy or the financial system in any of the regions in which we have a presence. Examples include a rapid deterioration in the
Canadian housing market, a severe North American recession, and a downturn in China.
Strategic: The strategic choices we make in terms of business mix will determine how our risk profile changes. Examples include credit
portfolio mix, acquisitions, responding to the threats posed by non-traditional competitors, and responding to proposed changes in
the regulatory framework.
Execution: The complexity and scope of our operations across the globe exposes us to operational and regulatory compliance risks,
including fraud, anti-money laundering, cybersecurity and conduct/fiduciary risk.
Transactional/Positional: This driver of risk presents a more traditional risk perspective. This involves the risk of credit or market losses
arising from the lending transactions and balance sheet positions we undertake every day.

•

•

•

The base of the pyramid – The risk categories along the base of the Risk Pyramid are those over which we have the greatest level of control and
influence. We understand these risks and earn revenue by taking them. These are credit, market, liquidity and insurance risks. Operational risk
and regulatory compliance risk, while still viewed as risks over which we have greater level of control and influence, are ranked higher on the
pyramid than the other highly controllable risks. This ranking acknowledges the level of controllability associated with people, systems and
external events.

The top of the pyramid – Systemic risk is placed at the top of the Risk Pyramid, and is generally considered the least controllable type of risk
arising from the business environment impacting us. However, we have in place measures for mitigating the impacts of systemic risk such as
stress testing programs and diversification. We are diversified across various business models, funding sources, products and geographies.
Legal and regulatory environment and competitive risks, which can be viewed as somewhat controllable, can be influenced through our role as a
corporate entity, and as an active participant in the Canadian and global financial services industry.

MACROECONOMIC

STRATEGIC

EXECUTION

L

E

S

S

SYSTEMIC

LEGAL &
REGULATORY
ENVIRONMENT

COMPETITIVE

C

o

n

t

r

o

l 

&

 I

n

f
l

u

e

n

c

e

STRATEGIC

REPUTATION

OPERATIONAL

REGULATORY
COMPLIANCE

M

O

R

E

TRANSACTIONAL / POSITIONAL

CREDIT

MARKET

LIQUIDITY

INSURANCE

The shaded text along with the tables specifically marked with an asterisk(*) in the following sections of the MD&A represent our disclosures
on credit, market and liquidity and funding risks in accordance with IFRS 7, Financial Instruments: Disclosures, and include discussion on how
we measure our risks and the objectives, policies and methodologies for managing these risks. Therefore, these shaded text and tables
represent an integral part of our 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

55

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of loss associated with an obligor’s potential inability or unwillingness to fulfill its contractual obligations. Credit risk
may arise directly from the risk of default of a primary obligor (e.g. issuer, debtor, counterparty, borrower or policyholder), or indirectly from a
secondary obligor (e.g. guarantor or reinsurer). Credit risk includes counterparty credit risk from both trading and non-trading activities.

The failure to effectively manage credit risk across all our products, services and activities can have a direct, immediate and material impact

on our earnings and reputation.

We balance our risk and return by:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Ensuring credit quality is not compromised for growth;
Diversifying credit risks in transactions, relationships and portfolios;
Using our credit risk rating and scoring systems or other approved credit risk assessment or rating methodologies, policies and tools;
Pricing appropriately for the credit risk taken;
Applying consistent credit risk exposure measurements;
Mitigating credit risk through preventive and detective controls;
Transferring credit risk to third parties, where appropriate, through approved credit risk mitigation techniques, including hedging
activities and insurance coverage; and
Ongoing credit risk monitoring and administration.

•

Risk measurement – Credit risk

We quantify credit risk, at both the individual obligor and portfolio levels, to manage expected credit losses in order to limit earnings volatility
and minimize unexpected losses.

We employ different risk measurement processes for our wholesale and retail credit portfolios. The wholesale portfolio comprises
businesses, sovereigns, public sector entities, banks and other financial institutions, and certain individuals and small businesses that are
managed on an individual client basis. The retail portfolio is comprised of residential mortgages, personal, credit card, and small business
loans, which are managed on a pooled basis. Credit risk rating systems are designed to assess and quantify the risk inherent in credit
activities in an accurate and consistent manner.

In measuring credit risk and setting regulatory capital, two principal approaches are available: Internal Ratings Based Approach (IRB)

and Standardized Approach. Most of our credit risk exposure is measured under the IRB.

Economic capital, which is our internal quantification of risks, is used extensively for performance measurement, limit setting and

internal capital adequacy.

The key parameters that form the basis of our credit risk measures for both regulatory and economic capital are:
•

Probability of default (PD): An estimated percentage that represents the likelihood of default within a given time period of an obligor for
a specific rating grade or for a particular pool of exposure.
Exposure at default (EAD): An amount expected to be owed by an obligor at the time of default.
Loss given default (LGD): An estimated percentage of EAD that is not expected to be recovered during the collections and recovery
process.

•
•

These parameters are determined based primarily on historical experience from internal credit risk rating systems in accordance with

supervisory standards, and are independently validated and updated on a regular basis.

Under the Standardized Approach, used primarily for Investor Services and our Caribbean and U.S. banking operations, risk-weights
prescribed by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) are used to calculate risk-weighted assets (RWA) for credit risk
exposure.

Wholesale credit risk

The wholesale credit risk rating system is designed to measure the credit risk inherent in our wholesale credit activities.

Each obligor is assigned a borrower risk rating (BRR), reflecting an assessment of the credit quality of the obligor. Each BRR has a PD
assigned to it. The BRR differentiates the riskiness of obligors and represents our evaluation of the obligor’s ability and willingness to meet its
contractual obligations on time over a three year time horizon. The assignment of BRRs is based on the evaluation of the obligor’s business
risk and financial risk and is based on fundamental credit analysis. The determination of the PD associated with each BRR relies primarily on
internal default history since the early 2000s augmented where necessary with reference to external data. PD estimates are designed to be a
conservative reflection of our experience across the economic cycle including periods of stress or economic downturn.

56

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Our rating system is designed to stratify obligors into 22 grades, consistent with the external rating agencies. The following table aligns

the relative rankings of our 22-grade internal risk ratings with the ratings used by S&P and Moody’s.

Internal ratings map*

Table 43

Ratings

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

21
22

BRR

1+
1H
1M
1L
2+H
2+M
2+L
2H
2M
2L

2-H
2-M
2-L
3+H
3+M
3+L
3H
3M
3L
4

5
6

S&P

AAA
AA+
AA
AA-
A+
A
A-
BBB+
BBB
BBB-

BB+
BB
BB-
B+
B
B-
CCC+
CCC
CCC-
CC

Moody’s

Description

Aaa
Aa1
Aa2
Aa3
A1
A2
A3
Baa1
Baa2
Baa3

Ba1
Ba2
Ba3
B1
B2
B3
Caa1
Caa2
Caa3
Ca

Investment Grade

Non-investment Grade

C
Bankruptcy

C
Bankruptcy

Impaired

*

This table represents an integral part of our 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Each credit facility is assigned an LGD rate. LGD rates are largely driven by factors that will impact the extent of any losses in the event the
obligor defaults including seniority of debt, collateral security, and the industry sector in which the obligor operates. Estimated LGD rates
draw primarily on internal loss experience since the late 1990s. Where we have limited internal loss data we also look to external data to
inform the estimation. LGD rates are estimated to reflect conditions that might be expected to prevail in a period of an economic downturn,
with additional conservatism added to reflect data limitations and judgments made in the estimation process.

EAD is estimated based on the current exposure to the obligor and the possible future changes in that exposure driven by factors such
as the nature of the credit commitment and the type of obligor. As with LGD, rates are estimated to reflect downturn conditions, with added
conservatism to reflect data and modeling uncertainty.

Estimates of PD, LGD and EAD are updated, and then validated and back-tested by an independent team within the bank, on an annual

basis. In addition, quarterly monitoring and back-testing is performed by the estimation team. These ratings and risk measurements are used
in the determination of our expected losses as well as economic and regulatory capital, setting of risk limits, portfolio management and
product pricing.

Counterparty credit risk
Counterparty credit risk is the risk that a party with whom the bank has entered into a financial or non-financial contract will fail to fulfill its
contractual agreement and default on the obligation. It is measured not only by its current value, but also by how this value can move as market
conditions change. Counterparty credit risk usually occurs in trading-related derivative and repo-style transactions.

Derivative transactions include financial (e.g. forwards, futures, swaps and options) and non-financial derivatives (e.g. precious metal and

commodities). For further details on our derivative instruments and credit risk mitigation, refer to Note 8 of our 2015 Annual Consolidated
Financial Statements.

Retail credit risk

Credit scoring is the primary risk rating system for assessing obligor and transaction risk for retail (scored) exposures. Credit scores along
with decision strategies are employed in the acquisition of new clients and management of existing clients.

Retail exposures are managed on a pooled basis, with each pool consisting of a group or segment of exposures that possess similar
homogeneous characteristics. Criteria used to pool exposures for risk quantification include behavioural score, product type (mortgages,
credit cards, lines of credit and instalment loans), collateral type (chattel, liquid assets and real estate), utilization rate, loan-to-value, and
the delinquency status (performing, delinquent and default) of the exposure. Regular monitoring and periodic adjustments & alignments are
conducted to ensure that this process provides for a meaningful differentiation of risk.

The pools are also assessed based on credit risk parameters (PD and EAD) which consider borrower and transaction characteristics,
including behavioural credit score, product type, utilization rate and delinquency status. LGD estimation is based on transaction specific
factors, including product, loan-to-value and collateral types. All parameters are determined based on over 10 years of historical economic
losses with the highest degree of granularity and sufficient margins of conservatism. Parameters are back-tested regularly and validated by an
independent team within the bank.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

57

The following table maps PD bands to various risk levels:

Internal ratings map*

Table 44

PD bands

0.000% – 1.718%

1.719% – 6.430%

6.431% – 99.99%

100%

Description

Low risk

Medium risk

High risk

Impaired/Default

*

This table represents an integral part of our 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Risk control – Credit risk

The Board of Directors and its committees, the GE, the GRC and other senior management risk committees work together to ensure a Credit
Risk Management Framework and supporting policies, processes and procedures exist to manage credit risk and approve related credit risk
limits. Reports are distributed to the Board of Directors, the GRC, and senior executives to keep them informed of our Risk Profile, including
trending information and significant credit risk issues and shifts in exposures to ensure appropriate actions can be taken where necessary.
Our enterprise-wide credit risk policies set out the minimum requirements for the management of credit risk in a variety of borrower,
transactional and portfolio management contexts.

Credit policies are an integral component of our Credit Risk Management Framework and set out the minimum requirements for the

management of credit risk as follows:

Credit risk assessment
•
•
•

Mandatory use of credit risk rating and scoring systems.
Consistent credit risk assessment criteria.
Standard content requirements in credit application documents.

Credit risk mitigation
Structuring of transactions
•

Specific credit policies and procedures set out the requirements for structuring transactions. Risk mitigants include the use of
guarantees, collateral, seniority, loan-to-value requirements and covenants. Product-specific guidelines set out appropriate product
structuring as well as client and guarantor criteria.

Collateral
• We often require obligors to pledge collateral as security when we advance credit. The extent of risk mitigation provided by collateral

depends on the amount, type and quality of the collateral taken. Specific requirements relating to collateral valuation and management
are documented in our credit risk management policies. The types of collateral used to secure credit or trading facilities within the bank
are varied. For example, the majority of our Securities Finance and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives activities are secured by cash and
liquid Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) government securities. Wholesale lending is often secured by
pledges of the assets of a business, such as accounts receivable, inventory, operating assets and commercial real estate. In our
Canadian Banking business and Wealth Management segment, collateral typically consists of a pledge over a real estate property, or a
portfolio of debt securities and equities trading on a recognized exchange.

• We are compliant with regulatory requirements that govern residential mortgage underwriting practices, including loan-to-value

parameters and property valuation requirements. For further information regarding the quality of collateral used to secure residential
mortgages, refer to table 53.

Credit derivatives
•

Used as a tool to mitigate industry sector concentration and single-name exposure. For a more detailed description of the types of credit
derivatives we enter into and how we manage related credit risk, refer to Note 8 of our 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loan forbearance
In our overall management of borrower relationships, economic or legal reasons may necessitate forbearance to certain clients with respect to
the original terms and conditions of their loans. We strive to identify borrowers in financial difficulty early and modify their loan terms in order to
maximize collection and to avoid foreclosure, repossession, or other legal remedies. In these circumstances, a borrower may be granted
concessions that would not otherwise be considered. We have specialized groups and formalized policies that direct the management of
delinquent or defaulted borrowers. Examples of such concessions to retail borrowers may include rate reduction, principal forgiveness, and term
extensions. Concessions to wholesale borrowers may include restructuring the agreements, modifying the original terms of the agreement and/
or relaxation of covenants. For both retail and wholesale loans, the appropriate remediation techniques are based on the individual borrower’s
situation, the Bank’s policy and the customer’s willingness and capacity to meet the new arrangement. When a loan is restructured, the recorded
investment in the loan is reduced as of the date of restructuring to the amount of the net cash flows receivable under the modified terms,
discounted at the effective interest rate inherent in the loan (prior to restructuring). During 2015, the amount of loans restructured was not
significant.

Product approval
•

Proposals for credit products and services are comprehensively reviewed and approved under a risk assessment framework.

58

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Credit portfolio management
•

Concentration risk is defined as the risk arising from an over-concentration on single names, industry sectors, countries or credit
products within the portfolio. Concentration risk results from large exposure to similar risks that are positively correlated such that their
ability to meet contractual obligations could be similarly affected by changes in economic, political or other conditions.

• We manage credit exposures and limits to ensure alignment with Risk Appetite, to maintain our target business mix and to ensure that
there is no undue risk concentration. Credit concentration limits are reviewed on a regular basis taking into account the business,
economic, financial and regulatory environments.
Our credit limits are established at the following levels: single name limits (notional and economic capital), underwriting risk limits,
leveraged lending limits, geographic (country and region) limits (notional and economic capital), industry sector limits (notional and
economic capital), and product and portfolio limits, where deemed necessary.

•

Gross credit risk exposure

Gross credit risk exposure is calculated based on the definitions provided under the Basel III framework. Under this method, risk exposure is
calculated before taking into account any collateral and is inclusive of an estimate of potential future changes to that credit exposure. Gross
credit risk is categorized into lending-related and other, and trading-related.

Lending-related and other includes:
•

Loans and acceptances outstanding, undrawn commitments, and other exposures including contingent liabilities such as letters of
credit and guarantees, available-for-sale (AFS) debt securities and deposits with financial institutions. Undrawn commitments represent
an estimate of the contractual amount that may be drawn upon at the time of default of an obligor.

Trading-related credit includes:
•

Repo-style transactions which include repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements and securities lending and borrowing
transactions. For repo-style transactions, gross exposure represents the amount at which securities were initially financed, before taking
into account collateral.
Derivative amount which represents the credit equivalent amount, which is defined by OSFI as the replacement cost plus an add-on
amount for potential future credit exposure.

•

Gross credit risk exposure by portfolio and sector*

Table 45

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

As at

Lending-related and other

Trading-related

Lending-related and other

Trading-related

Loans and acceptances

Loans and acceptances

(Millions of Canadian

Undrawn

Repo-style

Total

Undrawn

Repo-style

dollars)

Outstanding

commitments (1) Other (2)

transactions Derivatives (3)

exposure (4) Outstanding

commitments (1) Other (2)

transactions Derivatives (3)

Total
exposure (4)

Residential

mortgages

Personal
Credit cards
Small business (5)

$ 233,975 $

– $

94,346
15,859
4,003

78,885
24,827
5,370

206 $
154
–
9

Retail

$ 348,183 $

109,082 $

369 $

– $
–
–
–

– $

– $
–
–

$

$

$

–
–
–
–

–

86
984
470

839
1,482

29,769
40
538
255

234,181 $ 219,257 $
173,385
40,686
9,382

96,021
14,924
4,067

– $

83,965
21,689
4,631

197 $
154
–
9

457,634 $ 334,269 $

110,285 $

360 $

7,502 $

13,109
15,303

23,134
23,242

269,104
1,852
11,194
6,446

5,694 $
6,209
7,172

1,079 $
4,880
6,189

55 $

299
547

5,849
3,766

5,688
979
4,665
1,320

10,921
11,240

1,410
1,943

9,775
452
4,753
2,870

13,414
108
441
876

373

45,358

30,387

7,791

1,699

1,703

23,064

4,822

8,705

511

$

6,057 $
6,614
7,146

1,279 $
5,104
7,093

80 $

407
594

7,691
5,162

6,428
1,169
4,725
1,402

13,274
13,389

13,060
535
5,418
3,883

1,330
3,149

18,002
108
513
906

33,802

9,210

1,910

6,599

14,182

574

–
60

201,845
–
–
–

63

6

5,907
35,133
9,887
1,800

4,300
17,166
5,614
1,015

2,960
15,620
57,413
86,106

–
4,915
30,871
102,371

1,474
15,386
10,162
27,221

14,641
88,220
113,947
218,513

5,432
26,604
4,628
1,201

3,624
13,345
5,303
710

1,702
8,379
47,798
73,365

– $
–
–
–

– $

– $
–
–

–
–

160,514
–
–
–

22

2

–
3,490
25,863
94,824

– $
–
–
–

219,454
180,140
36,613
8,707

– $

444,914

51 $

697
281

409
1,169

23,290
18
462
174

286

955

810
13,800
8,170
22,724

6,879
12,085
14,189

18,589
18,118

212,681
1,557
10,321
5,240

40,185

14,995

11,568
65,618
91,762
192,824

Business (5)
Agriculture
Automotive
Consumer goods
Energy

Oil & Gas
Utilities

Non-bank financial

services

Forest products
Industrial products
Mining & metals
Real estate &
related
Technology &

media

Transportation &
environment

Other

Sovereign (5)
Bank (5)

Wholesale

$ 139,522 $

114,522 $ 189,672 $ 340,131 $

90,782

$

874,629 $ 114,416 $

91,637 $ 152,547 $ 284,715 $

73,296 $

716,611

Total exposure

$ 487,705 $

223,604 $ 190,041 $ 340,131 $

90,782

$ 1,332,263 $ 448,685 $

201,922 $ 152,907 $ 284,715 $

73,296 $ 1,161,525

*
(1)
(2)

(3)
(4)

(5)

This table represents an integral part of our 2015 audited Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.
Undrawn commitments represent an estimate of the contractual amount that may be drawn upon at the time of default of an obligor.
Includes credit equivalent amounts for contingent liabilities such as letters of credit and guarantees, outstanding amounts for AFS debt securities, deposits with financial institutions and
other assets.
Credit equivalent amount after factoring in master netting agreements.
Gross credit risk exposure is before allowance for loan losses. Exposures under Basel III asset classes of qualifying revolving retail and other retail are largely included within Personal and
Credit cards, while HELOC are included in Personal.
Refer to Note 5 of our audited 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for the definitions of these terms.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

59

2015 vs. 2014
Total gross credit risk exposure increased $171 billion or 15% from last year, primarily reflecting an increase in repo-style transactions and
growth in loans and acceptances.

Retail exposure increased $13 billion or 3%, mainly due to volume growth in Canadian residential mortgages and credit cards, partly offset

by a decrease in personal loans and acceptances. Wholesale exposure increased $158 billion or 22%, primarily attributable to an increase in
repo-style transactions, higher loans and acceptances reflecting growth across various industry sectors, and an increase in Other exposure
related to letters of credit and guarantees, AFS securities and deposits with central banks. The impact of foreign exchange translation also
contributed to the increase. Wholesale loan utilization was 37% which remained unchanged from last year.

Gross credit risk exposure by geography* (1)

Table 46

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

As at

Lending-related and other

Trading-related

Lending-related and other

Trading-related

Loans and acceptances

Loans and acceptances

(Millions of
Canadian dollars)

Outstanding

Undrawn
commitments

Repo-style

Total

Other

transactions Derivatives

exposure Outstanding

Undrawn
commitments

Repo-style

Other

transactions Derivatives

Total
exposure

Canada
U.S.
Europe
Other International

$ 414,427 $
40,186
17,706
15,386

144,352 $ 70,774 $

64,855 $ 27,272 $

60,031
15,574
3,647

50,915
52,294
16,058

179,021
58,900
37,355

14,023
44,480
5,007

721,680 $ 390,221 $
344,176
188,954
77,453

28,325
15,348
14,791

142,841 $ 63,060 $

43,270
13,091
2,720

23,487
47,904
18,456

56,308 $ 21,649 $ 674,079
258,167
163,066
66,213

12,536
34,222
4,889

150,549
52,501
25,357

Total Exposure

$ 487,705 $

223,604 $ 190,041 $ 340,131 $ 90,782 $ 1,332,263 $ 448,685 $

201,922 $ 152,907 $ 284,715 $ 73,296 $ 1,161,525

*
(1)

This table represents an integral part of our 2015 audited Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.
Geographic profile is based on country of residence of the borrower.

2015 vs. 2014
Total gross credit risk exposure increased $171 billion or 15% from last year, primarily reflecting an increase in repo-style transactions and the
impact of foreign exchange translation.

Canada exposure increased $48 billion or 7% compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher loans and acceptances and growth in repo-

style transactions.

U.S. exposure increased $86 billion or 33% compared to the prior year, mainly due to growth in repo-style transactions, an increase in other

exposure, and the impact of foreign exchange translation.

Europe exposure increased $26 billion or 16% compared to the prior year, mainly due to growth in derivatives, repo-style transactions, and

the impact of foreign exchange translation.

Other International increased $11 billion or 17% compared to the prior year, mainly reflecting growth in repo-style transactions, and the

impact of foreign exchange translation.

Loans and acceptances outstanding and undrawn commitments* (1), (2)

Table 47

October 31
2015

Medium

As at

October 31
2014

Medium

Low risk

risk High risk Impaired

Total

Low risk

risk High risk Impaired

Total

157,996
34,547
6,878

$ 218,151 $ 13,080 $ 2,098 $
12,020
4,772
1,047
$ 417,572 $ 30,919 $ 7,784 $

2,916
1,367
1,403

646 $ 233,975 $ 206,699 $ 9,452 $ 2,428 $
299
–
45

678 $ 219,257
17,309
179,986
300
5,403
36,613
–
9,416
1,519
47
990 $ 457,265 $ 401,671 $ 33,683 $ 8,893 $ 1,025 $ 445,272

173,231
40,686
9,373

158,530
29,900
6,542

3,847
1,310
1,308

As at

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

Investment
grade

Non-Investment
grade

Impaired

Total

Investment
grade

Non-investment
grade

Impaired

Total

$ 105,871
14,704
2,475
$ 123,050

$

$

128,564
797
338
129,699

$ 1,293
–
2
$ 1,295

$ 235,728
15,501
2,815
$ 254,044

$ 82,714
9,476
1,440
$ 93,630

$

$

109,829
455
469
110,753

$

$

950
–
2
952

$193,493
9,931
1,911
$205,335

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Retail (3)

Residential mortgages
Personal
Credit cards
Small business

Total

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Wholesale (4)
Business
Sovereign
Bank

Total
*
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

This table represents an integral part of our audited 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.
This table represents our retail and wholesale loans and acceptances outstanding and undrawn commitments by portfolio and risk category.
The amounts in the table are before allowance for impaired loans.
Includes undrawn commitments of $nil, $78.9 billion, $24.8 billion, and $5.4 billion for Residential mortgages, Personal, Credit cards and Small business, respectively.
Includes undrawn commitments of $107.9 billion, $5.6 billion, and $1.0 billion for Business, Sovereign and Bank, respectively.

2015 vs. 2014
Growth in retail exposures was largely attributable to the low risk category primarily reflecting growth in residential mortgages and credit cards.
Growth in wholesale exposures was mainly due to loan growth in both the investment grade and non-investment grade categories.

60

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

European exposure

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Gross exposure to Europe
Less: Collateral held

against repo-style
transactions
Potential future

credit exposure
add-on amount

Undrawn

commitments
Gross drawn exposure to

Europe
Less: Collateral applied

against derivatives

Add: Trading securities
Net exposure to Europe (3)

As at

October 31
2015

Other

Table 48

October 31
2014

Letters of
credit and
guarantees

27,814 $

Repo-style

Total
European
exposure
58,900 $ 44,480 $ 188,954 $ 163,066

Total
European
exposure

transactions Derivatives

Loans and acceptances

Undrawn

Outstanding
$

17,706 $

commitments (1) Securities (2)
15,574 $

24,480 $

–

–

–

–

–

15,574

–

–

–

–

–

27,814

57,674

–

57,674

51,386

–

–

29,875

29,875

22,403

–

43,388

38,079

$

17,706 $

– $

24,480 $

– $

1,226 $ 14,605 $ 58,017 $ 51,198

–
–

$

17,706 $

–
–
– $

–
12,797
37,277 $

–
–
– $

–
–
1,226 $

10,721
–

8,249
10,721
15,471
12,797
3,884 $ 60,093 $ 58,420

(1)

(2)
(3)

These amounts are comprised of $12.3 billion to corporate entities, $2.6 billion to financial entities and $0.5 billion to sovereign entities. On a country basis, exposure is comprised of
$7.0 billion to the U.K., $2.5 billion to France, $1.9 billion to Germany, $0.6 billion to Ireland, $0.3 billion to Spain, and $0.1 billion to Italy, with the remaining $3.1 billion related to Other
Europe. Of the undrawn commitments, over 80% are to investment grade entities.
Securities include $12.8 billion of trading securities (2014 – $15.5 billion), $11.5 billion of deposits (2014 – $11.9 billion), and $13.0 billion of AFS securities (2014 – $11.0 billion).
Excludes $2.6 billion (2014 – $2.8 billion) of exposures to supranational agencies.

Our gross credit risk exposure is calculated based on the definitions provided under the Basel III framework whereby risk exposure is calculated
before taking into account any collateral and inclusive of an estimate of potential future changes to that credit exposure. On that basis, our total
European exposure as at October 31, 2015 was $189 billion. Our gross drawn exposure to Europe was $58 billion, after taking into account
collateral held against repo-style transactions of $58 billion, letters of credit and guarantees, and undrawn commitments for loans of $43 billion
and potential future credit exposure to derivatives of $30 billion. Our net exposure to Europe was $60 billion, after taking into account
$11 billion of collateral, primarily in cash, we hold against derivatives and the addition of trading securities of $13 billion held in our trading
book. Our net exposure to Europe also reflected $1.8 billion of mitigation through credit default swaps, which are largely used to hedge single
name exposures and market risk.

Net European exposure by country (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

U.K.
Germany
France

Total U.K., Germany, France

Greece
Ireland
Italy
Portugal
Spain

Total Peripheral (2)

Luxembourg
Netherlands
Norway
Sweden
Switzerland
Other

Total Other Europe

Total exposure to Europe

As at

October 31
2015

Repo-style

Table 49

October 31
2014

Securities

transactions Derivatives

Total

Total

$

$

$

$

$

8,372
7,789
3,426

19,587

–
66
42
1
60

169

4,250
3,211
4,431
3,012
1,007
1,610

$

$

$

$

$

867
4
56

927

–
47
–
–
–

47

3
30
–
79
98
42

1,395
561
605

$ 20,964
9,496
4,533

$ 24,033
10,172
4,284

2,561

$ 34,993

$ 38,489

$

$

$

–
68
13
–
42

123

51
728
28
12
125
256

$

–
1,319
100
9
439

$ 1,867

$ 4,890
4,983
4,886
3,376
1,753
3,345

–
883
150
9
476

1,518

1,909
4,260
3,011
2,731
3,557
2,945

17,521

37,277

$

$

252

1,226

$

$

1,200

$ 23,233

$ 18,413

3,884

$ 60,093

$ 58,420

Loans
outstanding

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

10,330
1,142
446

11,918

–
1,138
45
8
337

1,528

586
1,014
427
273
523
1,437

4,260

17,706

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

(1)
(2)

Geographic profile is based on country of risk, which reflects our assessment of the geographic risk associated with a given exposure. Typically, this is the residence of the borrower.
Gross credit risk exposure to peripheral Europe is comprised of Greece $nil (2014 – $nil), Ireland $11.7 billion (2014 – $2.5 billion), Italy $0.3 billion (2014 – $0.2 billion), Portugal $nil
(2014 – $nil), and Spain $1.2 billion (2014 – $0.9 billion).

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

61

2015 vs. 2014
Net credit risk exposure to Europe increased $1.7 billion from last year, largely driven by increased exposure in Luxembourg, Norway and the
Netherlands, partially offset by a decrease in the U.K., Switzerland and Germany. Our net exposure to peripheral Europe, which includes Greece,
Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain, remained minimal, with total outstanding exposure increasing $0.3 billion during the year to $1.9 billion.

Our exposure was predominantly investment grade. Our net exposure to larger European countries, including the U.K., Germany and France,

was primarily related to our capital markets, wealth management, and investor services businesses, particularly in fixed income, treasury
services, derivatives, and corporate and individual lending. These are predominantly client-driven businesses where we transact with a range of
European financial institutions, corporations, and individuals. In addition, we engage in primary dealer activities in the U.K., where we
participate in auctions of government debt and act as a market maker and provide liquidity to clients. Exposures to other European countries are
largely related to securities which include trading securities, deposits, and AFS securities.

Our trading securities are related to both client market-making activities and our funding and liquidity management needs. All of our trading

securities are marked-to-market on a daily basis. Deposits are primarily related to deposits with central banks or financial institutions and also
included deposits related to our wealth management business in the Channel Islands. AFS securities are largely comprised of OECD government
and corporate debt. Our European corporate loan book is managed on a global basis and the underwriting standards for this loan book reflect
the same approach to the use of our balance sheet as we have applied in both Canada and the U.S. Our PCL on this portfolio was nominal for this
year. The gross impaired loans ratio of this loan book was 0.6%, up from 0.12% from last year.

Net European exposure by client type

As at

October 31
2015

Total
U.K.,
Germany,

U.K. Germany

France

France Greece

Ireland

Italy Portugal

Spain

Table 50

October 31
2014

Total
Peripheral

Other
Europe

Total
Europe

Total
Europe

$

7,453 $ 6,853 $
4,347
9,164

837
1,806

813 $ 15,119 $

3,125
595

8,309
11,565

– $
–
–

148 $
3
1,168

65 $
–
35

– $
–
9

31 $

103
305

244 $ 12,472 $ 27,835 $ 24,641
17,527
106
16,252
1,517

14,815
17.443

6,400
4,361

$ 20,964 $ 9,496 $ 4,533 $ 34,993 $

– $ 1,319 $ 100 $

9 $ 439 $ 1,867 $ 23,233 $ 60,093 $ 58,420

(Millions of
Canadian dollars)

Financials
Sovereign
Corporate

Total

2015 vs. 2014
Our net exposure to Financials increased $3.2 billion mainly due to increases in the U.K. and Other Europe, partially offset by a decrease in
France. The net exposure to Sovereign decreased $2.7 billion, mainly due to decreases in U.K. and Germany, partially offset by increases in Other
Europe and France. The increase in Corporate of $1.2 billion was largely in Other Europe and Ireland.

62

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Residential mortgages and home equity lines of credit (insured vs. uninsured)
Residential mortgages and home equity lines of credit are secured by residential properties. The following table presents a breakdown by
geographic region:

Residential mortgages and home equity lines of credit

Table 51

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except
percentage amounts)

Insured (3)

Uninsured

Total

Total

As at October 31, 2015

Residential mortgages (1)

Home equity
lines of credit (2)

Region (4)
Canada

Atlantic provinces
Quebec
Ontario
Prairie provinces
B.C. and territories

Total Canada (5)
U.S.
Other International

Total International

Total

$ 6,856
12,414
36,555
27,562
15,755

$ 99,142
(1)
14

$

13

$ 99,155

55%
46
39
53
36

43%
–
–

–%

42%

$

5,586
14,621
58,036
24,597
27,555

$ 130,395
773
3,202

45%
54
61
47
64

57%

100
100

$

3,975

100%

$ 134,370

58%

$

12,442
27,035
94,591
52,159
43,310

$ 229,537
772
3,216

$

3,988

$ 233,525

$

$

$

$

2,060
4,157
16,785
9,940
9,085

42,027
334
3,107

3,441

45,468

As at October 31, 2014

Residential mortgages (1)

Home equity
lines of
credit (2)

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except
percentage amounts)

Insured (3)

Uninsured

Total

Total

Region (4)
Canada

Atlantic provinces
Quebec
Ontario
Prairie provinces
B.C. and territories

Total Canada (5)
U.S.
Other International

Total International

Total

(1)
(2)
(3)

(4)

(5)

$ 6,411
13,006
35,354
25,813
15,585

$ 96,169
4
13

$

17

$ 96,186

55%
50
40
53
38

45%
1
–

–%

44%

$

5,169
13,248
51,974
22,826
25,887

45%
50
60
47
62

$ 119,104
535
3,081

55%
99
100

$

3,616

100%

$ 122,720

56%

$

11,580
26,254
87,328
48,639
41,472

$ 215,273
539
3,094

$

3,633

$ 218,906

$

$

$

$

2,068
4,163
17,104
10,310
9,768

43,413
332
2,691

3,023

46,436

The residential mortgages amounts exclude our third-party mortgage-backed securities (MBS) of $450 million (2014 – $351 million).
Home equity lines of credit includes revolving and non-revolving loans.
Insured residential mortgages are mortgages whereby our exposure to default is mitigated by insurance through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) or
other private mortgage default insurers.
Region is based upon address of the property mortgaged. The Atlantic provinces are comprised of Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and
New Brunswick, the Prairie provinces are comprised of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, and B.C. and territories are comprised of British Columbia, Nunavut,
Northwest Territories and Yukon.
Total consolidated residential mortgages in Canada of $230 billion (2014 – $215 billion) is largely comprised of $205 billion (2014 – $192 billion) of residential
mortgages and $5 billion (2014 – $5 billion) of mortgages with commercial clients of which $3 billion (2014 – $3 billion) are insured mortgages, both in Canadian
Banking, and $19 billion (2014 – $18 billion) of residential mortgages in Capital Markets held for securitization purposes.

Home equity lines of credit are uninsured and reported within the personal loan category. As at October 31, 2015, home equity lines of credit in
Canadian Banking were $42 billion (2014 – $43 billion). Approximately 98% of these home equity lines of credit (2014 – 97%) are secured by a
first lien on real estate, and 8% (2014 – 8%) of the total homeline clients pay the scheduled interest payment only.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

63

Residential mortgages portfolio by amortization period
The following table provides a summary of the percentage of residential mortgages that fall within the remaining amortization periods based
upon current customer payment amounts, which incorporate payments larger than the minimum contractual amount and/or higher frequency of
payments:

Residential mortgages portfolio by amortization period

Table 52

As at

October 31
2015

Canada

U.S. and Other
International

Total

Canada

October 31
2014

U.S. and Other
International

75%
23
2
–

100%

77%
23
–
–

75%
23
2
–

71%
23
5
1

100%

100%

100%

74%
26
–
–

100%

Total

71%
23
5
1

100%

Amortization period

≤ 25 years
> 25 years ≤ 30 years
> 30 years ≤ 35 years
> 35 years

Total

Average loan-to-value (LTV) ratio for newly originated and acquired uninsured residential mortgages and homeline products
The following table provides a summary of our average LTV ratio for newly originated and acquired uninsured residential mortgages and homeline
products by geographic region:

Average LTV ratio

Region (3)

Atlantic provinces
Quebec
Ontario
Prairie provinces
B.C. and territories
U.S.
Other International

Average of newly originated and acquired for the

year (4), (5)

Total Canadian Banking residential mortgages portfolio

2015
Uninsured

Table 53

2014
Uninsured

Residential
mortgages (1)

Homeline
products (2)

Residential
mortgages (1)

Homeline
products (2)

74%
71
70
73
69
72
61

71%

55%

75%
73
70
74
66
n.m.
n.m.

70%

54%

74%
71
71
74
69
71
60

72%

55%

74%
73
71
73
67
n.m.
n.m.

71%

55%

(1)
(2)
(3)

(4)

(5)

Residential mortgages excludes residential mortgages within the homeline products.
Homeline products are comprised of both residential mortgages and home equity lines of credit.
Region is based upon address of the property mortgaged. The Atlantic provinces are comprised of Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and
New Brunswick, the Prairie provinces are comprised of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, and B.C. and territories are comprised of British Columbia, Nunavut,
Northwest Territories and Yukon.
The average LTV ratio for newly originated and acquired uninsured residential mortgages and homeline products is calculated on a weighted basis by mortgage amounts at
origination.
For newly originated mortgages and homeline products, LTV is calculated based on the total facility amount for the residential mortgage and homeline product divided by
the value of the related residential property.

n.m. not meaningful

While the above table provides the LTV ratios for the current year originations, the LTV ratio on our outstanding balances of the entire Canadian
Banking uninsured residential mortgages, including homeline products, is 54% as at October 31, 2015 (2014 – 55%). This calculation is
weighted by mortgage balances and adjusted for property values based on the Teranet – National Bank National Composite House Price Index.
We employ a risk-based approach to property valuation. Property valuation methods include automated valuation models (AVM) and

appraisals. An AVM is a tool that estimates the value of a property by reference to market data including sales of comparable properties and
price trends specific to the Metropolitan Statistical Area in which the property being valued is located. Using a risk-based approach, we also
employ appraisals which can include drive-by or full on-site appraisals.

We continue to actively manage our entire mortgage portfolio and perform stress testing, based on a combination of increasing

unemployment, rising interest rates, and a downturn in real estate markets. Our stress test results indicate the vast majority of our residential
mortgage and homeline clients have sufficient capacity to continue making payments in the event of a shock to one of the above noted
parameters.

64

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Credit quality performance

Provision for (recovery of) credit losses

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)

Personal & Commercial Banking
Wealth Management
Capital Markets
Corporate Support and Other (1)

Total PCL

Canada (2)

Residential mortgages
Personal
Credit cards
Small business

Retail
Wholesale

PCL on impaired loans

U.S. (2)

Retail
Wholesale

PCL on impaired loans

Other International (2)

Retail
Wholesale

PCL on impaired loans

Total PCL

PCL ratio (3)
Total PCL ratio

Personal & Commercial Banking

Canadian Banking
Caribbean Banking
Wealth Management
Capital Markets

$

$

$

$

$

$

Table 54

2014

1,103
19
44
(2)

1,164

27
393
345
44

809
123

932

2
40

42

121
69

190

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,164

0.27%
0.31%
0.27%
2.44%
0.12%
0.07%

2015

984
46
71
(4)

1,097

27
393
371
32

823
116

939

1
40

41

21
96

117

1,097

0.24%
0.27%
0.25%
0.85%
0.26%
0.09%

(1)

(2)
(3)

PCL in Corporate Support and Other primarily comprised of PCL for loans not yet identified as impaired. For further information, refer to
the How we measure and report our business segments section.
Geographic information is based on residence of borrower.
PCL on impaired loans as a % of average net loans and acceptances.

2015 vs. 2014
Total PCL decreased $67 million, or 6%, from a year ago. The PCL ratio of 24 bps decreased 3 bps.

PCL in Personal & Commercial Banking decreased $119 million or 11%, and the PCL ratio of 27 bps decreased 4 bps, mainly due to lower

provisions in our Caribbean portfolios partially due to provisions of $50 million in the prior year on our Caribbean impaired residential mortgage
portfolio. Lower provisions in the current year related to our commercial lending portfolios also contributed to the decrease. These factors were
partially offset by higher write-offs in our credit cards portfolio.

PCL in Wealth Management increased $27 million, mainly due to provisions related to our U.S. & International Wealth Management

business.

PCL in Capital Markets increased $27 million or 61%, mainly due to provisions in the oil and gas, consumer goods, and utilities sectors.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

65

Gross impaired loans (GIL)

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)
Personal & Commercial Banking
Wealth Management
Capital Markets
Investor & Treasury Services
Corporate Support and Other
Total GIL
Canada (1)
Retail
Wholesale
GIL
U.S. (1)

Retail
Wholesale
GIL

Other International (1)

Retail
Wholesale
GIL
Total GIL
Impaired loans, beginning balance

Classified as impaired during the year (new impaired) (2)
Net repayments (2)
Amounts written off
Other (2), (3)

Impaired loans, balance at end of year
GIL ratio (4)
Total GIL ratio

Personal & Commercial Banking

Canadian Banking
Caribbean Banking
Wealth Management
Capital Markets

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Table 55

2014
1,913
11
50
2
1
1,977

659
487
1,146

13
18
31

353
447
800
1,977
2,201
1,317
(228)
(1,329)
16
1,977

0.44%
0.55%
0.33%
11.05%
0.07%
0.08%

2015
1,809
178
296
2
–
2,285

624
512
1,136

10
204
214

356
579
935
2,285
1,977
1,709
(158)
(1,338)
95
2,285

0.47%
0.49%
0.30%
9.13%
1.01%
0.37%

(1)
(2)

(3)

(4)

Geographic information is based on residence of borrower.
Certain GIL movements for Canadian Banking retail and wholesale portfolios are generally allocated to New Impaired, as Return to
performing status, Net repayments, Sold, and Exchange and other movements amounts are not reasonably determinable. Certain
GIL movements for Caribbean Banking retail and wholesale portfolios are generally allocated to repayments and new Impaired, as
Return to performing status, Sold, and Exchange and other movements amounts are not reasonably determinable.
Includes Return to performing status during the year, Recoveries of loans and advances previously written off, Sold, and Exchange
and other movements.
GIL as a % of loans and acceptances.

2015 vs. 2014
Total GIL increased $308 million or 16% from a year ago. The GIL ratio of 47 bps increased 3 bps.

GIL in Personal & Commercial Banking decreased $104 million or 5%, mainly due to lower impaired loans in our commercial lending and

residential mortgages portfolios.

GIL in Wealth Management increased $167 million, mainly due to higher impaired loans in the U.S. & International Wealth Management

business.

GIL in Capital Markets increased $246 million, primarily due to higher impaired loans in the oil and gas, utilities, and consumer goods

sectors.

66

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Allowance for credit losses (ACL)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Allowance for impaired loans

Personal & Commercial Banking
Wealth Management
Capital Markets
Investor & Treasury Services

Total allowance for impaired loans

Canada (1)
Retail
Wholesale

Allowance for impaired loans

U.S. (1)

Retail
Wholesale

Allowance for impaired loans

Other International (1)

Retail
Wholesale

Allowance for impaired loans

Total allowance for impaired loans

Allowance for loans not yet identified as impaired

Total ACL

(1)

Geographic information is based on residence of borrower.

Table 56

2015

2014

548
43
61
2

654

142
111

253

1
47

48

169
184

353

654

1,466

2,120

$

$

$

$

$

602
10
18
2

632

143
160

303

1
16

17

172
140

312

632

1,453

2,085

$

$

$

$

$

2015 vs. 2014
Total ACL increased $35 million or 2% from a year ago, mainly related to higher ACL in Capital Markets and Wealth Management consistent with
higher PCL recorded in the current year. This was partially offset by lower ACL in Personal & Commercial Banking consistent with lower PCL
recorded in the current year.

Market risk

Market risk is defined to be the impact of market prices upon our financial condition. This includes potential gains or losses due to changes
in market determined variables such as interest rates, credit spreads, equity prices, commodity prices, foreign exchange rates and implied
volatilities.

The measures of financial condition impacted by market risk are as follows:

1.

2.

3.

4.

Positions whose revaluation gains and losses are reported in Revenue, which includes:
a)
b)
c)

Changes in the fair value of instruments classified or designated as at fair value through profit and loss (FVTPL),
Impairment on AFS securities, and
Hedge ineffectiveness.

CET1 capital, which includes:
All of the above, plus
a)
Changes in the fair value of AFS securities where revaluation gains and losses are reported as other comprehensive income,
b)
Changes in the Canadian dollar value of investments in foreign subsidiaries, net of hedges, due to foreign exchange translation,
c)
and
Remeasurements of employee benefit plans, including pension fund assets underperforming in the market resulting in a deficit
and volatility between the pension liabilities and the fund assets, and/or, estimated actuarial parameters not being realized such
that pension liabilities exceed pension fund assets.

d)

CET1 ratio, which includes:
All of the above, plus
a)
Changes in risk-weighted assets (RWA) resulting from changes in traded market risk factors, and
b)
Changes in the Canadian dollar value of RWA due to foreign exchange translation.
c)

The economic value of the Bank, which includes:
a)
b)

Points 1 and 2 above, plus
Changes in the value of other non-trading positions whose value is a function of market risk factors.

Market risk controls – FVTPL positions
As an element of the Enterprise Risk Appetite Framework, the Board of Directors approves the overall market risk constraints for RBC. GRM
creates and manages the control structure for FVTPL positions that ensures that business is conducted consistent with Board requirements.
The Market and Trading Credit Risk function within GRM is responsible for creating and managing the controls and governance procedures

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

67

that ensure that risk taken is consistent with risk appetite constraints set by the Board. These controls include limits on probabilistic
measures of potential loss such as Value-at-Risk and Stressed Value-at-Risk as defined below:

Value-at-Risk (VaR) – is a statistical measure of potential loss for a financial portfolio computed at a given level of confidence and over a
defined holding period. We measure VaR at the 99th percentile confidence level for price movements over a one day holding period using
historic simulation of the last two years of equally weighted historic market data. These calculations are updated daily with current risk
positions with the exception of certain positions which are updated weekly.

Stressed Value-at-Risk (SVaR) – is calculated in an identical manner as VaR with the exception that it is computed using a fixed historical
one year period of extreme volatility and its inverse rather than the most recent two year history. The stress period used is the interval from
September 2008 through August 2009. Stressed VaR is calculated weekly for all portfolios.

These measures are computed on all positions that are FVTPL for financial reporting purposes, with the exception of those in a designated
hedging relationship and those in our insurance businesses.

Market risk measures – FVTPL positions
VaR and SVaR
The following table presents our Market risk VaR and Market risk SVaR figures for 2015 and 2014.

Market Risk VaR*

Table 57

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Equity
Foreign exchange
Commodities
Interest rate
Credit specific (1)
Diversification (2)

Market risk VaR

Market risk Stressed VaR

2015

2014

For the year ended October 31

For the year ended October 31

As at
Oct. 31

Average

High

$

$

$

20
4
3
26
6
(18)

41

109

$

$

$

12
4
3
28
8
(22)

33

104

$

$

$

31
8
6
34
9
(34)

45

157

$

$

$

Low

6
3
2
23
6
(15)

26

73

$

$

$

As at
Oct. 31

Average

High

9
3
2
24
8
(18)

28

83

$

$

$

10
2
3
27
9
(21)

30

92

$

$

$

17
5
7
36
11
(30)

39

121

$

$

$

Low

4
1
2
18
6
(15)

19

69

*
(1)
(2)

This table represents an integral part of our audited 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.
General credit spread risk is measured under interest rate VaR while credit specific risk captures issuer-specific credit spread volatility.
Market risk VaR is less than the sum of the individual risk factor VaR results due to portfolio diversification.

2015 vs. 2014
Average market risk VaR of $33 million was up $3 million compared to the prior year, mainly reflecting an increase due to the impact of foreign
exchange translation and higher exposure to our credit risk resulting from the implementation of funding valuation adjustments at the end of the
fourth quarter of 2014, and by higher equity market volatility.

Average SVaR of $104 million was up $12 million compared to the prior year, largely due to the implementation of funding valuation

adjustments as noted above and the impact of foreign exchange translation.

The following chart graphically displays a bar chart of our daily trading profit and loss and a line chart of our daily Market risk VaR. We incurred
net trading losses on nine days in the year totalling $25 million, as compared to 11 days of losses totalling $46 million in 2014, with none of the
losses exceeding VaR.

Trading Revenue and VaR (Millions of Canadian dollars)

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

-30

-40

-50

4

1

0

v . 1 ,  2

o

N

5

1

0

1 ,  2

n .  3

J a

5

1

0

0 ,  2

p r.  3

A

5

1

0

1 ,  2

J u l.  3

5

1

0

1 ,  2

c t.  3

O

Daily Trading Revenue

Market Risk VaR

68

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

The following chart displays the distribution of daily trading profit and loss in 2015. The largest daily reported loss of $9.4 million on
September 1, 2015 was primarily driven by market volatility. Of the nine loss days in fiscal 2015, six occurred within Q4. These loss days were
driven by market volatility as a result of uncertainty over China’s economy and U.S. federal rate increases in the fourth quarter. The largest
reported profit was $53.4 million with an average daily profit of $13.6 million.

Trading Revenue for the year ended October 31, 2015 (teb)

s
y
a
D

f
o
r
e
b
m
u
N
n

i

y
c
n
e
u
q
e
r
F

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

0
0
1
-

<

0
9
-

0
8
-

0
7
-

0
6
-

0
5
-

0
4
-

0
3
-

0
2
-

0 0
1
-

0
1

0
2

0
3

0
4

0
5

0
6

0
7

0
8

0
9

Daily net trading revenue (Millions of Canadian dollars), excluding structured entities

0
0
1
>

2015

2014

Market risk measures for other FVTPL positions – Assets and liabilities of RBC Insurance
We offer a range of insurance products to clients and hold investments to meet the future obligations to policyholders. The investments which
support actuarial liabilities are predominantly fixed income assets designated as at FVTPL. Consequently, changes in the fair values of these
assets are recorded in investment income in the consolidated statements of income and are largely offset by changes in the fair value of the
actuarial liabilities, the impact of which is reflected in insurance policyholder benefits and claims. As at October 31, 2015, we had liabilities with
respect to insurance obligations of $9.1 billion and trading securities of $7.1 billion in support of the liabilities.

Market risk controls – Structural Interest Rate Risk (SIRR) positions (1)
The interest rate risk arising from non-trading positions is referred to as SIRR, and is subject to a separate set of limits and controls. Non-
trading positions in the bank mostly include the Bank’s personal and business lending and deposit activities. Factors contributing to SIRR
include the mismatch between future asset and liability repricing dates, relative changes in asset and liability rates, and product features that
could affect the expected timing of cash flows, such as options to pre-pay loans or redeem term deposits prior to contractual maturity.

The Board of Directors approves the risk appetite for SIRR, and the Asset Liability Committee (ALCO), along with GRM, provides ongoing
oversight of SIRR through risk policies, limits, operating standards and other controls. SIRR reports are reviewed regularly by GRM, ALCO, the
Group Risk Committee, the Risk Committee of the Board and the Board of Directors.
Details on the non-trading risks included in SIRR are outlined in Table 59.

Structural Interest Rate Risk measurement
To monitor and control SIRR, the Bank assesses two primary financial metrics, 12-month NII (NII risk) and Economic Value of Equity (EVE risk),
under a range of market shocks and scenarios. Market scenarios include currency-specific parallel and non-parallel yield curve changes and
interest rate volatility shocks.

In measuring NII risk, detailed non-trading balance sheets and income statements are dynamically simulated to determine the impact of

market stress scenarios on projected NII. Assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet positions are simulated using monthly time steps over a
one-year horizon. The simulations incorporate product maturities, renewals and growth along with prepayment and redemption behaviour.
Product pricing and volumes are calibrated from past experience and projected consistent with expectations for a given market stress
scenario. EVE risk captures the market value sensitivity of structural positions to changes in longer-term rates. In measuring EVE risk,
deterministic (single-scenario) and stochastic (multiple-scenario) valuation techniques are applied to detailed spot position data. NII and EVE
risks are measured for a range of market risk stress scenarios which include extreme but plausible market rate changes, across interest rate
curves and interest rate volatilities.

The management of NII and EVE risks is complementary and supports efforts by the Bank to generate a sustainable high quality NII

stream. NII and EVE risks are measured daily, weekly or monthly depending on the size, complexity and hedge strategy applicable to a
balance sheet or business activity.

A number of assumptions affecting cash flows, product re-pricing and the administration of rates underlie the models used to measure

NII and EVE risks. The key assumptions pertain to the expected funding profiles for retail mortgage rate commitments, prepayment behaviour
for fixed-rate loans, term deposit redemption behaviour, and the treatment of non-maturity deposits. All assumptions are derived empirically
from historical client and product experience and consider future product pricing and customer needs. All models and assumptions used to
measure SIRR are subject to independent oversight by GRM.

Market risk measures – Structural Interest Rate Positions
The following table shows the potential before-tax impact of an immediate and sustained 100 bps and 200 bps increase or decrease in
interest rates on projected 12-month NII and EVE for the Bank’s non-trading balance sheet, assuming no subsequent hedging. Rate floors are
applied within the declining rates scenarios, with floor levels set based on global rate movement experience. Interest rate risk measures are
based upon interest rate exposures at a specific time and continuously change as a result of business activities and risk management
actions.

(1)

SIRR positions include impact of derivatives in hedge accounting relationships and AFS securities used for interest rate risk management.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Market risk measures – Non-trading banking activities*

Table 58

2015

2014

2013

Economic value of equity risk

Net interest income risk (2)

Canadian
dollar impact

U.S. dollar
impact (1)

Total

Canadian
dollar impact

U.S. dollar
impact (1)

Total

Economic
value of
equity risk

Net interest
income risk (2)

Economic
value of
equity risk

Net interest
income risk (2)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Before-tax impact of:

100bps increase in rates
100bps decrease in rates

$

(1,069) $
836

(3) $(1,072) $
(7)

829

280 $
(364)

Before-tax impact of:

9 $ 289 $ (916) $
(6)

(370)

754

414
(348)

$ (540) $
446

200bps increase in rates
200bps decrease in rates

(2,208)
929

(13)
(4)

(2,221)
925

451
(372)

21
(7)

472
(379)

(1,910)
1,259

763
(434)

(1,160)
799

*
(1)
(2)

This table represents an integral part of our audited 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.
Represents the impact on the non-trading portfolios held in our U.S. banking operations.
Represents the 12-month Net interest income exposure to an instantaneous and sustained shift in interest rates.

391
(303)

758
(398)

At the end of fiscal 2015, an immediate and sustained -100 bps shock would have had a negative impact to the Bank’s NII of $370 million, up
from $348 million at the end of 2014. An immediate and sustained +100bps shock at the end of fiscal 2015 would have had a negative impact
to the Bank’s EVE of $1,072 million, up from $916 million in 2014. The year-over-year increases in NII and EVE risks are primarily attributed to
balance sheet growth. A larger fixed-rate asset position contributed to higher EVE risk, but also dampened the increase in NII risk. During fiscal
2015, NII and EVE risks were maintained well within approved limits.

Market risk measures for other material non-trading portfolios

AFS securities
We held $48 billion of securities classified as AFS as at October 31, 2015, compared to $46 billion as at October 31, 2014. We hold debt
securities designated as AFS primarily as investments and to manage liquidity and interest rate risk in our non-trading banking activity. Certain
legacy debt portfolios are also classified as AFS. As at October 31, 2015, our portfolio of AFS securities exposes us to interest rate risk of a pre-
tax loss of $5.4 million as measured by the change in the value of the securities for a one basis point parallel increase in yields. The portfolio
also exposes us to credit spread risk of a pre-tax loss of $14.7 million, as measured by the change in value for a one basis point widening of
credit spreads. Changes in the value of these securities are reported in other comprehensive income. The value of the AFS securities included in
our Structural Interest Rate Risk measure as at October 31, 2015 was $34.9 billion. Our AFS securities also include equity exposures of
$1.8 billion as at October 31, 2015, up from $1.7 billion as at October 31, 2014.

Derivatives related to non-trading activity
Derivatives are also used to hedge market risk exposures unrelated to our trading activity. In aggregate, derivative assets not related to trading
activity of $6.4 billion as at October 31, 2015 were up from $3.4 billion as at October 31, 2014, and derivative liabilities of $4.5 billion as at
October 31, 2015 were up from $1.8 billion as at October 31, 2014.

Non-trading derivatives in hedge accounting relationships
The derivative assets and liabilities described above include derivative assets in a designated hedge accounting relationship of $2.8 billion as at
October 31, 2015, up from $2.0 billion as at October 31, 2014, and derivative liabilities of $2.0 billion as at October 31, 2015, up from
$837 million last year. These derivative assets and liabilities are included in our Structural Interest Rate Risk measure and other internal non-
trading market risk measures. We use interest rate swaps to manage our AFS securities and structural interest rate risk, as described above. To
the extent these swaps are considered effective hedges, changes in their fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income. The interest
rate risk for the designated cash flow hedges, measured as the change in the fair value of the derivatives for a one basis point parallel increase in
yields, was $5.5 million as of October 31, 2015.

Interest rate swaps are also used to hedge changes in the fair value of certain fixed-rate instruments. Changes in fair value of the interest

rate swaps and the hedged instruments that are related to interest rate movements are reflected in income.

We also use foreign exchange derivatives to manage our exposure to equity investments in subsidiaries that are denominated in foreign
currencies, particularly the U.S. dollar and British pound. Changes in the fair value of these hedges and the cumulative translation adjustment
related to our structural foreign exchange risk are reported in other comprehensive income.

Other non-trading derivatives
Derivatives including interest rate swaps and foreign exchange derivatives that are not in designated hedge accounting relationships are used to
manage other non-trading exposures. These derivatives have been designated as fair value through profit and loss with changes in the fair value
of these derivatives reflected in income. Derivative assets of $3.6 billion as at October 31, 2015 on these trades were up from $1.4 billion as at
October 31, 2014, and derivative liabilities of $2.5 billion as at October 31, 2015 were up from $1.0 billion last year.

Non-trading foreign exchange rate risk
Foreign exchange rate risk is the potential adverse impact on earnings and economic value due to changes in foreign currency rates. Our
revenue, expenses and income denominated in currencies other than the Canadian dollar are subject to fluctuations as a result of changes in
the value of the average Canadian dollar relative to the average value of those currencies. Our most significant exposure is to the U.S. dollar,
due to our level of operations in the U.S. and other activities conducted in U.S. dollars. Other significant exposures are to the British pound
and the Euro, due to our activities conducted internationally in these currencies. A strengthening or weakening of the Canadian dollar
compared to the U.S. dollar, British pound and the Euro could reduce or increase, as applicable, the translated value of our foreign currency
denominated revenue, expenses and earnings and could have a significant effect on the results of our operations. We are also exposed to
foreign exchange rate risk arising from our investments in foreign operations. For un-hedged equity investments, when the Canadian dollar
appreciates against other currencies, the unrealized translation losses on net foreign investments decreases our shareholders’ equity
through the other components of equity and decreases the translated value of the RWA of the foreign currency-denominated asset. The
reverse is true when the Canadian dollar depreciates against other currencies. Consequently, we consider these impacts in selecting an
appropriate level of our investments in foreign operations to be hedged.

Our overall trading and non-trading market risk objectives, policies and methodologies have not changed significantly from 2014.

70

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Linkage of market risk to selected balance sheet items
The following table provides the linkages between selected balance sheet items with positions included in our trading market risk and non-
trading market risk disclosures, which illustrates how we manage market risk for our assets and liabilities through different risk measures.

Linkage of market risk to selected balance sheet items

Table 59

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Assets subject to market risk
Cash and due from banks (3)
Interest-bearing deposits with banks (4)
Securities

Trading (5)
Available-for-sale (6)

Assets purchased under reverse repurchase
agreements and securities borrowed (7)

Loans

Retail (8)
Wholesale (9)
Allowance for loan losses
Segregated fund net assets (10)
Derivatives
Other assets (11)
Assets not subject to market risk (12)

Total assets

Liabilities subject to market risk
Deposits (13)
Segregated fund liabilities (14)
Other

Obligations related to securities sold short
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase

agreements and securities loaned (15)

Derivatives
Other liabilities (16)
Subordinated debentures
Liabilities not subject to market risk (17)

As at October 31, 2015

Market risk measure

Balance sheet
amount

Traded risk (1)

Non-traded
risk (2)

Non-traded risk
primary risk sensitivity

$

12,452
22,690

$

5,720
15,764

$

6,732
6,926

Interest rate
Interest rate

158,703
56,805

151,420
–

7,283
56,805

Interest rate, credit spread
Interest rate, credit spread, equity

174,723

174,594

129

Interest rate

348,183
126,069
(2,029)
830
105,626
64,082
6,074

16,337
140
–
–
99,233
24,578

331,846
125,929
(2,029)
830
6,393
39,504

Interest rate
Interest rate
Interest rate
Interest rate
Interest rate, foreign exchange
Interest rate

$ 1,074,208

$

697,227
830

$

$

487,786

$ 580,348

151,776
–

$ 545,451
830

47,658

47,658

–

Interest rate
Interest rate

83,288
107,860
58,184
7,362
7,855

83,165
103,348
19,757
–

123
4,512
38,427
7,362

Interest rate
Interest rate, foreign exchange
Interest rate
Interest rate

Total liabilities

Total equity

Total liabilities and equity

$ 1,010,264

$

405,704

$ 596,705

$

63,944

$ 1,074,208

(1)

(2)

Traded risk includes FVTPL positions whose revaluation gains and losses are reported in revenue. Market risk measures of VaR, SVaR and Stress testing are used as risk controls for
traded risk.
Non-traded risk includes positions used in the management of the SIRR and other non-trading portfolios. Other material non-trading portfolios include positions from our Insurance business
and AFS securities not included in SIRR.

The following footnotes provide additional information on the Non-traded risk amounts:
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)

Cash and due from banks includes $5,829 million included in SIRR. An additional $903 million is included in other risk controls.
Interest-bearing deposits with banks of $6,926 million are included in SIRR.
Trading securities include $7,283 million in securities used in the management of the SIRR of RBC Insurance, which is not included in our disclosed SIRR measure.
Includes available-for-sale securities of $48,164 million and held-to-maturity securities of $8,641 million. $43,528 million of the total securities are included in SIRR. An additional
$1,917 million are held by our insurance businesses that do not contribute to our disclosed SIRR measures. The remaining $11,360 million are captured in other internal non-trading market
risk reporting.
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements include $129 million reflected in SIRR.
Retail loans include $331,846 million reflected in SIRR.
Wholesale loans include $124,701 million reflected in SIRR. An additional $1,228 million is used in the management of the SIRR of RBC Insurance.
Investments for the account of segregated fund holders are included in the management of the SIRR of RBC Insurance.

(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11) Other assets include $36,728 million reflected in SIRR. An additional $2,776 million is used in the management of the SIRR of RBC Insurance.
(12) Assets not subject to market risk include $6,074 million of physical and other assets.
(13) Deposits include $545,451 million reflected in SIRR.
(14)
(15) Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements include $123 million reflected in SIRR.
(16) Other liabilities include $28,408 million used in the management of the SIRR of RBC Insurance, and $10,019 million contribute to our SIRR measure.
(17)

Insurance and investment contracts for the account of segregated fund holders are included in the management of the SIRR of RBC Insurance.

Liabilities not subject to market risk include $7,855 million of payroll related and other liabilities.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

71

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Assets subject to market risk
Cash and due from banks (3)
Interest-bearing deposits with banks (4)
Securities

Trading (5)
Available-for-sale (6)

Assets purchased under reverse repurchase
agreements and securities borrowed (7)

Loans

Retail (8)
Wholesale (9)
Allowance for loan losses
Segregated fund net assets (10)
Derivatives
Other assets (11)
Assets not subject to market risk (12)
Total assets

Liabilities subject to market risk
Deposits (13)
Segregated fund liabilities (14)
Other

Obligations related to securities sold short
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase

agreements and securities loaned (15)

Derivatives
Other liabilities (16)
Subordinated debentures
Liabilities not subject to market risk (17)
Total liabilities
Total equity
Total liabilities and equity
(1)

As at October 31, 2014

Market risk measure

Balance sheet
amount

Traded risk (1)

Non-traded
risk (2)

Non-traded risk
primary risk sensitivity

$

17,421
8,399

$

10,840
5,642

$

6,581
2,757

Interest rate
Interest rate

151,380
47,768

144,607
–

6,773
47,768

Interest rate, credit spread
Interest rate, credit spread, equity

135,580

135,444

136

Interest rate

16,614
427
–
–
83,981
14,098

317,655
102,527
(1,994)
675
3,421
35,780

Interest rate
Interest rate
Interest rate
Interest rate
Interest rate, foreign exchange
Interest rate

$

$

411,653

$ 522,079

116,348
–

$ 497,752
675

50,345

64,210
87,145
14,756
–

–

121
1,837
36,434
7,859

$

332,804

$ 544,678

Interest rate
Interest rate

Interest rate
Interest rate, foreign exchange
Interest rate
Interest rate

334,269
102,954
(1,994)
675
87,402
49,878
6,818
940,550

614,100
675

50,345

64,331
88,982
51,190
7,859
8,565
886,047
54,503
940,550

$

$

$
$
$

Traded risk includes FVTPL positions whose revaluation gains and losses are reported in revenue. Market risk measures of VaR, SVaR and Stress testing are used as risk controls for traded
risk.
Non-traded risk includes positions used in the management of the SIRR and other non-trading portfolios. Other material non-trading portfolios include positions from our Insurance business
and AFS securities not included in SIRR.

(2)

The following footnotes provide additional information on the Non-traded risk amounts:
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)

Cash and due from banks includes $5,494 million included in SIRR. An additional $1,087 million is included in other risk controls.
Interest-bearing deposits with banks of $2,757 million are included in SIRR.
Trading securities include $6,761 million in securities used in the management of the SIRR of RBC Insurance, which is not included in our disclosed SIRR measure.
Available-for-sale securities of $44,403 million are included in SIRR. An additional $3,365 million are held by our insurance businesses that do not contribute to our disclosed SIRR measures
and certain legacy assets.
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements include $136 million reflected in SIRR.
Retail loans include $317,655 million reflected in SIRR.
Wholesale loans include $101,364 million reflected in SIRR. An additional $1,163 million is used in the management of the SIRR of RBC Insurance.
Investments for the account of segregated fund holders are included in the management of the SIRR of RBC Insurance.

(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11) Other assets include $33.309 million reflected in SIRR. An additional $2,471 million is used in the management of the SIRR of RBC Insurance.
(12) Assets not subject to market risk include $6,818 million of physical and other assets.
(13) Deposits include $497,747 million reflected in SIRR.
(14)
(15) Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements include $121 million reflected in SIRR.
(16) Other liabilities include $9,324 million used in the management of the SIRR of RBC Insurance, and $27,110 million contribute to our SIRR measure.
(17)

Insurance and investment contracts for the account of segregated fund holders are included in the management of the SIRR of RBC Insurance.

Liabilities not subject to market risk include $8,565 million of payroll related and other liabilities.

Liquidity and funding risk

Liquidity and funding risk (liquidity risk) is the risk that we may be unable to generate sufficient cash or its equivalents in a timely and cost-
effective manner to meet our commitments as they come due. Liquidity risk arises from mismatches in the timing and value of on-balance
sheet and off-balance sheet cash flows that result from banking activities.

Our liquidity profile is structured to ensure that we have sufficient liquidity to satisfy our current and prospective commitments in normal

business conditions and in stressed liquidity environments. To achieve these goals, we operate under a comprehensive Liquidity Risk
Management Framework (LRMF) and employ several liquidity risk mitigation strategies that include:
•
•

An appropriate balance between the level of exposure allowed under our risk appetite and the cost of risk mitigation;
Broad funding access, including preserving and promoting a reliable base of core client deposits, ongoing access to diversified sources
of wholesale funding and demonstrated capacities to monetize specific asset classes;
A comprehensive enterprise-wide liquidity stress testing program, contingency planning and status monitoring process that is supported
by unencumbered marketable securities;
Timely and granular risk measurement information;
Transparent liquidity transfer pricing and cost allocation; and,
A rigorous first and second line of defense governance model.

•

•
•
•

72

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Our liquidity management policies, practices and processes reinforce these risk mitigation strategies. In managing liquidity risk, we favour a
centralized management approach to the extent possible given the various considerations outlined in this section.

Our liquidity risk objectives, policies and methodologies are regularly reviewed and modified to reflect changing market conditions and
business mix, to align with local regulatory developments and to position ourselves for the phasing in of Basel III regulatory liquidity
standards. We continue to maintain liquidity and funding that is appropriate for the execution of our strategy. Liquidity risk remains well
within our risk appetite.

Regulatory environment
We continue to monitor and, as appropriate, modify our risk policies, practices and processes to align with regulatory developments and to
position ourselves for prospective implementation of regulatory reforms in the jurisdictions we operate. In May 2014, OSFI issued the final
version of the “Liquidity Adequacy Requirements (LAR)” guideline. OSFI’s LAR guideline converts the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s
(BCBS) liquidity requirements, including the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) and Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR) liquidity metrics together with
monitoring tools, into OSFI guidance and formalizes the use of the OSFI-designed Net Cumulative Cash Flow (NCCF) as a supervisory monitoring
tool. Consistent with these requirements, we are submitting monthly LCR and NCCF reports and quarterly NSFR results to OSFI as well as
Quantitative Impact Study reports on LCR and NSFR for OSFI and BCBS twice a year.

In August 2014, the Government of Canada’s Department of Finance released its bail-in consultation paper “Taxpayer Protection and Bank

Recapitalization Regime”. Bail-in regimes are being implemented in a number of jurisdictions following the 2008 financial crisis in an effort to
limit taxpayer exposure to potential losses of a failing institution and ensure the institution’s shareholders and creditors remain responsible for
bearing such losses. The proposed Canadian regime applies only to domestic systemically important banks (D-SIBs) and focuses on a specific
range of liabilities, which excludes deposits. In its April 21, 2015 Federal Budget announcement, the Government of Canada confirmed its
intention to move forward with the Taxpayer Protection and Bank Recapitalization Regime, although no firm timeline was provided. For further
details, refer to the Legal and regulatory environment risk section.

In October 2014, the BCBS issued the final standard for the NSFR and banks are required to meet the minimum standard by January 1,
2018. The final “Net stable funding ratio disclosure standard” was issued by the BCBS in June 2015 and banks will be required to comply from
the date of the first reporting period after January 1, 2018.

Risk measurement

Liquidity risk is measured by applying scenario based assumptions against our assets and liabilities and off-balance sheet commitments to
derive expected cash flow profiles over varying time horizons. For instance, government bonds can be quickly and reliably monetized to
generate cash inflow prior to their contractual maturity, and similarly, relationship demand deposits can be deemed as having little short-
term cash outflow although having the contractual right to redeem on demand. Risk methodologies and underlying assumptions such as
these are periodically reviewed and validated to ensure alignment with our operating environment, expected economic and market
conditions, rating agency preferences, regulatory requirements and accepted practices.

To control liquidity risk within our liquidity risk appetite, we set limits on various metrics reflecting a range of time horizons and severity of
stress conditions. Our liquidity risk measurement and control activities are divided into three categories as follows:

Structural (longer-term) liquidity risk
We use an internal metric, derived from the cash capital methodology, which focuses on the structural alignment between long-term illiquid
assets and longer-term funding sourced from wholesale investors and core relationship deposits. This metric informs our secured and
unsecured wholesale term funding strategy.

Tactical (shorter-term) liquidity risk
We use net cash flow limits in conjunction with stress testing to contain risk within the risk appetite at branch, subsidiary and currency levels.
Net cash flow positions are derived from the application of internally generated risk assumptions and parameters to known and anticipated
cash flows for all material unencumbered assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet activities. Encumbered assets are not considered a source
of available liquidity. We also control tactical liquidity by adhering to group-wide and unit-specific prescribed regulatory standards, such as
LCR.

Contingency liquidity risk
Contingency liquidity risk planning assesses the impact of and our intended responses to sudden stressful events. Our Liquidity Contingency
Plan, maintained and administered by Corporate Treasury, guides our actions and responses to liquidity crises. This plan establishes a
Liquidity Crisis Team, consisting of senior representatives with relevant subject matter expertise from key business segments and Corporate
Support. This team contributes to the development of stress tests and funding plans and meets regularly to assess our liquidity status,
conduct stress tests and review liquidity contingency preparedness.

Our stress tests, which include elements of scenario and sensitivity analyses, measure our prospective exposure to global, country-

specific and RBC-specific events over a period of several weeks. Different levels of severity are considered for each type of crisis with some
scenarios reflecting multiple notch downgrades to our credit ratings.

The contingency liquidity risk planning process informs requirements for our earmarked contingent unencumbered liquid asset pools and

identifies contingent funding needs (e.g. draws on committed credit and liquidity lines, demands for more collateral and deposit run-off) and
sources (e.g. contingent liquid asset sales and incremental wholesale funding capacity) under various stress scenarios. As described in our
Liquidity Contingency Plan, in a particularly acute short-term crisis or if a crisis was extended over a prolonged period, actions would be taken to
supplement liquidity available from our earmarked contingency liquid asset pools by limiting cash and collateral outflows and by accessing new
sources of liquidity and funding; for example, through sales of liquid assets and securitization and, in extraordinary circumstances, sales of core
assets. As well, in light of our current credit ratings and well-developed market relationships and access, it is expected that even under extreme
but plausible scenarios, we would continue to be able to access wholesale funding markets, albeit possibly at reduced overall capacity, higher
costs and for shorter average maturities.

While we also have potential access to various normal course and emergency central bank lending facilities in Canada, the U.S. and Europe,

such facilities are not considered a source of funding in our contingency planning for scenarios identified as extreme but plausible.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

73

Our contingent liquid assets consist primarily of a diversified pool of highly rated and liquid marketable securities and include segregated
portfolios (in both Canadian and U.S. dollars) of contingency liquidity assets to address potential on- and off-balance sheet liquidity exposures
(such as deposit erosion, loan drawdowns and higher collateral demands), that have been sized through models we have developed or by the
scenario analyses and stress tests we conduct periodically. These portfolios are subject to minimum asset quality levels and, as appropriate,
other strict eligibility guidelines (e.g. maturity, diversification and eligibility for central bank advances) to maximize ready access to cash in
emergencies. In addition to our pools of unencumbered contingent liquid assets, liquid securities held for daily management of short-term
tactical cash management or other investment or trading activities, would also be available during times of crisis as sources of liquidity, either
via outright sale or to obtain secured funding and meet pledging obligations.

Risk profile
As at October 31, 2015, relationship-based deposits as internally defined, which are the primary source of funding for retail loans and
mortgages, were $422 billion or 51% of our total funding (October 31, 2014 – $394 billion or 54%). Highly liquid assets were funded primarily by
short-term wholesale funding that reflects the expected monetization period of these assets. Wholesale funding is comprised of unsecured
short-term liabilities of $110 billion and secured (repos and short sales) liabilities of $149 billion, and represented 13% and 18% of total
funding as at October 31, 2015, respectively (October 31, 2014 – $74 billion and $126 billion or 10% and 17% of total funding, respectively).
Long-term wholesale funding is mostly used to fund less liquid wholesale assets. Additional quantitative information is provided in the Funding
section below.

As at October 31, 2015, we held earmarked contingency liquidity assets of $16 billion, of which $10 billion was in U.S. currency and

$6 billion was in Canadian currency (October 31, 2014 – $12 billion of which $7 billion was in U.S. currency and $5 billion was in Canadian
currency). During the year ended October 31, 2015, we held on average $13 billion, of which $8 billion was in U.S. currency and $5 billion was in
Canadian currency (October 31, 2014 – $12 billion of which $7 billion was in U.S. currency and $5 billion was in Canadian currency). We also
held a derivatives pledging liquid asset buffer of US$4 billion as at October 31, 2015 to mitigate the volatility of our net pledging requirements
for derivatives trading (October 31, 2014 – US$4 billion). This buffer averaged US$4 billion during the year ended October 31, 2015 (October 31,
2014 – US$4 billion). These assets are included in our high-quality liquid asset (HQLA) pool, which is discussed below.

Liquidity Coverage Ratio
The Liquidity Coverage Ratio is a Basel III metric that measures the sufficiency of HQLA available to meet liquidity needs over a 30 day period in
an acute stress scenario. The BCBS regulatory minimum coverage level for LCR is currently 60%, increasing each year to 100% by January 2019.
In May 2014, OSFI released the final LAR guideline and adopted a minimum LCR requirement of 100% for Canadian banks, effective January 1,
2015.

In July 2014, OSFI released the final guideline on “Public Disclosure Requirements for Domestic Systemically Important Banks on Liquidity

Coverage Ratio (LCR)”, implementing without change the BCBS LCR Disclosure Standards. OSFI required Canadian banks to disclose the LCR
beginning in the second quarter of 2015. LCR is disclosed using the standard Basel disclosure template and is calculated using the average of
month-end positions during the quarter.

74

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Liquidity coverage ratio common disclosure template (1)

Table 60

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)

High-quality liquid assets

Total high-quality liquid assets (HQLA)

Cash outflows

Retail deposits and deposits from small business customers, of which:

(2)
Stable deposits (3)
Less stable deposits

Unsecured wholesale funding, of which:

Operational deposits (all counterparties) and deposits (4) in networks

of cooperative banks
Non-operational deposits
Unsecured debt

Secured wholesale funding
Additional requirements, of which:

Outflows related to derivative exposures and other collateral

requirements

Outflows related to loss of funding on debt products
Credit and liquidity facilities

Other contractual funding obligations (5)
Other contingent funding obligations (6)

Total cash outflows
Cash inflows

Secured lending (e.g. reverse repos)
Inflows from fully performing exposures
Other cash inflows

Total cash inflows

Total HQLA
Total net cash outflows

Liquidity coverage ratio

As at

October 31
2015

July 31
2015

Total unweighted
value (average)

Total weighted
value (average)

Total unweighted
value (average)

Total weighted
value (average)

180,831
60,399
120,432
217,592

97,255
101,632
18,705

195,694

43,709
4,893
147,092
28,056
433,181

119,274
11,709
29,309

194,785

13,856
1,813
12,043
97,305

23,342
55,258
18,705
26,709
51,288

17,747
4,893
28,648
28,056
6,224
223,438

32,982
8,013
29,309
70,304
Total adjusted
value

194,785
153,134
127%

175,522
59,784
115,738
212,854

93,469
105,075
14,310

173,249

31,333
4,828
137,088
29,652
426,680

114,680
10,138
21,018

176,928

13,368
1,794
11,574
94,770

22,417
58,043
14,310
26,428
40,123

8,433
4,828
26,862
29,652
6,325
210,666

31,963
6,824
21,018
59,805
Total adjusted
value

176,928
150,861
117%

(1)
(2)
(3)

(4)

(5)
(6)

LCR is calculated using OSFI LAR and BCBS liquidity coverage ratio requirements.
Excludes deposits with 0% cash outflow rates.
As defined by BCBS, stable deposits from retail and small business customers are deposits that are insured and are either held in transactional accounts or the bank has an established
relationship with the client making the withdrawal unlikely.
Operational deposits from non-retail and non-small and medium-sized enterprise customers are deposits which clients need to keep with the bank in order to facilitate their access and
ability to use payment and settlement systems primarily for clearing, custody and cash management activities.
Other contractual funding obligations primarily include outflows from unsettled securities trades and outflows from obligations related to securities sold short.
Other contingent funding obligations include outflows related to other off-balance sheet facilities that carry low LCR runoff factors (0% – 5%).

We manage our LCR position within a target range that reflects management’s liquidity risk tolerance and takes into account business mix, asset
composition and funding capabilities. The range is subject to periodic review in light of changes to internal requirements and external
developments.

We maintain HQLAs in major currencies with dependable market depth and breadth. Our treasury management practices ensure that the

levels of HQLA are actively managed, including contingency and cash management liquid assets, to meet our target LCR objectives. Our Level 1
assets, as calculated according to OSFI LAR and the BCBS LCR requirements, represent 78% of total HQLA. These assets consist of cash,
placements with central banks and highly rated securities issued or guaranteed by governments, central banks and supra-national entities.

LCR captures cash flows from on- and off-balance sheet activities that are either expected or could potentially occur within 30 days in an

acute stress scenario. Cash outflows result from application of withdrawal and non-renewal factors to demand and term deposits which are
differentiated by client type (wholesale, retail and small- and medium-sized enterprises). Cash outflows also arise from business activities that
create contingent funding and collateral requirements, such as repo funding, derivatives, short sales of securities and the extension of credit and
liquidity commitments to client. Cash inflows arise primarily from maturing secured loans, interbank loans and non-HQLA securities.

LCR does not reflect any market funding capacity that management believes would be available to the Bank in a stress situation. All

maturing wholesale debt is assigned 100% outflow in the LCR calculation.

Q4 2015 vs. Q3 2015
LCR of 127% increased from 117% in the prior quarter, primarily due to higher HQLA, and growth in client deposits and wholesale term funding.

Liquidity reserve and asset encumbrance
As recommended by the Enhanced Disclosure Task Force (EDTF), the following tables provide summaries of our liquidity reserve and asset
encumbrance. In both tables, unencumbered assets represent, for the most part, a ready source of funding that can be accessed quickly, when
required. For the purpose of constructing the following tables, encumbered assets include: (i) bank-owned liquid assets that are either pledged
as collateral (e.g. repo financing and derivative pledging) or not freely available due to regulatory or internal policy requirements (e.g. earmarked
to satisfy mandatory reserve or local capital adequacy requirements and to maintain continuous access to payment and settlement systems);

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

75

(ii) securities received as collateral from securities financing and derivative transactions which have either been re-hypothecated where
permissible (e.g. to obtain financing through repos or to cover securities sold short) or have no liquidity value since re-hypothecation is
prohibited; and (iii) illiquid assets that have been securitized and sold into the market or that have been pledged as collateral in support of
structured term funding vehicles. We do not include encumbered assets as a source of available liquidity in measuring liquidity risk.
Unencumbered assets are the difference between total and encumbered assets from both on- and off-balance sheet sources.

Liquidity reserve
In the liquidity reserve table, available liquid assets consist of on-balance sheet cash and securities holdings as well as securities received as
collateral from securities financing (reverse repos and off-balance sheet collateral swaps) and derivative transactions and constitute the
preferred source for quickly accessing liquidity. The other component of our liquidity reserve consists primarily of uncommitted and undrawn
central bank credit facilities that could be accessed under exceptional circumstances provided certain pre-conditions could be met and where
advances could be supported by eligible assets (e.g. certain unencumbered loans) not included in the liquid assets category.

Liquidity reserve (1)

Table 61

As at October 31, 2015

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Cash and holding at central banks
Deposits in other banks available overnight
Securities issued or guaranteed by sovereigns, central

banks or multilateral development banks (2), (3)

Other (2)

Liquidity assets eligible at central banks (not included

above) (4)

Undrawn credit lines granted by central banks (5)
Other assets eligible as collateral for discount (6)
Other liquid assets (7)
Total liquid assets

Securities received
as collateral from
securities financing
and derivative
transactions

Bank-owned
liquid assets

$

25,075 $

2,298

257,338
142,713

63
11,844
128,401
21,675

$

589,407 $

– $
–

21,216
31,751

–
–
–
–
52,967 $

Total liquid
assets
25,075 $

Encumbered
liquid assets

Unencumbered
liquid assets
23,356
2,297

1,719 $
1

2,298

278,554
174,464

63
11,844
128,401
21,675

127,702
80,349

–
–
–
21,675

642,374 $

231,446 $

150,852
94,115

63
11,844
128,401
–
410,928

As at October 31, 2014

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Cash and holding at central banks
Deposits in other banks available overnight
Securities issued or guaranteed by sovereigns, central

banks or multilateral development banks (2), (3)

Other (2)

Liquidity assets eligible at central banks (not included

above) (4)

Undrawn credit lines granted by central banks (5)
Other assets eligible as collateral for discount (6)
Other liquid assets (7)
Total liquid assets

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Royal Bank of Canada
Foreign branches
Subsidiaries

Total unencumbered liquid assets

Securities received
as collateral from
securities financing
and derivative
transactions

Bank-owned
liquid assets

$

18,656 $

3,855

204,409
112,878

62
8,372
125,627
11,887

$

485,746 $

– $
–

16,626
21,346

–
–
–
–
37,972 $

As at

October 31
2015
252,052 $

64,684
94,192

October 31
2014

221,007
47,570
78,187

410,928 $

346,764

$

$

Total liquid
assets
18,656 $

3,855

Encumbered
liquid assets

Unencumbered
liquid assets
17,602
3,522

1,054 $
333

221,035
134,224

62
8,372
125,627
11,887

104,335
59,345

–
–
–
11,887

523,718 $

176,954 $

116,700
74,879

62
8,372
125,627
–
346,764

(1)

(2)
(3)

(4)
(5)

(6)

(7)

76

Information is provided from an enterprise-wide perspective and amounts shown are based on face value. In managing liquidity risk, we consider legal, regulatory, tax and other constraints
that may impede transferability of liquidity among RBC units.
The Bank-owned liquid assets amount includes securities owned outright by the Bank or acquired via on-balance sheet securities finance transactions.
Includes liquid securities issued by provincial governments and U.S. government sponsored entities working under U.S. Federal government’s conservatorship (e.g. Federal National Mortgage
Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation).
Includes Auction Rate Securities.
Includes loans that qualify as eligible collateral for the discount window facility available to us at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Amounts are face value and would be subject to
collateral margin requirements applied by the Federal Reserve Bank to determine collateral value/borrowing capacity. Access to the discount window borrowing program is conditional on
meeting requirements set by the Federal Reserve Bank and borrowings are typically expected to be infrequent and due to uncommon occurrences requiring temporary accommodation.
Represents our unencumbered Canadian dollar non-mortgage loan book (at face value) that could, subject to satisfying conditions precedent to borrowing and application of prescribed
collateral margin requirements, be pledged to the Bank of Canada for advances under its Emergency Lending Assistance (ELA) program. ELA and other central bank facilities are not
considered sources of available liquidity in our normal liquidity risk profile but could in extraordinary circumstances, where normal market liquidity is seriously impaired, allow us and other
banks to monetize assets eligible as central bank collateral to meet requirements and mitigate further market liquidity disruption.
Represents pledges related to OTC and exchange-traded derivative transactions.

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

2015 vs. 2014
Total liquid assets increased $119 billion or 23%, reflecting growth in our balance sheet, mainly due to an increase in reverse repo style
transactions and securities lending, as well as the impact of foreign exchange translation due to the weaker Canadian dollar.

Asset encumbrance
The Asset encumbrance table provides a comprehensive view of the assets available to the Bank, not just the liquidity reserve, and identifies
assets already pledged as well as those available for use as collateral (including unencumbered assets from the Liquidity reserve table) for
secured funding purposes. Less liquid assets such as mortgages and credit card receivables can in part be monetized although require more
lead time relative to liquid assets. As at October 31, 2015, our assets available as collateral comprised 64% of our total liquid assets.

Asset encumbrance (1)

Table 62

October 31, 2015

October 31, 2014

Encumbered

Unencumbered

Encumbered

Unencumbered

As at

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

collateral Other (2)

Pledged as

Available as
collateral (3)

Other (4)

Total (5)

collateral Other (2)

Pledged as

Available as
collateral (3)

Other (4)

Total (5)

$

– $ 1,719 $ 10,733 $

1

–

22,689

–

–

22,690

90

$

12,452

$

243 $1,054 $ 15,839

$

285

$ 17,421

Cash and due from banks
Interest-bearing deposits

with banks

Securities
Trading
Available-for-sale
Assets purchased under
reverse repurchase
agreements and
securities borrowed

Loans

Retail

Mortgage securities (6)
Mortgage loans (6)
Non-mortgage loans

Wholesale

Allowance for loan losses
Segregated fund net assets
Other – Derivatives

– Others (7)

66,752
7,800

–
669

90,551
45,548

1,400
2,788

158,703
56,805

64,467
7,781

148,117

35,889
36,422
8,314
3,376
–
–
–
22,286

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

89,929

18,398

256,444

111,056

33,921
–
100,040
40,867
–
–
–
–

–
127,743
5,854
81,826
(2,029)
830
105,626
47,870

69,810
164,165
114,208
126,069
(2,029)
830
105,626
70,156

37,441
26,589
8,915
–
–
–
–
11,887

–

–
57

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

8,309

–

8,399

85,698
37,802

1,215
2,128

151,380
47,768

68,044

8,432

187,532

29,042
–
97,223
36,777
–
–
–
–

–
126,185
8,874
66,177
(1,994)
675
87,402
44,809

66,483
152,774
115,012
102,954
(1,994)
675
87,402
56,696

Total assets

$328,957 $ 2,388 $ 434,278 $390,306

$1,155,929

$268,469 $1,111 $ 378,734

$344,188

$992,502

(1)

(2)
(3)

(4)

(5)
(6)
(7)

Information is provided from an enterprise-wide perspective and amounts shown are based on face value. In managing liquidity risk, we consider legal, regulatory, tax and other constraints
that may impede transferability of liquidity among RBC units.
Includes assets restricted from use to generate secured funding due to legal or other constraints.
Includes loans that could be used to collateralize central bank advances. Our unencumbered Canadian dollar non-mortgage loan book (at face value) could, subject to satisfying conditions
precedent to borrowing and application of prescribed collateral margin requirements, be pledged to the Bank of Canada for advances under its ELA program. We also lodge loans that qualify
as eligible collateral for the discount window facility available to us at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. ELA and other central bank facilities are not considered sources of available
liquidity in our normal liquidity risk profile but could in extraordinary circumstances, where normal market liquidity is seriously disrupted, allow us and other banks to monetize assets eligible
as central bank collateral to meet requirements and mitigate market liquidity dislocations.
Other unencumbered assets are not subject to any restrictions on their use to secure funding or as collateral but would not be considered readily available since they may not be acceptable
at central banks or for other lending programs.
Includes bank-owned liquid assets and securities received as collateral from off-balance sheet securities financing and derivative transactions.
Amounts have been revised from those previously disclosed.
The Pledged as collateral amounts relate to OTC and exchange traded derivative transactions.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

77

Other sources of liquidity that could be available to mitigate stressed conditions include: (i) our unused wholesale funding capacity, which is
regularly assessed using an established methodology that is periodically reviewed and, as necessary, revised, and (ii) central bank borrowing
facilities if, in extraordinary circumstances, market sources were not sufficient to allow us to monetize our assets available as collateral to meet
our requirements (e.g. Bank of Canada, Federal Reserve Bank, Bank of England, and Bank of France).

Risk control

The Board of Directors annually approves the delegation of liquidity risk authorities to senior management. The Risk Committee of the Board
annually approves the LRMF and the Pledging Policy and is responsible for their oversight. The Board of Directors, the Risk Committee, GRC
and ALCO review, on a regular basis, reporting on our enterprise-wide liquidity position and status. The GRC, the Policy Review Committee
(PRC) and/or ALCO also review liquidity documents prepared for the Board of Directors or its committees.

The PRC under GRM annually approves the Liquidity Risk Policy (LRP), which establishes minimum risk control elements in accordance

with the Board-approved risk appetite and LRMF.

The ALCO annually approves the Liquidity Contingency Plan and provides strategic direction and oversight to Corporate Treasury, other

functions, and business segments on the management of liquidity.

The LRMF and LRP are supported by operational, desk and product-level policies that implement risk control elements, such as

parameters, methodologies, management limits and authorities that govern the measurement and management of liquidity. Stress testing is
also employed to assess the robustness of the control framework and inform liquidity contingency plans.

Funding

Funding strategy
Core funding, comprising capital, longer-term wholesale liabilities and a diversified pool of personal and, to a lesser extent, commercial and
institutional deposits, is the foundation of our structural liquidity position.

Deposit profile
During 2015, we continued to focus on building our core deposit base. Our relationship-based deposits, including our personal deposit franchise
and our commercial and institutional client groups, maintain balances with relatively low volatility profiles and constitute our principal source of
reliable funding. Reflecting deposit insurance and at times, exclusive relationships with us, these balances represent a highly stable source of
core deposits in most circumstances as they are typically less reactive to market developments than those from transactional lenders and
investors. Core deposits consist of our own statistically derived liquidity adjusted estimates of the highly stable portions of our relationship-
based balances (demand, notice and fixed-term) together with wholesale funds maturing beyond one year and as at October 31, 2015
represented 64% of our total deposits (2014 – 69%). Over the past year, core deposit balances grew by approximately $28 billion or 7%. This
increase was mainly attributable to growth in relationship-based personal and business and commercial deposits of $21 billion, of which
$9 billion is due to changes in foreign exchange rates, and to a lesser degree by issuance of longer-term wholesale funding. For further details on
the gross dollar amounts of our relationship-based deposits and our wholesale funding maturity schedule, refer to the Risk profile section and
the following Composition of wholesale funding table, respectively.

Long-term debt issuance
During 2015, we continued to experience more favourable unsecured wholesale funding access and pricing compared to many of our global
peers. As demonstrated in the following table, we also continued to expand our unsecured long-term funding base by selectively issuing, either
directly or through our subsidiaries, $29 billion of term funding in various currencies and markets. Total unsecured long-term funding
outstanding increased by $20 billion.

We primarily use residential mortgage and credit card securitization programs as alternative sources of funding and for liquidity and asset/
liability management purposes. Our total secured long-term funding includes outstanding mortgage-backed securities (MBS) sold, covered
bonds that are collateralized with residential mortgages, and securities backed by credit card and auto receivables.

Compared to 2014, our outstanding MBS sold decreased $642 million. Our covered bonds and securitized credit card receivables increased
$10.7 billion and $556 million, respectively, while auto receivables decreased $408 million. Notes backed by auto receivables were fully repaid
as at October 31, 2015.

For further details, refer to the Off-balance sheet arrangements section.

Long-term funding sources*

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Unsecured long-term funding
Secured long-term funding
Commercial mortgage-backed securities sold
Subordinated debentures

Table 63

As at

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

$

$

102,081
68,228
1,080
7,227

82,033
57,996
1,330
7,832

$

178,616

$

149,191

*

This table represents an integral part of our 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

78

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Our wholesale funding activities are well-diversified by geography, investor segment, instrument, currency, structure and maturity. We maintain
an ongoing presence in different funding markets, which allows us to continuously monitor market developments and trends, identify
opportunities and risks, and take appropriate and timely actions. We operate longer-term debt issuance registered programs. The following table
summarizes these programs with their authorized limits by geography.

Programs by geography

Table 64

Canada

U.S.

Europe/Asia

• Canadian Shelf – $15 billion

• SEC Registered Medium Term Note

• European Debt Issuance Program–

Program – US$40 billion

US$40 billion

• SEC Registered Covered Bond Program –

• Global Covered Bond Program–

US$15 billion (1)

€32 billion

• Japanese Issuance Programs –

¥1 trillion

(1)

Subject to the €32 billion Global Covered Bond Program limit.

We also raise long-term funding using Canadian Deposit Notes, Canadian NHA MBS, Canada Mortgage Bonds, credit card receivable-backed
securities, Kangaroo Bonds (issued in the Australian domestic market by foreign firms) and Yankee Certificates of Deposit (issued in the U.S.
domestic market by foreign firms). We continuously evaluate expansion into new markets and untapped investor segments against relative
issuance costs since diversification expands our wholesale funding flexibility and minimizes funding concentration and dependency, and
generally reduces financing costs. As presented in the following charts, our current long-term debt profile is well diversified by currency as well
as by type of long-term funding products. Maintaining competitive credit ratings is also critical to cost-effective funding.

Long-term debt(1) – funding mix by currency of issuance

Long-term debt(1) – funding mix by product

Other
8%

Euro
10%

Canadian dollar
36%

October 31, 2015
$156 B

U.S. dollar
46%

Cards securitization
6%

Unsecured
funding
56%

October 31, 2015
$156 B

Covered bonds
23%

MBS/CMB(2)
15%   

(1)

Based on original term to maturity greater than 1 year.

(1)
(2)

Based on original term to maturity greater than 1 year.
Mortgage-backed securities and Canada Mortgage Bonds.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

79

The following table provides our composition of wholesale funding based on remaining term to maturity and represents our enhanced disclosure
in response to EDTF recommendations.

Composition of wholesale funding (1)

Table 65

As at October 31, 2015

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Deposits from banks (2)
Certificates of deposit and commercial paper
Asset-backed commercial paper (3)
Senior unsecured medium-term notes (4)
Senior unsecured structured notes (5)
Mortgage securitization
Covered bonds/asset-backed securities (6)
Subordinated liabilities
Other (7)

Total

Of which:
– Secured
– Unsecured

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Deposits from banks (2)
Certificates of deposit and commercial paper
Asset-backed commercial paper (3)
Senior unsecured medium-term notes (4)
Senior unsecured structured notes (5)
Mortgage securitization
Covered bonds/asset-backed securities (6)
Subordinated liabilities
Other (7)

Total

Of which:
– Secured
– Unsecured

Less than 1
month

1 to 3
months

3 to 6
months

5,107 $
9,355
883
944
151
41
–
1,500
4,126

62 $

13 $

9,648
2,317
6,403
535
1,088
1,490
–
3,283

18,591
6,989
4,165
376
673
509
–
252

6 to 12
months

30
10,071
1,572
11,348
577
2,139
4,799
–
1,318

Less than
1 year
sub-total

1 year to
2 years

2 years
and
greater

$ 5,212 $
47,665
11,761
22,860
1,639
3,941
6,798
1,500
8,979

– $

– $

451
–
17,670
679
2,656
5,999
108
12

207
–
42,520
6,070
16,049
28,707
5,619
4,408

Total

5,212
48,323
11,761
83,050
8,388
22,646
41,504
7,227
13,399

22,107 $ 24,826 $ 31,568 $ 31,854

$110,355 $ 27,575 $103,580 $ 241,510

4,952 $ 7,035 $ 8,171 $ 8,510
23,344

17,791

23,397

17,155

$ 28,668 $ 8,655 $ 44,756 $ 82,079
159,431

18,920

81,687

58,824

As at October 31, 2014

Less than 1
month

1 to 3
months

3 to 6
months

3,034 $
859
518
592
336
58
761
200
3,203

277 $

11 $

4,411
1,320
4,573
578
699
22
–
51

10,880
1,835
3,341
458
950
2,391
–
596

6 to 12
months

19
12,873
4,114
3,970
1,058
1,435
2,635
1,500
1,111

Less than
1 year
sub-total

1 year to
2 years

$ 3,341 $
29,023
7,787
12,476
2,430
3,142
5,809
1,700
4,961

– $

2,746
–
16,809
597
3,751
6,934
1,500
42

2 years
and
greater

– $
–
–
38,254
4,729
16,395
20,246
4,632
3,963

Total

3,341
31,769
7,787
67,539
7,756
23,288
32,989
7,832
8,966

9,561 $ 11,931 $ 20,462 $ 28,715

$ 70,669 $ 32,379 $ 88,219 $ 191,267

4,455 $ 2,041 $ 5,176 $ 8,184
20,531
5,106

15,286

9,890

$ 19,856 $ 10,685 $ 36,641 $ 67,182
124,085

21,694

51,578

50,813

$

$

$

$

$

$

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)

Excludes bankers’ acceptances.
Only includes deposits raised by treasury. Excludes deposits associated with services we provide to these banks (e.g. custody, cash management).
Only includes consolidated liabilities, including our collateralized commercial paper program.
Includes deposit notes.
Includes notes where the payout is tied to movements in foreign exchange, commodities and equities.
Includes credit card, auto and mortgage loans.
Includes tender option bonds (secured) of $6,088 million (October 31, 2014 – $3,118 million), bearer deposit notes (unsecured) of $3,186 million (October 31, 2014 – $2,215 million) and
other long-term structured deposits (unsecured) of $4,125 million (October 31, 2014 – $3,633 million).

2015 vs. 2014
Wholesale funding increased $50.2 billion or 26%. During the year, we issued certificates of deposit and commercial paper, unsecured medium-
term notes, and covered bonds in various currencies and markets. The impact of foreign exchange translation as a result of the weaker Canadian
dollar also contributed to the increase in wholesale funding.

80

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Contractual maturities of financial assets, financial liabilities and off-balance sheet items
The following tables provide remaining contractual maturity profiles of all our assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet items at their carrying
value (e.g. amortized cost or fair value) at the balance sheet date and have been enhanced in response to EDTF recommendations. Off-balance
sheet items are allocated based on the expiry date of the contract.

Details of contractual maturities and commitments to extend funds are a source of information for the management of liquidity risk. Among

other purposes, these details form a basis for modelling a behavioural balance sheet with effective maturities to calculate liquidity risk
measures. For further details, refer to the Risk measurement section.

Contractual maturities of financial assets, financial liabilities and off-balance sheet items

Table 66

Less than
1 month

1 to 3
months

3 to 6
months

6 to 9
months

9 to 12
months

1 year
to 2 years

2 years
to 5 years

5 years
and greater

With no
specific
maturity

Total

As at October 31, 2015

$ 31,355 $

56 $

17 $

530 $

– $

– $

– $

– $

3,184 $

35,142

103,718
2,947

21
3,682

26
1,345

77
3,259

51
988

188
4,778

552
20,154

5,580
17,802

48,490
1,850

158,703
56,805

82,017

30,851

27,871

16,570

7,320

2,601

–

–

7,493

174,723

15,020

11,828

23,196

22,295

18,234

89,179

184,249

22,833

85,389

472,223

10,343
7,492
29,187

3,032
8,129
624

71
3,747
711

–
3,074
169

–
2,479
33

6
10,639
83

1
25,244
26

–
44,811
525

–
11
966

13,453
105,626
32,324

$ 282,079 $ 58,223 $ 56,984 $ 45,974 $ 29,105 $107,474 $ 230,226 $
374

1,573

1,506

1,792

866

526

60

91,551 $ 147,383 $ 1,048,999
25,209
16,087

2,425

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Assets
Cash and deposits with

banks
Securities

Trading (1)
Available-for-sale
Assets purchased under
reverse repurchase
agreements and
securities borrowed

Loans (net of allowance for

loan losses)

Other

Customers’ liability under

acceptances

Derivatives
Other financial assets

Total financial assets
Other non-financial assets

Total assets

$ 283,871 $ 59,729 $ 57,510 $ 46,348 $ 29,165 $108,340 $ 231,799 $

93,976 $ 163,470 $ 1,074,208

Liabilities and equity
Deposits (2)

Unsecured borrowing
Secured borrowing
Covered bonds

Other

Acceptances
Obligations related to
securities sold short
Obligations related to
assets sold under
repurchase
agreements and
securities loaned

Derivatives
Other financial liabilities

Subordinated debentures

Total financial liabilities
Other non-financial

liabilities

Equity

$ 40,992 $ 29,994 $ 41,298 $ 20,175 $ 27,220 $ 30,697 $ 53,403 $
7,567
2,293

19,318
24,064

8,602
–

9,708
3,269

4,818
1,961

2,676
1,165

970
–

14,479 $ 338,378 $ 596,636
63,395
37,196

9,736
4,444

–
–

10,343

3,032

47,658

–

71

–

–

–

–

–

6

–

1

–

–

–

–

–

13,453

47,658

66,099
5,376
23,210
–

7,580
8,481
1,236
–

1,419
4,146
391
–

422
4,205
120
–

800
3,884
198
–

780
12,240
72
–

10
28,140
239
–

–
41,383
4,188
7,362

6,178
5
349
–

83,288
107,860
30,003
7,362

$ 194,648 $ 57,102 $ 55,927 $ 34,782 $ 35,943 $ 56,772 $ 125,175 $

81,592 $ 344,910 $ 986,851

990
–

3,291
–

170
–

142
–

169
–

894
–

2,564
–

8,522
–

6,671
63,944

23,413
63,944

Total liabilities and equity $ 195,638 $ 60,393 $ 56,097 $ 34,924 $ 36,112 $ 57,666 $ 127,739 $

90,114 $ 415,525 $ 1,074,208

Off-balance sheet items
Financial guarantees
Lease commitments
Commitments to extend

credit

Other credit-related
commitments
Other commitments

Total off-balance sheet

$

828 $ 2,798 $ 1,348 $ 2,115 $ 1,552 $ 2,861 $

62

123

180

175

177

602

5,813 $
1,293

147 $

1,808

32 $
–

17,494
4,420

3,801

6,005

9,854

10,976

8,281

32,971

127,747

14,127

3,113

216,875

623
353

828
–

1,172
–

1,169
–

1,014
–

343
–

834
–

272
–

74,247
–

80,502
353

items

$

5,667 $ 9,754 $ 12,554 $ 14,435 $ 11,024 $ 36,777 $ 135,687 $

16,354 $ 77,392 $ 319,644

(1)

(2)

Trading debt securities classified as fair value through profit or loss have been included in the less than 1 month category as there is no expectation to hold these assets to their contractual
maturity.
A major portion of relationship-based deposits are repayable on demand or at short notice on a contractual basis while, in practice, these customer balances form a core base, as explained
in the preceding Deposit profile section, for our operations and liquidity needs.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

81

Less than
1 month

1 to 3
months

3 to 6
months

6 to 9
months

9 to 12
months

1 year
to 2 years

2 years
to 5 years

5 years
and greater

With no
specific
maturity

Total

As at October 31, 2014

$ 22,871

$

218 $

– $

– $

– $

– $

– $

– $

2,731 $ 25,820

94,025
4,450

13
3,739

65
2,528

55
433

48
1,113

229
3,417

558
18,307

5,236
11,959

51,151
1,822

151,380
47,768

54,860

24,728

28,241

8,261

10,361

2,142

–

–

6,987

135,580

15,445

10,483

15,242

16,794

18,975

99,098

156,873

17,767

84,552

435,229

8,812
4,145
18,729

2,498
7,275
672

88
3,483
585

49
2,673
169

9
1,909
106

–
8,507
245

6
21,331
281

–
38,071
828

–
8
828

11,462
87,402
22,443

$ 223,337

$ 49,626

$ 50,232

$ 28,434

$ 32,521

$ 113,638

$ 197,356

$ 73,861

$ 148,079

$ 917,084

1,847

779

679

409

52

589

1,637

2,302

15,172

23,466

$ 225,184

$ 50,405

$ 50,911

$ 28,843

$ 32,573

$ 114,227

$ 198,993

$ 76,163

$ 163,251

$ 940,550

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Assets
Cash and deposits with

banks
Securities

Trading (1)
Available-for-sale
Assets purchased under
reverse repurchase
agreements and
securities borrowed
Loans (net of allowance
for loan losses) (2)

Other

Customers’ liability

under acceptances

Derivatives
Other financial assets

Total financial assets
Other non-financial

assets

Total assets

Liabilities and equity
Deposits (3)

Unsecured borrowing $ 31,190
561
Secured borrowing
748
Covered bonds

$ 22,626
2,715
–

$ 27,372
2,950
2,558

$ 18,602
5,331
–

$ 21,581
4,786
–

$ 39,693
9,753
4,908

$ 49,523
21,099
14,556

$

9,727 $ 310,045
–
–

10,135
3,641

$ 530,359
57,330
26,411

Other

Acceptances
Obligations related to
securities sold short
Obligations related to
assets sold under
repurchase
agreements and
securities loaned

Derivatives
Other financial
liabilities

Subordinated debentures

8,812

2,498

50,345

–

88

–

49

–

9

–

–

–

6

–

–

–

–

–

11,462

50,345

58,208
3,745

18,094
200

1,252
6,997

1,121
–

1,306
3,845

492
–

1,051
3,351

170
–

574
2,042

298
–

–
10,345

–
22,295

309
–

530
–

–
36,359

4,033
7,659

1,940
3

357
–

64,331
88,982

25,404
7,859

Total financial liabilities $ 171,903
Other non-financial

$ 37,209

$ 38,611

$ 28,554

$ 29,290

$ 65,008

$ 108,009

$ 71,554

$ 312,345

$ 862,483

liabilities

Equity

Total liabilities and

equity

1,454
–

2,970
–

674
–

57
–

78
–

917
–

2,456
–

7,956
–

7,002
54,503

23,564
54,503

$ 173,357

$ 40,179

$ 39,285

$ 28,611

$ 29,368

$ 65,925

$ 110,465

$ 79,510

$ 373,850

$ 940,550

Off-balance sheet items
Financial guarantees (2) $
Lease commitments
Commitments to extend

credit

Other credit-related
commitments
Other commitments

Total off-balance sheet

705 $ 2,638 $ 2,590 $ 2,064 $ 2,151 $

58

114

167

165

161

1,345 $
634

5,410 $
1,220

244 $

1,291

61 $ 17,208
3,810

–

1,670

6,345

7,336

6,779

8,562

19,942

107,868

11,708

2,306

172,516

503
246

782
450

966
413

1,232
–

1,183
–

315
–

996
–

242
–

62,325
–

68,544
1,109

items

$

3,182 $ 10,329

$ 11,472

$ 10,240

$ 12,057

$ 22,236

$ 115,494

$ 13,485

$ 64,692

$ 263,187

(1)

(2)
(3)

Trading debt securities classified as fair value through profit or loss have been included in the less than 1 month category as there is no expectation to hold these assets to their contractual
maturity.
Amounts have been revised from those previously presented.
A major portion of relationship-based deposits are repayable on demand or at short notice on a contractual basis while, in practice, these customer balances form a core base, as explained
in the preceding Deposit profile section, for our operations and liquidity needs.

Contractual maturities of financial liabilities and off-balance sheet items – undiscounted basis
The following tables provide remaining contractual maturity analysis of our financial liabilities and off-balance sheet items. The amounts
disclosed in the following table are the contractual undiscounted cash flows of all financial liabilities (e.g. par value or amount payable upon
maturity). The amounts do not reconcile directly with those in our consolidated balance sheets as the table only incorporates cash flows
relating to payments on maturity of the instrument and do not recognize premiums, discounts or mark-to-market adjustments recognized in
the instruments’ carrying value as at the balance sheet date. Financial liabilities are based upon the earliest period in which they are required
to be paid. For off-balance sheet items, the undiscounted cash flows potentially payable under financial guarantees and commitments to
extend credit are classified on the basis of the earliest date they can be called.

82

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Contractual maturities of financial liabilities and off-balance sheet items – undiscounted basis *

Table 67

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Financial liabilities
Deposits (1)
Other

Acceptances
Obligations related to securities sold short
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase

agreements and securities loaned

Other liabilities

Subordinated debentures

Off-balance sheet items
Financial guarantees (2)
Operating leases
Commitments to extend credit (2)

Total financial liabilities and off-balance sheet items

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Financial liabilities
Deposits (1)
Other

Acceptances
Obligations related to securities sold short
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase

agreements and securities loaned

Other liabilities

Subordinated debentures

Off-balance sheet items
Financial guarantees (2)
Operating leases
Commitments to extend credit (2)

As at October 31, 2015

On
demand

Within
1 year

1 year
to 2 years

2 years
to 5 years

5 years
and greater

Total

$ 311,743

$ 216,876

$ 43,631

$ 96,104

$ 28,539

$

696,893

–
–

6,179
334
–
318,256

13,446
47,658

76,320
25,174
–
379,474

6
–

780
72
–
44,489

1
–

10
237
–
96,352

–
–

–
4,139
7,227
39,905

13,453
47,658

83,289
29,956
7,227
878,476

7,079
–
172,927
180,006
$ 498,262

10,399
717
43,929
55,045
$ 434,519

11
602
4
617
$ 45,106

4
1,293
2
1,299
$ 97,651

1
1,808
13
1,822
$ 41,727

17,494
4,420
216,875
238,789
$ 1,117,265

As at October 31, 2014

On
demand

Within
1 year

1 year
to 2 years

2 years
to 5 years

5 years
and greater

Total

$ 289,204

$ 161,953

$ 54,385

$ 84,609

$ 22,967

$

613,118

–
–

1,941
358
–

11,456
50,345

62,391
20,174
200

–
–

–
309
–

6
–

–
530
–

–
–

–
4,013
7,632

11,462
50,345

64,332
25,384
7,832

291,503

306,519

54,694

85,145

34,612

772,473

5,883
–
137,696

143,579

11,206
665
34,819

46,690

111
634
1

746

7
1,220
–

1,227

1
1,291
–

1,292

17,208
3,810
172,516

193,534

Total financial liabilities and off-balance sheet items

$ 435,082

$ 353,209

$ 55,440

$ 86,372

$ 35,904

$

966,007

*
(1)

(2)

This table represents an integral part of our 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.
A major portion of relationship-based deposits are repayable on demand or at short notice on a contractual basis while, in practice, these customer balances form a core base, as explained
in the preceding Deposit profile section, for our operations and liquidity needs.
We believe that it is highly unlikely that all or substantially all of these guarantees and commitments will be drawn or settled within one year, and contracts may expire without being drawn or
settled. The management of the liquidity risk associated with potential extensions of funds is outlined in the preceding Risk measurement section.

Credit ratings
Our ability to access unsecured funding markets and to engage in certain collateralized business activities on a cost-effective basis are primarily
dependent upon maintaining competitive credit ratings. Credit ratings and outlooks provided by rating agencies reflect their views and are based
on their methodologies. Ratings are subject to change from time to time, based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, our financial
strength, competitive position and liquidity and other factors not completely within our control.

On January 23, 2015, Fitch Ratings affirmed our ratings with a stable outlook along with the ratings of the other five largest Canadian banks.
On May 20, 2015, Dominion Bond Rating Services (DBRS) revised the outlook on our senior and subordinated debt ratings from stable to

negative, along with the outlook of the other five largest Canadian banks. The outlook revision is linked to DBRS’ view that expected changes in
Canadian legislation and regulation imply that the potential for timely systemic support for D-SIBs is declining.

On July 16, 2015, DBRS affirmed our ratings with a negative outlook along with the ratings of the other five largest Canadian banks.
On October 9, 2015, Standard & Poor’s affirmed our ratings with a negative outlook.
On November 3, 2015, Moody’s affirmed our ratings with a negative outlook along with the ratings of the other five largest Canadian banks.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

83

The following table presents our major credit ratings(1) and outlooks as at December 1, 2015:

Credit ratings

Table 68

As at December 1, 2015

Short-term debt

Senior long-term debt

Outlook

Moody’s
Standard & Poor’s
Fitch Ratings
Dominion Bond Rating Services

P-1
A-1+
F1+
R-1(high)

Aa3
AA-
AA
AA

negative
negative
stable
negative

(1)

Credit ratings are not recommendations to purchase, sell or hold a financial obligation inasmuch as they do not
comment on market price or suitability for a particular investor. Ratings are determined by the rating agencies based
on criteria established from time to time by them, and are subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the rating
organization.

Additional contractual obligations for rating downgrades
A lowering of our credit rating may have potentially adverse consequences for our funding capacity or access to the capital markets, may also
affect our ability, and the cost, to enter into normal course derivative or hedging transactions and may require us to post additional collateral
under certain contracts. However, we estimate, based on periodic reviews of ratings triggers embedded in our existing businesses and of our
funding capacity sensitivity, that a minor downgrade would not significantly influence our liability composition, funding access, collateral usage
and associated costs. The following table presents the additional collateral obligations required at the reporting date in the event of a one-, two-
or three-notch downgrade to our credit ratings. These additional collateral obligations are incremental requirements for each successive
downgrade and do not represent the cumulative impact of multiple downgrades. The amounts reported change periodically as a result of several
factors, including the transfer of trading activity to centrally cleared financial market infrastructures and exchanges, the expiration of transactions
with downgrade triggers, the imposition of internal limitations on new agreements to exclude downgrade triggers, as well as normal course mark
to market of positions with collateralized counterparties moving from a negative to a positive position. There is no outstanding senior debt
issued in the market that contains rating triggers which would lead to early prepayment of principal.

Additional contractual obligations for rating downgrades

Table 69

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Contractual derivatives funding or margin

requirements

Other contractual funding or margin requirements (1)

As at

October 31 2015

October 31 2014

One-notch
downgrade

Two-notch
downgrade

Three-notch
downgrade

One-notch
downgrade

Two-notch
downgrade

Three-notch
downgrade

$

$

760
421

$

132
88

$

972
–

$

518
396

$

143
62

790
–

(1)

Includes GICs issued by our municipal markets business out of New York and London.

Insurance risk

Insurance risk refers to the potential financial loss that may arise where the amount, timing and/or frequency of benefit payments under
insurance and reinsurance contracts are different than expected. Insurance risk is distinct from those risks covered by other parts of our risk
management framework (e.g. credit, market and operational risk) where those risks are ancillary to, or accompany the risk transfer.

We have implemented an Insurance Risk Framework that provides an overview of our processes and tools for identifying, assessing,
managing and reporting on the insurance risks that face the organization. Key insurance-specific processes and tools include: risk appetite,
delegated authorities and risk limits, capital management, Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (ORSA), Comprehensive Identification and
Assessment of Risk (CIAR) process, stress testing, insurance product and project risk review and approval, insurance product pricing,
reinsurance, insurance underwriting, insurance claims management, experience study analysis, actuarial liabilities, and embedded value.

Operational risk

Operational risk is the risk of loss or harm resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems or from external events.
Operational risk is embedded in all our activities, including the practices and controls used to manage other risks. Failure to manage
operational risk can result in direct or indirect financial loss, reputational impact, regulatory censure, or failure in the management of other risks
such as credit or market risk.

Three Lines of Defence
Operational risk follows our established Three Lines of Defence governance model. This model encompasses the organizational roles and
responsibilities for a co-ordinated enterprise-wide approach for the management of operational risk. For further details, refer to the Risk
management – Enterprise risk management section.

Operational Risk Framework
We have put in place an Operational Risk Framework which is founded on the principles of our Enterprise Risk Management Framework and sets
out the processes to identify, assess and monitor operational risk. The processes are established through the following core programs:
•

Internal events – Internal events are specific instances where operational risk leads to or could have led to an unintended, identifiable
impact. The internal events program provides a structured and consistent approach for collecting and analyzing internal event data to
facilitate the analysis of the operational risk events affecting RBC.
External events – External events are operational risk events that affect institutions other than RBC. External event monitoring and analysis
is critical to gain awareness of operational risk experience within the industry and to identify emerging industry trends.

•

84

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

•

•

•

Business Environment and Internal Control Factors (BEICF) Assessments – BEICF Assessments are conducted to improve business decision-
making by gaining awareness of the key risks and the strengths and vulnerabilities of internal controls. Key BEICF Assessment processes
include: Risk and Control Assessments conducted at both enterprise and business levels; and Change Initiatives and New/Amended
Product Assessments conducted to ensure understanding of the risk and reward trade-off for business initiatives (e.g. new products,
acquisitions, changes in business processes, implementation of new technology, etc.).
Scenario analysis – Scenario analysis is a structured and disciplined process for making reasonable assessments of infrequent, yet
plausible, severe operational risk events. Understanding how vulnerable RBC is to such “tail risks” identifies mitigating actions and informs
the determination of related operational risk thresholds as part of the articulation of operational risk appetite.
BEICF monitoring – BEICF monitoring is conducted on an ongoing basis through Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) and other assurance/monitoring
programs (e.g. Business Unit monitoring, Second line of Defence monitoring, audit results, etc.).

Conclusions from the operational risk programs enable learning based on “what has happened to us, could it happen again elsewhere in RBC
and what controls do we need to amend or implement”, support the articulation of operational risk appetite and are used to inform the overall
level of exposure to operational risk, which defines our operational risk profile. The profile includes significant operational risk exposures,
potential new and emerging exposures and trends, and overall conclusions on the control environment and risk outlook. We proactively identify
and investigate corporate insurance opportunities to mitigate and reduce potential future impacts of operational risk.

We consider risk/reward decisions in striking the balance between accepting potential losses versus incurring costs of mitigation, the
expression of which is in the form of our operational risk appetite. Our operational risk appetite is established at the board level and cascaded
throughout each of our business segments.

Management reports have been implemented at various levels of RBC in order to support proactive management of operational risk and
transparency of risk exposures. Reports are provided on a regular basis and provide detail on the main drivers of the risk status and trend for
each of our business segments and RBC overall. In addition, changes to the operational risk profile that are not aligned to our business strategy
or operational risk appetite are identified and discussed.

Our operations expose us to many different risks, which may adversely affect our businesses and financial results. The following list is not
exhaustive, as other factors could also adversely affect our results.

Ability to attract and to retain employees
Competition for qualified employees is intense within the financial services industry and from non-financial industries looking to recruit.
Although our goal is to attract and retain qualified employees, there is no assurance that we will be able to do so.

Accuracy and completeness of information on clients and counterparties
When deciding to extend credit or enter into other transactions with clients and counterparties, we may rely on information provided by or on
behalf of clients and counterparties, including audited financial statements and other financial information. We may also rely on representations
of clients and counterparties as to the completeness and accuracy of that information. Our financial results could be adversely impacted if the
financial statements and other financial information relating to clients and counterparties on whom we rely do not comply with GAAP or are
materially misleading.

Development and integration of our distribution networks
We regularly explore opportunities to expand our distribution networks, either through acquisitions or organically by adding, for example, new
bank branches, insurance offices, online savings accounts and ATMs in high-growth, receptive markets. However, if we are not able to develop or
integrate these distribution networks effectively, our results of operations and financial condition may be negatively affected.

Model risk
The use of models plays an important role in many of our business activities. We use a variety of models for many purposes, including the
valuation of financial products, risk measurement and management of different types of risk. Model risk is the risk of error in the design,
development, implementation or subsequent use of models. We have established an enterprise-wide Model Risk Management Framework,
including principles, policies and procedures, roles and responsibilities to manage model risk. One of the key factors in the framework to
mitigate model risk is independent validation.

Information technology risk
We use information technology for business operations and the enablement of strategic business goals and objectives. Information technology
risk is the risk to our business associated with the use, ownership, operation, involvement, influence and adoption of information technology
within the enterprise. It consists of information technology related events (e.g. cybersecurity incidents) that could potentially have an adverse
impact on our business. Such events could result in business interruption, service disruptions, theft of intellectual property and confidential
information, additional regulatory scrutiny, litigation and reputational damage. To manage our information technology risk, we have established
an enterprise-wide Information Technology Risk Management Framework.

Information management risk
Information management risk is the risk of loss or harm resulting from the failure to manage information appropriately throughout its lifecycle.
Exposure to this risk exists when information is acquired or created, processed, used, shared, accessed, retained or disposed. With respect to
personal information, the failure to manage information appropriately can result in the misuse of personal information or privacy breaches. With
respect to client information, the inability to process information accurately and on a timely basis can result in service disruptions. With respect
to corporate and proprietary information, the mismanagement of information can result in the disclosure of confidential information, the
unavailability of information when it is required and the reliance on inaccurate information for decision-making purposes. Such events could
lead to legal and regulatory consequences, reputational damage and financial loss.

Processing and execution risk
Processing and execution risk is the risk of failure to effectively design, implement and execute a process. Exposure to this risk is global, existing
in every RBC location and operation, and in every RBC employee’s actions. Examples of processing and execution events range from selecting the
wrong interest rates, duplicating wire payment instructions, transposing figures, processing a foreign exchange transaction incorrectly,
underinsuring a property and incorrectly investing funds. The potential impacts of such events include financial loss, legal and regulatory
consequences and reputational damage. When identified, these situations are assessed, analyzed and mitigating actions are undertaken.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

85

Social media risk
The scale and profile of social media has grown to present a number of risks. These risks include brand and reputational damage, information
leaks, non-compliance with regulatory requirements and governance risk. To manage the risks associated with social media, we have
implemented an enterprise-wide policy as well as business unit policies on the usage of external social media, which sets out the requirements
for the business and corporate use of social media and is part of our larger Social Media Governance Framework.

Third party and outsourcing risk
Failing to effectively manage our service providers may expose RBC to service disruptions, regulatory action, financial loss, litigation or
reputational damage. Third party and outsourcing risk has received increased oversight from regulators and attention from the media. We
formalized and standardized our expectations of our suppliers with a principles-based Supplier Code of Conduct to ensure their behaviour aligns
with our standards in the following key areas: business integrity, responsible business practices, responsible treatment of individuals, and the
environment.

Operational risk capital
We currently use the Standardized Approach to calculate operational risk capital requirements and the allocation of capital amongst our
business units. We are in the process of attaining accreditation towards the Basel II Advanced Measurement Approach (AMA) as the approved
regulatory capital methodology. We have submitted our full AMA Application to the OSFI and, until approval is received, we are performing
parallel runs of the capital model. Output from capital modeling will provide further transparency around the materiality of key risks by
quantifying the expected losses and unexpected losses.

Operational risk loss events
During 2015, we did not experience any material operational risk loss event. For further details on our contingencies, including litigation, refer to
Notes 26 and 27 of our 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Regulatory compliance risk

Regulatory compliance risk is the risk of potential non-conformance with laws, rules, regulations and prescribed practices in any jurisdiction in
which we operate. Issues regarding compliance with laws and regulations can arise in a number of areas in a large complex financial institution
such as RBC, and are often the result of inadequate or failed internal processes, people or systems.

Laws and regulations are in place to protect the financial and other interests of our clients, investors and the public. As a large-scale global

financial institution, we are subject to numerous laws and to extensive and evolving regulation by governmental agencies, supervisory
authorities and self-regulatory organizations in Canada, the U.S., Europe and other jurisdictions in which we operate. In recent years, such
regulation has become increasingly extensive and complex. In addition, the enforcement of regulatory matters has intensified. Recent resolution
of such matters involving other global financial institutions have involved the payment of substantial penalties, agreements with respect to
future operation of their business, actions with respect to relevant personnel and guilty pleas with respect to criminal charges.

Operating in this increasingly complex regulatory environment and intense regulatory enforcement environment, we are and have been

subject to a variety of legal proceedings, including civil claims and lawsuits, criminal charges, regulatory examinations, investigations, audits
and requests for information by various governmental regulatory agencies and law enforcement authorities in various jurisdictions, and we
anticipate that our ongoing business activities will give rise to such matters in the future. Changes to laws, including tax laws, regulations or
regulatory policies, as well as the changes in how they are interpreted, implemented or enforced, could adversely affect us, for example, by
lowering barriers to entry in the businesses in which we operate, increasing our costs of compliance or limiting our activities and ability to
execute our strategic plans. Further, there is no assurance that we always will be or will be deemed to be in compliance with laws, regulations or
regulatory policies. Accordingly, it is possible that we could receive a judicial or regulatory judgment or decision that results in fines, damages,
penalties, and other costs or injunctions, criminal convictions or loss of licences or registrations that would damage our reputation and
negatively impact our earnings. In addition, we are subject to litigation arising in the ordinary course of our business and the adverse resolution
of any litigation could have a significant adverse effect on our results or could give rise to significant reputational damage, which in turn could
impact our future business prospects.

Global compliance has developed a Regulatory Compliance Management Framework consistent with regulatory expectations from OSFI and

other regulators. The framework is designed to manage and mitigate the regulatory compliance risks associated with failing to comply with, or
adapt to, current and changing laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate.

Regulatory compliance risk has been further defined as risks associated with financial crime (which includes, but is not limited to, money

laundering, bribery and sanctions), privacy, market conduct, consumer protection, business conduct and prudential requirements. Specific
compliance policies, procedures and supporting frameworks have been developed to support the minimum requirements for the prudent
management of regulatory compliance risk. Within the framework there are five elements that form a cycle by which all regulatory compliance
risk management programs are developed, implemented and maintained.
•
•

The first element is intended to ensure our regulatory compliance programs evolve alongside our business activities and operations.
The second element is intended to ensure regulatory compliance risks are identified and assessed appropriately so regulatory compliance
programs are designed in a manner to most effectively meet regulatory requirements.
The third element relates to the design and implementation of specific controls.
The fourth element is intended to ensure appropriate monitoring and oversight of the effectiveness of the controls.
Lastly, the fifth element is intended to ensure the timely escalation and resolution of issues, and clear and transparent reporting. This is a
critical step in enabling senior management and the Board of Directors to effectively perform their management and oversight
responsibilities.

•
•
•

Strategic risk

Strategic risk is the risk that the enterprise or particular business areas will make inappropriate strategic choices, or will be unable to
successfully implement selected strategies or related plans and decisions. Business strategy is the major driver of our risk profile and
consequently the strategic choices we make in terms of business mix determine how our risk profile changes.

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Responsibility for selecting and successfully implementing business strategies is mandated to the individual heads of the businesses.

Oversight of strategic risk is the responsibility of the heads of the business segments and their operating committees, the Enterprise Strategy
Office, Group Executive, and the Board of Directors. The Enterprise Strategy group supports the management of strategic risk through the
strategic planning process (articulated within our Enterprise Strategic Planning Policy) ensuring alignment across our business, financial, capital
and risk planning.

For details on the key strategic priorities for our business segments, refer to the Business segment results section.

Reputation risk

Reputation risk is the risk that an activity undertaken by an organization or its representatives will impair its image in the community or lower
public confidence in it, resulting in the loss of business, legal action or increased regulatory oversight.

Reputation risk can arise from a number of events and primarily occurs in connection with credit risk, regulatory, legal and operational risks

and failure to maintain strong risk conduct. Operational failures and non-compliance with laws and regulations can have a significant
reputational impact on us.

We have put in place a Reputation Risk Framework which provides an overview of our approach to the management of this risk. It focuses on

our organizational responsibilities, and controls in place to mitigate reputation risks.

The following principles guide our management of reputation risk:
• We must operate with integrity at all times in order to sustain a strong and positive reputation.
•

Protecting our reputation is the responsibility of all our employees, including senior management, and extends to all members of the
Board of Directors.

Legal and regulatory environment risk

Certain regulatory reforms will impact the way in which we operate, both in Canada and abroad, and the full impact of some of these reforms on
our business will not be known until final rules are implemented and market practices have developed in response. We continue to respond to
these and other developments and are working to minimize any potential adverse business or economic impact. The following regulatory reforms
have potential to increase our operational, compliance, and technology costs and adversely affect our profitability.

Basel Committee on Banking Supervision global standards for capital and liquidity
The Basel Committee’s standards for capital and liquidity (commonly referred to as “Basel III”) establish minimum requirements for common
equity, increased capital requirements for counterparty credit exposures, a new global leverage ratio and measures to promote the build-up of
capital that can be drawn down in periods of stress. Banks around the world continue to adopt the new standards in accordance with domestic
implementation.

In January 2013, the BCBS released final rules for the short-term liquidity standard, the LCR, with implementation commencing in 2015.
Subsequently in October 2014, the BCBS released final rules for the long-term liquidity standard, the NSFR, with implementation commencing in
2018. For further details on how our business may be impacted, refer to the Liquidity and funding risk section.

In January 2014, the BCBS released final rules for the global leverage requirement, which takes effect as a 3% minimum supplemental
capital requirement on January 1, 2018. For further details on how our business may be impacted, refer to the Capital management section.

In September 2014, U.S. regulators approved final rules to apply a U.S.-based supplemental leverage requirement and LCR requirement to

large banking organizations operating in the U.S. The Fed has indicated that future rulemakings likely will establish single counterparty credit
limits, early remediation requirements, and an LCR for U.S. Intermediate Holding Companies (IHCs) as well as Foreign Banking Organization
branches and agencies. IHCs may be subject in whole or in part to additional rules regarding capital, liquidity, and other enhanced standards,
including the NSFR.

Basel III requirements have been implemented in the European Union (EU) through a revised Capital Requirements Directive (CRD IV) and

accompanying Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR), both of which became effective January 1, 2014 and are to be phased-in gradually
through 2019. CRD IV/CRR also introduces improvements to the transparency of activities of banks and investment funds in different countries,
adds a host of governance standards (including standards for executive compensation and bonuses, board oversight of risk and board diversity),
and implements a common reporting framework for regulatory reporting. These changes have not had a significant impact on capital
requirements for our European subsidiaries. The LCR has now been implemented in the EU, while the reporting phase of the Basel III leverage
ratio is due to begin on January 1, 2016.

Dodd-Frank – Enhanced Supervision of Foreign Banking Organizations
On February 18, 2014, the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) finalized a new oversight regime for non-U.S. banks with subsidiaries, affiliates and
branches operating in the U.S. (Enhanced Prudential Standards for Bank Holding Companies and Foreign Banking Organizations), intended to
address the perceived systemic risk that large foreign banks could pose to U.S. financial markets.

As a Foreign Banking Organization with more than US$50 billion in U.S. non-branch assets, RBC is required to establish a separately

capitalized U.S. IHC, into which all of our U.S. legal entities must be placed and for which certain U.S.-based requirements will apply. The IHC will
be subject to Fed oversight comparable to U.S. bank holding companies. As a result, changes to our existing practices will be required to provide
the governance and infrastructure needed to support these U.S.-specific requirements in areas of financial reporting, capital and liquidity, risk
management, and stress testing. In addition, there will be limitations on capital distributions from the IHC to RBC, and such distributions will be
subject to supervisory approval. The requirements will be phased-in between 2015 and 2018, with RBC needing to form its IHC by July 1, 2016.
An implementation plan outlining our approach for meeting these requirements including forming the IHC was filed with the Fed initially on
December 22, 2014. A modified implementation plan was subsequently filed on April 30, 2015 to reflect the planned integration of City National
into the IHC. The Fed has stated that it plans to issue, at a later date, separate rules to apply early remediation requirements, and limits on
exposures to single counterparties to the IHC. The final rule also deferred application of U.S.-based liquidity and leverage requirements. On
October 7, 2015, the Fed approved our request for one-year extensions for the IHC to comply with the Fed’s capital plan and stress test
requirements. Specifically, the IHC will now be required to comply with the Fed’s capital plan requirement beginning January 1, 2017, and with
the Fed’s stress test requirement beginning January 1, 2018. This extension was granted in consideration of the Fed’s October 7, 2015 approval
of our acquisition of City National. The Fed agreed with our view that the extension will allow for a more complete integration of City National into
our capital plan and stress test development efforts, and that the extension is unlikely to present an undue risk to financial stability. RBC has
incurred, and will continue to incur, costs to comply with these additional U.S.-based financial reporting, risk management and governance
requirements and we may have less flexibility in our capital and liquidity planning which historically has been managed on a global basis. These
impacts are not expected to materially affect our overall results.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

87

Canadian bail-in regime
Bail-in regimes are being implemented in a number of jurisdictions following the 2008 financial crisis in an effort to limit taxpayer exposure to
potential losses of a failing institution and ensure the institution’s shareholders and creditors remain responsible for bearing such losses. The
former Federal government under the Conservative party had proposed a “bail-in” regime for the six D-SIBs which would have granted the Federal
government the power to permanently cancel a D-SIB’s existing common shares and/or convert their long-term senior debt into common shares
once the institution was no longer viable. Higher Loss Absorbency requirements would have also applied to ensure affected banks maintained
sufficient capital to absorb the proposed conversions. It is unclear at this time whether the recently elected Liberal government will reinstate the
Conservative government’s proposal and what impact any proposed changes might have on our cost of funding.

Total loss-absorbing capacity (TLAC)
On November 9, 2015, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) finalized minimum common international standards related to the total loss-absorbing
capacity (TLAC) of global systemically important banks (G-SIBs). The standards are intended to address the sufficiency of G-SIBs’ capital to
absorb losses in a resolution situation in a manner that minimizes impact on financial stability and ensures continuity of critical and long-term
debt functions. Under the final standards, G-SIBs would be expected to meet a 16% Risk Weighted Asset (RWA) requirement by 2019, increasing
to 18% by 2022. In addition, G-SIBs would be expected by 2019 to maintain a TLAC leverage ratio exposure of 6% of the Basel III leverage ratio
denominator, increasing to 6.75% by 2022. RBC would become subject to these enhanced requirements if we are designated as a G-SIB by the
FSB in the future. To date, neither RBC nor any other Canadian bank has been designated as a G-SIB. It is also uncertain how these standards will
be integrated into any bail-in regime that could potentially be introduced in Canada.

On October 30, 2015, the Fed proposed rules establishing TLAC, long-term debt, and “clean holding company” requirements for U.S. G-SIBs

and the IHCs of non-U.S. G-SIBs. RBC is not covered at this time by the proposal, but our U.S. IHC would become subject to these U.S.
requirements should we be designated as a G-SIB in the future.

Over-the-counter derivatives reform
Reforms to over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives markets continue on a global basis, with the governments of the G20 nations proceeding with
plans to transform the capital regimes, national regulatory frameworks and infrastructures in which we and other market participants operate.
We, along with other Canadian banks, are experiencing changes in our wholesale banking business, some of which impacts our client- and
trading-related derivatives revenue in Capital Markets. Certain of the rules that impact RBC include:

On January 30, 2015 OSFI issued revised Guideline B-7 Derivatives Sound Practices, translating the G20 reforms into its expectations for

Federally Regulated Financial Institutions (FRFIs), including Canadian banks.

In March 2015, the BCBS and the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) established minimum standards for margin

requirements for non-centrally cleared derivatives requiring non-exempt financial entities and systemically important non-financial entities to
exchange initial and variation margin on bilateral OTC derivatives. Throughout 2014 and 2015, regulators around the globe proposed domestic
rules based on these guidelines. The BCBS/IOSCO framework will be phased-in from September 1, 2016. RBC expects it will be required to
comply from this date and will work with national authorities to prepare for compliance.

To avoid the imposition of duplicative prudential and other regulatory requirements and mitigate some of the related compliance and
operating costs, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has issued guidance that permits RBC and other Canadian banks who
registered as swaps dealers in the U.S. to substitute compliance with a limited subset of CFTC swap dealers rules by complying with Canadian
rules in several areas. We continue to work with Canadian and U.S. authorities to encourage further reliance on the Canadian framework in this
regard. Pending the issuance of expanded CFTC substituted compliance determinations, we, along with other Canadian swap dealers continue to
engage with the CFTC to ensure the continued availability of no-action relief in connection with certain U.S. rules that are beyond the scope of the
existing substituted compliance determinations and guidance.

In Europe, OTC reforms are being implemented through the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR) and the review of Markets in

Financial Instruments Directive and accompanying Regulation (together, MiFID II/MiFIR). EMIR requires firms to clear certain OTC standardized
derivative contracts through central counterparties, establish risk mitigation controls for non-cleared OTC derivatives transactions, and report
both cleared and non-cleared contracts to trade repositories. MiFID II/MiFIR is expected to take effect in January 2017 and will introduce an on-
venue trading obligation, subject to a determination of sufficient liquidity by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), for certain
OTC derivatives that ESMA has deemed to be subject to the clearing obligation under EMIR.

Consumer protection
On September 19, 2014, the Supreme Court of Canada rendered its judgment in the 2003 Quebec class action lawsuit, Marcotte v. Bank of
Montreal. The Court found that certain provisions of Quebec’s Consumer Protection Act apply to credit cards issued by federally-chartered banks.
The extent to which provincial/territorial regulation of other banking activities will be upheld is yet to be determined.

Common reporting standard
In April 2013, in an effort to combat international tax evasion, the G20 countries committed to introduce a global standard for the automatic
exchange of financial information. In July 2014, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development published the Standard for
Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information in Tax Matters, which consists of a Model Competent Authority Agreement to be used by
governments to enter into agreements with jurisdictions with which they will automatically exchange financial account information (Reportable
Jurisdictions), and a Common Reporting Standard (CRS) that provides standard procedures to be followed by financial institutions globally to
identify reportable accounts. Information related to such accounts will be submitted by financial institutions to their local governments on an
annual basis, who will then automatically exchange that information with the appropriate Reportable Jurisdictions.

As of November 1, 2015, over 90 countries have committed to introduce the requirements of CRS into local law, effective in either 2016 or
2017, with the first exchanges of information to begin in the year following implementation. The majority of jurisdictions in which RBC operates
have committed to implement CRS, with a notable exception being the U.S.

RBC businesses operating in CRS jurisdictions will be required to make changes to existing business processes in order to comply with CRS

due diligence requirements related to the identification and reporting of reportable accounts. In addition to changes to new account opening
procedures, a review of pre-existing accounts in accordance with defined procedures will also be required and may require contacting certain
pre-existing clients to request additional information and/or documentation. We will also incur additional costs in order to comply with these
due diligence requirements.

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis

U.K. and European regulatory reform
Effective March 2016, certain RBC U.K. subsidiaries and branches will become subject to enhanced requirements under the Senior Managers and
Certification Regime, including prescribed responsibilities, a statutory duty on senior managers to take reasonable steps to prevent regulatory
breaches in their areas of responsibility, and new remuneration rules for senior managers. A certification regime will apply to employees
performing ‘significant harm’ roles. Additionally, new conduct rules will apply to all in-scope employees from March 2017.

In July 2015, a revised Deposit Guarantee Scheme Directive (DGSD) took effect. DGSD strengthens depositor protection across the EU
through harmonization of the amount protected (€100,000/GBP 75,000) and related disclosure requirements. In the U.K., further obligations
relating to Single Customer View reporting and continuous access to funds will come into effect in late 2016. The requirements impact our
deposit-taking businesses in Europe by requiring changes to current reporting and disclosure requirements, as well as revisions to current
procedures and processes.

MiFID II/MiFIR will have a significant impact across all RBC businesses operating in the EU given the wide-ranging nature of the reforms,
which will introduce changes with respect to pre- and post-trade transparency; market structure; trade and transaction reporting; algorithmic
and high frequency trading; and conduct of business. Final technical standards are expected in early 2016. The complexity of MiFID II/MiFIR
implementation for RBC businesses operating in the EU will be increased by the need to address obligations arising under other overlapping
regulatory initiatives. This will include the reporting obligations to be implemented under the recast Transparency Directive (effective November
2015) and Securities Financing Transaction Regulation (expected to come into force in 2016); the EMIR clearing obligation (to be phased-in over
the course of 2016); and the Market Abuse Regulation (effective July 2016), which is intended to increase market integrity and investor
protection across the EU.

Competitive risk

The competition for clients among financial services companies in the markets in which we operate is intense. Client loyalty and retention can be
influenced by a number of factors, including new technology used or services offered by our competitors, relative service levels, relative prices,
product and service attributes, our reputation, actions taken by our competitors, and adherence with competition and anti-trust laws. Other
companies, such as insurance companies and non-financial companies, are increasingly offering services traditionally provided by banks. For
example, our payments business is facing intense competition from emerging non-traditional competitors. This competition could also reduce
net interest income, fee revenue and adversely affect our results.

Systemic risk

Systemic risk is the risk that the financial system as a whole, or a major part of it – either in an individual country, a region, or globally – is put in
real and immediate danger of collapse or serious damage with the likelihood of material damage to the real economy, and that this will result in
financial, reputation or other risks for RBC.

Systemic risk is considered to be the least controllable risk facing RBC. Our ability to mitigate this risk when undertaking business activities
is limited, other than through collaborative mechanisms between key industry participants, and, as appropriate, the public sector, to reduce the
frequency and impact of these risks. The two most significant measures in mitigating the impact of systemic risk are diversification and stress
testing.

Our diversified business portfolios, products, activities and funding sources help mitigate the potential impacts from systemic risk. We also
mitigate systemic risk by establishing risk limits to ensure our portfolio is well diversified, and concentration risk is reduced and remains within
our Risk Appetite.

Stress testing involves consideration of the simultaneous movements in a number of risk factors. It is used to ensure our business

strategies and capital planning are robust by measuring the potential impacts of credit, market, liquidity and funding and operational risks on us,
under adverse economic conditions. Our enterprise-wide stress testing program uses stress scenarios featuring a range of severities based on
plausible adverse economic and financial market events. These stress scenarios are evaluated across the organization, and results are
integrated to develop an enterprise-wide view of the impacts on our financial results and capital requirements. For further details on our stress
testing, refer to the Risk management – Enterprise risk management section.

Overview of other risks

In addition to the risks described in the Risk management section, there are other risk factors, described below, which may adversely affect our
businesses and financial results. The following discussion is not exhaustive as other factors could also adversely affect our results.

Business and economic conditions
Our earnings are significantly affected by the general business and economic conditions in the geographic regions in which we operate. These
conditions include consumer saving and spending habits as well as consumer borrowing and repayment patterns, business investment,
government spending, exchange rates, sovereign debt risks, the level of activity and volatility of the capital markets, strength of the economy
and inflation. For example, an extended economic downturn may result in high unemployment and lower family income, corporate earnings,
business investment and consumer spending, and could adversely affect the demand for our loan and other products and result in higher
provisions for credit losses. Given the importance of our Canadian operations, an economic downturn in Canada or in the U.S. impacting Canada
would largely affect our personal and business lending activities in our Canadian banking businesses, including cards, and could significantly
impact our results of operations.

Our earnings are also sensitive to changes in interest rates. A continuing low interest rate environment in Canada, the U.S. and globally
would result in net interest income being unfavourably impacted by spread compression largely in Personal & Commercial Banking and Wealth
Management. While an increase in interest rates would benefit our businesses that are currently impacted by spread compression, a significant
increase in interest rates could also adversely impact household balance sheets. This could result in credit deterioration which might negatively
impact our financial results, particularly in some of our personal and commercial banking and Wealth Management businesses.

Capital Markets and Investor & Treasury Services would be negatively impacted if global capital markets deteriorate resulting in lower
average fee-based client assets and transaction volumes and trading volatility. In Wealth Management, weaker market conditions would lead to
lower average fee-based client assets and transaction volumes. Worsening of financial and credit market conditions may adversely affect our

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

89

ability to access capital markets on favourable terms and could negatively affect our liquidity, resulting in increased funding costs and lower
transaction volumes in Capital Markets and Investor & Treasury Services. For further details on economic and market factors which may impact
our financial performance, refer to the Wealth Management, Investor & Treasury Services and Capital Markets sections.

Government fiscal, monetary and other policies
Our businesses and earnings are affected by the fiscal, monetary or other policies that are adopted by the Bank of Canada and various other
Canadian regulatory authorities, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in the U.S. and other U.S. government authorities, as well
as those adopted by international regulatory authorities and agencies in jurisdictions in which we operate. Such policies can also adversely
affect our clients and counterparties in Canada, the U.S. and internationally, which may increase the risk of default by such clients and
counterparties.

Tax risk and transparency
Tax risk refers to the risk of loss related to unexpected tax liabilities. The tax laws and systems that are applicable to RBC are complex and wide
ranging. As a result, we ensure that any decisions or actions related to tax always reflect our assessment of the long-term costs and risks
involved, including their impact on our relationship with clients, shareholders, and regulators, and our reputation.

Our approach to tax is governed by our Taxation Policy and Risk Management Framework, and reflects the fundamentals of our Risk
Pyramid. Oversight of our tax policy and the management of tax risk is the responsibility of the CAO & CFO and the Senior Vice President,
Taxation. We report our tax position to the Audit Committee on a regular basis and discuss our tax strategy with the Audit and Risk Committees
as well as with GE.

Our tax strategy is designed to ensure transparency and support our business strategy, and is aligned with our corporate vision and values.

We seek to maximize shareholder value by ensuring that our businesses are structured in a tax-efficient manner while considering reputational
risk by being in compliance with all laws and regulations. Our framework seeks to ensure that we:

•
•

•
•

Act with integrity and in a straightforward, open and honest manner in all tax matters;
Ensure tax strategy is aligned with our business strategy supporting only bona fide transactions with a business purpose and economic
substance;
Ensure our full compliance and full disclosure to tax authorities of our statutory obligations; and
Endeavour to work with the tax authorities to build positive long-term relationships and where disputes occur, address them
constructively.

With respect to assessing the needs of our clients, we consider a number of factors including the purposes of the transaction. We seek to

ensure that we only support bona fide client transactions with a business purpose and economic substance. Should we become aware of client
transactions that are aimed at evading their tax obligations, we will not proceed with the transaction.

RBC operates in 39 countries worldwide. Our activities in these countries are subject to both Canadian and international tax legislation and

other regulation, and are fully disclosed to the relevant tax authorities. The Taxation group and GRM both regularly review the activities of all
entities to ensure compliance with tax requirements and other regulations.

Given that we operate globally, complex tax legislation and accounting principles can result in differing legal interpretations between the

respective tax authorities we deal with and ourselves, and we are at risk of tax authorities disagreeing with prior positions we have taken for tax
purposes. Should this occur, we are committed to an open and transparent dialogue with the tax authorities to ensure a quick assessment and
prompt resolution of the issues. Failure to adequately manage tax risk and resolve issues with tax authorities in a satisfactory manner could
adversely impact our results, potentially to a material extent in a particular period, and/or significantly impact our reputation.

Tax Contribution
In 2015, total income and other tax expense to various levels of governments globally totalled $3.1 billion (2014 – $3.2 billion; 2013 –
$3 billion). In Canada, total income and other tax expense for the year ended October 31, 2015 to various levels of government totalled
$1.9 billion (2014 – $2.2 billion; 2013 – $2.6 billion).

Income and other tax expense – by category
(Millions of Canadian dollars) 

Income and other tax expense – by geography
(Millions of Canadian dollars)

3,500

2,625

1,750

875

0

3,500

2,625

1,750

875

0

2015

2014

2013

2015

2014

2013

Business taxes

Insurance premium taxes

Property taxes

Other International

U.S.

Canada

Capital taxes

Payroll taxes

Income taxes

Goods and services 
sales taxes

For further details on income and other tax expense, refer to the Financial performance section.

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Environmental risk
Environmental risk is the risk of loss to financial, operational or reputational value resulting from the impact of environmental issues. It arises
from the business activities and operations of both us and our clients. For example, the environmental issues associated with our clients’
purchase and sale of contaminated property or development of large-scale projects may give rise to credit, regulatory and reputation risk.
Operational and legal risks may arise from environmental issues at our branches, offices or data processing centres.

Corporate Sustainability (CS) sets enterprise-wide policy requirements for the identification, assessment, control, monitoring and reporting

of environmental risk. Oversight is provided by GE and the Governance Committee of the Board of Directors. Business segments and corporate
functions are responsible for incorporating environmental risk management requirements and controls within their operations. The CS Group
also provides advisory services and support to business segments on the management of specific environmental risks in business transactions.
Periodically, we verify that our environmental risk management policies and processes are operating as intended. On an annual basis, and
more frequently as required, environmental risk management activities, issues and trends are reported to GE and to the Governance Committee
of the Board of Directors. Failure to adequately manage environmental risk could adversely impact our results and/or significantly impact our
reputation.

We report on the full extent of environmental management annually in the Corporate Responsibility Report and Public Accountability

Statements.

Other factors
Other factors that may affect actual results include changes in government trade policy, changes in accounting standards, including their effect
on our accounting policies, estimates and judgments, currency and interest rate movements in Canada, the U.S., and other jurisdictions in which
we operate, changes to our credit ratings, the timely and successful development of new products and services, our ability to cross-sell more
products to customers, technological changes, effective design, implementation and execution of processes and their associated controls, fraud
by internal and external parties, the possible impact on our business from disease or illness that affects local, national or global economies,
disruptions to public infrastructure, including transportation, communication, power and water, international conflicts and other political
developments including those relating to the war on terrorism, and our success in anticipating and managing the associated risks.

We caution that the foregoing discussion of risk factors, many of which are beyond our control, is not exhaustive and other factors could

also affect our results.

Capital management

We actively manage our capital to maintain strong capital ratios and high ratings while providing strong returns to our shareholders. In addition
to the regulatory requirements, we consider the expectations of credit rating agencies, depositors and shareholders, as well as our business
plans, stress tests, peer comparisons and our internal capital ratio targets. Our goal is to optimize our capital usage and structure, and provide
support for our business segments and clients and better returns for our shareholders, while protecting depositors and senior creditors.

Capital management framework
Our capital management framework provides the policies and processes for defining, measuring, raising and investing all types of capital in a
co-ordinated and consistent manner. It includes our overall approach to capital management, including guiding principles as well as roles and
responsibilities relating to capital adequacy and transactions, dividends, solo capital and management of risk-weighted assets (RWA) and
leverage ratio exposures. We manage and monitor capital from several perspectives, including regulatory capital, economic capital and
subsidiary capital.

Our capital planning is a dynamic process which involves various teams including Finance, Corporate Treasury, GRM, Economics and our
businesses, and covers internal capital ratio targets, potential capital transactions as well as projected dividend payouts and share repurchases.
The integral parts of our capital planning are comprised of our business operating plans, enterprise-wide stress testing and Internal Capital
Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP), along with the considerations of regulatory capital requirements and accounting changes, internal
capital requirements, rating agency metrics and solo capital.

Our capital plan is established on an annual basis and is aligned with the management actions included in the annual business operating

plan, which includes forecast growth in assets and earnings taking into account our business strategies, projected market and economic
environment and peer positioning. This includes incorporating potential capital transactions based on our projected internal capital generation,
business forecasts, market conditions and other developments, such as accounting and regulatory changes that may impact capital
requirements. All of the components in the capital plan are monitored throughout the year and are revised as deemed appropriate.

Capital impacts of severe but plausible scenarios

Enterprise-wide
Stress Testing

Capital impacts of
severe but plausible
scenarios

ICAAP 

Total capital requirements

Capital available and target
capital ratios

Capital Plan and
Business
Operating Plan

Our Enterprise-wide stress testing and ICAAP provide key inputs for capital planning, including setting the appropriate internal capital ratio

targets. The stress scenarios are evaluated across the organization, and results are integrated to develop an enterprise-wide view of financial
impacts and capital requirements, which in turn facilitate the planning of mitigating actions to absorb exceptional adverse events. ICAAP is an
OSFI mandated annual process to assess capital adequacy and requirements to cover all material risks, with a cushion to cover severe but
plausible contingencies. In accordance with the OSFI guideline, the major components of our ICAAP process include comprehensive risk
assessment, stress testing, capital assessment and planning (both economic and regulatory capital), board and senior management oversight,
monitoring and reporting and internal control review.

Our internal capital targets are established to maintain robust capital positions in excess of OSFI’s Basel III “all-in” regulatory targets, which

include minimum capital requirements plus a capital conservation buffer, and effective January 1, 2016, a D-SIBs surcharge that can absorb
losses during periods of stress. The “all-in” methodology includes all regulatory adjustments that will be required by 2019, while retaining the
phase-out rules for non-qualifying capital instruments, as per OSFI’s Basel III Capital Adequacy Requirements (CAR) guideline. The stress test

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

91

results of our Enterprise-wide stress testing and ICAAP are incorporated into the OSFI capital conservation buffer and D-SIBs surcharge, with a
view to ensuring the bank has adequate capital to underpin risks and absorb losses under all plausible stress scenarios given our risk profile
and appetite. In addition, we include a discretionary cushion on top of the OSFI regulatory targets to maintain capital strength for forthcoming
regulatory and accounting changes, peer comparatives, rating agencies sensitivities and solo capital level.

The Board of Directors is responsible for ultimate oversight of capital management, including the annual review and approval of the Capital
Plan. ALCO and GE share responsibility for capital management and receive regular reports detailing our compliance with established limits and
guidelines. The Risk Committee annually approves the Capital Management Framework. The Audit and Risk Committees jointly approve the ICAAP
process. The Audit Committee is also responsible for the ongoing review of internal controls over capital management.

Basel III
Our regulatory capital requirements are determined on a Basel III “all-in” basis as per OSFI guidelines. The top corporate entity to which Basel III
applies at the consolidated level is Royal Bank of Canada.

Under Basel III, banks select from among alternative approaches to calculate their minimum regulatory capital required to underpin credit,

market and operational risks.

We adopted the Basel III IRB approach to calculate credit risk capital for consolidated regulatory reporting purposes. While the majority of

our credit risk exposures are reported under the Basel III IRB approach for regulatory capital purposes, certain portfolios considered non-material
from a consolidated perspective continue to use the Basel III Standardized approach for credit risk (for example, our Caribbean banking
operations). For consolidated regulatory reporting of operational risk capital, we currently use the Standardized approach. We have applied to
OSFI for approval for the use of AMA for operational risk capital measurement and will commence reflecting operational risk capital under the
AMA approach once approved. For consolidated regulatory reporting of market risk capital, we use both Internal Models-based and Standardized
approaches.

In December 2010, the BCBS issued “Basel III: A global regulatory framework for more resilient banks and banking systems”, which outlines

the capital and liquidity requirements for global banks, with the objective of promoting financial stability and is intended to ensure sustainable
economic growth. The BCBS sets out the Basel III transitional requirements for Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1), Tier 1 and Total capital ratios at
4.5%, 6.0% and 8%, respectively for 2015, which will be fully phased-in to 7%, 8.0% and 10.5%, respectively (including minimums plus capital
conservation buffer of 2.5%) by January 1, 2019. The BCBS also released the NVCC requirements in January 2011 with an effort to ensure the loss
absorbency of regulatory capital instruments at the point of non-viability. In August 2011, OSFI issued an advisory outlining the NVCC principles
and requirements, including a full and permanent conversion of non-common capital instruments into common shares upon a trigger event,
effective the first quarter of 2013.

OSFI expects Canadian banks to currently meet the Basel III “all-in” targets (BCBS January 1, 2019 requirements – minimum ratios plus the

capital conservation buffer) for CET1 ratio, Tier 1 and Total capital. To ensure consistent implementation similar to that in other countries,
effective January 1, 2014, OSFI allowed Canadian banks to phase in the Basel III CVA capital charge over a five-year period ending December 31,
2018. In accordance with OSFI guidance, there are two possible options to phase in the CVA capital charge. Under the option selected by RBC in
2015, Option 1, Basel III CVA is reflected in risk-weighted assets based on a scalar of 64%, 71%, and 77% for CET1, Tier 1 and Total Capital,
respectively. In 2016, the scalars will remain unchanged, and will reach 100% for each tier of capital by 2019.

Commencing January 1, 2016, RBC will be required to include an additional 1% risk-weighted capital surcharge given our designation as a

D-SIB by OSFI in 2013 (along with five other Canadian banks).

In October 2014, OSFI issued its final “Leverage Requirements (LR) Guideline”, which replaced the OSFI Assets-to-Capital Multiple (ACM)
with the Basel III Leverage ratio, beginning in the first quarter of 2015. The leverage ratio is defined as Tier 1 capital divided by leverage ratio
exposure. The leverage ratio exposure is the sum of (a) on-balance sheet exposures; (b) derivative exposures; (c) securities financing transaction
exposures and (d) off-balance sheet items. Canadian banks are expected to maintain a leverage ratio that meets or exceeds 3% at all times.
Pursuant to the BCBS publication “Global systemically important banks (G-SIB): updated assessment methodology and the higher loss

absorbency requirement”, issued in July 2013 and the OSFI advisory “Global systemically important banks (G-SIBs) – Public disclosure
requirements”, published in March 2014 and revised in September 2015, all federally regulated banks with a Basel III leverage ratio total
exposure exceeding €200 billion at their financial year-end are required, at a minimum, to publicly disclose in the first quarter following their
year-end, the twelve indicators used in the G-SIB assessment methodology, with the goal of enhancing the transparency of the relative scale of
banks’ potential global systemic importance and data quality. In the first quarter of 2015, we were not designated as a G-SIB. However, as we
met the BCBS size threshold, we disclosed the 12 indicators using the OSFI prescribed template for the financial years ended 2013 and 2014 in
our first quarter of 2015 report to shareholders.

In November 2015, the FSB and BCBS published an updated list of G-SIBs. We were not designated as a G-SIB as of November 2015.
In December 2013, BCBS issued the final standard related to the capital requirements for banks’ equity investment in funds, with an
effective date of January 2017, which aims to provide three approaches to measuring the risk sensitivity of banking book investments in funds.
In December 2014, BCBS issued the final standards on the revised securitization framework, which aims to strengthen the capital standards for
securitization exposures held in the banking book, with an effective date of January 2018. We are reviewing these two standards and have
commenced work to ensure implementation of these standards by the respective effective dates.

In January 2015, BCBS issued the final standard on Pillar 3 which requires disclosure of standard templates to provide comparability and
consistency of capital disclosure amongst banks. BCBS requires all banks to provide the revised Pillar 3 disclosures by the end of fiscal 2016.
The implementation date for Pillar III for Canadian banks is expected to be no earlier than the fourth quarter of 2017.

The BCBS also issued two consultative papers in December 2014 “Capital floor: the design of a framework based on Standardized
approaches” and “Revisions to the Standardized approach for credit risk”. The capital floor consultative document focuses on the design of a
capital floor framework based on the Standardized approach, with the objective to mitigate model risk and measurement error stemming from
internal models and enhance comparability of capital across banks. This framework will replace the current transitional floor, which is based on
the Basel I standard. The revisions to the Standardized approach for credit risk document is designed to strengthen the existing regulatory
capital framework, with the objective of reducing reliance on external credit ratings, increasing risk sensitivity, and increasing comparability of
capital requirements to the IRB approach. These revisions are expected to increase the comparability of capital requirements between banks
using the Standardized approach.

We will continue to monitor and assess the capital impact of these regulatory developments.

92

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

The following table provides a summary of OSFI regulatory target ratios under Basel III.

OSFI regulatory target ratios under Basel III

Basel III
Capital ratios
and leverage

OSFI regulatory target requirements for large banks under Basel III
Minimum
including Capital
Conservation
Buffer and D-SIBs
surcharge (1)

Minimum
including
Capital
Conservation
Buffer

Capital
Conservation
Buffer

D-SIBs
Surcharge (1)

Minimum

Table 70

RBC capital
and leverage
ratios as at
October 31,
2015

Meet or
exceed OSFI
regulatory
target ratios

Common Equity Tier 1
Tier 1 capital
Total capital
Leverage ratio

> 4.5%
> 6.0%
> 8.0%
> 3.0%

2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
n.a.

> 7.0%
> 8.5%
> 10.5%
> 3.0%

1.0%
1.0%
1.0%
n.a.

> 8.0%
> 9.5%
> 11.5%
> 3.0%

10.6%
12.2%
14.0%
4.3%

✓
✓
✓
✓

(1)

The D-SIBs surcharge will be applicable to risk-weighted capital commencing January 1, 2016.

Regulatory capital, RWA and capital ratios

The following table provides details on our regulatory capital, RWA and capital ratios. Our capital position remained strong during the year and
our capital ratios remain well above OSFI regulatory targets.

Regulatory capital, RWA and capital ratios

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage and multiple amounts and as otherwise noted)

Capital (1)

CET1 capital
Tier 1 capital
Total capital

RWA used in calculation of capital ratios (1), (2)

CET1 capital RWA
Tier 1 capital RWA
Total capital RWA

Total capital RWA consisting of: (1)

Credit risk
Market risk
Operational risk

Total capital RWA

Capital ratios, Leverage ratio and multiples (1), (3)

CET1 ratio
Tier 1 capital ratio
Total capital ratio
Assets-to-capital multiple (4)
Gross-adjusted assets (GAA) (4) (billions)
Leverage ratio
Leverage ratio exposure (billions)

Table 71

As at

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

$

43,715
50,541
58,004

$ 36,406
42,202
50,020

411,756
412,941
413,957

368,594
369,976
372,050

$ 323,870
39,786
50,301

$ 286,327
38,460
47,263

$ 413,957

$ 372,050

10.6%
12.2%
14.0%
n.a.
n.a.
4.3%
1,170.2

9.9%
11.4%
13.4%
17.0X
885.0
n.a.
n.a.

$

$

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Capital, RWA, capital ratios and multiples are calculated using OSFI Capital Adequacy Requirements based on the Basel III framework.
Leverage ratios are calculated using OSFI Leverage Requirements Guideline based on the Basel III framework. Effective the first quarter
of 2015, the leverage ratio has replaced the ACM. The leverage ratio is a regulatory measure under the Basel III framework and is not
applicable (n.a.) for periods prior to Q1 2015. Capital ratios presented above are on an “all-in” basis.
Effective Q3 2014, different scalars were applied to the CVA included in each of the three tiers of capital. In 2014, the CVA scalars 57%,
65% and 77% were applied to CET 1, Tier 1 and Total Capital, respectively. In fiscal 2015, the CVA scalars were 64%, 71% and 77%,
respectively. In fiscal 2016, the scalars will remain unchanged.
To enhance comparability among other global financial institutions, our transitional CET1, Tier 1, Total capital and leverage ratios as at
October 31, 2015 were 12.0%, 12.2%, 13.9% and 4.5%, respectively. Transitional is defined as capital calculated according to the
current year’s phase-in of regulatory adjustments and phase-out of non-qualifying capital instruments.
Assets-to-capital multiples and GAA were calculated on a transitional basis in the prior period.

Basel III regulatory capital and capital ratios
Under Basel III, regulatory capital consists of CET1, Additional Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital.

CET1 capital comprises the highest quality of capital. Regulatory adjustments under Basel III include full deductions of certain items and

additional capital components that are subject to threshold deductions.

Tier 1 capital comprises predominantly CET1 and Additional Tier 1 items including non-cumulative preferred shares. Tier 2 capital includes

subordinated debentures that meet certain criteria, certain loan loss allowances and non-controlling interests in subsidiaries Tier 2 instruments.
Total capital is defined as the sum of Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital. Preferred shares and subordinated debentures issued after January 1, 2013 require
NVCC features to be included into regulatory capital. For further details on NVCC, refer to the discussion above.
Regulatory capital ratios are calculated by dividing CET1, Tier 1 and Total capital by their respective RWA.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

93

The following chart provides a summary of the major components of CET1, Additional Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital.

Total Capital

Tier 1 Capital

Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1)

+

Additional Tier 1 Capital 

+

Tier 2 Capital 

Common shares
Retained earnings
Other components of equity
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries 
CET 1 instruments

Goodwill and other intangibles
Deferred tax assets on loss
carryforwards
Defined benefit pension funds assets
Non-significant investments in CET1
instruments of Financial Institutions(2)
Shortfall of provisions to expected losses

Significant investments in insurance
subsidiaries and CET1 instruments in
other Financial Institutions
Mortgage servicing rights
Deferred tax assets relating to
temporary differences

Higher quality
capital

s
n
o
i
t
c
u
d
e
D

d
l
o
h
s
e
r
h
T

)
1
(
s
n
o
i
t
c
u
d
e
D

Preferred shares
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries
Tier 1 instruments

Subordinated debentures
Certain loan loss allowances
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries
Tier 2 instruments

Non-significant investments in Tier 1 
instruments of Financial Institutions(2)
Significant investments in other Financial
Institutions and insurance subsidiaries 
Tier 1 instruments

Non-significant investments in Tier 2
instruments of Financial Institutions(2)
Significant investments in other Financial
Institutions and insurance subsidiaries 
Tier 2 instruments

Lower quality
capital

(1)

(2)

First level: The amount by which each of the items exceeds a 10% threshold of CET1 capital (after all deductions but before threshold deductions) will be deducted from CET1
capital. Second level: The aggregate amount of the three items not deducted from the first level above and in excess of 15% of CET1 capital after regulatory adjustments will be
deducted from capital, and the remaining balance not deducted will be risk-weighted at 250%.
Non-significant investments are subject to certain CAR criteria that drive the amount eligible for deduction.

Regulatory Capital

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

CET1 capital: instruments and reserves and regulatory adjustments
Directly issued qualifying common share capital (and equivalent for non-

joint stock companies) plus related stock surplus

Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive income (and other reserves)
Directly issued capital subject to phase out from CET1 (only applicable to

non-joint stock companies)

Common share capital issued by subsidiaries and held by third parties

(amount allowed in group CET1)

Regulatory adjustments applied to CET1 under Basel III

Common Equity Tier 1 capital (CET1)

Additional Tier 1 capital: instruments and regulatory adjustments
Directly issued qualifying Additional Tier 1 instruments plus related stock

surplus

Directly issued capital instruments to phase out from Additional Tier 1
Additional Tier 1 instruments issued by subsidiaries and held by third

parties (amount allowed in group AT1)

Regulatory adjustments applied to Additional Tier 1 under Basel III

Additional Tier 1 capital (AT1)

Tier 1 capital (T1=CET1+AT1)

Tier 2 capital: instruments and provisions and regulatory adjustments
Directly issued qualifying Tier 2 instruments plus related stock surplus
Directly issued capital instruments subject to phase out from Tier 2
Tier 2 instruments issued by subsidiaries and held by third parties

(amount allowed in group Tier 2)

Collective allowance
Regulatory adjustments applied to Tier 2 under Basel III

Tier 2 capital (T2)

Total capital (TC=T1+T2)

Table 72

All-in basis

2015

2014

$ 14,739
37,645
4,626

$ 14,684
31,442
2,418

–

–

13
(13,308)

12
(12,150)

$ 43,715

$ 36,406

2,350
4,473

3
–

1,000
4,794

2
–

6,826

5,796

$ 50,541

$ 42,202

3,073
4,227

29
134
–

2,010
5,595

31
182
–

$

7,463

$

7,818

$ 58,004

$ 50,020

94

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

2015 vs. 2014

Continuity of CET1 ratio (Basel III)

144 bps

(55) bps

9.9%

(20) bps

5 bps

10.6%

October 31, 2014 (1)

Internal capital
generation (2)

RWA growth
(excl. FX)

Net FX
Impact

Other

October 31, 2015 (1)

(1)
(2)

Represents rounded figures.
Internal capital generation includes $5.3 billion which represents Net income available to shareholders less common and preferred shares dividends.

Our CET1 ratio was 10.6%, up 70 bps from last year, mainly due to strong internal capital generation. This factor was partially offset by higher
RWA reflecting business growth, and the net impact of foreign exchange translation.

Our Tier 1 capital ratio of 12.2% was up 80 bps, mainly due to the factors noted under CET1 ratio, and the net issuance of preferred shares.
Our Total capital ratio of 14.0% was up 60 bps, mainly due to the factors noted under Tier 1 capital ratio, partially offset by the net

redemption of subordinated debentures.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

95

Basel III RWA
OSFI requires banks to meet minimum risk-based capital requirements for exposures to credit risk, operational risk, and, where they have
significant trading activity, market risk. RWA is calculated for each of these risk types and added together to determine total RWA. In addition,
OSFI requires the minimum risk-based capital to be no less than 90% of the capital requirements as calculated under the Basel I standards.
If the capital requirement is less than 90%, a transitional adjustment to RWA must be applied as prescribed by OSFI CAR guidelines.

Total capital risk-weighted assets

As at October 31 (Millions of Canadian dollars, except
percentage amounts)

Exposure (1)

Average
of risk
weights (2)

2015

Risk-weighted assets

Table 73

2014

Standardized
approach

Advanced
approach

Other

Total

Total

Credit risk

Lending-related and other
Residential mortgages
Other retail
Business
Sovereign
Bank

Total lending-related and other

Trading-related

Repo-style transactions
Derivatives – including CVA – CET1

phase-in adjustment

$

$

$

207,393
226,661
282,261
75,636
97,961

889,912

6% $

23%
54%
12%
8%

1,344 $ 11,453 $
4,771
15,064
2,370
578

46,386
136,501
6,805
7,117

– $ 12,797
51,157
–
151,565
–
9,175
–
7,695
–

$ 10,573
48,976
126,948
7,683
7,079

26% $

24,127 $ 208,262 $

– $ 232,389

$ 201,259

340,131

2% $

15 $

6,637 $

28 $

6,680

$

4,912

90,782

32%

1,300

16,581

11,451

29,332

26,875

Total trading-related

$

430,913

8% $

1,315 $ 23,218 $ 11,479 $ 36,012

$ 31,787

Total lending-related and other and

$ 1,320,825
2,057
55,932
n.a.
45,818

$ 1,424,632

trading-related
Bank book equities
Securitization exposures
Regulatory scaling factor
Other assets

Total credit risk

Market risk

Interest rate
Equity
Foreign exchange
Commodities
Specific risk
Incremental risk charge

Total market risk

Operational risk

CET1 capital risk-weighted assets (3)

Additional CVA adjustment, prescribed by

OSFI, for Tier 1 capital

Tier 1 capital risk-weighted assets (3)

Additional CVA adjustment, prescribed by

OSFI, for Total capital

Total capital risk-weighted assets (3)

$ 1,424,632

20% $
99%
13%
n.a.
64%

25,442 $ 231,480 $ 11,479 $ 268,401
2,045
7,363
14,400
29,460

2,045
7,053
14,400
n.a.

–
–
–
29,460

–
310
n.a.
n.a.

$ 233,046
2,025
5,830
11,938
30,032

23% $

25,752 $ 254,978 $ 40,939 $ 321,669

$ 282,871

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,339 $
1,616
927
943
8,716
–

6,835 $
2,115
61
13
3,084
14,137

– $
–
–
–
–
–

8,174
3,731
988
956
11,800
14,137

$

6,326
1,621
1,274
2,030
14,980
12,229

13,541 $ 26,245 $

– $ 39,786

$ 38,460

50,301

n.a.

n.a. $ 50,301

$ 47,263

89,594 $ 281,223 $ 40,939 $ 411,756

$ 368,594

–

–

1,185

1,185

1,382

89,594 $ 281,223 $ 42,124 $ 412,941

$ 369,976

–

–

1,016

1,016

2,074

89,594 $ 281,223 $ 43,140 $ 413,957

$ 372,050

(1)

(2)
(3)

Total exposure represents exposure at default which is the expected gross exposure upon the default of an obligor. This amount is before any allowance against impaired loans or partial
write-offs and does not reflect the impact of credit risk mitigation and collateral held.
Represents the average of counterparty risk weights within a particular category.
Effective Q3 2014, different scalars were applied to the CVA included in each of the three tiers of capital. In Q3 and Q4, 2014, the CVA scalars 57%, 65% and 77% were applied to CET 1,
Tier 1 and Total Capital, respectively. In fiscal 2015, the CVA scalars were 64%, 71% and 77%, respectively. In 2016, the scalars will remain unchanged.

2015 vs. 2014
During the year, CET1 RWA was up $43 billion, mainly reflecting the impact of foreign exchange translation and business growth largely in our
wholesale lending portfolio and repo-style transactions.

96

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Selected capital management activity
The following table provides our selected capital management activity for the year ended October 31, 2015.

Selected capital management activity

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except number of shares)

Tier 1 capital
Common shares issued

Stock options exercised (1)

Table 74

2015

Issuance or
redemption date

Number of
shares (000s)

Amount

Issuance of preferred shares Series BD (2), (3), (4)
Issuance of preferred shares Series BF (2), (3), (4)
Issuance of preferred shares Series BH (2), (3), (4)
Issuance of preferred shares Series BI (2), (3), (4)
Issuance of preferred shares Series BJ (2), (3), (4)
Redemption of preferred shares Series AX
Tier 2 capital
Issuance of June 4, 2025 subordinated debentures (2), (4)
Maturity of November 14, 2014 subordinated

debentures (2)

Redemption of June 15, 2020 subordinated debentures (2)

January 30, 2015
March 13, 2015
June 5, 2015
July 22, 2015
October 2, 2015
November 24, 2014

June 4, 2015

November 14, 2014
June 15, 2015

1,190 $

24,000
12,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
(13,000)

62
600
300
150
150
150
(325)

1,000

(200)
(1,500)

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

Amounts include cash received for stock options exercised during the period and the fair value adjustments to stock options.
For further details, refer to Notes 19 and 21 of our audited 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.
Based on gross amount.
NVCC capital instruments.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

97

Dividends
Our common share dividend policy reflects our earnings outlook, payout ratio objective and the need to maintain adequate levels of capital to
fund business opportunities. In 2015, our dividend payout ratio was 46%, which met our dividend payout ratio target of 40% to 50%. Common
share dividends paid during the year were $4.4 billion.

Selected share data (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except
number of and per share amounts)

Common shares outstanding
First preferred shares outstanding
Non-cumulative Series W (2)
Non-cumulative Series AA
Non-cumulative Series AB
Non-cumulative Series AC
Non-cumulative Series AD
Non-cumulative Series AE
Non-cumulative Series AF
Non-cumulative Series AG
Non-cumulative Series AH
Non-cumulative Series AJ (3)
Non-cumulative Series AK (3)
Non-cumulative Series AL (3)
Non-cumulative Series AN (3)
Non-cumulative Series AP (3)
Non-cumulative Series AR (3)
Non-cumulative Series AT (3)
Non-cumulative Series AV (3)
Non-cumulative Series AX (3)
Non-cumulative Series AZ (3), (4)
Non-cumulative Series BB (3), (4)
Non-cumulative Series BD (3), (4)
Non-cumulative Series BF (3), (4)
Non-cumulative Series BH (4)
Non-cumulative Series BI (4)
Non-cumulative Series BJ (4)
Treasury shares held – preferred
Treasury shares held – common
Stock options
Outstanding
Exercisable

Dividends

Common
Preferred

2015

2014

Number of
shares
(000s)

Dividends
declared
per share

Number of
shares
(000s)

Amount

Dividends
declared
per share

Number of
shares
(000s)

Amount

Table 75

Dividends
declared
per share

2013

Amount

1,443,423 $14,573 $

3.08

1,442,233 $14,511 $

2.84

1,441,056 $14,377 $

2.53

1.23
1.11
1.18
1.15
1.13
1.13
1.11
1.13
–
0.88
0.67
1.07
–
–
–
–
–
–
1.00
0.98
0.73
0.63
0.58
0.42
–

300
300
300
200
250
250
200
250
–
339
61
300
–
–
–
–
–
–
500
500
600
300
150
150
150
(2)
38

12,000
12,000
12,000
8,000
10,000
10,000
8,000
10,000
–
13,579
2,421
12,000
–
–
–
–
–
–
20,000
20,000
24,000
12,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
(63)
532

8,182
5,231

12,000
12,000
12,000
8,000
10,000
10,000
8,000
10,000
–
13,579
2,421
12,000
–
–
–
–
–
13,000
20,000
20,000
–
–
–
–
–
1
892

8,579
4,987

1.23
1.11
1.18
1.15
1.13
1.13
1.11
1.13
–
0.97
0.53
1.15
0.39
0.39
0.39
1.17
1.17
1.53
0.50
0.46
–
–
–
–
–

300
300
300
200
250
250
200
250
–
339
61
300
–
–
–
–
–
325
500
500
–
–
–
–
–
–
71

300
300
300
200
250
250
200
250
–
400
–
300
225
275
350
275
400
325
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
1
41

12,000
12,000
12,000
8,000
10,000
10,000
8,000
10,000
–
16,000
–
12,000
9,000
11,000
14,000
11,000
16,000
13,000
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
47
666

10,604
5,711

4,443
191

4,097
213

3,651
253

1.23
1.11
1.18
1.15
1.13
1.13
1.11
1.13
0.86
1.25
–
1.40
1.56
1.56
1.56
1.56
1.56
1.53
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

For further details about our capital management activity, refer to Note 21 of our audited 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.
Effective February 24, 2010, we have the right to convert into common shares at our option, subject to certain restrictions.
Dividend rate will reset every five years.
NVCC capital instruments.

Our normal course issuer bid (NCIB) commenced on November 1, 2014 and expired on October 31, 2015. Over the term of the previous bid, we
did not purchase any common shares.

On November 2, 2015, we completed the acquisition of City National, whereby we issued 41.6 million RBC common shares. In addition, we

issued RBC first preferred shares (Series C-1 and Series C-2) with a par value of US$275 million upon the cancellation of all outstanding City
National preferred stock.

On November 2, 2015, we redeemed all $1.5 billion outstanding 3.18% subordinated debentures due on November 2, 2015 for 100% of

their principal amount plus accrued interest to the redemption date.

On November 16, 2015, we announced our intention to redeem all issued and outstanding $1.2 billion principal amount of RBC TruCS 2015

for cash at a redemption price of $1,000 per unit. The redemption is expected to be completed on December 31, 2015.

As at November 27, 2015, the number of outstanding common shares and stock options and awards was 1,485,401,829 and 14,675,359,

respectively, and the number of Treasury shares – preferred and Treasury shares – common was (9,137) and 291,505, respectively.

NVCC provisions require the conversion of our capital instruments into a variable number of common shares in the event that OSFI deems
the Bank to be non-viable or a federal or provincial government in Canada publicly announces that the Bank has accepted or agreed to accept a
capital injection. If a NVCC trigger event were to occur, our NVCC capital instruments preferred shares Series AZ, preferred shares Series BB,
preferred shares Series BD, preferred shares Series BF, preferred shares Series BH, preferred shares Series BI, preferred shares Series BJ,
subordinated debentures due on July 17, 2024, subordinated debentures due on September 29, 2026 and subordinated debentures due on
June 4, 2025 would be converted into RBC common shares pursuant to an automatic conversion formula with a conversion price based on the
greater of: (i) a floor price of $5.00, and (ii) the current market price of our common shares at the time of the trigger event (10-day weighted
average). Based on a floor price of $5.00 and including an estimate for accrued dividends and interest, these NVCC capital instruments would
convert into a maximum of 1,388 million RBC common shares, in aggregate, which would represent a dilution impact of 49% based on the
number of RBC common shares outstanding as at October 31, 2015.

98

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Attributed capital
Our methodology for allocating capital to our business segments is based on the higher of fully diversified economic capital and the Basel III
regulatory capital requirements. Risk-based capital attribution provides a uniform base for performance measurement among business
segments, which compares to our overall corporate return objective and facilitates management decisions in resource allocation in conjunction
with other factors.

Attributed capital is calculated and attributed on a wider-array of risks compared to Basel III regulatory capital requirements, which are
calibrated predominantly to target credit, market (trading) and operational risk measures. Economic capital is our internal quantification of risks
associated with business activities which is the capital required to remain solvent under extreme market conditions, reflecting our objective to
maintain strong credit ratings. Economic capital is calculated based on credit, market (trading and non-trading), operational, business and fixed
asset, and insurance risks, along with capital attribution for goodwill and other intangibles. The common risks between the two frameworks are
aligned to reflect increased regulatory requirements.
•

Business risk is the risk of loss or harm due to variances in volumes, prices and costs caused by competitive forces, regulatory changes,
reputation and strategic risks.
Fixed asset risk is defined as the risk that the value of fixed assets will be less than their book value at a future date.

•

For further discussion on Credit, Market, Operational and Insurance risks, refer to the Risk management section.
Attributed capital is also used to assess the adequacy of our capital base. Our policy is to maintain a level of available capital, defined as
common equity and other capital instruments with equity-like loss absorption features such as preferred shares that exceed Economic capital
with a comfortable cushion.

The calculation and attribution of capital involves a number of assumptions and judgments by management which are monitored to ensure

that the economic capital framework remains comprehensive and consistent. The models are benchmarked to leading industry practices via
participation in surveys, reviews of methodologies and ongoing interaction with external risk management industry professionals.

The following outlines our attributed capital.

Attributed capital

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Credit risk
Market risk (trading and non-trading)
Operational risk
Business and fixed asset risk
Insurance risk
Goodwill and other intangibles
Regulatory capital allocation

Attributed capital
Under attribution of capital

Average common equity

Table 76

2015

2014

$ 16,400
3,900
4,600
2,900
550
11,900
5,400

$ 45,650
6,650

$ 13,800
3,900
4,300
2,750
500
11,350
4,150

$ 40,750
4,950

$ 52,300

$ 45,700

2015 vs. 2014
Attributed capital increased $5 billion largely due to higher credit risk reflecting business growth and the impact of foreign exchange
translation, and higher regulatory capital allocation. The increase in operational and business risks reflected higher revenue. Goodwill and other
intangibles risk increased mainly as a result of the impact of foreign exchange translation.

We remain well capitalized with current levels of available capital exceeding the attributed capital required to underpin all of our material

risks.

Attributed capital in the context of our business activities
In carrying out our business activities, we are exposed to a range of risks. The following chart provides a high level view of risks within our
business segments, which includes credit, market and operational risks. We have used attributed capital to illustrate the relative size of the risks
in each of our businesses. The attributed capital distribution reflects the diversified nature of our business activities. RWA represents our
exposure to credit, market and operational risk for regulatory capital requirements.

Within Personal & Commercial Banking, credit risk is the most significant risk, largely related to our personal financial services, business
financial services and cards businesses. The primary risks within Wealth Management, which provides services to institutional and individual
clients, are operational risk and credit risk. Risks within our Insurance operations are primarily related to insurance risk in our life, health, home
and auto businesses followed by market risk and operational risk. The largest risk within Investor & Treasury Services is market risk, followed by
credit risk and operational risk. The most significant risk within Capital Markets is credit risk, followed by market risk.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

99

For additional information on the risks highlighted below, refer to the Risk management section.

Attributed capital (1)
Credit 
Market (2) 
Operational 
Goodwill and other 
intangibles 
Other (3) 

23
29

31%
8
9

RWA (C$ millions) (4)
Credit 
Market 
Operational 

$321,669
39,786
50,301

Royal Bank of
Canada

Personal &
Commercial
Banking

Wealth
Management

Insurance

Investor &
Treasury Services

Capital Markets

Attributed capital (1)
Credit 
Market (2) 
Operational 
Goodwill and other 
intangibles 
Other (5) 

29
12

45%
3
11

Attributed capital (1)
Credit 
Market (2) 
Operational 
Goodwill and other 
intangibles 
Other (5) 

69
8

7%
2
14

Attributed capital (1)
Credit 
Market (2) 
Operational 
Goodwill and other 
intangibles 
Other (5) 

9
45

12%
20
14

Attributed capital (1)
Credit 
Market (2) 
Operational 
Goodwill and other 
intangibles 
Other (5) 

19
38

10%
22
11

Attributed capital (1)
Credit 
Market (2) 
Operational 
Goodwill and other 
intangibles 
Other (5) 

6
24

47%
15
8

RWA (C$ millions) (4)
Credit 
Market 
Operational 

$129,608
292
21,770

RWA (C$ millions) (4)
Credit 
Market 
Operational 

$11,467
335
9,635

RWA (C$ millions) (6)
Credit 
Market 
Operational 

$8,240
21
1

RWA (C$ millions) (4)
Credit 
Market 
Operational 

$13,895
14,888
3,619

RWA (C$ millions) (4)
Credit 
Market 
Operational 

$152,639
23,985
14,992

(1)

(2)
(3)

(4)
(5)

(6)

Attributed capital: An estimate of the amount of equity capital required to underpin risks. It is calculated by estimating the level of capital that is necessary to support our various business,
given their risks, consistent with our desired solvency standard and credit ratings.
Market risk attributed capital: An estimate of the amount of equity capital required to underpin trading market risk and interest rate risk.
Other – RBC: Includes (a) an estimate of the amount of equity capital required to underpin risks associated with business, fixed assets and insurance risks; (b) a regulatory capital adjustment
since attributed capital is determined at the higher of regulatory or economic capital; and (c) unattributed capital reported representing common equity in excess of common equity attributed
to our business segments which is reported in the Corporate Support segment only.
RWA amount above represents RWA for CET1.
Other – Business segments: Includes (a) an estimate of the amount of equity capital required to underpin risks associated with business, fixed assets and insurance risks; and (b) a
regulatory capital adjustment since attributed capital is determined at the business segment level as the greater of regulatory or economic capital.
Insurance RWA amount above represents our investments in the insurance subsidiaries capitalized at the regulatory prescribed rate as required under Basel CAR filing.

Subsidiary capital
Our capital management framework includes the management of our subsidiaries’ capital. We invest capital across the enterprise to meet any
local regulators’ capital adequacy requirements and maximize returns to our shareholders. We invest in our subsidiaries as appropriate during
the year. We set guidelines for defining capital investments in our subsidiaries and manage the relationship between capital invested in
subsidiaries and our consolidated capital base to ensure that we can access capital recognized in our consolidated regulatory capital
measurements.

Each of our subsidiaries has responsibility for maintaining its compliance with any local regulatory capital adequacy requirements, which
may include restrictions on the transfer of assets in the form of cash, dividends, loans or advances. Concurrently, Corporate Treasury provides
centralized oversight of capital adequacy across all subsidiary entities.

Other considerations affecting capital
Capital treatment for equity investments in other entities is determined by a combination of accounting and regulatory guidelines based on the
size or nature of the investment. Three broad approaches apply as follows:
•
•

Consolidation: entities which we control are consolidated on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Deduction: certain holdings are deducted in full from our regulatory capital. These include all unconsolidated “substantial investments,” as
defined by the Bank Act (Canada) in the capital of financial institutions, as well as all investments in insurance subsidiaries.
Risk weighting: unconsolidated equity investments that are not deducted from capital are risk weighted at a prescribed rate for
determination of capital charges.

•

Regulatory capital approach for securitization exposures
For our securitization exposures, we use an internal assessment approach (IAA) for exposures related to our ABCP business, and for other
securitization exposures we use a combination of approaches including a ratings-based approach and the standardized approach.

While our IAA rating methodologies are based in large part on criteria that are published by External Credit Assessment Institutions (ECAIs)

such as S&P and therefore are similar to the methodologies used by these institutions, they are not identical. Our ratings process includes a
comparison of the available credit enhancement in a securitization structure to a stressed level of projected losses. The stress level used is
determined by the desired risk profile of the transaction. As a result, we stress the cash flows of a given transaction at a higher level in order to
achieve a higher rating. Conversely, transactions that only pass lower stress levels achieve lower ratings.

100

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Most of the other securitization exposures (non-ABCP) carry external ratings and we use the lower of our own rating or the lowest external
rating for determining the proper capital allocation for these positions. We periodically compare our own ratings to ECAIs ratings to ensure that
the ratings provided by ECAIs are reasonable.

GRM has responsibility for providing risk assessments for capital purposes in respect of all our banking book exposures. GRM is

independent of the business originating the securitization exposures and performs its own analysis, sometimes in conjunction with but always
independent of the applicable business. GRM has developed asset class specific criteria guidelines which provide the rating methodologies for
each asset class. The guidelines are reviewed periodically and are subject to the ratings replication process mandated by Pillar I of the Basel
rules.

Additional financial information

Exposure to U.S. subprime and Alt-A through RMBS, CDOs and mortgages
Certain activities and transactions we enter into expose us to the risk of default of U.S. subprime and Alt-A residential mortgages. Our exposures
to U.S. subprime and Alt-A residential mortgages of $423 million represented less than 0.1% of our total assets as at October 31, 2015,
compared to $396 million or less than 0.1% last year. The increase of $27 million was primarily due to the impact of foreign exchange
translation.

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
The fair value of our total direct holdings of Canadian and U.S. commercial mortgage-backed securities was $379 million as at October 31, 2015.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Our financial instruments carried at fair value are classified as Level 1, 2 or 3, in accordance with the fair value hierarchy set out in IFRS 13 Fair
Value Measurement. For further details on the fair value of our financial instruments and transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy, refer
to Note 3 of our audited 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

The following table presents the total fair value of each major class of financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value and the

percentage of the fair value of each class categorized as Level 1, 2 or 3 as at October 31, 2015.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value

Table 77

As at October 31, 2015

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)

Fair value (1)

Level 1 (1)

Level 2 (1)

Level 3 (1)

Total

Financial assets

Securities at FVTPL
Available-for-sale
Assets purchased under reverse

repurchase agreements and securities
borrowed

Loans
Derivatives

Financial liabilities

Deposits
Obligations related to securities sold

short

Obligations related to assets sold under
repurchase agreements and securities
loaned
Derivatives

$ 158,703
48,149

39%
12

61%
80

0% 100%
8

100

114,692
2,773
193,153

0
0
2

100
83
97

0
17
1

100
100
100

$ 115,592

0%

100%

0% 100%

47,658

67

33

73,362
195,820

0
2

100
97

0

0
1

100

100
100

(1)

The derivative assets and liabilities presented in the table above do not reflect the impact of netting.

Accounting and control matters

Critical accounting policies and estimates

Application of critical accounting policies, judgments, estimates and assumptions
Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to our audited 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain of these
policies, as well as estimates made by management in applying such policies, are recognized as critical because they require us to make
particularly subjective or complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and because of the likelihood that significantly different
amounts could be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions. Our critical accounting judgments, estimates and
assumptions relate to the fair value of financial instruments, allowance for credit losses, goodwill and other intangible assets, employee
benefits, consolidation, derecognition of financial assets, securities impairment, application of the effective interest method, provisions,
insurance claims and policy benefit liabilities and income taxes. Our critical accounting policies and estimates have been reviewed and
approved by our Audit Committee, in consultation with management, as part of their review and approval of our significant accounting policies,
judgments, estimates and assumptions.

Fair value of financial instruments and securities impairment
The fair value of a financial instrument is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction
between market participants at the measurement date. We determine fair value by incorporating all factors that market participants would
consider in setting a price, including commonly accepted valuation approaches.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

101

The Board of Directors provides oversight on valuation of financial instruments, primarily through the Audit Committee and Risk Committee.
The Audit Committee reviews the presentation and disclosure of financial instruments that are measured at fair value, while the Risk Committee
assesses adequacy of governance structures and control processes for valuation of these instruments.

We have established policies, procedures and controls for valuation methodologies and techniques to ensure fair value is reasonably
estimated. Major valuation processes and controls include, but are not limited to, profit and loss decomposition, independent price verification
(IPV) and model validation standards. These control processes are managed by either Finance or GRM and are independent of the relevant
businesses and their trading functions. Profit and loss decomposition is a process to explain the fair value changes of certain positions and is
performed daily for trading portfolios. All fair value instruments are subject to IPV, a process whereby trading function valuations are verified
against external market prices and other relevant market data. Market data sources include traded prices, brokers and price vendors. We give
priority to those third-party pricing services and prices having the highest and most consistent accuracy. The level of accuracy is determined over
time by comparing third-party price values to traders’ or system values, to other pricing service values and, when available, to actual trade data.
Other valuation techniques are used when a price or quote is not available. Some valuation processes use models to determine fair value. We
have a systematic and consistent approach to control model use. Valuation models are approved for use within our model risk management
framework. The framework addresses, among other things, model development standards, validation processes and procedures, and approval
authorities. Model validation ensures that a model is suitable for its intended use and sets parameters for its use. All models are revalidated
regularly by qualified personnel who are independent of the model design and development. Annually our model risk profile is reported to the
Board of Directors.

In determining fair value, a hierarchy is used which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest

priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs
(Level 3). Determination of fair value based on this hierarchy requires the use of observable market data whenever available. Level 1 inputs are
unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2
inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets
that are not active, and model inputs that are either observable, or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term
of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 inputs are one or more inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value of the asset or liability.
Unobservable inputs are used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available at the measurement date. The
availability of inputs for valuation may affect the selection of valuation techniques. The classification of a financial instrument in the hierarchy for
disclosure purposes is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the measurement of fair value.

Where observable prices or inputs are not available, management judgment is required to determine fair values by assessing other relevant

sources of information such as historical data, proxy information from similar transactions, and through extrapolation and interpolation
techniques. For more complex or illiquid instruments, significant judgment is required in the determination of the model used, the selection of
model inputs, and in some cases the application of valuation adjustments to the model value or quoted price for inactively traded financial
instruments, as the selection of model inputs may be subjective and the inputs may be unobservable. Unobservable inputs are inherently
uncertain as there is little or no market data available from which to determine the level at which the transaction would occur under normal
business circumstances. Appropriate parameter uncertainty and market risk valuation adjustments for such inputs and other model risk
valuation adjustments are assessed in all such instances.

We record valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect counterparty credit quality of our derivative portfolio, differences between the
overnight index swap (OIS) curve and London Interbank Offered Rates (LIBOR) for collateralized derivatives, funding valuation adjustments (FVA)
for uncollateralized and under-collateralized OTC derivatives, unrealized gains or losses at inception of the transaction, bid-offer spreads,
unobservable parameters and model limitations. These adjustments may be subjective as they require significant judgment in the input
selection, such as probability of default and recovery rate, and are intended to arrive at fair value that is determined based on assumptions that
market participants would use in pricing the financial instrument. The realized price for a transaction may be different from its recorded value
that is previously estimated using management judgment, and may therefore impact unrealized gains and losses recognized in Non-interest
income – Trading revenue or Other.

Valuation adjustments are recorded for the credit risk of our derivative portfolios in order to arrive at their fair values. CVA take into account
our counterparties’ creditworthiness, the current and potential future mark-to-market of the transactions, and the effects of credit mitigants such
as master netting and collateral agreements. CVA amounts are derived from estimates of exposure at default, probability of default, recovery
rates on a counterparty basis, and market and credit factor correlations. Exposure at default is the amount of expected derivative related assets
and liabilities at the time of default, estimated through modeling using underlying risk factors. Probability of default and recovery rate are
generally implied from the market prices for credit protection and credit ratings of the counterparty. Correlation is the statistical measure of how
credit and market factors may move in relation to one another. Correlation is estimated using historical data and market data where available.
CVA is calculated daily and changes are recorded in Non-interest income – Trading revenue.

In the determination of fair value of collateralized OTC derivatives using the OIS curve, our valuation approach accounts for the difference

between certain OIS rates and LIBOR for derivatives valuation as valuation adjustments.

FVA are also calculated to incorporate cost and benefit of funding in the valuation of uncollateralized and under-collateralized OTC
derivatives. Future expected cash flows of these derivatives are discounted to reflect the cost and benefit of funding the derivatives by using a
funding curve, implied volatilities and correlations as inputs.

Where required, a valuation adjustment is made to reflect the unrealized gain or loss at inception of a financial instrument contract where

the fair value of that financial instrument is not obtained from a quoted market price or cannot be evidenced by other observable market
transactions based on a valuation technique incorporating observable market data.

A bid-offer valuation adjustment is required when a financial instrument is valued at the mid-market price, instead of the bid or offer price
for asset or liability positions, respectively. The valuation adjustment takes into account the spread from the mid to either the bid or offer price.

Some valuation models require parameter calibration from such factors as market observed option prices. The calibration of parameters
may be sensitive to factors such as the choice of instruments or optimization methodology. A valuation adjustment is also estimated to mitigate
the uncertainties of parameter calibration and model limitations.

We classify our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis into three levels based on the transparency of the inputs

used to measure the fair values of the instruments. As at October 31, 2015, Level 2 instruments, whose fair values are based on observable
inputs, include $456 billion of financial assets (October 31, 2014 – $355 billion) and $394 billion of financial liabilities (October 31, 2014 –
$296 billion). These amounts represent 85% of our total financial assets at fair value (October 31, 2014 – 81%) and 91% of our total financial
liabilities at fair value (October 31, 2014 – 89%), respectively. Level 3 instruments, whose valuations include significant unobservable inputs,
include $6 billion of financial assets (October 31, 2014 – $6 billion) and $2 billion of financial liabilities (October 31, 2014 – $2 billion),
representing 1% of our total financial assets at fair value (October 31, 2014 – 1%) and 1% of our total financial liabilities at fair value
(October 31, 2014 – 1%), respectively.

102

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

At each reporting date or more frequently when conditions warrant, we evaluate our AFS securities to determine whether there is any
objective evidence of impairment, such as a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of the security below its cost or when an adverse
effect on future cash flows from the security can be reliably estimated. When assessing impairment for debt instruments we primarily consider
counterparty ratings and security-specific factors, including collateral, external ratings, subordination and other market factors. For complex debt
instruments including U.S. non-agency MBS, ABS and other structured products, we also use cash flow projection models which incorporate
actual and projected cash flows for each security using a number of assumptions and inputs that are based on security specific factors. The
inputs and assumptions used such as default, prepayment and recovery rates are based on updated market data. For U.S. non-agency MBS,
recovery rates are largely dependent upon forecasted property prices which were assessed at the municipal level, provided by a third-party
vendor. In addition, we also consider the transaction structure and credit enhancement for the structured securities. If the result indicates that
we will not be able to recover the entire principal and interest amount, we do a further review of the security in order to assess whether a loss
would ultimately be realized. As equity securities do not have contractual cash flows, they are assessed differently than debt securities. In
assessing whether there is any objective evidence that suggests that the security is impaired we consider factors which include the length of
time and extent the fair value has been below the cost and the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer. We also consider the
estimated recoverable value and the period of recovery. We conduct further analysis for securities where the fair value had been below cost for
greater than twelve months. If an AFS security is impaired, the cumulative unrealized losses previously recognized in Other components of equity
are recognized directly in income under Non-interest income. As at October 31, 2015, our gross unrealized losses on AFS securities were
$304 million (October 31, 2014 – $181 million). Refer to Note 4 to our audited 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for more
information.

Allowance for credit losses
We maintain allowance for credit losses relating to on-balance sheet exposures, such as loans and acceptances, and off-balance sheet items
such as letters of credit, guarantees and unfunded commitments, at levels that management considers appropriate to cover credit related losses
incurred as at the balance sheet date.

Allowances are determined individually for loans that are individually significant, and collectively for loans that are not individually
significant and loans which are significant but for which there is no objective evidence of impairment, using current and historical credit
information in both quantitative and qualitative assessments. For further information on allowance for credit losses, refer to Note 5 to our
audited 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Individually assessed loans
Loans which are individually significant are assessed individually for objective indicators of impairment. A loan is considered impaired when
management determines that it will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original contractual terms or the equivalent value.
Credit exposures of individually significant loans are evaluated based on factors including the borrower’s overall financial condition,

resources and payment record, and where applicable, the realizable value of any collateral. If there is evidence of impairment leading to an
impairment loss, then the amount of the loss is determined as the difference between the carrying amount of the loan, including accrued
interest, and the estimated recoverable amount. The estimated recoverable amount is measured as the present value of expected future cash
flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate, including cash flows that may result from the realization of collateral less costs to
sell.

Collectively assessed loans
Loans which are not individually significant, or which are individually assessed and not determined to be impaired, are collectively assessed for
impairment. For the purposes of a collective evaluation of impairment, loans are grouped on the basis of similar risk characteristics, taking into
account loan type, industry, geographic location, collateral type, past due status and other relevant factors.

The collective impairment allowance is determined by reviewing factors including: (i) historical loss experience, which takes into

consideration historical probabilities of default, loss given default and exposure at default, in portfolios of similar credit risk characteristics, and
(ii) management’s judgment on the level of impairment losses based on historical experience relative to the actual level as reported at the
balance sheet date, taking into consideration the current portfolio credit quality trends, business and economic and credit conditions, the impact
of policy and process changes, and other supporting factors. Future cash flows for a group of loans are collectively evaluated for impairment on
the basis of the contractual cash flows of the loans in the group and historical loss experience for loans with credit risk characteristics similar to
those in the group. Historical loss experience is adjusted based on current observable data to reflect the effects of current conditions that did not
affect the period on which the historical loss experience is based and to remove the effects of conditions in the historical period that do not
currently exist. The methodology and assumptions used for estimating future cash flows are reviewed regularly to reduce any differences
between loss estimates and actual loss experience.

Write-off of loans
Loans and the related impairment allowance for credit losses are written off, either partially or in full, when there is no realistic prospect of
recovery. Where loans are secured, they are generally written off after receipt of any proceeds from the realization of the collateral. In
circumstances where the net realizable value of any collateral has been determined and there is no reasonable expectation of further recovery,
write off may be earlier. For credit cards, the balances and related allowance for credit losses are written off when payment is 180 days in arrears.
Personal loans are generally written off at 150 days past due.

Total allowance for credit losses
Based on the procedures discussed above, management believes that the total allowance for credit losses of $2,120 million is adequate to
absorb estimated credit losses incurred in the lending portfolio as at October 31, 2015 (October 31, 2014 – $2,085 million). This amount
includes $91 million (October 31, 2014 – $91 million) classified in Provisions under Other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, which
relates to off-balance sheet and other items.

Goodwill and other intangible assets
We allocate goodwill to groups of cash-generating units (CGU). Goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment on an annual basis, or
more frequently if there are objective indications of impairment. We test for impairment by comparing the recoverable amount of a CGU with its
carrying amount. A CGU’s recoverable amount is the higher of its fair value less cost of disposal and its value in use. The carrying amount of a
CGU comprises the carrying amount of assets, liabilities, and goodwill allocated to the CGU. When the carrying value of a CGU exceeds its
recoverable amount, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the CGU and then to the
other assets of the CGU proportionally based on the carrying amount of each asset. Any impairment charge is recognized in income in the period
it is identified. Subsequent reversals of goodwill impairment are prohibited.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

103

We estimate the value in use and fair value less costs of disposal of our CGUs primarily using a discounted cash flow method which
incorporates each CGU’s internal forecasts of revenues and expenses. Significant management judgment is applied in the determination of
expected future cash flows (uncertainty in timing and amount), discount rates (based on CGU-specific risks) and terminal growth rates. CGU-
specific risks include country risk, business/operational risk, geographic risk (including political risk, devaluation risk and government
regulation), currency risk and price risk (including product pricing risk and inflation). If the forecast earnings and other assumptions in future
periods deviate significantly from the current amounts used in our impairment testing, the value of our goodwill could become impaired.
Other intangible assets with a finite life are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows: computer
software – 3 to 10 years and customer relationships – 10 to 20 years. They are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting period if
there is an indication that an asset may be impaired. An impairment test is performed by comparing the carrying amount of the intangible asset
to its recoverable amount. Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, we estimate the recoverable
amount of the CGU to which the asset belongs. If the recoverable amount of the asset (or CGU) is less than its carrying amount, the carrying
amount of the intangible asset is written down to its recoverable amount as an impairment loss. An impairment loss recognized previously is
reversed if there is a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount of the asset (or CGU) since the last impairment loss was
recognized. If an impairment loss is subsequently reversed, the carrying amount of the asset (or CGU) is revised to the lower of its recoverable
amount and the carrying amount that would have been determined (net of amortization) had there been no prior impairment.

Significant judgment is applied in estimating the useful lives and recoverable amounts of our intangible assets and assessing whether

certain events or circumstances constitute objective evidence of impairment. We do not have any other intangible assets with indefinite lives.
As at October 31, 2015, we had $9.3 billion of goodwill (October 31, 2014 – $8.6 billion) and $2.8 billion of other intangible assets

(October 31, 2014 – $2.8 billion). For further details, refer to Notes 2 and 10 to our 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Employee benefits
We sponsor a number of benefit programs for eligible employees, including registered pension plans, supplemental pension plans, health,
dental, disability and life insurance plans.

The calculation of defined benefit expenses and obligations depends on various assumptions such as discount rates, healthcare cost trend

rates, projected salary increases, retirement age, and mortality and termination rates. The discount rate assumption is determined using spot
rates from a derived Aa corporate bond yield curve for our Canadian pension and other post-employment benefit plans, and spot rates from an
Aa corporate bond yield curve for our International pension and other post-employment benefit plans. All other assumptions are determined by
management, applying significant judgment, and are reviewed by the actuaries. Actual experience that differs from the actuarial assumptions
will affect the amounts of benefit obligations and remeasurements that we recognize. The weighted average assumptions used and the
sensitivity of key assumptions are presented in Note 17 to our audited 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Consolidation
Subsidiaries are those entities, including structured entities, over which we have control. We control an entity when we are exposed, or have
rights, to variable returns from our involvement with the entity and have the ability to affect those returns through our power over the investee.
We have power over an entity when we have existing rights that give us the current ability to direct the activities that most significantly affect the
entity’s returns (relevant activities). Power may be determined on the basis of voting rights or, in the case of structured entities, other contractual
arrangements.

We are not deemed to control an entity when we exercise power over an entity in an agency capacity. In determining whether we are acting

as an agent, we consider the overall relationship between us, the investee and other parties to the arrangement with respect to the following
factors: (i) the scope of our decision making power; (ii) the rights held by other parties; (iii) the remuneration to which we are entitled; and
(iv) our exposure to variability of returns.

The determination of control is based on the current facts and circumstances and is continuously assessed. In some circumstances,
different factors and conditions may indicate that various parties control an entity depending on whether those factors and conditions are
assessed in isolation or in totality. Significant judgment is applied in assessing the relevant factors and conditions in totality when determining
whether we control an entity. Specifically, judgment is applied in assessing whether we have substantive decision making rights over the
relevant activities and whether we are exercising our power as a principal or an agent.

We consolidate all subsidiaries from the date control is transferred to us, and cease consolidation when an entity is no longer controlled by
us. Our consolidation conclusions affect the classification and amount of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in our Consolidated
Financial Statements.

Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries that we consolidate are shown on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as a separate component of

equity which is distinct from our shareholders’ equity. The net income attributable to non-controlling interests is separately disclosed in our
Consolidated Statements of Income.

For further details, refer to Off-balance sheet arrangements and Note 7 to our audited 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Derecognition of financial assets
We periodically enter into transactions in which we transfer financial assets such as loans or packaged MBS to structured entities or trusts that
issue securities to investors. We derecognized the assets when our contractual rights to the cash flows from the assets have expired, when we
retain the rights to receive the cash flows but assume an obligation to pay those cash flows to a third party subject to certain pass-through
requirements, or when we transfer our contractual rights to receive the cash flows and substantially all of the risks and rewards of the assets
have been transferred. When we retain substantially all of the risks and rewards of the transferred assets, the transferred assets are not
derecognized from our Consolidated Balance Sheets and are accounted for as secured financing transactions. When we neither retain nor
transfer substantially all risks and rewards of ownership of the assets, we derecognize the assets if control over the assets is relinquished. If we
retain control over the transferred assets, we continue to recognize the transferred assets to the extent of our continuing involvement.
Management’s judgment is applied in determining whether we have transferred or retained substantially all risk and rewards of ownership of the
transferred financial asset.

The majority of assets transferred under repurchase agreements, securities lending agreements, and in our Canadian residential mortgage

securitization transactions do not qualify for derecognition; as a result, we continue to record the associated transferred assets on our
Consolidated Balance Sheets and no gains or losses are recognized for these securitization activities. Otherwise, a gain or loss is recognized on
securitization by comparing the carrying amount of the transferred asset with its fair value at the date of the transfer. As at October 31, 2015,
the carrying and fair values of the transferred assets that do not qualify for derecognition were $119 billion and $119 billion, respectively
(October 31, 2014 – $101 billion and $101 billion), and the carrying and fair values of the associated liabilities totalled $119 billion and
$120 billion, respectively (October 31, 2014 – $101 billion and $102 billion). For further information on derecognition of financial assets, refer
to Note 6 to our audited 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

104

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Application of the effective interest method
Interest is recognized in Interest income and Interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income for all interest bearing financial
instruments using the effective interest method. The effective interest rate is the rate that discounts estimated future cash flows over the
expected life of the financial asset or liability to the net carrying amount upon initial recognition. Significant judgment is applied in determining
the effective interest rate due to uncertainty in the timing and amounts of future cash flows.

Provisions
Provisions are liabilities of uncertain timing or amount and are recognized when we have a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a
past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount
of the obligation. Provisions are measured as the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the reporting
date. Significant judgment is required in determining whether a present obligation exists and in estimating the probability, timing and amount of
any outflows. We record provisions related to litigation, asset retirement obligations, and the allowance for off-balance sheet and other items.
Provisions are recorded under Other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

We are required to estimate the results of ongoing legal proceedings, expenses to be incurred to dispose of capital assets, and credit losses
on undrawn commitments and guarantees. The forward-looking nature of these estimates requires us to use a significant amount of judgment in
projecting the timing and amount of future cash flows. We record our provisions on the basis of all available information at the end of the
reporting period and make adjustments on a quarterly basis to reflect current expectations. Should actual results differ from our expectations,
we may incur expenses in excess of the provisions recognized.

When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a third party, such as an insurer,

a separate asset is recognized if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received.

Insurance claims and policy benefit liabilities
Insurance claims and policy benefit liabilities represent current claims and estimates for future insurance policy benefits. Liabilities for life
insurance contracts are determined using the Canadian Asset Liability Method, which incorporates assumptions for mortality, morbidity, policy
lapses and surrenders, investment yields, policy dividends, operating and policy maintenance expenses, and provisions for adverse deviation.
These assumptions are reviewed at least annually and updated in response to actual experience and market conditions. Liabilities for property
and casualty insurance represent estimated provisions for reported and unreported claims. Liabilities for life and property and casualty insurance
are included in Insurance claims and policy benefit liabilities. Changes in Insurance claims and policy benefit liabilities are included in the
Insurance policyholder benefits, claims and acquisition expense in our Consolidated Statements of Income in the period in which the estimates
change.

Income taxes
We are subject to income tax laws in various jurisdictions where we operate, and the complex tax laws are potentially subject to different
interpretations by us and the relevant taxation authority. Management’s judgment is applied in the interpretation of the relevant tax laws and in
the estimation of the provision for current and deferred income taxes, including the expected timing and amount of the realization. A deferred
tax asset or liability is determined for each temporary difference based on the tax rates that are expected to be in effect in the period that the
asset is realized or the liability is settled. Where the temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future, no deferred tax amount is
recognized.

On a quarterly basis, we review whether it is probable that the benefits associated with our deferred tax assets will be realized, using both

positive and negative evidence. Refer to Note 24 to our audited 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Changes in accounting policies and disclosure
We have adopted new accounting pronouncements effective November 1, 2014. These new and amended standards include, IAS 32 Financial
Instruments: Presentations and IFRS Interpretations Committee IFRIC Interpretation 21 Levies. Refer to Note 2 to our audited 2015 Annual
Consolidated Financial Statements for details of these changes.

Future changes in accounting policy and disclosure

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (IFRS 15)
In May 2014, the IASB issued IFRS 15 which establishes principles for reporting about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue
and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. The standard provides a single, principles based five-step model for revenue
recognition to be applied to contracts with customers except for revenue arising from items such as financial instruments, insurance contracts
and leases. In September 2015, the IASB amended IFRS 15 by deferring its effective date by one year. IFRS 15 will be effective for us on
November 1, 2018.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (IFRS 9)
In July 2014, the IASB issued the complete version of IFRS 9, which brings together the classification and measurement, impairment and hedge
accounting phases of the IASB’s project to replace IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement (IAS 39).

In January 2015, OSFI issued an advisory with respect to the early adoption of IFRS 9 for D-SIBs, requiring D-SIBs to adopt IFRS 9 for the
annual period beginning on November 1, 2017. As a result, we will be required to adopt IFRS 9 on November 1, 2017, with the exception of the
own credit provisions of IFRS 9, which we adopted in the second quarter of 2014.

Impairment
IFRS 9 introduces an expected loss model for all financial assets not classified as or designated as at FVTPL. Allowances are measured according
to the model which has three stages: (1) on initial recognition and where there has been no significant increase in credit risk or the resulting
credit risk is considered to be low, 12-month expected credit losses are recognized in profit or loss and a loss allowance is established; (2) if
credit risk increases significantly since initial recognition, and the resulting credit risk is not considered to be low, full lifetime expected credit
losses are recognized; and (3) when a financial asset is considered impaired, interest revenue is calculated based on the carrying amount of the
asset, net of the loss allowance, rather than its gross carrying amount.

The assessment of changes in credit risk since initial recognition and the estimation of expected credit losses are required to incorporate all

relevant information which is available as at the reporting date. This includes information about past events and current conditions as well as
reasonable and supportable forecasts of future events and economic conditions. The estimation of expected credit losses is a discounted
probability-weighted estimate.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

105

The recognition and measurement of impairment losses under IFRS 9 is intended to be more forward-looking than under IAS 39 and the
resulting provision for credit losses is expected to be more volatile. Because all financial assets within the scope of the IFRS 9 impairment model
will be assessed for at least 12-months of expected credit losses, and the population of financial assets to which full lifetime expected credit
losses applies is larger than the population of impaired loans for which there is objective evidence of impairment in accordance with IAS 39,
the allowance for credit losses is expected to increase.

Classification and measurement
IFRS 9 also introduces a principles-based approach to the classification of financial assets based on an entity’s business model and the nature
of the cash flows of the assets. All financial assets, including hybrid contracts, are measured at FVTPL, fair value through other comprehensive
income or amortized cost replacing the existing IAS 39 classifications of held-to-maturity, loans and receivables, and available-for-sale. The
combined application of the business model and contractual cash flow characteristics test may result in some differences in the population of
financial assets measured at amortized cost or fair value compared with IAS 39. For financial liabilities, IFRS 9 includes the requirements for
classification and measurement previously included in IAS 39.

Hedge accounting
The new hedge accounting model under IFRS 9 aims to simplify hedge accounting, align the accounting for hedge relationships more closely with
an entity’s risk management activities and permit hedge accounting to be applied more broadly to a greater variety of hedging instruments and
risks eligible for hedge accounting.

The new standard does not explicitly address the accounting for macro hedging activities, which is being addressed by the IASB in a
separate project. As a result, IFRS 9 includes an accounting policy choice to retain IAS 39 for hedge accounting requirements until the standard
resulting from the IASB’s project on macro hedge accounting is effective. The new hedge accounting disclosures, however, are required for the
annual period beginning November 1, 2017.

Transition
The impairment and classification and measurement requirements of IFRS 9 will be applied retrospectively by adjusting the opening balance
sheet at November 1, 2017. There is no requirement to restate comparative periods. Hedge accounting, if adopted, will be applied prospectively,
with limited exceptions. At this stage, it is not possible to quantify the potential financial effect of adoption of IFRS 9 to the Bank.

To manage our transition to IFRS 9, we have implemented a comprehensive enterprise-wide program led jointly by Finance and GRM that focuses
on key areas of impact including financial reporting, systems and processes, as well as communications and training. We have completed a
preliminary organization-wide diagnostic to assess the scope and complexity of the adoption of IFRS 9 which identified areas with differences
between IFRS 9 and IAS 39, as discussed above. We will continue to monitor and revisit our preliminary conclusions in order to identify any
further financial, capital and business implications.

During 2015, we continued to manage the IFRS 9 program through the completion of activities and deliverables to support the key areas of

impact noted above. To date, we have:

•
•

•

•

•

Conducted preliminary assessments of the accounting policy elections for the adoption of IFRS 9;
Initiated projects within the program framework which are in progress conducting thorough analysis, assessing financial and economic
impacts and identifying process and systems requirements to ensure a successful transition;
Developed a resourcing model and prepared an initial cost analysis and timeline to ensure that sufficient program resources are
available to meet key deliverables;
Provided updates to the Audit Committee and senior management to ensure timely decisions and escalation of key issues and risks;
and
Conducted internal education seminars for key stakeholders across the Bank in the various business platforms and functional groups.

In the upcoming year, we expect to:

•

•
•
•
•

Continue to design specifications for data sourcing, systems, models, controls and processes in order to align finance and risk
processes and systems;
Agree on accounting interpretations and formulate bank-wide policies;
Continue to roll out training and educational seminars to impacted internal stakeholders;
Develop and validate new impairment models; and
Design controls and governance of future processes.

As we prepare for our transition to IFRS 9, we continue to monitor industry interpretations of the new standard and expect to adjust our transition
and implementation plans accordingly. Our IFRS 9 program remains aligned to our implementation schedule and we are on track to meet the
timelines essential to our transition.

Future changes in regulatory disclosure

Basel Committee on Banking Supervision revised Pillar 3 disclosure requirements
In January 2015, the BCBS issued the final standard for the revised Pillar 3 which requires disclosure of standard templates to provide
comparability and consistency of capital and risk disclosure amongst banks. BCBS requires all banks to provide the revised Pillar 3 disclosures
by the end of fiscal 2016. The implementation date for Pillar 3 for Canadian banks is expected to be no earlier than the fourth quarter of 2017.

Controls and procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures
Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports
filed or submitted under Canadian and U.S. securities laws is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified
under those laws and include controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information is accumulated and communicated to
management, including the President and Chief Executive Officer, and the Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely
decisions regarding required disclosure.

106

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

As of October 31, 2015, management evaluated, under the supervision of and with the participation of the President and Chief Executive
Officer and the Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined
under rules adopted by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Based on that evaluation, the President and Chief Executive
Officer and the Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as
of October 31, 2015.

Internal control over financial reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial
reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements
for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. However, because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not
prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis. See Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and the Report of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

No changes were made in our internal control over financial reporting during the year ended October 31, 2015 that have materially affected,

or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Related party transactions

In the ordinary course of business, we provide normal banking services and operational services, and enter into other transactions with
associated and other related corporations, including our joint venture entities, on terms similar to those offered to non-related parties. We grant
loans to directors, officers and other employees at rates normally accorded to preferred clients. In addition, we offer deferred share and other
plans to non-employee directors, executives and certain other key employees. For further information, refer to Notes 12 and 29 of our audited
2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

107

Supplementary information

Net interest income on average assets and liabilities

Table 78

Average balances

Interest

Average rate

2015

2014

2013

2015

2014

2013

2015

2014

2013

$

8,463 $
5,567
14,837
28,867

1,692 $
540
5,227
7,459

1,355 $
426
7,370
9,151

70 $
12
(5)
77

61 $
1
14
76

57
4
13
74

0.83%
0.22
(0.03)
0.27%

3.61%
0.19
0.27
1.02%

164,509
52,833
217,342

149,920
43,047
192,967

137,064
37,809
174,873

3,543
976
4,519

3,322
671
3,993

3,113
666
3,779

2.15
1.85
2.08

2.22
1.56
2.07

4.21%
0.94
0.18
0.81%

2.27
1.76
2.16

165,602

136,857

123,766

1,251

971

941

0.76

0.71

0.76

326,153
58,946
385,099
36,581
31,261
452,941
864,752

314,159
54,681
368,840
28,402
25,067
422,309
759,592

301,887
50,248
352,135
22,691
21,129
395,955
703,745

12,086
2,715
14,801
780
1,301
16,882
22,729

12,245
2,721
14,966
888
1,125
16,979
22,019

12,077
2,486
14,563
776
1,015
16,354
21,148

19,283

13,495

11,511

–

–

–

12,423
156,342

–
–
$ 1,052,800 $ 906,500 $ 852,000 $ 22,729 $ 22,019 $ 21,148

10,725
122,688

9,663
127,081

–
–

–
–

3.71
4.61
3.84
2.13
4.16
3.73
2.63

–

3.90
4.98
4.06
3.13
4.49
4.02
2.90

–

4.00
4.95
4.14
3.42
4.80
4.13
3.01

–

–
–
2.16%

–
–
2.43%

–
–
2.48%

459,679
68,909
62,029
590,617

418,780
50,459
54,267
523,506

379,080
43,076
48,953
471,109

5,162
214
347
5,723

5,416
158
299
5,873

5,242
169
283
5,694

1.12%
0.31
0.56
0.97

1.29%
0.31
0.55
1.12

1.38%
0.39
0.58
1.21

56,827

50,548

48,979

1,645

1,494

1,579

2.89

2.96

3.22

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except for percentage
amounts)

Assets
Deposits with other banks (3)

Canada
U.S.
Other International

Securities
Trading
Available-for-sale

Asset purchased under reverse
repurchase agreements and
securities borrowed

Loans (2)

Canada
Retail
Wholesale

U.S.
Other International

Total interest-earning assets
Non-interest-bearing deposits with

other banks

Customers’ liability under

acceptances
Other assets (3)
Total assets
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Deposits (4)
Canada (1)
U.S.
Other International

Obligations related to securities sold

short

Obligations related to assets sold

under repurchase agreements and
securities loaned

Subordinated debentures
Other interest-bearing liabilities (3)
Total interest-bearing liabilities
Non-interest-bearing deposits (1)
Acceptances
Other liabilities (3)
Total liabilities

84,380
7,654
13,585
753,063
76,830
12,422
151,845

279
336
11
7,899
–
–
–
$ 994,160 $ 854,495 $ 805,057 $ 7,958 $ 7,903 $ 7,899

68,594
6,632
251
649,531
69,596
10,725
124,643

70,881
8,216
484
599,669
66,607
9,663
129,118

337
240
13
7,958
–
–
–

278
246
12
7,903
–
–
–

Equity

58,640

52,005

46,943

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Total liabilities and shareholders’

equity

$ 1,052,800 $ 906,500 $ 852,000 $ 7,958 $ 7,903 $ 7,899

Net interest income and margin

$ 1,052,800 $ 906,500 $ 852,000 $ 14,771 $ 14,116 $ 13,249

Net interest income and margin
(average earning assets)
Canada
U.S.
Other International

Total

$ 539,333 $ 497,436 $ 471,448 $ 11,538 $ 11,121 $ 10,956
1,603
690
$ 864,752 $ 759,592 $ 703,745 $ 14,771 $ 14,116 $ 13,249

165,083
160,336

116,016
116,281

135,876
126,280

1,977
1,256

1,896
1,099

0.40
3.14
0.10
1.06
–
–
–
0.80%

n.a.

0.76%

1.40%

2.14%
1.20
0.78
1.71%

0.41
3.71
4.78
1.22
–
–
–
0.92%

n.a.

0.87%

1.56%

2.24%
1.40
0.87
1.86%

0.39
4.09
2.27
1.32
–
–
–
0.98%

n.a.

0.93%

1.56%

2.32%
1.38
0.59
1.88%

(1)
(2)
(3)

(4)

Amounts have been revised from those previously presented.
Interest income includes loan fees of $503 million (2014 – $516 million; 2013 – $509 million).
Starting in 2015, we have included cash collateral and margin deposits, and cash collateral received in Deposits with other banks and Other interest-bearing liabilities, respectively
(previously, in Other assets and Other liabilities). Insurance segment assets and liabilities are included in Other assets and Other liabilities, respectively.
Deposits include personal savings deposits with average balances of $142 billion (2014 – $133 billion; 2013 – $124 billion), interest expense of $.6 billion (2014 – $.7 billion; 2013 –
$.7 billion) and average rates of .4% (2014 – .5%; 2013 – .6%). Deposits also include term deposits with average balances of $345 billion (2014 – $302 billion; 2013 – $273 billion),
interest expense of $4.5 billion (2014 – $4.4 billion; 2013 – $4.3 billion) and average rates of 1.30% (2014 – 1.47%; 2013 – 1.57%).

108

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Change in net interest income

Table 79

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Assets
Deposits with other banks (2)

Canada (4)
U.S. (4)
Other international (4)

Securities
Trading
Available-for-sale

Asset purchased under reverse repurchase agreements

and securities borrowed

Loans

Canada
Retail
Wholesale

U.S.
Other international
Total interest income
Liabilities
Deposits

Canada (5)
U.S.
Other international

Obligations related to securities sold short
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase

agreements and securities loaned

Subordinated debentures
Other interest-bearing liabilities (2)
Total interest expense
Net interest income
(1)
(2)

2015 (3) vs. 2014

Increase (decrease) due
to changes in

2014 vs. 2013

Increase (decrease) due
to changes in

Average
volume (1)

Average
rate (1)

Net change

Average
volume (1)

Average
rate (1)

Net change

$

$

$
$

244
9
26

323
153

204

467
212
256
278
2,172

529
58
43
186

64
38
637
1,555
617

$

$

$
$

(235) $
2
(45)

(102)
152

76

(626)
(218)
(364)
(102)
(1,462) $

(783)
(2)
5
(35)

(5)
(44)
(636)
(1,500) $
$
38

9
11
(19)

221
305

280

(159)
(6)
(108)
176
710

(254)
56
48
151

59
(6)
1
55
655

$

$

$
$

$

14
1
(4)

(10) $
(4)
5

292
92

100

491
219
195
189
1,589

549
29
31
51

(9)
(65)
(5)
581
1,008

$

$
$

(83)
(87)

(70)

(323)
16
(83)
(79)
(718) $

(375)
(40)
(15)
(136)

8
(25)
6
(577) $
(141) $

4
(3)
1

209
5

30

168
235
112
110
871

174
(11)
16
(85)

(1)
(90)
1
4
867

Volume/rate variance is allocated on the percentage relationships of changes in balances and changes in rates to the total net change in net interest income.
Starting in 2015, we have included cash collateral and margin deposits, and cash collateral received in Deposits with other banks and Other interest-bearing liabilities, respectively
(previously, in Other assets and Other liabilities).
Insurance segment assets and liabilities are included in Other assets and Other liabilities, respectively.
Geographic classification for selected assets and liabilities is based on the domicile of the booking point of the subject assets and liabilities.
Amounts have been revised from those previously presented.

(3)
(4)
(5)

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

109

Loans and acceptances by geography

Table 80

As at October 31 (Millions of Canadian dollars)

2015

2014

2013

2012 (1)

2011 (1)

Canada

Residential mortgages
Personal
Credit cards
Small business

Retail

Business
Sovereign (2)
Bank
Wholesale

U.S.

Retail
Wholesale

Other International

Retail
Wholesale

Total loans and acceptances

Total allowance for loan losses

$ 229,987
84,637
15,516
4,003
334,143
71,246
8,508
530

$ 215,624
86,984
14,650
4,067
321,325
64,643
3,840
413

$ 206,134
86,102
13,902
4,026
310,164
58,920
3,807
823

$ 195,552
80,000
13,422
2,503
291,477
51,212
3,751
390

$ 185,620
75,668
12,723
2,481
276,492
45,186
3,304
747

$ 80,284

$

68,896

$

63,550

$

55,353

$

49,237

$ 414,427

$ 390,221

$ 373,714

$ 346,830

$ 325,729

5,484
34,702
40,186

8,556
24,536
33,092

4,686
23,639
28,325

8,258
21,881
30,139

3,734
19,443
23,177

6,768
17,103
23,871

3,138
17,081
20,219

5,673
16,900
22,573

3,101
11,094
14,195

5,152
12,110
17,262

$ 487,705
(2,029)

$ 448,685
(1,994)

$ 420,762
(1,959)

$ 389,622
(1,996)

$ 357,186
(1,967)

Total loans and acceptances, net of allowance for loan losses

$ 485,676

$ 446,691

$ 418,803

$ 387,626

$ 355,219

(1)
(2)

On a continuing operations basis.
In 2015, we reclassified $4 billion from AFS securities to Loans.

Loans and acceptances by portfolio and sector

As at October 31 (Millions of Canadian dollars)

Residential mortgages
Personal
Credit cards
Small business

Retail

Business

Agriculture
Automotive
Consumer goods
Energy

Oil & gas
Utilities

Non-bank financial services
Forest products
Industrial products
Mining & metals
Real estate & related
Technology & media
Transportation & environment
Other (2)
Sovereign
Bank

Wholesale

Total loans and acceptances

Total allowance for loan losses

Table 81

2015

2014

2013

2012 (1)

2011 (1)

$ 233,975
94,346
15,859
4,003

$ 219,257
96,021
14,924
4,067

$ 209,238
93,260
14,142
4,026

$ 198,324
85,800
13,661
2,503

$ 188,406
80,921
12,937
2,481

$ 348,183

$ 334,269

$ 320,666

$ 300,288

$ 284,745

6,057
6,614
7,146

7,691
5,162
6,428
1,169
4,725
1,402
33,802
6,599
5,907
35,133
9,887
1,800

5,694
6,209
7,172

5,849
3,766
5,688
979
4,665
1,320
30,387
4,822
5,432
26,604
4,628
1,201

5,441
6,167
6,230

5,046
3,860
4,903
893
4,038
1,074
24,413
4,006
5,593
22,716
4,396
1,320

5,202
3,585
5,432

4,981
3,821
3,895
811
3,938
965
20,650
4,203
5,221
21,447
4,193
990

4,880
3,025
5,341

4,119
2,275
2,007
698
3,381
1,122
15,569
2,712
4,927
17,011
4,050
1,324

$ 139,522

$ 114,416

$ 100,096

$

89,334

$

72,441

$ 487,705

$ 448,685

$ 420,762

$ 389,622

$ 357,186

(2,029)

(1,994)

(1,959)

(1,996)

(1,967)

Total loans and acceptances, net of allowance for loan losses

$ 485,676

$ 446,691

$ 418,803

$ 387,626

$ 355,219

(1)
(2)

On a continuing operations basis.
Other in 2015 related to financing products, $10.1 billion; health, $6.0 billion; holding and investments, $6.9 billion; other services, $8.8 billion; and other, $3.3 billion.

110

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Impaired loans by portfolio and geography

As at October 31 (Millions of Canadian dollars, except for percentage amounts)

Residential mortgages
Personal
Small business

Retail
Business

Agriculture
Automotive
Consumer goods
Energy

Oil and gas
Utilities

Non-bank financial services
Forest products
Industrial products
Mining & metals
Real estate & related
Technology & media
Transportation & environment
Other (2)
Sovereign
Bank
Wholesale
Total impaired loans (3)
Canada

Residential mortgages
Personal
Small business

Retail

Business

Agriculture
Automotive
Consumer goods
Energy

Oil & gas
Utilities

Non-bank financial services
Forest products
Industrial products
Mining & metals
Real estate & related
Technology & media
Transportation & environment
Other
Sovereign
Bank
Wholesale

Total
U.S.

Retail
Wholesale

Total
Other International

Retail
Wholesale

Total
Total impaired loans
Allowance for impaired loans
Net impaired loans
Gross impaired loans as a % of loans and acceptances

Residential mortgages
Personal
Small business

Retail
Wholesale
Total

Allowance for impaired loans as a % of gross impaired loans

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$
$

$

2015
646
299
45
990

41
11
130

156
57
1
28
45
17
297
34
53
423
–
2
1,295
2,285

356
223
45
624

39
8
65

39
20
–
5
39
7
161
34
29
66
–
–
512
1,136

10
204
214

356
579
935
2,285
(654)
1,631

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$
$

$

0.28%
0.32%
1.13%
0.28%
0.93%
0.47%
28.64%

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$
$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$
$

$

2014
678
300
47
1,025

40
12
108

6
–
3
25
48
9
314
38
32
315
–
2
952
1,977

388
224
47
659

36
11
70

4
–
1
6
41
9
171
37
11
90
–
–
487
1,146

13
18
31

353
447
800
1,977
(632)
1,345

0.31%
0.31%
1.16%
0.31%
0.84%
0.44%
31.98%

2013
691
363
37
1,091

43
12
101

14
–
1
26
54
2
367
117
98
272
–
3
1,110
2,201

464
229
36
729

38
9
58

14
–
1
8
40
2
169
86
21
80
–
–
526
1,255

14
98
112

348
486
834
2,201
(599)
1,602

0.33%
0.39%
0.83%
0.34%
1.11%
0.52%
27.22%

2012 (1)
674
273
33
980

52
17
83

2
–
5
30
88
2
353
251
73
312
–
2
1,270
2,250

475
206
34
715

44
11
34

–
–
3
12
34
2
153
238
22
88
–
–
641
1,356

7
162
169

258
467
725
2,250
(636)
1,614

0.34%
0.32%
1.32%
0.33%
1.42%
0.58%
28.33%

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$
$

$

Table 82

2011 (1)
719
289
40
1,048

75
38
91

33
–
13
27
38
4
464
47
105
311
–
33
1,279
2,327

567
188
40
795

62
30
48

25
–
1
7
26
2
164
43
12
93
–
–
513
1,308

6
116
122

247
650
897
2,327
(605)
1,722

0.38%
0.36%
1.61%
0.37%
1.77%
0.65%
26.00%

(1)
(2)
(3)

On a continuing operations basis.
Other in 2015 is related to financing products, $109 million; health, $17 million; holding and investments, $185 million; other services, $69 million; and other, $43 million.
Past due loans greater than 90 days not included in impaired loans were $314 million in 2015 (2014 – $316 million; 2013 – $346 million; 2012 – $393 million; 2011 – $525 million).

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

111

Provision for credit losses by portfolio and geography

Table 83

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except for percentage amounts)

2015

2014

2013

2012 (1)

2011 (1)

Residential mortgages
Personal
Credit cards
Small business

Retail

Business

Agriculture
Automotive
Consumer goods
Energy

Oil and gas
Utilities

Non-bank financial services
Forest products
Industrial products
Mining & metals
Real estate & related
Technology & media
Transportation & environment
Other (2)
Sovereign
Bank

Wholesale

Total provision for credit losses on impaired loans

Canada

Residential mortgages
Personal
Credit cards
Small business

Retail

Business

Agriculture
Automotive
Consumer goods
Energy

Oil & gas
Utilities

Non-bank financial services
Forest products
Industrial products
Mining & metals
Real estate & related
Technology & media
Transportation & environment
Other
Sovereign
Bank

Wholesale

Total

U.S.

Retail
Wholesale

Other International

Retail
Wholesale

Total provision for credit losses on impaired loans

Total provision for credit losses on non-impaired loans

Total provision for credit losses

Provision for credit losses as a % of average net loans and acceptances

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

47
388
378
32

845

9
3
33

47
9
7
6
4
8
29
5
8
85
–
(1)

252

1,097

27
393
371
32

823

9
3
21

22
1
–
1
7
3
13
6
7
23
–
–

116

939

1
40

41

21
96

117

1,097

–

1,097

0.24%

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

94
441
353
44

932

3
2
27

(5)
32
–
7
14
2
58
14
2
76
–
–

232

1,164

27
393
345
44

809

4
3
25

(5)
–
–
1
14
2
34
14
3
28
–
–

123

932

2
40

42

121
69

190

1,164

–

1,164

0.27%

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

41
458
354
32

885

4
3
17

(6)
–
10
4
21
1
62
157
35
44
–
–

352

1,237

27
391
346
32

796

4
3
16

(6)
–
–
3
14
1
37
50
2
25
–
–

149

945

3
32

35

86
171

257

1,237

–

67
445
394
43

949

8
(2)
27

(11)
–
1
5
32
–
82
102
47
61
–
–

352

1,301

34
413
391
43

881

8
(2)
13

(11)
–
1
5
12
–
43
98
10
30
–
–

207

1,088

4
29

33

64
116

180

1,301

(2)

1,237

$

1,299

0.31%

0.35%

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

42
438
448
35

963

7
(4)
14

(20)
–
(11)
5
3
–
66
(3)
29
82
–
–

168

1,131

25
408
448
35

916

7
(3)
13

(9)
–
–
4
3
1
31
6
5
44
–
–

102

1,018

4
(19)

(15)

43
85

128

1,131

2

1,133

0.33%

(1)
(2)

On a continuing operations basis.
Other in 2015 is related to financing products, $39 million; holding and investments, $19 million; other services, $4 million; and other, $23 million.

112

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Allowance for credit losses by portfolio and geography

Table 84

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)
Allowance at beginning of year
Alowance at beginning of year – discontinued operations
Provision for credit losses
Write-offs by portfolio

Residential mortgages
Personal
Credit cards
Small business

Retail

Business
Sovereign
Bank

Wholesale

Total write-offs by portfolio

Recoveries by portfolio

Residential mortgages
Personal
Credit cards
Small business

Retail

Business
Sovereign
Bank

Wholesale

Total recoveries by portfolio

Net write-offs

Adjustments (3)

Total allowance for credit losses at end of year

Allowance against impaired loans
Canada

Residential mortgages
Personal
Small business

Retail

Business

Agriculture
Automotive
Consumer goods
Energy

Oil & gas
Utilities

Non-bank financial services
Forest products
Industrial products
Mining & metals
Real estate & related
Technology & media
Transportation & environment
Other
Sovereign
Bank

Wholesale

U.S.

Retail
Wholesale

Other International

Retail
Wholesale

Total allowance against impaired loans

Allowance against non-impaired loans

Residential mortgages
Personal
Credit cards
Small business

Retail

Wholesale

Off-balance sheet and other items

Total allowance against non-impaired loans
Total allowance for credit losses

Key ratios

Allowance for credit losses as a % of loans and acceptances
Net write-offs as a % of average net loans and acceptances

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$
$

2015
2,085
–
1,097

$

(64)
(494)
(497)
(40)
(1,095) $
(243) $
–
–
(243) $
(1,338) $

7
105
119
10

241

33
–
1

34

$

$

$

$

$
275
(1,063) $
1

$

$

$

$

$
$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

2,120

27
96
19

142

5
4
12

–
1
–
3
13
1
28
12
7
25
–
–

111

253

1
47

48

169
184

353

654

83
396
386
45

910

465

91

1,466
2,120

0.43%
0.23%

2014
2,050
–
1,164

(30)
(565)
(466)
(47)

$

2013
2,087
–
1,237

$

2012 (1), (2)
2,056
–
1,299

$

2011 (2)
2,966
(854)
1,133

(24)
(498)
(466)
(35)

(32)
(499)
(496)
(50)

(16)
(515)
(545)
(45)

(1,108) $

(1,023) $

(1,077) $

(1,121)

(221) $
–
–

(221) $

(448) $
–
–

(448) $

(288) $
–
(32)

(320) $

(226)
(9)
–

(235)

(1,329) $

(1,471) $

(1,397) $

(1,356)

2
106
114
9

231

32
–
–

32

263

$

$

$

$

$

2
96
112
9

219

51
–
–

51

270

$

$

$

$

$

1
83
102
8

194

39
–
–

39

233

$

$

$

$

$

(1,066) $
(63)
2,085

$

(1,201) $
(73)
2,050

$

(1,164) $
(104)
2,087

$

1
79
97
7

184

60
–
–

60

244

(1,112)
(75)
2,058

$

$

$

$
$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

31
93
19
143

6
4
22

–
–
–
3
18
1
48
17
5
36
–
–
160
303

1
16
17

172
140

312

632

78
400
385
45

908

454

91

1,453

2,085

0.46%
0.25%

$

$

$

$
$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

36
97
16
149

6
4
15

1
–
–
4
15
1
42
46
6
30
–
–
170
319

2
19
21

146
113

259

599

48
405
385
45

883

477

91

1,451

2,050

0.49%
0.30%

$

$

$

$
$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

41
89
12
142

9
7
14

1
–
–
6
10
1
45
107
8
31
–
–
239
381

1
38
39

96
120

216

636

48
392
403
60

903

457

91

1,451

2,087

0.54%
0.31%

47
88
15
150

13
15
17

3
–
–
3
12
1
47
20
5
43
–
–
179
329

1
25
26

80
170

250

605

41
412
415
60

928

434

91

1,453

2,058

0.57%
0.33%

(1)
(2)
(3)

On a continuing operations basis.
Opening allowance for credit losses as at November 1, 2011 has been restated due to the implementation of amendments to IFRS 11.
Under IFRS, other adjustments include $80 million of unwind of discount and $(81) million of changes in exchange rate (2014 – $87 million and $(24) million; 2013 – $86 million and
$(13) million). For further details, refer to Note 5 of our audited 2015 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

113

Credit quality information by Canadian province

Table 85

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Loans and acceptances
Atlantic provinces (2)
Quebec
Ontario
Prairie provinces (3)
B.C. and territories (4)

Total loans and acceptances in Canada

Gross impaired loans

Atlantic provinces (2)
Quebec
Ontario
Prairie provinces (3)
B.C. and territories (4)

Total gross impaired loans in Canada

Provision for credit losses on impaired loans

Atlantic provinces (2)
Quebec
Ontario
Prairie provinces (3)
B.C. and territories (4)

Total provision for credit losses on impaired loans in Canada

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

On a continuing operations basis.
Comprises Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Comprises Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Comprises British Columbia, Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon.

2015

2014

2013

2012 (1)

2011 (1)

$ 23,040
51,197
175,315
94,392
70,483

$ 22,130
50,748
159,817
88,538
68,988

$ 21,263
48,060
152,258
84,015
68,118

$ 19,953
42,920
141,566
77,187
65,204

$ 18,481
38,776
141,230
68,468
58,774

$ 414,427

$ 390,221

$ 373,714

$ 346,830

$ 325,729

$

$

$

$

93
213
341
339
150

1,136

57
96
590
129
67

939

$

$

$

$

81
205
391
258
211

1,146

51
92
588
111
90

932

$

$

$

$

83
177
424
330
241

1,255

50
78
605
113
99

945

$

$

$

$

$

$

67
180
502
338
269

1,356

62
96
704
120
106

66
135
398
404
305

1,308

54
63
686
107
108

$

1,088

$

1,018

114

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

EDTF recommendations index

On October 29, 2012, the Enhanced Disclosure Task Force (EDTF), established by the Financial Stability Board, issued its report Enhancing the
Risk Disclosures of Banks, which included 32 recommendations aimed at achieving transparent, high-quality risk disclosures. As a result, our
enhanced disclosures have been provided in our 2015 Annual Report and Supplementary Financial Information package (SFI).

The following index summarizes our disclosure by EDTF recommendation:

Location of
disclosure

Recommendation
1
2

Disclosure
Table of contents for EDTF risk disclosure
Define risk terminology and measures

Type of Risk

General

Risk governance, risk
management and
business model

Capital adequacy and
risk-weighted
assets(RWA)

Liquidity

Funding

Market risk

Credit risk

Other

3
4

5
6
7
8

9

10

11
12
13
14

15
16
17

18

19

20

21

22

23
24
25

26

27

28

29

30

31
32

Annual
Report
page
115
50-55
207-209
49-50
73, 92-93

50-55
50-52
100
52-53, 69

92-93

Top and emerging risks
New regulatory ratios

Risk management organization
Risk culture
Risk in the context of our business activities
Stress testing

Minimum Basel III capital ratios and Domestic systemically

important bank surcharge

Composition of capital and reconciliation of the accounting

–

balance sheet to the regulatory balance sheet

Flow statement of the movements in regulatory capital
Capital strategic planning
RWA by business segments
Analysis of capital requirement, and related measurement

model information

RWA credit risk and related risk measurements
Movement of risk-weighted assets by risk type
Basel back-testing

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of our liquidity reserve

Encumbered and unencumbered assets by balance sheet

category, and contractual obligations for rating downgrades

Maturity analysis of consolidated total assets, liabilities and
off-balance sheet commitments analyzed by remaining
contractual maturity at the balance sheet date

Sources of funding and funding strategy

Relationship between the market risk measures for trading

and non-trading portfolios and the balance sheet

Decomposition of market risk factors
Market risk validation and back-testing
Primary risk management techniques beyond reported risk

measures and parameters

Bank’s credit risk profile

Quantitative summary of aggregate credit risk exposures that

reconciles to the balance sheet
Policies for identifying impaired loans

Reconciliation of the opening and closing balances of

impaired loans and impairment allowances during the year
Quantification of gross notional exposure for OTC derivatives

or exchange-traded derivatives

Credit risk mitigation, including collateral held for all sources

of credit risk

Other risk types
Publicly known risk events

–
91-93
–
56-59

–
–
53, 57

74-77

77, 84

81-82

78-79

71-72

67-70
69
67-69

56-67
154-156
108-114

58, 103,
130-131
–

60

58

84-91
87-89
192-193

SFI
page
1
–

–
–

–
–
–
–

–

21-24

25
–
28
26-27

42-44
28
42

–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–

31-44

40

–

33,37

46

41

–
–

Index for Enhanced Disclosure Task Force recommendations

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

115

REPORTS AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

117 Reports

125 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

117 Management’s responsibility for financial reporting

125 Note 1

General information

117

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm

125 Note 2

Summary of significant accounting policies,
estimates and judgments

118 Management’s Report on Internal Control over

136 Note 3

Fair value of financial instruments

Financial Reporting

119

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm

150 Note 4

Securities

154 Note 5

Loans

120 Consolidated Financial Statements

120

Consolidated Balance Sheets

121

Consolidated Statements of Income

122

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

123

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

124

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

116

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

157 Note 6

Derecognition of financial assets

158 Note 7

Structured entities

161 Note 8

Derivative financial instruments and
hedging activities

167 Note 9

Premises and equipment

168 Note 10

Goodwill and other intangible assets

170 Note 11

Significant acquisition and dispositions

171 Note 12

Joint ventures and associated companies

171 Note 13

Other assets

171 Note 14

Deposits

172 Note 15

Insurance

175 Note 16

Segregated funds

175 Note 17

Employee benefits – Pension and other
post-employment benefits

180 Note 18

Other liabilities

180 Note 19

Subordinated debentures

181 Note 20

Trust capital securities

182 Note 21

Equity

184 Note 22

Share-based compensation

186 Note 23

Income and expenses from selected
financial instruments

187 Note 24

Income taxes

189 Note 25

Earnings per share

189 Note 26

Guarantees, commitments, pledged assets
and contingencies

192 Note 27

Litigation

194 Note 28

Contractual repricing and maturity
schedule

195 Note 29

Related party transactions

196 Note 30

Results by business segment

198 Note 31

Nature and extent of risks arising from
financial instruments

199 Note 32

Capital management

200 Note 33

Offsetting financial assets and financial
liabilities

202 Note 34

Recovery and settlement of on-balance
sheet assets and liabilities

203 Note 35

Parent company information

204 Note 36

Subsequent events

Management’s responsibility for financial reporting

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Royal Bank of Canada were prepared by management, which is responsible for the
integrity and fairness of the information presented, including the many amounts that must of necessity be based on estimates and judgments.
These consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with the Bank Act (Canada) and International Financial Reporting
Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Financial information appearing throughout our Management’s
Discussion and Analysis is consistent with these consolidated financial statements.

Our internal controls are designed to provide reasonable assurance that transactions are authorized, assets are safeguarded and proper

records are maintained. These controls include quality standards in hiring and training of employees, policies and procedures manuals, a
corporate code of conduct and accountability for performance within appropriate and well-defined areas of responsibility.

The system of internal controls is further supported by a compliance function, which is designed to ensure that we and our employees
comply with securities legislation and conflict of interest rules, and by an internal audit staff, which conducts periodic audits of all aspects of our
operations.

The Board of Directors oversees management’s responsibilities for financial reporting through an Audit Committee, which is composed

entirely of independent directors. This Committee reviews our consolidated financial statements and recommends them to the Board for
approval. Other key responsibilities of the Audit Committee include reviewing our existing internal control procedures and planned revisions to
those procedures, and advising the directors on auditing matters and financial reporting issues. Our Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Internal
Auditor have full and unrestricted access to the Audit Committee.

The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada (OSFI) examines and inquires into our business and affairs as deemed
necessary to determine whether the provisions of the Bank Act are being complied with, and that we are in sound financial condition. In carrying
out its mandate, OSFI strives to protect the rights and interests of our depositors and creditors.

Deloitte LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm appointed by our shareholders upon the recommendation of the Audit

Committee and Board, have performed an independent audit of the consolidated financial statements and their report follows. The auditors have
full and unrestricted access to the Audit Committee to discuss their audit and related findings.

David I. McKay
President and Chief Executive Officer

Janice R. Fukakusa
Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer

Toronto, December 1, 2015

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders of Royal Bank of Canada

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Royal Bank of Canada and subsidiaries (the “Bank”), which comprise
the consolidated balance sheets as at October 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, and the consolidated statements of income, statements of
comprehensive income, statements of changes in equity, and statements of cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
October 31, 2015, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

Management’s Responsibility for the Consolidated Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with International
Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and for such internal control as management
determines is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to
fraud or error.

Auditor’s Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in
accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States). Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial
statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the
consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control
relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are
appropriate in the circumstances. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of
accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained in our audits is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

117

Opinion
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the balance sheets of Royal Bank of Canada and
subsidiaries as at October 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, and their financial performance and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended October 31, 2015 in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting
Standards Board.

Other Matter
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Bank’s internal
control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2015 based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated December 1, 2015 expressed an unqualified
opinion on the Bank’s internal control over financial reporting.

Deloitte LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants
Licensed Public Accountants
Toronto, Canada
December 1, 2015

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management of Royal Bank of Canada is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal
control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief
Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer and effected by the Board of Directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable
assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. It includes those policies and procedures that:

•

•

•

Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions related to and dispositions of
our assets;
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, and our receipts and expenditures are made only in accordance with authorizations of our
management and directors; and
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that
could have a material effect on our financial statements.

Due to its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis. Also,
projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the
controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may
deteriorate.

Management evaluated, under the supervision of and with the participation of the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief
Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2015, based
on the criteria set forth in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission. Based on that evaluation, management concluded that, as of October 31, 2015, internal control over financial reporting was
effective based on the criteria established in the Internal Control–Integrated Framework (2013). Also, based on the results of our evaluation,
management concluded that there were no material weaknesses that have been identified in internal control over financial reporting as of
October 31, 2015.

Our internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2015 has been audited by Deloitte LLP, Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm, who also audited our Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended October 31, 2015, as stated in the Report of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, which report expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of our internal control over
financial reporting.

David I. McKay
President and Chief Executive Officer

Janice R. Fukakusa
Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer

Toronto, December 1, 2015

118

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders of Royal Bank of Canada

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Royal Bank of Canada and subsidiaries (the “Bank”) as of October 31, 2015,
based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission. The Bank’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal
Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Bank’s internal control over financial reporting based on our
audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those

standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial
reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting,
assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the
assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal

executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors,
management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International
Accounting Standards Board. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the
maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;
(2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with
International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and that receipts and expenditures of
the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a
material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper
management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also,
projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the
controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may
deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Bank maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2015,
based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended October 31, 2015 of the Bank
and our report dated December 1, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

Deloitte LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants
Licensed Public Accountants
Toronto, Canada
December 1, 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

119

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Assets
Cash and due from banks

Interest-bearing deposits with banks

Securities (Note 4)

Trading
Available-for-sale

Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed

Loans (Note 5)
Retail
Wholesale

Allowance for loan losses (Note 5)

Segregated fund net assets (Note 16)

Other

Customers’ liability under acceptances
Derivatives (Note 8)
Premises and equipment, net (Note 9)
Goodwill (Note 10)
Other intangibles (Note 10)
Investments in joint ventures and associates (Note 12)
Employee benefit assets (Note 17)
Other assets (Note 13)

Total assets

Liabilities and equity
Deposits (Note 14)

Personal
Business and government
Bank

Segregated fund net liabilities (Note 16)

Other

Acceptances
Obligations related to securities sold short
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned
Derivatives (Note 8)
Insurance claims and policy benefit liabilities (Note 15)
Employee benefit liabilities (Note 17)
Other liabilities (Note 18)

Subordinated debentures (Note 19)

Total liabilities

Equity attributable to shareholders (Note 21)

Preferred shares
Common shares (shares issued – 1,443,423,151 and 1,442,232,886)
Treasury shares – preferred (shares held – (63,179) and 1,207)

– common (shares held – 531,638 and 891,733)

Retained earnings
Other components of equity

Non-controlling interests (Note 21)

Total equity

Total liabilities and equity

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

David I. McKay
President and Chief Executive Officer

David F. Denison
Director

120

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

As at

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

$

12,452 $
22,690

17,421

8,399

158,703
56,805

215,508

174,723

348,183
126,069

474,252
(2,029)

472,223

830

13,453
105,626
2,728
9,289
2,814
360
245
41,267

151,380
47,768

199,148

135,580

334,269
102,954

437,223
(1,994)

435,229

675

11,462
87,402
2,684
8,647
2,775
295
138
30,695

175,782
$ 1,074,208 $

144,098

940,550

$

220,566 $
455,578
21,083

697,227

830

13,453
47,658
83,288
107,860
9,110
1,969
41,507

304,845

7,362

1,010,264

5,100
14,573
(2)
38
37,811
4,626

62,146

1,798

63,944

209,217
386,660
18,223

614,100

675

11,462
50,345
64,331
88,982
8,564
2,420
37,309

263,413

7,859

886,047

4,075
14,511
–
71
31,615
2,418

52,690

1,813

54,503

$ 1,074,208 $

940,550

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

Interest income

Loans
Securities
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed
Deposits and other

Interest expense

Deposits and other
Other liabilities
Subordinated debentures

Net interest income

Non-interest income

Insurance premiums, investment and fee income (Note 15)
Trading revenue
Investment management and custodial fees
Mutual fund revenue
Securities brokerage commissions
Service charges
Underwriting and other advisory fees
Foreign exchange revenue, other than trading
Card service revenue
Credit fees
Net gains on available-for-sale securities (Note 4)
Share of profit in joint ventures and associates (Note 12)
Other

Total revenue

Provision for credit losses (Note 5)

Insurance policyholder benefits, claims and acquisition expense (Note15)

Non-interest expense

Human resources (Note 17 and 22)
Equipment
Occupancy
Communications
Professional fees
Amortization of other intangibles (Note 10)
Other

Income before income taxes
Income taxes (Note 24)

Net income

Net income attributable to:

Shareholders
Non-controlling interests

Basic earnings per share (in dollars) (Note 25)
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars) (Note 25)
Dividends per common share (in dollars)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

For the year ended

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

October 31
2013

$ 16,882
4,519
1,251
77

$ 16,979
3,993
971
76

$ 16,354
3,779
941
74

22,729

22,019

21,148

5,723
1,995
240

7,958

5,873
1,784
246

7,903

5,694
1,869
336

7,899

14,771

14,116

13,249

4,436
552
3,778
2,881
1,436
1,592
1,885
814
798
1,184
145
149
900

20,550

35,321

1,097

2,963

11,583
1,277
1,410
888
932
712
1,836

18,638

12,623
2,597

$

$

$

$

$ 10,026

$

9,925
101

$ 10,026

$

6.75
6.73
3.08

4,957
742
3,355
2,621
1,379
1,494
1,809
827
689
1,080
192
162
685

19,992

34,108

1,164

3,573

11,031
1,147
1,330
847
763
666
1,877

17,661

11,710
2,706

9,004

8,910
94

9,004

6.03
6.00
2.84

3,911
867
2,870
2,201
1,337
1,437
1,569
748
632
1,092
188
159
422

17,433

30,682

1,237

2,784

10,248
1,081
1,235
796
753
566
1,535

16,214

10,447
2,105

8,342

8,244
98

8,342

5.53
5.49
2.53

$

$

$

$

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

121

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes (Note 24)
Items that will be reclassified subsequently to income:

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities

Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities
Reclassification of net losses (gains) on available-for-sale securities to income

Foreign currency translation adjustments

Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)
Net foreign currency translation gains (losses) from hedging activities
Reclassification of losses (gains) on foreign currency translation to income
Reclassification of losses (gains) on net investment hedging activities to income

Net change in cash flow hedges

Net gains (losses) on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
Reclassification of losses (gains) on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges to income

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to income:

Remeasurements of employee benefit plans (Note 17)
Net fair value change due to credit risk on financial liabilities designated as at fair value through

profit or loss

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes

Total comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income attributable to:

Shareholders
Non-controlling interests

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

For the year ended

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

October 31
2013

$

10,026 $

9,004 $

8,342

(76)
(41)

(117)

5,885
(3,223)
(224)
111

2,549

(541)
330

(211)

582

350

932

3,153

143
(58)

85

2,743
(1,585)
44
3

1,205

(108)
28

(80)

(236)

(59)

(295)

915

15
(87)

(72)

1,402
(912)
1
(1)

490

(11)
(30)

(41)

319

-

319

696

$

$

$

13,179 $

9,919 $

9,038

13,065 $
114
13,179 $

9,825 $
94

9,919 $

8,940
98

9,038

122

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

y
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Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

123

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Cash flows from operating activities

Net income
Adjustments for non-cash items and others

Provision for credit losses
Depreciation
Deferred income taxes
Amortization and Impairment of other intangibles
Impairment of investments in joint ventures and associates
Losses (Gains) on sale of premises and equipment
Losses (Gains) on available-for-sale securities
Losses (Gains) on disposition of business
Impairment of available-for-sale securities
Share of loss (profit) in joint ventures and associates
Net gains on sales of joint ventures and associates

Adjustments for net changes in operating assets and liabilities

Insurance claims and policy benefit liabilities
Net change in accrued interest receivable and payable
Current income taxes
Derivative assets
Derivative liabilities
Trading securities
Loans, net of securitizations
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed
Deposits, net of securitizations
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned
Obligations related to securities sold short
Brokers and dealers receivable and payable
Other

Net cash from (used in) operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities

Change in interest-bearing deposits with banks
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities
Proceeds from maturity of available-for-sale securities
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
Proceeds from maturity of held-to-maturity securities
Purchases of held-to-maturity securities
Net acquisitions of premises and equipment and other intangibles
Proceeds from dispositions
Cash used in acquisitions

Net cash from (used in) investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities

Redemption of trust capital securities
Issue of subordinated debentures
Repayment of subordinated debentures
Issue of common shares
Common shares purchased for cancellation
Issue of preferred shares
Redemption of preferred shares
Sales of treasury shares
Purchase of treasury shares
Dividends paid
Issuance costs
Dividends/distributions paid to non-controlling interests
Change in short-term borrowings of subsidiaries

Net cash from (used in) financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and due from banks
Net change in cash and due from banks
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period (1)
Cash and due from banks at end of period (1)
Cash flows from operating activities include:

Amount of interest paid
Amount of interest received
Amount of dividend received
Amount of income taxes paid

For the year ended

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

October 31
2013

$

10,026 $

9,004 $

8,342

1,097
527
302
719
3
(32)
(220)
(77)
59
(149)
–

546
(279)
(905)
(18,228)
18,893
(7,401)
(34,964)
(39,143)
86,979
18,957
(2,687)
664
(10,538)
24,149

(14,456)
10,331
33,294
(51,304)
16
(1,942)
(1,337)
255
–
(25,143)

1,164
499
(207)
674
–
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95
25
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(62)

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187
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(12,580)
12,237
(7,253)
(27,096)
(18,063)
52,339
3,915
3,233
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(2,247)
15,174

640
8,795
38,950
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285
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(1,227)
173
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62
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(325)
6,215
(6,250)
(4,564)
(21)
(92)
(105)
(4,430)
455
(4,969)
17,421
12,452 $

(900)
2,000
(1,600)
150
(113)
1,000
(1,525)
5,457
(5,428)
(4,211)
(14)
(94)
(6)
(5,284)
198
1,871
15,550
17,421 $

7,096 $

7,186 $

21,132
1,843
2,046

20,552
1,702
2,315

$

$

1,237
445
(72)
576
20
(24)
(217)
(17)
26
(159)
–

113
(467)
354
16,475
(20,017)
(23,038)
(20,175)
(5,260)
41,857
(3,616)
6,372
536
3,794
7,085

1,207
6,476
37,099
(41,057)
401
(284)
(932)
17
(2,537)
390

–
2,046
(2,000)
121
(408)
–
(222)
4,580
(4,569)
(3,810)
–
(94)
(93)
(4,449)
96
3,122
12,428
15,550

7,223
19,348
1,478
1,479

(1)

We are required to maintain balances with central banks and other regulatory authorities. The total balances were $2.6 billion as at October 31, 2015 (October 31, 2014 – $2.0 billion;
October 31, 2013 – $2.6 billion; November 1, 2012 – $2.1 billion).

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

124

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 General information

Royal Bank of Canada and its subsidiaries (the Bank) provide diversified financial services including personal and commercial banking, wealth
management, insurance, investor services and capital markets products and services on a global basis. Refer to Note 30 for further details on our
business segments.

The parent bank, Royal Bank of Canada, is a Schedule I Bank under the Bank Act (Canada) incorporated and domiciled in Canada. Our
corporate headquarters are located at Royal Bank Plaza, 200 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada and our head office is located at 1 Place Ville-
Marie, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Our common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange with the ticker
symbol RY.

These Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by

the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). Unless otherwise stated, monetary amounts are stated in Canadian dollars. Tabular
information is stated in millions of dollars, except per share amounts and percentages. These Consolidated Financial Statements also comply
with Subsection 308 of the Bank Act (Canada), which states that, except as otherwise specified by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial
Institutions (OSFI), our Consolidated Financial Statements are to be prepared in accordance with IFRS. The accounting policies outlined in Note 2
have been consistently applied to all periods presented.

On December 1, 2015, the Board of Directors authorized the Consolidated Financial Statements for issue.

Note 2 Summary of significant accounting policies, estimates and judgments

The significant accounting policies used in the preparation of these Consolidated Financial Statements, including the accounting requirements
prescribed by OSFI, are summarized below. These accounting policies conform, in all material respects, to IFRS.

General
Use of estimates and assumptions
In preparing our Consolidated Financial Statements, management is required to make subjective estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amount of assets, liabilities, net income and related disclosures. Estimates made by management are based on historical experience
and other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable. Key sources of estimation uncertainty include: securities impairment, determination
of fair value of financial instruments, the allowance for credit losses, derecognition of financial assets, insurance claims and policy benefit
liabilities, pensions and other post-employment benefits, income taxes, carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets, litigation
provisions, and deferred revenue under the credit card customer loyalty reward program. Accordingly, actual results may differ from these and
other estimates thereby impacting our future Consolidated Financial Statements. Refer to the relevant accounting policies in this Note for details
on our use of estimates and assumptions.

Significant judgments
In preparation of these Consolidated Financial Statements, management is required to make significant judgments that affect the carrying
amounts of certain assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses recorded during the period. Significant judgments
have been made in the following areas and discussed as noted in the Consolidated Financial Statements:

Consolidation of structured
entities

Fair value of financial instruments

Allowance for credit losses

Employee benefits

Goodwill and other intangibles

Note 2 – page 125
Note 7 – page 158

Note 2 – page 127
Note 3 – page 136

Note 2 – page 130
Note 5 – page 154

Note 2 – page 132
Note 17 – page 175

Note 2 – page 133
Note 10 – page 168
Note 11 – page 170

Securities impairment

Application of the effective
interest method

Derecognition of financial assets

Income taxes

Provisions

Note 2 – page 126
Note 4 – page 150

Note 2 – page 128

Note 2 – page 131
Note 6 – page 157

Note 2 – page 132
Note 24 – page 187

Note 2 – page 134
Note 26 – page 189
Note 27 – page 192

Basis of consolidation
Our Consolidated Financial Statements include the assets and liabilities and results of operations of the parent company, Royal Bank of Canada,
and its subsidiaries including certain structured entities, after elimination of intercompany transactions, balances, revenues and expenses.

Consolidation
Subsidiaries are those entities, including structured entities, over which we have control. We control an entity when we are exposed, or have
rights, to variable returns from our involvement with the entity and have the ability to affect those returns through our power over the investee.
We have power over an entity when we have existing rights that give us the current ability to direct the activities that most significantly affect the
entity’s returns (relevant activities). Power may be determined on the basis of voting rights or, in the case of structured entities, other contractual
arrangements.

We are not deemed to control an entity when we exercise power over an entity in an agency capacity. In determining whether we are acting

as an agent, we consider the overall relationship between us, the investee and other parties to the arrangement with respect to the following
factors: (i) the scope of our decision making power; (ii) the rights held by other parties; (iii) the remuneration to which we are entitled; and
(iv) our exposure to variability of returns.

The determination of control is based on the current facts and circumstances and is continuously assessed. In some circumstances,

different factors and conditions may indicate that different parties control an entity depending on whether those factors and conditions are
assessed in isolation or in totality. Significant judgment is applied in assessing the relevant factors and conditions in totality when determining
whether we control an entity. Specifically, judgment is applied in assessing whether we have substantive decision making rights over the
relevant activities and whether we are exercising our power as a principal or an agent.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

125

Note 2 Summary of significant accounting policies, estimates and judgments (continued)

We consolidate all subsidiaries from the date we obtain control, and cease consolidation when an entity is no longer controlled by us. Our

consolidation conclusions affect the classification and amount of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in our Consolidated
Financial Statements.

Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries that we consolidate are shown on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as a separate component of

equity which is distinct from our shareholders’ equity. The net income attributable to non-controlling interests is separately disclosed in our
Consolidated Statements of Income.

Investments in associates and joint ventures
Our investments in associated corporations and limited partnerships over which we have significant influence are accounted for using the equity
method. The equity method is also applied to our interests in joint ventures over which we have joint control. Under the equity method of
accounting, investments are initially recorded at cost, and the carrying amount is increased or decreased to recognize our share of the investee’s
net profit or loss, including our proportionate share of the investee’s other comprehensive income (OCI), subsequent to the date of acquisition.

Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations
Non-current assets (and disposal groups) are classified as held for sale if their carrying amounts will be recovered principally through a sale
transaction rather than through continuing use. This condition is satisfied when the asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition,
management is committed to the sale, and it is highly probable to occur within one year. Non-current assets (and disposal groups) classified as
held for sale are measured at the lower of their previous carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell and if significant, are presented
separately from other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

A disposal group is classified as a discontinued operation if it meets the following conditions: (i) it is a component that can be

distinguished operationally and financially from the rest of our operations and (ii) it represents either a separate major line of business or is part
of a single co-ordinated plan to dispose of a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations. Disposal groups classified as
discontinued operations are presented separately from our continuing operations in our Consolidated Statements of Income.

Changes in accounting policies
During the first quarter, we adopted the following new accounting pronouncements:

IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation (IAS 32)
Amendments to IAS 32 clarify the existing requirements for offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities. The standard provides
clarifications on the legal right to offset transactions, and when transactions settled through a gross settlement system would meet the
simultaneous settlement criteria. We retrospectively adopted the amendments on November 1, 2014. The adoption of these amendments did
not have an impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Interpretations Committee IFRIC Interpretation 21 Levies (IFRIC 21)
IFRIC 21 provides guidance on when to recognize a liability to pay a levy that is accounted for in accordance with IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent
Liabilities and Contingent Assets. It also addresses the accounting for a liability to pay a levy whose timing and amount is certain. The
interpretation clarifies that the obligating event that gives rise to a liability to pay a levy is the activity described in the relevant legislation that
triggers the payment of the levy. We prospectively adopted the standard on November 1, 2014. We did not restate our quarterly or annual results
for periods before November 1, 2014 as the amounts were not significant. The adoption of this interpretation did not have a material impact on
our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Financial instruments – Recognition and measurement
Securities
Securities are classified at inception, based on management’s intention, as at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL), available-for-sale (AFS) or
held-to-maturity. Certain debt securities with fixed or determinable payments and which are not quoted in an active market may be classified as
loans and receivables.

Trading securities include securities purchased for sale in the near term which are classified as at FVTPL by nature and securities designated
as at FVTPL under the fair value option. Obligations to deliver trading securities sold but not yet purchased are recorded as liabilities and carried
at fair value. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on these securities are recorded as Trading revenue in Non-interest income. Dividends
and interest income accruing on Trading securities are recorded in Interest income. Interest and dividends accrued on interest-bearing and equity
securities sold short are recorded in Interest expense.

AFS securities include: (i) securities which may be sold to meet liquidity needs, in response to or in anticipation of changes in interest rates
and resulting prepayment risk, changes in foreign currency risk, changes in funding sources or terms, and (ii) loan substitute securities which are
client financings that have been structured as after-tax investments rather than conventional loans in order to provide the clients with a
borrowing rate advantage. AFS securities are measured at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are included
in Other components of equity. Changes in foreign exchange rates for AFS equity securities are recognized in Other components of equity, while
changes in foreign exchange rates for AFS debt securities are recognized in Foreign exchange revenue, other than trading in Non-interest income.
When the security is sold, the cumulative gain or loss recorded in Other components of equity is included as Net gains on AFS securities in Non-
interest income. Purchase premiums or discounts on AFS debt securities are amortized over the life of the security using the effective interest
method and are recognized in Net interest income.

At each reporting date, and more frequently when conditions warrant, we evaluate our AFS securities to determine whether there is any
objective evidence of impairment. Such evidence includes: for debt instruments, when an adverse effect on future cash flows from the asset or
group of assets can be reliably estimated; for equity securities, when there is a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of the investment
below its cost.

When assessing impairment for debt instruments we primarily consider counterparty ratings and security-specific factors, including

subordination, external ratings, and the value of any collateral held, for which there may not be a readily accessible market. Significant judgment
is required in assessing impairment as management is required to consider all available evidence in determining whether objective evidence of
impairment exists and whether the principal and interest on the AFS debt security can be fully recovered. For complex debt instruments we use
cash flow projection models which incorporate actual and projected cash flows for each security based on security specific factors using a
number of assumptions and inputs that involve management judgment, such as default, prepayment and recovery rates. Due to the subjective
nature of choosing these inputs and assumptions, the actual amount of the future cash flows and their timing may differ from the estimates used
by management and consequently may cause a different conclusion as to the recognition of impairment or measurement of impairment loss.

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Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

In assessing whether there is any objective evidence that suggests that equity securities are impaired, we consider factors which include

the length of time and extent the fair value has been below cost, along with management’s assessment of the financial condition, business and
other risks of the issuer. Management weighs all these factors to determine the impairment but to the extent that management judgment may
differ from the actual experience of the timing and amount of the recovery of the fair value, the estimate for impairment could change from period
to period based upon future events that may or may not occur, and the conclusion for the impairment of the equity securities may differ.

If an AFS security is impaired, the cumulative unrealized loss previously recognized in Other components of equity is removed from equity

and recognized in Net gains on AFS securities under Non-interest income. This amount is determined as the difference between the cost/
amortized cost and current fair value of the security less any impairment loss previously recognized. Subsequent to impairment, further declines
in fair value are recorded in Non-interest income, while increases in fair value are recognized in Other components of equity until sold. For AFS
debt securities, reversal of previously recognized impairment losses is recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Income if the recovery is
objectively related to a specific event occurring after recognition of the impairment loss.

Held-to-maturity securities are debt securities where we have the intention and the ability to hold the investment until its maturity date.
These securities are initially recorded at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less any
impairment losses which we assess using the same impairment model as for loans. Interest income and amortization of premiums and discounts
on debt securities are recorded in Net interest income. For held-to-maturity securities, reversal of previously recognized impairment losses is
recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Income if the recovery is objectively related to a specific event occurring after the recognition of
the impairment loss. Reversals of impairment losses on held-to-maturity securities are recorded to a maximum of what the amortized cost of the
investment would have been, had the impairment not been recognized at the date the impairment is reversed. Held-to-maturity securities have
been included with AFS securities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

We account for all of our securities using settlement date accounting and changes in fair value between the trade date and settlement date
are reflected in income for securities classified or designated as at FVTPL, and changes in the fair value of AFS securities between the trade and
settlement dates are recorded in OCI except for changes in foreign exchange rates on debt securities, which are recorded in Non-interest income.

Fair value option
A financial instrument can be designated as at FVTPL (the fair value option) on its initial recognition even if the financial instrument was not
acquired or incurred principally for the purpose of selling or repurchasing it in the near term. An instrument that is designated as at FVTPL by way
of this fair value option must have a reliably measurable fair value and satisfy one of the following criteria: (i) it eliminates or significantly
reduces a measurement or recognition inconsistency that would otherwise arise from measuring assets or liabilities, or recognizing gains and
losses on them on a different basis (an accounting mismatch); (ii) it belongs to a group of financial assets or financial liabilities or both that are
managed, evaluated, and reported to key management personnel on a fair value basis in accordance with our risk management strategy, and we
can demonstrate that significant financial risks are eliminated or significantly reduced; or (iii) there is an embedded derivative in the financial or
non-financial host contract and the derivative is not closely related to the host contract. These instruments cannot be reclassified out of the
FVTPL category while they are held or issued.

Financial assets designated as at FVTPL are recorded at fair value and any unrealized gain or loss arising due to changes in fair value is
included in Trading revenue or Non-interest income – Other. Financial liabilities designated as at FVTPL are recorded at fair value and fair value
changes attributable to changes in our own credit risk are recorded in OCI. Amounts recognized in OCI will not be reclassified subsequently to
net income. The remaining fair value changes are recorded in Trading revenue or Non-interest income – Other. Upon initial recognition, if we
determine that presenting the effects of own credit risk changes in OCI would create or enlarge an accounting mismatch in net income, the full
fair value change in our debt designated as at FVTPL is recognized in net income.

To determine the fair value adjustments on our debt designated as at FVTPL, we calculate the present value of the instruments based on the

contractual cash flows over the term of the arrangement by using our effective funding rate at the beginning and end of the period with the
change in present value recorded in OCI, Trading revenue or Non-interest income – Other as appropriate.

Determination of fair value
The fair value of a financial instrument is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction
between market participants at the measurement date. We determine fair value by incorporating all factors that market participants would
consider in setting a price, including commonly accepted valuation approaches.

The Board of Directors provides oversight on valuation of financial instruments, primarily through the Audit Committee and Risk Committee.
The Audit Committee reviews the presentation and disclosure of financial instruments that are measured at fair value, while the Risk Committee
assesses adequacy of governance structures and control processes for valuation of these instruments.

We have established policies, procedures and controls for valuation methodologies and techniques to ensure fair value is reasonably
estimated. Major valuation processes and controls include, but are not limited to, profit and loss decomposition, independent price verification
(IPV) and model validation standards. These control processes are managed by either Finance or Group Risk Management and are independent
of the relevant businesses and their trading functions. Profit and loss decomposition is a process to explain the fair value changes of certain
positions and is performed daily for trading portfolios. All fair value instruments are subject to IPV, a process whereby trading function valuations
are verified against external market prices and other relevant market data. Market data sources include traded prices, brokers and price vendors.
We give priority to those third-party pricing services and prices having the highest and most consistent accuracy. The level of accuracy is
determined over time by comparing third-party price values to traders’ or system values, to other pricing service values and, when available, to
actual trade data. Other valuation techniques are used when a price or quote is not available. Some valuation processes use models to
determine fair value. We have a systematic and consistent approach to control model use. Valuation models are approved for use within our
model risk management framework. The framework addresses, among other things, model development standards, validation processes and
procedures, and approval authorities. Model validation ensures that a model is suitable for its intended use and sets parameters for its use. All
models are revalidated regularly by qualified personnel who are independent of the model design and development. Annually our model risk
profile is reported to the Board of Directors.

IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement permits an exception, through an accounting policy choice, to measure fair value of a portfolio of financial

instruments on a net open risk position basis when certain criteria are met. We have elected to use this policy choice to determine fair value of
certain portfolios of financial instruments, primarily derivatives, on a net exposure to market or credit risk.

We record valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect counterparty credit quality of our derivative portfolio, differences between the
overnight index swap (OIS) curve and London Interbank Offered Rates (LIBOR) for collateralized derivatives, funding valuation adjustments (FVA)
for uncollateralized and under-collateralized over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, unrealized gains or losses at inception of the transaction,
bid-offer spreads, unobservable parameters and model limitations. These adjustments may be subjective as they require significant judgment in
the input selection, such as probability of default and recovery rate, and are intended to arrive at fair value that is determined based on

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

127

Note 2 Summary of significant accounting policies, estimates and judgments (continued)

assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the financial instrument. The realized price for a transaction may be different from its
recorded value that is previously estimated using management judgment, and may therefore impact unrealized gains and losses recognized in
Non-interest income – Trading revenue or Other.

Valuation adjustments are recorded for the credit risk of our derivative portfolios in order to arrive at their fair values. Credit valuation
adjustments (CVA) take into account our counterparties’ creditworthiness, the current and potential future mark-to-market of the transactions,
and the effects of credit mitigants such as master netting and collateral agreements. CVA amounts are derived from estimates of exposure at
default, probability of default, recovery rates on a counterparty basis, and market and credit factor correlations. Exposure at default is the
amounts of expected derivative related assets and liabilities at the time of default, estimated through modeling using underlying risk factors.
Probability of default and recovery rate are generally implied from the market prices for credit protection and credit ratings of the counterparty.
Correlation is the statistical measure of how credit and market factors may move in relation to one another. Correlation is estimated using
historical data and market data where available. CVA is calculated daily and changes are recorded in Non-interest income – Trading revenue.

In the determination of fair value of collateralized OTC derivatives using the OIS curve, our valuation approach accounts for the difference

between certain OIS rates and LIBOR for derivatives valuation as valuation adjustments.

FVA are also calculated to incorporate cost and benefit of funding in the valuation of uncollateralized and under-collateralized OTC
derivatives. Future expected cash flows of these derivatives are discounted to reflect the cost and benefit of funding the derivatives by using a
funding curve, implied volatilities and correlations as inputs.

Where required, a valuation adjustment is made to reflect the unrealized gain or loss at inception of a financial instrument contract where

the fair value of that financial instrument is not obtained from a quoted market price or cannot be evidenced by other observable market
transactions based on a valuation technique incorporating observable market data.

A bid-offer valuation adjustment is required when a financial instrument is valued at the mid-market price, instead of the bid or offer price
for asset or liability positions, respectively. The valuation adjustment takes into account the spread from the mid to either the bid or offer price.

Some valuation models require parameter calibration from such factors as market observed option prices. The calibration of parameters
may be sensitive to factors such as the choice of instruments or optimization methodology. A valuation adjustment is also estimated to mitigate
the uncertainties of parameter calibration and model limitations.

In determining fair value, a hierarchy is used which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest

priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs
(Level 3). Determination of fair value based on this hierarchy requires the use of observable market data whenever available. Level 1 inputs are
unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2
inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets
that are not active, and model inputs that are either observable, or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term
of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 inputs are one or more inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value of the asset or liability.
Unobservable inputs are used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available at the measurement date. The
availability of inputs for valuation may affect the selection of valuation techniques. The classification of a financial instrument in the hierarchy for
disclosure purposes is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the measurement of fair value.

Where observable prices or inputs are not available, management judgment is required to determine fair values by assessing other relevant

sources of information such as historical data, proxy information from similar transactions, and through extrapolation and interpolation
techniques. For more complex or illiquid instruments, significant judgment is required in the determination of the model used, the selection of
model inputs, and in some cases the application of valuation adjustments to the model value or quoted price for inactively traded financial
instruments, as the selection of model inputs may be subjective and the inputs may be unobservable. Unobservable inputs are inherently
uncertain as there is little or no market data available from which to determine the level at which the transaction would occur under normal
business circumstances. Appropriate parameter uncertainty and market risk valuation adjustments for such inputs and other model risk
valuation adjustments are assessed in all such instances.

Interest
Interest is recognized in Interest income and Interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income for all interest bearing financial
instruments using the effective interest method. The effective interest rate is the rate that discounts estimated future cash flows over the
expected life of the financial asset or liability to the net carrying amount upon initial recognition. Significant judgment is applied in determining
the effective interest rate due to uncertainty in the timing and amounts of future cash flows.

Transaction costs
Transaction costs are expensed as incurred for financial instruments classified or designated as at FVTPL. For other financial instruments,
transaction costs are capitalized on initial recognition. For financial assets and financial liabilities measured at amortized cost, capitalized
transaction costs are amortized through Net income over the estimated life of the instrument using the effective interest method. For AFS
financial assets measured at fair value that do not have fixed or determinable payments and no fixed maturity, capitalized transaction costs are
recognized in Net income when the asset is derecognized or becomes impaired.

Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities
Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset on the balance sheet when there exists both a legally enforceable right to offset the recognized
amounts and an intention to settle on a net basis, or realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and sold under repurchase agreements
We purchase securities under agreements to resell (reverse repurchase agreement) and take possession of these securities. Reverse repurchase
agreements are treated as collateralized lending transactions whereby we monitor the market value of the securities purchased and additional
collateral is obtained when appropriate. We have the right to liquidate the collateral held in the event of counterparty default. We also sell
securities under agreements to repurchase (repurchase agreements), which are treated as collateralized borrowing transactions. The securities
received under reverse repurchase agreements and securities delivered under repurchase agreements are not recognized on, or derecognized
from, our Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively, unless the risks and rewards of ownership are obtained or relinquished.

Reverse repurchase agreements and repurchase agreements are carried on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at the amounts at which the
securities were initially acquired or sold, except when they are designated as at FVTPL and are recorded at fair value. Interest earned on reverse

128

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Consolidated Financial Statements

repurchase agreements is included in Interest income, and interest incurred on repurchase agreements is included in Interest expense in our
Consolidated Statements of Income. Changes in fair value for reverse repurchase agreements and repurchase agreements designated as at
FVTPL are included in Trading revenue or Other in Non-interest income.

Derivatives
Derivatives are primarily used in sales and trading activities. Derivatives are also used to manage our exposure to interest, currency, credit and
other market risks. The most frequently used derivative products are interest rate swaps, interest rate futures, forward rate agreements, interest
rate options, foreign exchange forward contracts, cross currency swaps, foreign currency futures, foreign currency options, equity swaps and
credit derivatives. All derivative instruments are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value, including those derivatives that are
embedded in financial or non-financial contracts and are not closely related to the host contracts.

When derivatives are embedded in other financial instruments or host contracts, such combinations are known as hybrid instruments with
the effect that some of the cash flows of a hybrid instrument vary in a way similar to a stand-alone derivative. If the host contract is not carried at
fair value with changes in fair value reported in our Consolidated Statements of Income, the embedded derivative is generally required to be
separated from the host contract and accounted for separately as at FVTPL if the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative
are not closely related to those of the host contract. All embedded derivatives are presented on a combined basis with the host contracts
although they are separated for measurement purposes when conditions requiring separation are met.

When derivatives are used in sales and trading activities, the realized and unrealized gains and losses on these derivatives are recognized

in Trading revenue in Non-interest income. Derivatives with positive fair values are reported as Derivative assets and derivatives with negative
fair values are reported as Derivative liabilities. In accordance with our policy for offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities, the net fair
value of certain derivative assets and liabilities are reported as an asset or liability, as appropriate. Valuation adjustments are included in the fair
value of Derivative assets and Derivative liabilities. Premiums paid and premiums received are shown in Derivative assets and Derivative
liabilities, respectively.

When derivatives are used to manage our own exposures, we determine for each derivative whether hedge accounting can be applied, as

discussed in the Hedge accounting section below.

Hedge accounting
We use derivatives and non-derivatives in our hedging strategies to manage our exposure to interest rate, currency, credit and other market risks.
Where hedge accounting can be applied, a hedge relationship is designated and documented at inception to detail the particular risk
management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge transaction. The documentation identifies the specific asset, liability or
anticipated cash flows being hedged, the risk that is being hedged, the type of hedging instrument used and how effectiveness will be assessed.
We assess, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether the hedging instruments are ‘highly effective’ in offsetting
changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged items. A hedge is regarded as highly effective only if the following criteria are met: (i) at
inception of the hedge and throughout its life, the hedge is expected to be highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value or cash
flows attributable to the hedged risk, and (ii) actual results of the hedge are within a pre-determined range. In the case of hedging a forecast
transaction, the transaction must have a high probability of occurring and must present an exposure to variations in cash flows that could
ultimately affect the reported net profit or loss. Hedge accounting is discontinued when it is determined that the hedging instrument is no longer
effective as a hedge, the hedging instrument is terminated or sold, upon the sale or early termination of the hedged item, or when the forecast
transaction is no longer deemed highly probable. Refer to Note 8 for the fair value of derivatives and non-derivative instruments categorized by
their hedging relationships, as well as derivatives that are not designated in hedging relationships.

Fair value hedges
In a fair value hedging relationship, the carrying value of the hedged item is adjusted for changes in fair value attributable to the hedged risk and
recognized in Non-interest income. Changes in fair value of the hedged item, to the extent that the hedging relationship is effective, are offset by
changes in the fair value of the hedging derivative, which are also recognized in Non-interest income. When hedge accounting is discontinued,
the carrying value of the hedged item is no longer adjusted and the cumulative fair value adjustments to the carrying value of the hedged items
are amortized to Net income over the remaining life of the hedged items.

We predominantly use interest rate swaps to hedge our exposure to changes in a fixed interest rate instrument’s fair value caused by

changes in interest rates.

Cash flow hedges
In a cash flow hedging relationship, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the hedging derivative, net of taxes, is recognized in
OCI while the ineffective portion is recognized in Non-interest income. When hedge accounting is discontinued, the cumulative amounts
previously recognized in Other components of equity are reclassified to Net interest income during the periods when the variability in the cash
flows of the hedged item affects Net interest income. Unrealized gains and losses on derivatives are reclassified immediately to Net income
when the hedged item is sold or terminated early, or when the forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur.

We predominantly use interest rate swaps to hedge the variability in cash flows related to a variable-rate asset or liability.

Net investment hedges
In hedging a foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation, the effective portion of foreign exchange gains and losses on
the hedging instruments, net of applicable taxes, is recognized in OCI and the ineffective portion is recognized in Non-interest income. The
amounts, or a portion thereof, previously recognized in Other components of equity are recognized in Net income on the disposal, or partial
disposal, of the foreign operation.

We use foreign exchange contracts and foreign currency-denominated liabilities to manage our foreign currency exposures to net

investments in foreign operations having a functional currency other than the Canadian dollar.

Loans
Loans are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market and which are not
classified as AFS. Loans are initially recognized at fair value. When loans are issued at a market rate, fair value is represented by the cash
advanced to the borrowers. Loans are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method less impairment, unless
we intend to sell them in the near future upon origination or they have been designated as at FVTPL, in which case they are carried at fair value.

Consolidated Financial Statements

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Note 2 Summary of significant accounting policies, estimates and judgments (continued)

We assess at each balance sheet date whether there is objective evidence that the loans (including debt securities reclassified as loans)

are impaired. Evidence of impairment may include indications that the borrower is experiencing significant financial difficulty, probability of
bankruptcy or other financial reorganization, as well as a measurable decrease in the estimated future cash flows evidenced by the adverse
changes in the payments status of the borrower or economic conditions that correlate with defaults. Whenever a payment is 90 days past due,
loans other than credit card balances and loans guaranteed or insured by a Canadian government (Federal or Provincial) or a Canadian
government agency (collectively, Canadian government) are classified as impaired unless they are fully secured and collection efforts are
reasonably expected to result in repayment of debt within 180 days of the loans becoming past due. Loans guaranteed by a Canadian
government are classified as impaired when the loan is contractually 365 days in arrears. Credit card balances are written off when a payment is
180 days in arrears.

Assets acquired to satisfy loan commitments are recorded at their fair value less costs to sell. Fair value is determined based on either
current market value where available or discounted cash flows. Any excess of the carrying value of the loan over the fair value of the assets
acquired is recognized by a charge to Provision for credit losses.

Interest on loans is recognized in Interest income – Loans using the effective interest method. The estimated future cash flows used in this
calculation include those determined by the contractual term of the asset, all fees that are considered to be integral to the effective interest rate,
transaction costs and all other premiums or discounts. Fees that relate to activities such as originating, restructuring or renegotiating loans are
deferred and recognized as Interest income over the expected term of such loans using the effective interest method. Where there is a
reasonable expectation that a loan will be originated, commitment and standby fees are also recognized as interest income over the expected
term of the resulting loans using the effective interest method. Otherwise, such fees are recorded as other liabilities and amortized into Non-
interest income over the commitment or standby period. Prepayment fees on mortgage loans are not included as part of the effective interest rate
at origination as the amounts are not reliably measurable. If prepayment fees are received on a renewal of a mortgage loan, the fee is included as
part of the effective interest rate, and if not renewed, the prepayment fee is recognized in interest income at the prepayment date.

Allowance for credit losses
An allowance for credit losses is established if there is objective evidence that we will be unable to collect all amounts due on our loans portfolio
according to the original contractual terms or the equivalent value. This portfolio includes on-balance sheet exposures, such as loans and
acceptances, and off-balance sheet items such as letters of credit, guarantees and unfunded commitments.

The allowance for credit losses is increased by the impairment losses recognized and decreased by the amount of write-offs, net of
recoveries. The allowance for credit losses for on-balance sheet items is included as a reduction to assets, and the allowance for credit losses
relating to off-balance sheet items is included in Provisions under Other Liabilities.

We assess whether objective evidence of impairment exists individually for loans that are individually significant and collectively for loans
that are not individually significant. If we determine that no objective evidence of impairment exists for an individually assessed loan, whether
significant or not, the loan is included in a group of loans with similar credit risk characteristics and collectively assessed for impairment. Loans
that are individually assessed for impairment and for which an impairment loss is recognized are not included in a collective assessment of
impairment.

Allowance for credit losses represent management’s best estimates of losses incurred in our loan portfolio at the balance sheet date.
Management’s judgment is required in making assumptions and estimations when calculating allowances on both individually and collectively
assessed loans. The underlying assumptions and estimates used for both individually and collectively assessed loans can change from period to
period and may significantly affect our results of operations.

Individually assessed loans
Loans which are individually significant are assessed individually for objective indicators of impairment. A loan is considered impaired when
management determines that it will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original contractual terms or the equivalent value.
Credit exposures of individually significant loans are evaluated based on factors including the borrower’s overall financial condition,

resources and payment record, and where applicable, the realizable value of any collateral. If there is evidence of impairment leading to an
impairment loss, then the amount of the loss is determined as the difference between the carrying amount of the loan, including accrued
interest, and the estimated recoverable amount. The estimated recoverable amount is measured as the present value of expected future cash
flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate, including cash flows that may result from the realization of collateral less costs to
sell. Individually-assessed impairment losses reduce the carrying amount of the loan through the use of an allowance account and the amount of
the loss is recognized in Provision for credit losses in our Consolidated Statements of Income. Following impairment, interest income is
recognized on the unwinding of the discount from the initial recognition of impairment.

Significant judgment is required in assessing evidence of impairment and estimation of the amount and timing of future cash flows when
determining the impairment loss. When assessing objective evidence of impairment we primarily consider specific factors such as the financial
condition of the borrower, borrower’s default or delinquency in interest or principal payments, local economic conditions and other observable
data. In determining the estimated recoverable amount we consider discounted expected future cash flows at the effective interest rate using a
number of assumptions and inputs. Management judgment is involved when choosing these inputs and assumptions used such as the expected
amount of the loan that will not be recovered and the cost of time delays in collecting principal and/or interest, and when estimating the value of
any collateral held for which there may not be a readily accessible market. Changes in the amount expected to be recovered would have a direct
impact on the Provision for credit losses and may result in a change in the Allowance for credit losses.

Collectively assessed loans
Loans which are not individually significant, or which are individually assessed and not determined to be impaired, are collectively assessed for
impairment. For the purposes of a collective evaluation of impairment, loans are grouped on the basis of similar risk characteristics, taking into
account loan type, industry, geographic location, collateral type, past due status and other relevant factors.

The collective impairment allowance is determined by reviewing factors including: (i) historical loss experience, which takes into

consideration historical probabilities of default, loss given default and exposure at default, in portfolios of similar credit risk characteristics, and
(ii) management’s judgment on the level of impairment losses based on historical experience relative to the actual level as reported at the
balance sheet date, taking into consideration the current portfolio credit quality trends, business and economic and credit conditions, the impact
of policy and process changes, and other supporting factors. Future cash flows for a group of loans are collectively evaluated for impairment on
the basis of the contractual cash flows of the loans in the group and historical loss experience for loans with credit risk characteristics similar to
those in the group. Historical loss experience is adjusted based on current observable data to reflect the effects of current conditions that did not
affect the period on which the historical loss experience is based and to remove the effects of conditions in the historical period that do not

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currently exist. The methodology and assumptions used for estimating future cash flows are reviewed regularly to reduce any differences
between loss estimates and actual loss experience. Collectively-assessed impairment losses reduce the carrying amount of the aggregated loan
position through an allowance account and the amount of the loss is recognized in Provision for credit losses. Following impairment, interest
income is recognized on the unwinding of the discount from the initial recognition of impairment.

The methodology and assumptions used to calculate collective impairment allowances are subject to uncertainty, in part because it is not
practicable to identify losses on an individual loan basis due to the large number of individually insignificant loans in the portfolio. Significant
judgment is required in assessing historical loss experience, the loss identification period and its relationship to current portfolios including
delinquency, and loan balances; and current business, economic and credit conditions including industry specific performance, unemployment
and country risks. Changes in these assumptions would have a direct impact on the Provision for credit losses and may result in changes in the
related Allowance for credit losses.

Write-off of loans
Loans and the related impairment allowance for credit losses are written off, either partially or in full, when there is no realistic prospect of
recovery. Where loans are secured, they are generally written off after receipt of any proceeds from the realization of the collateral. In
circumstances where the net realizable value of any collateral has been determined and there is no reasonable expectation of further recovery,
write off may be earlier. For credit cards, the balances and related allowance for credit losses are written off when payment is 180 days in arrears.
Personal loans are generally written off at 150 days past due.

Derecognition of financial assets
Our various securitization activities generally consist of the transfer of financial assets such as loans or packaged mortgage-backed securities
(MBS) to independent structured entities or trusts that issue securities to investors.

Financial assets are derecognized from our Consolidated Balance Sheets when our contractual rights to the cash flows from the assets have

expired, when we retain the rights to receive the cash flows of the assets but assume an obligation to pay those cash flows to a third party
subject to certain pass-through requirements or when we transfer our contractual rights to receive the cash flows and substantially all of the risk
and rewards of the assets have been transferred. When we retain substantially all of the risks and rewards of the transferred assets, the
transferred assets are not derecognized from our Consolidated Balance Sheets and are accounted for as secured financing transactions. When
we neither retain nor transfer substantially all risks and rewards of ownership of the assets, we derecognize the assets if control over the assets
is relinquished. If we retain control over the transferred assets, we continue to recognize the transferred assets to the extent of our continuing
involvement.

Management’s judgment is applied in determining whether the contractual rights to the cash flows from the transferred assets have expired

or whether we retain the rights to receive cash flows on the assets but assume an obligation to pay for those cash flows. We derecognize
transferred financial assets if we transfer substantially all the risk and rewards of the ownership in the assets. When assessing whether we have
transferred substantially all of the risk and rewards of the transferred assets, management considers the Bank’s exposure before and after the
transfer with the variability in the amount and timing of the net cash flows of the transferred assets. In transfers in which we retain the servicing
rights, management has applied judgment in assessing the benefits of servicing against market expectations. When the benefits of servicing are
greater than fair value, a servicing asset is recognized in Other assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. When the benefits of servicing are
less than fair value, a servicing liability is recognized in Other liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Derecognition of financial liabilities
We derecognize a financial liability from our Consolidated Balance Sheets when our obligation specified in the contract expires, or is discharged
or cancelled. We recognize the difference between the carrying amount of a financial liability transferred and the consideration paid in our
Consolidated Statements of Income.

Guarantees
Financial guarantee contracts are contracts that contingently require us to make specified payments (in cash, other assets, our own shares or
provision of services) to reimburse the holder for a loss it incurs because a specified debtor fails to make payment when due in accordance with
the original or modified terms of a debt instrument. Liabilities are recognized on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at the inception of a guarantee
for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee. Financial guarantees are subsequently remeasured at the higher of (i) the
amount initially recognized and (ii) our best estimate of the present value of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the end
of the reporting period.

If the financial guarantee contract meets the definition of a derivative, it is measured at fair value at each balance sheet date and reported

under Derivatives on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Insurance and segregated funds
Premiums from long-duration contracts, primarily life insurance, are recognized when due in Non-interest income – Insurance premiums,
investment and fee income. Premiums from short-duration contracts, primarily property and casualty, and fees for administrative services are
recognized in Insurance premiums, investment and fee income over the related contract period. Unearned premiums of the short-duration
contracts, representing the unexpired portion of premiums, are reported in Other liabilities. Investments made by our insurance operations are
classified as AFS or loans and receivables, except for investments supporting the policy benefit liabilities on life and health insurance contracts
and a portion of property and casualty contracts. These are designated as at FVTPL with changes in fair value reported in Insurance premiums,
investment and fee income.

Insurance claims and policy benefit liabilities represent current claims and estimates for future insurance policy benefits. Liabilities for life
insurance contracts are determined using the Canadian Asset Liability Method (CALM), which incorporates assumptions for mortality, morbidity,
policy lapses and surrenders, investment yields, policy dividends, operating and policy maintenance expenses, and provisions for adverse
deviation. These assumptions are reviewed at least annually and updated in response to actual experience and market conditions. Liabilities for
property and casualty insurance represent estimated provisions for reported and unreported claims. Liabilities for life and property and casualty
insurance are included in Insurance claims and policy benefit liabilities. Changes in Insurance claims and policy benefit liabilities are included in
the Insurance policyholder benefits, claims and acquisition expense in our Consolidated Statements of Income in the period in which the
estimates change.

Premiums ceded for reinsurance and reinsurance recoveries on policyholder benefits and claims incurred are reported in income and

expense as appropriate. Reinsurance recoverables, which relate to paid benefits and unpaid claims, are included in Other assets.

Consolidated Financial Statements

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Note 2 Summary of significant accounting policies, estimates and judgments (continued)

Acquisition costs for new insurance business consist of commissions, premium taxes, certain underwriting costs and other costs that vary

with the acquisition of new business. Deferred acquisition costs for life insurance products are implicitly recognized in Insurance claims and
policy benefit liabilities by CALM. For property and casualty insurance, these costs are classified as Other assets and amortized over the policy
term.

Segregated funds are lines of business in which we issue an insurance contract where the benefit amount is directly linked to the market

value of the investments held in the underlying fund. The contractual arrangement is such that the underlying segregated fund assets are
registered in our name but the segregated fund policyholders bear the risks and rewards of the funds’ investment performance. Liabilities for
these contracts are calculated based on contractual obligations using actuarial assumptions and are at least equivalent to the surrender or
transfer value calculated by reference to the value of the relevant underlying funds or indices. Segregated funds’ assets and liabilities are
separately presented on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As the segregated fund policyholders bear the risks and rewards of the funds’
performance, investment income earned by the segregated funds and expenses incurred by the segregated funds are offset and are not
separately presented in our Consolidated Statements of Income. Fee income we earn from segregated funds includes management fees,
mortality, policy administration and surrender charges, and these fees are recorded in Non-interest income – Insurance premiums, investment
and fee income. We provide minimum death benefit and maturity value guarantees on segregated funds. The liability associated with these
minimum guarantees is recorded in Insurance claims and policy benefit liabilities.

Liability adequacy tests are performed for all insurance contract portfolios at each balance sheet date to ensure the adequacy of insurance

contract liabilities. Current best estimates of future contractual cash flows, claims handling and administration costs, and investment returns
from the assets backing the liabilities are taken into account in the tests. When the test results indicate that there is a deficiency in liabilities, the
deficiency is charged immediately to our Consolidated Statements of Income by writing down the deferred acquisition costs in Other assets
and/or increasing Insurance claims and policy benefit liabilities.

Employee benefits – Pensions and other post-employment benefits
Our defined benefit pension expense, which is included in Non-interest expense – Human resources, consists of the cost of employee pension
benefits for the current year’s service, net interest on the net defined benefit liability (asset), past service cost and gains or losses on settlement.
Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability, which comprise actuarial gains and losses and return on plan assets (excluding amounts
included in net interest on the net defined benefit liability), are recognized immediately in OCI in the period in which they occur. Actuarial gains
and losses comprise experience adjustments (the effects of differences between the previous actuarial assumptions and what has actually
occurred), as well as the effects of changes in actuarial assumptions. Amounts recognized in OCI will not be reclassified subsequently to net
income. Past service cost is the change in the present value of the defined benefit obligation resulting from a plan amendment or curtailment
and is charged immediately to income.

For each defined benefit plan, we recognize the present value of our defined benefit obligations less the fair value of the plan assets as a

defined benefit liability reported in Employee benefit liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. For plans where there is a net defined
benefit asset, the amount is reported as an asset in Employee benefit assets on our Consolidated Balance sheets.

The calculation of defined benefit expenses and obligations requires significant judgment as the recognition is dependent on discount rates
and various actuarial assumptions such as healthcare cost trend rates, projected salary increases, retirement age, and mortality and termination
rates. Due to the long-term nature of these plans, such estimates and assumptions are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. For our
pension and other post-employment plans, the discount rate is determined by reference to market yields on high quality corporate bonds. Since
the discount rate is based on currently available yields, and involves management’s assessment of market liquidity, it is only a proxy for future
yields. Actuarial assumptions, set in accordance with current practices in the respective countries of our plans, may differ from actual experience
as country specific statistics are only estimates of future employee behaviour. These assumptions are determined by management and are
reviewed by actuaries at least annually. Changes to any of the above assumptions may affect the amounts of benefits obligations, expenses and
remeasurements that we recognize.

Our contributions to defined contribution plans are expensed when employees have rendered services in exchange for such contributions.

Defined contribution plan expense is included in Non-interest expense – Human resources.

Share-based compensation
We offer share-based compensation plans to certain key employees and to our non-employee directors.

To account for stock options granted to employees, compensation expense is recognized over the applicable vesting period with a
corresponding increase in equity. Fair value is determined by using option valuation models, which take into account the exercise price of the
option, the current share price, the risk free interest rate, the expected volatility of the share price over the life of the option and other relevant
factors. When the options are exercised, the exercise price proceeds together with the amount initially recorded in equity are credited to common
shares. Our other compensation plans include performance deferred share plans and deferred share unit plans for key employees (the Plans).
The obligations for the Plans are accrued over their vesting periods. The Plans are settled in cash.

For cash-settled awards, our accrued obligations are adjusted to their fair value at each balance sheet date. For share-settled awards, our

accrued obligations are based on the fair value of our common shares at the date of grant. Changes in our obligations, net of related hedges, are
recorded as Non-interest expense – Human resources in our Consolidated Statements of Income with a corresponding increase in Other
liabilities for cash-settled awards and in Retained earnings for share-settled awards.

The compensation cost attributable to options and awards granted to employees who are eligible to retire or will become eligible to retire
during the vesting period, is recognized immediately if the employee is eligible to retire on the grant date or over the period between the grant
date and the date the employee becomes eligible to retire.

Our contributions to the employee savings and share ownership plans are expensed as incurred.

Income taxes
Income tax comprises current tax and deferred tax and is recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Income except to the extent that it relates
to items recognized directly in equity, in which case it is recognized in equity.

Current income tax payable on profits is recognized as an expense based on the applicable tax laws in each jurisdiction in the period in

which profits arise, calculated using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. Deferred tax is recognized on
temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for accounting and tax purposes. A deferred income tax asset or
liability is determined for each temporary difference, except for earnings related to our subsidiaries, branches, associates and interests in joint
ventures where the temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future and we have the ability to control the timing of reversal.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the tax rates that are expected to be in effect in the period that the asset is realized

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or the liability is settled, based on tax rates and tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. Current tax
assets and liabilities are offset when they are levied by the same taxation authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities
within the same tax reporting group (which intends to settle on a net basis), and when there is a legal right to offset. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are offset when the same conditions are satisfied. Our Consolidated Statements of Income include items that are non-taxable or non-
deductible for income tax purposes and, accordingly, this causes the income tax provision to be different from what it would be if based on
statutory rates.

Deferred income taxes accumulated as a result of temporary differences and tax loss carryforwards are included in Other assets and Other
liabilities. On a quarterly basis, we review our deferred income tax assets to determine whether it is probable that the benefits associated with
these assets will be realized; this review involves evaluating both positive and negative evidence.

We are subject to income tax laws in various jurisdictions where we operate, and the complex tax laws are potentially subject to different

interpretations by us and the relevant taxation authorities. Significant judgment is required in the interpretation of the relevant tax laws, and the
determination of our tax provision which includes our best estimate of tax positions that are under audit or appeal by relevant taxation
authorities. We perform a review on a quarterly basis to incorporate our best assessment based on information available, but additional liability
and income tax expense could result based on decisions made by the relevant tax authorities.

The determination of our deferred tax asset or liability also requires significant management judgment as the recognition is dependent on
our projection of future taxable profits and tax rates that are expected to be in effect in the period the asset is realized or the liability is settled.
Any changes in our projection will result in changes in deferred tax assets or liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and also deferred tax
expense in our Consolidated Statements of Income.

Business combinations, goodwill and other intangibles
All business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. Non-controlling interests, if any, are recognized at their proportionate
share of the fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities, unless otherwise indicated. Identifiable intangible assets are recognized separately
from goodwill and included in Other intangibles. Goodwill represents the excess of the price paid for the business acquired over the fair value of
the net identifiable assets acquired on the date of acquisition.

Goodwill
Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units or groups of cash-generating units (CGU) for the purpose of impairment testing, which is
undertaken at the lowest level at which goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes. Impairment testing is performed annually as at
August 1, or more frequently if there are objective indicators of impairment, by comparing the recoverable amount of a CGU with its carrying
amount. The recoverable amount of a CGU is the higher of its value in use and its fair value less costs of disposal. Value in use is the present
value of the expected future cash flows from a CGU. Fair value less costs of disposal is the amount obtainable from the sale of a CGU in an
orderly transaction between market participants, less disposal costs. The fair value of a CGU is estimated using valuation techniques such as a
discounted cash flow method, adjusted to reflect the considerations of a prospective third-party buyer. External evidence such as binding sale
agreements or recent transactions for similar businesses within the same industry is considered to the extent that it is available.

Significant judgment is involved in estimating the model inputs used to determine the recoverable amount of our CGU, in particular future

cash flows, discount rates and terminal growth rates, due to the uncertainty in the timing and amount of cash flows and the forward-looking
nature of these inputs. Future cash flows are based on financial plans agreed by management which are estimated based on forecast results,
business initiatives, planned capital investments and returns to shareholders. Discount rates are based on the bank-wide cost of capital,
adjusted for CGU-specific risks and currency exposure as reflected by differences in expected inflation. Bank-wide cost of capital is based on the
Capital Asset Pricing Model. CGU-specific risks include country risk, business/operational risk, geographic risk (including political risk,
devaluation risk, and government regulation), currency risk, and price risk (including product pricing risk and inflation). Terminal growth rates
reflect the expected long-term gross domestic product growth and inflation for the countries within which the CGU operates. Changes in these
assumptions may impact the amount of impairment loss recognized in Non-interest expense.

The carrying amount of a CGU includes the carrying amount of assets, liabilities and goodwill allocated to the CGU. If the recoverable
amount is less than the carrying value, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the CGU
and then to the other non-financial assets of the CGU proportionately based on the carrying amount of each asset. Any impairment loss is
charged to income in the period in which the impairment is identified. Goodwill is stated at cost less accumulated impairment losses.
Subsequent reversals of goodwill impairment are prohibited.

Upon disposal of a portion of a CGU, the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the portion of the CGU sold is included in the determination

of gains or losses on disposal. The carrying amount is determined based on the relative fair value of the disposed portion to the total CGU.

Other intangibles
Intangible assets represent identifiable non-monetary assets and are acquired either separately or through a business combination, or generated
internally. Intangible assets acquired through a business combination are recognized separately from goodwill when they are separable or arise
from contractual or other legal rights, and their fair value can be measured reliably. The cost of a separately acquired intangible asset includes its
purchase price and directly attributable costs of preparing the asset for its intended use. In respect of internally generated intangible assets, cost
includes all directly attributable costs necessary to create, produce, and prepare the asset to be capable of operating in the manner intended by
management. Research and development costs that are not eligible for capitalization are expensed. After initial recognition, an intangible asset
is carried at its cost less any accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses, if any. Intangible assets with a finite-life are
amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows: computer software – 3 to 10 years; and customer relationships –
10 to 20 years. We do not have any intangible assets with indefinite lives.

Intangible assets are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting period. If there is an indication that an intangible asset may be

impaired, an impairment test is performed by comparing the carrying amount of the intangible asset to its recoverable amount. Where it is not
possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, we estimate the recoverable amount of the CGU to which the asset belongs.
If the recoverable amount of the asset (or CGU) is less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the intangible asset is written down to its
recoverable amount as an impairment loss.

An impairment loss recognized previously is reversed if there is a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount of the

asset (or CGU) since the last impairment loss was recognized. If an impairment loss is subsequently reversed, the carrying amount of the asset
(or CGU) is revised to the lower of its recoverable amount and the carrying amount that would have been determined (net of amortization) had
there been no prior impairment.

Consolidated Financial Statements

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Note 2 Summary of significant accounting policies, estimates and judgments (continued)

Due to the subjective nature of these estimates, significant judgment is required in determining the useful lives and recoverable amounts of

our intangible assets, and assessing whether certain events or circumstances constitute objective evidence of impairment. Estimates of the
recoverable amounts of our intangible assets rely on certain key inputs, including future cash flows and discount rates. Future cash flows are
based on sales projections and allocated costs which are estimated based on forecast results and business initiatives. Discount rates are based
on the bank-wide cost of capital, adjusted for asset-specific risks. Changes in these assumptions may impact the amount of impairment loss
recognized in Non-interest expense.

Other
Translation of foreign currencies
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, are translated into Canadian dollars at rates prevailing at the balance sheet
date. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the translation and settlement of these items are recognized in Non-interest income in
the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured at historical cost are translated into Canadian dollars at historical rates. Non-
monetary financial assets classified as AFS securities, such as equity instruments, that are measured at fair value are translated into Canadian
dollars at rates prevailing at the balance sheet date, and the resulting foreign exchange gains and losses are recorded in Other components of
equity until the asset is sold or becomes impaired.

Assets and liabilities of our foreign operations with functional currencies other than Canadian dollars are translated into Canadian dollars at

rates prevailing at the balance sheet date, and income and expenses of these foreign operations are translated at average rates of exchange for
the reporting period.

Unrealized gains or losses arising as a result of the translation of our foreign operations along with the effective portion of related hedges

are reported in Other components of equity on an after-tax basis. Upon disposal or partial disposal of a foreign operation, an appropriate portion
of the accumulated net translation gains or losses is included in Non-interest income.

Premises and equipment
Premises and equipment includes land, buildings, leasehold improvements, computer equipment, furniture, fixtures and other equipment, and
are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation, except for land which is not depreciated, and accumulated impairment losses. Cost comprises
the purchase price, any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for its intended use, and the
initial estimate of any disposal costs. Depreciation is recorded principally on a straight–line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets,
which are 25 to 50 years for buildings, 3 to 10 years for computer equipment, and 7 to 10 years for furniture, fixtures and other equipment. The
amortization period for leasehold improvements is the lesser of the useful life of the leasehold improvements or the lease term plus the first
renewal period, if reasonably assured of renewal, up to a maximum of 10 years. Depreciation methods, useful lives, and residual values are
reassessed at each reporting period and adjusted as appropriate. Gains and losses on disposal are recorded in Non-interest income.

Premises and equipment are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting period. If there is an indication that an asset may be

impaired, an impairment test is performed by comparing the asset’s carrying amount to its recoverable amount. Where it is not possible to
estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, we estimate the recoverable amount of the CGU to which the asset belongs and test for
impairment at the CGU level. An impairment charge is recorded to the extent the recoverable amount of an asset (or CGU), which is the higher of
value in use and fair value less costs of disposal, is less than its carrying amount. Value in use is the present value of the future cash flows
expected to be derived from the asset (or CGU). Fair value less costs of disposal is the amount obtainable from the sale of the asset (or CGU) in
an orderly transaction between market participants, less costs of disposal.

After the recognition of impairment, the depreciation charge is adjusted in future periods to reflect the asset’s revised carrying amount. If an

impairment is later reversed, the carrying amount of the asset is revised to the lower of the asset’s recoverable amount and the carrying amount
that would have been determined (net of depreciation) had there been no prior impairment loss. The depreciation charge in future periods is
adjusted to reflect the revised carrying amount.

Provisions
Provisions are liabilities of uncertain timing or amount and are recognized when we have a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a
past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount
of the obligation. Provisions are measured as the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the reporting
date. Significant judgment is required in determining whether a present obligation exists and in estimating the probability, timing and amount of
any outflows. We record provisions related to litigation, asset retirement obligations, and the allowance for off-balance sheet and other items.
Provisions are recorded under Other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

We are required to estimate the results of ongoing legal proceedings, expenses to be incurred to dispose of capital assets, and credit losses
on undrawn commitments and guarantees. The forward-looking nature of these estimates requires us to use a significant amount of judgment in
projecting the timing and amount of future cash flows. We record our provisions on the basis of all available information at the end of the
reporting period and make adjustments on a quarterly basis to reflect current expectations. Should actual results differ from our expectations, we
may incur expenses in excess of the provisions recognized.

When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a third party, such as an insurer,

a separate asset is recognized if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received.

Commissions and fees
Portfolio management and other management advisory and service fees are recognized based on the applicable service contracts. Fees related
to provision of services including asset management, wealth management, financial planning and custody services that cover a specified service
period, are recognized over the period in which the service is provided. Investment management and custodial fees are generally calculated as a
percentage of daily or period-end net asset values, and are received monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually, depending on the terms of the
contracts. Management fees are generally derived from assets under management (AUM) when our clients solicit the investment capabilities of
an investment manager and administrative fees are derived from assets under administration (AUA) where the investment strategy is directed by
the client or a designated third party manager. Performance-based fees, which are earned upon exceeding certain benchmarks or performance
targets, are recognized only when the benchmark or performance targets are achieved. Fees such as underwriting fees and brokerage fees that
are related to the provision of specific transaction type services are recognized when the service has been completed.

134

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Dividend income
Dividend income is recognized when the right to receive payment is established. This is the ex-dividend date for listed equity securities, and
usually the date when shareholders have approved the dividend for unlisted equity securities.

Leasing
A lease is an agreement whereby the lessor conveys to the lessee the right to use an asset for an agreed upon period of time in return for a
payment or series of payments. A finance lease is a lease that transfers substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the
leased asset to the lessee, where title may or may not eventually be transferred. An operating lease is a lease other than a finance lease.

Operating leases
When we are the lessee in an operating lease, we record rental payments on a straight-line basis over the lease term in Non-interest expense.

Finance leases
When we are the lessee in a finance lease, we initially record both the leased asset and the related lease obligation in Premises and equipment,
Other intangibles and Other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at an amount equal to the fair value of the leased asset or, if lower,
the present value of the minimum lease payments, each determined at the date of inception of the lease. Initial direct costs directly attributed to
the lease are recognized as an asset under the finance lease.

Earnings per share
Earnings per share is computed by dividing Net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding for the period. Net income available to common shareholders is determined after deducting dividend entitlements of preferred
shareholders, any gains (losses) on redemption of preferred shares net of related income taxes and the net income attributable to non-
controlling interests.

Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if additional common shares are assumed to be issued under

securities or contracts that entitle their holders to obtain common shares in the future, to the extent such entitlement is not subject to
unresolved contingencies. For contracts that may be settled in cash or in common shares at our option, diluted earnings per share is calculated
based on the assumption that such contracts will be settled in shares. Income and expenses associated with these types of contracts are
excluded from the Net income available to common shareholders, and the additional number of shares that would be issued is included in the
diluted earnings per share calculation. These contracts include our convertible Preferred Shares and Trust Capital Securities with the conversion
assumed to have taken place at the beginning of the period or on the date of issue, if later. For stock options whose exercise price is less than
the average market price of our common shares, they are assumed to be exercised and the proceeds are used to repurchase common shares at
the average market price for the period. The incremental number of common shares issued under stock options and repurchased from proceeds
is included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

Share capital
We classify a financial instrument that we issue as a financial asset, financial liability or an equity instrument in accordance with the substance
of the contractual arrangement.

Our common shares held by us are classified as treasury shares in equity and accounted for at weighted average cost. Upon the sale of

treasury shares, the difference between the sale proceeds and the cost of the shares is recognized in Retained earnings. Financial instruments
issued by us are classified as equity instruments when there is no contractual obligation to transfer cash or other financial assets. Incremental
costs directly attributable to the issue of equity instruments are included in equity as a deduction from the proceeds, net of tax. Financial
instruments that will be settled by a variable number of our common shares upon their conversion by the holders as well as the related accrued
distributions are classified as liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Dividends and yield distributions on these instruments are
classified as Interest expense in our Consolidated Statements of Income.

Future changes in accounting policy and disclosure
The following standards have been issued, but are not yet effective for us. We are currently assessing the impact of adopting these standards on
our Consolidated Financial Statements:

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (IFRS 15)
In May 2014, the IASB issued IFRS 15 which establishes principles for reporting about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and
cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. The standard provides a single, principles based five-step model for revenue
recognition to be applied to contracts with customers except for revenue arising from items such as financial instruments, insurance contracts
and leases. In September 2015, the IASB amended IFRS 15 by deferring its effective date by one year. IFRS 15 will be effective for us on
November 1, 2018.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (IFRS 9)
In July 2014, the IASB issued the complete version of IFRS 9, first issued in November 2009, which brings together the classification and
measurement, impairment and hedge accounting phases of the IASB’s project to replace IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and
Measurement (IAS 39).

IFRS 9 introduces a principles-based approach to the classification of financial assets based on an entity’s business model and the nature

of the cash flows of the asset. All financial assets, including hybrid contracts, are measured as at FVTPL, fair value through OCI or amortized cost.
For financial liabilities, IFRS 9 includes the requirements for classification and measurement previously included in IAS 39.

IFRS 9 also introduces an expected loss impairment model for all financial assets not as at FVTPL. The model has three stages: (1) on initial

recognition, 12-month expected credit losses are recognized in profit or loss and a loss allowance is established; (2) if credit risk increases
significantly and the resulting credit risk is not considered to be low, full lifetime expected credit losses are recognized; and (3) when a financial
asset is considered impaired, interest revenue is calculated based on the carrying amount of the asset, net of the loss allowance, rather than its
gross carrying amount.

Finally, IFRS 9 introduces a new hedge accounting model that aligns the accounting for hedge relationships more closely with an entity’s

risk management activities, permits hedge accounting to be applied more broadly to a greater variety of hedging instruments and risks and
requires additional disclosures.

We adopted the own credit provisions of IFRS 9 in the second quarter of 2014. The remaining sections of IFRS 9 will be effective for us on

November 1, 2017.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

135

Note 3 Fair value of financial instruments

Carrying value and fair value of selected financial instruments
The following tables provide a comparison of the carrying and fair values for each classification of financial instruments.

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Financial assets
Securities
Trading
Available-for-sale (1)

Carrying value and fair value

Financial
instruments
classified as
at FVTPL

Financial
instruments
designated as
at FVTPL

Available-
for-sale
instruments
measured at
fair value

As at October 31, 2015
Carrying value

Fair value

Financial
instruments
measured at
amortized cost

Financial
instruments
measured at
amortized cost

Total
carrying
amount

Total
fair value

$

148,939 $

–
148,939

9,764 $
–
9,764

–
48,164
48,164

$

$

–
8,641
8,641

– $

8,759
8,759

158,703 $
56,805
215,508

158,703
56,923
215,626

Assets purchased under reverse repurchase

agreements and securities borrowed

–

114,692

Loans

Retail
Wholesale

Other

Derivatives
Other assets (2)
Financial liabilities
Deposits

Personal
Business and government (3)
Bank (4)

Other

Obligations related to securities sold short
Obligations related to assets sold under
repurchase agreements and securities
loaned
Derivatives
Other liabilities (5)

Subordinated debentures

166
1,280
1,446

105,626
–

–
1,327
1,327

–
925

$

69 $
–
–
69

16,828
93,319
5,376
115,523

47,658

–

–
107,860
192
–

73,362
–
13
112

–

–
–
–

–
–

$

60,031

346,795
122,655
469,450

–
44,852

203,669
362,259
15,707
581,635

–

9,926
–
43,251
7,250

60,071

174,723

174,763

348,513
121,316
469,829

346,961
125,262
472,223

348,679
123,923
472,602

–
44,852

105,626
45,777

105,626
45,777

$

204,019 $
363,305
15,713
583,037

220,566 $
455,578
21,083
697,227

220,916
456,624
21,089
698,629

–

47,658

47,658

9,928
–
43,196
7,078

83,288
107,860
43,456
7,362

83,290
107,860
43,401
7,190

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Financial assets
Securities
Trading
Available-for-sale (1)

Carrying value and fair value

Carrying value

Fair value

As at October 31, 2014

Financial
instruments
classified as
at FVTPL

Financial
instruments
designated as
at FVTPL

Available-
for-sale
instruments
measured at
fair value

Financial
instruments
measured at
amortized cost

Financial
instruments
measured at
amortized cost

Total
carrying
amount

Total
fair value

$

141,217 $

10,163 $

–
141,217

–
10,163

$

–
46,009
46,009

–
1,759
1,759

$

– $

1,762
1,762

151,380 $
47,768
199,148

151,380
47,771
199,151

Assets purchased under reverse repurchase

agreements and securities borrowed

–

85,292

Loans

Retail
Wholesale

Other

Derivatives
Other assets (2)
Financial liabilities
Deposits

Personal
Business and government (3)
Bank (4)

Other

Obligations related to securities sold short
Obligations related to assets sold under
repurchase agreements and securities
loaned
Derivatives
Other liabilities (5)

Subordinated debentures

–
1,337
1,337

87,402
–

$

112 $
–
–
112

–
2,278
2,278

–
930

13,289
59,446
6,592
79,327

–

–
–
–

–
–

$

50,288

50,288

135,580

135,580

333,045
98,569
431,614

–
32,975

195,816
327,214
11,631
534,661

334,475
98,461
432,936

–
32,975

333,045
102,184
435,229

87,402
33,905

334,475
102,076
436,551

87,402
33,905

$

195,964 $
328,328
11,636
535,928

209,217 $
386,660
18,223
614,100

209,365
387,774
18,228
615,367

50,345

–

–

–

50,345

50,345

–
88,982
20
–

58,411
–
30
106

5,920
–
36,816
7,753

5,921
–
36,762
7,712

64,331
88,982
36,866
7,859

64,332
88,982
36,812
7,818

(1)
(2)

(3)
(4)
(5)

Available-for-sale (AFS) securities include held-to-maturity securities that are recorded at amortized cost.
The total carrying amount is comprised of Customers’ liability under acceptances and financial instruments included in Other assets of $13.5 billion and $32.3 billion (October 31, 2014 –
$11.5 billion and $22.4 billion), respectively.
Business and government deposits include deposits from regulated deposit-taking institutions other than regulated banks.
Bank deposits refer to deposits from regulated banks.
The total carrying amount is comprised of Acceptances and financial instruments included in Other liabilities of $13.5 billion and $30 billion (October 31, 2014 – $11.5 billion and
$25.4 billion), respectively.

136

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Loans and receivables designated as at fair value through profit or loss
The following tables present information on loans and receivables designated as at FVTPL. For our loans and receivables designated as at FVTPL,
we measure the change in fair value attributable to changes in credit risk as the difference between the total change in the fair value of the
instrument during the period and the change in fair value calculated using the appropriate risk-free yield curves.

As at October 31, 2015

Extent to
which
credit
derivatives
or similar
instruments
mitigate
credit risk

Changes in
fair value for
the year
attributable
to changes in
credit risk for
positions still
held

Cumulative
change in
fair value
attributable
to changes in
credit risk for
positions still
held (1)

Changes in
fair value
of credit
derivatives
or similar
instruments
for the year

Cumulative
change
in fair value
of credit
derivatives
or similar
instruments (1)
–

15,717 $

– $

– $

– $

– $

Carrying
amount of
loans and
receivables
designated as
at FVTPL
15,717 $

$

Maximum
exposure to
credit risk

114,692
1,327
202

114,692
1,327
202

–
–
–

–
10
–

–
–
–

–
3
–

$

131,938 $ 131,938 $

– $

10 $

– $

3 $

–
3
–

3

Carrying
amount of
loans and
receivables
designated as
at FVTPL

Maximum
exposure to
credit risk

As at October 31, 2014

Extent to
which
credit
derivatives
or similar
instruments
mitigate
credit risk

Changes in
fair value for
the year
attributable
to changes in
credit risk for
positions still
held

Cumulative
change in
fair value
attributable
to changes in
credit risk for
positions still
held (1)

Changes in
fair value
of credit
derivatives
or similar
instruments
for the year

$

5,603 $

5,603 $

– $

– $

– $

– $

Cumulative
change
in fair value
of credit
derivatives
or similar
instruments (1)
–

85,292
2,278
326

85,292
2,278
326

–
242
–

–
4
–

–
5
–

–
–
–

$

93,499 $

93,499 $

242 $

4 $

5 $

– $

–
–
–

–

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase

agreements and securities borrowed

Loans – Wholesale
Other assets

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase

agreements and securities borrowed

Loans – Wholesale
Other assets

(1)

The cumulative change is measured from the initial recognition of the credit derivative or similar instruments.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

137

Note 3 Fair value of financial instruments (continued)

Liabilities designated as at fair value through profit or loss
The following tables present the changes in the fair value of our financial liabilities designated as at FVTPL as well as their contractual maturity
and carrying amounts. For our financial liabilities designated as at FVTPL, we measure the change in fair value attributable to changes in credit
risk as the difference between the total change in the fair value of the instrument during the period and the change in the fair value attributable
to changes in market conditions such as changes in benchmark interest rate or foreign exchange rate.

As at October 31, 2015

Changes in fair value
for the year attributable
to changes in credit
risk included in
net income for
positions still held

Difference
between
carrying value
and contractual
maturity amount

Changes in fair value
for the year attributable
to changes in credit
risk included in other
comprehensive income
for positions still held

Cumulative change
in fair value
attributable to
changes in credit
risk for positions
still held (1)

Contractual
maturity
amount

Carrying
value

$ 16,595 $ 16,828 $

93,225
5,376
115,196

93,319
5,376
115,523

73,364
13
108

73,362
13
112

$ 188,681 $ 189,010 $

233 $
94
–
327

(2)
–
4
329 $

– $
–
–
–

–
–
–
– $

(93) $

(387)
–
(480)

–
–
–
(480) $

(74)
(329)
–
(403)

–
–
(3)
(406)

As at October 31, 2014

Changes in fair value
for the year attributable
to changes in credit
risk included in
net income for
positions still held

Difference
between
carrying value
and contractual
maturity amount

Changes in fair value
for the year attributable
to changes in credit
risk included in other
comprehensive income
for positions still held

Cumulative change
in fair value
attributable to
changes in credit
risk for positions
still held (1)

Contractual
maturity
amount

Carrying
value

$ 12,964 $ 13,289 $

59,139
6,592
78,695

59,446
6,592
79,327

58,413
30
101

58,411
30
106

$ 137,239 $ 137,874 $

325 $
307
–
632

(2)
–
5
635 $

– $
–
–
–

–
–
–
– $

13 $
61
–
74

–
–
3
77 $

19
58
–
77

–
–
(3)
74

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Term deposits
Personal
Business and government (2)
Bank (3)

Obligations related to assets
sold under repurchase
agreements and securities
loaned

Other liabilities
Subordinated debentures

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Term deposits
Personal
Business and government (2)
Bank (3)

Obligations related to assets
sold under repurchase
agreements and securities
loaned

Other liabilities
Subordinated debentures

(1)

(2)
(3)

The cumulative change is measured from the initial recognition of the liabilities designated as at FVTPL. For the year ended October 31, 2015, $3 million of fair value losses previously
included in Other comprehensive income (OCI) relate to financial liabilities derecognized during the year (October 31, 2014 – $4 million).
Business and government term deposits include deposits from regulated deposit-taking institutions other than regulated banks.
Bank term deposits refer to deposits from regulated banks.

138

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis and classified using the fair value hierarchy
The following tables present the financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and classified by the fair value
hierarchy.

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Financial assets
Interest bearing deposits with banks

Securities
Trading

Canadian government debt (1)

Federal
Provincial and municipal

U.S. state, municipal and agencies debt (1)
Other OECD government debt (2)
Mortgage-backed securities (1)
Asset-backed securities

CDO (3)
Non-CDO securities

Corporate debt and other debt
Equities

Available-for-sale (4)

Canadian government debt (1)

Federal
Provincial and municipal

U.S. state, municipal and agencies debt (1)
Other OECD government debt
Mortgage-backed securities (1)
Asset-backed securities

CDO
Non-CDO securities

Corporate debt and other debt
Equities
Loan substitute securities

Assets purchased under reverse repurchase

agreements and securities borrowed

Loans
Other

Derivatives

Interest rate contracts
Foreign exchange contracts
Credit derivatives
Other contracts
Valuation adjustments

Total gross derivatives
Netting adjustments

Total derivatives
Other assets

Financial Liabilities

Deposits

Personal
Business and government
Bank

Other

Obligations related to securities sold short
Obligations related to assets sold under
repurchase agreements and securities
loaned
Derivatives

Interest rate contracts
Foreign exchange contracts
Credit derivatives
Other contracts
Valuation adjustments

Total gross derivatives
Netting adjustments

Total derivatives
Other liabilities
Subordinated debentures

October 31, 2015

October 31, 2014

As at

Fair value measurements using

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total
gross fair
value

Netting
adjustments

Assets/
liabilities
at fair value

Fair value measurements using

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total
gross fair
value

Netting
adjustments

Assets/
liabilities
at fair value

$

–

$ 15,717

$

–

$ 15,717

$

$

15,717

$

– $ 5,603

$

– $ 5,603

$

$

5,603

14,143
11,371
29,472
15,325
805

111
1,404
27,598
51,151

14,143
11,371
29,472
15,325
805

111
1,404
27,598
51,151

151,380

151,380

10,793
–
1,641
3,131
–

–
–
16
45,811

61,392

346
–
–
4,752
–

–
–
–
431
94

5,623

9,364
13,888
32,798
9,215
2,907

67
1,636
24,502
2,556

96,933

2,198
1,600
12,051
7,535
318

1,510
881
12,372
323
–

38,788

–
5
16
–
15

5
23
191
123

378

–
–
797
–
–

–
197
1,757
987
–

3,738

20,157
13,893
34,455
12,346
2,922

72
1,659
24,709
48,490

158,703

2,544
1,600
12,848
12,287
318

1,510
1,078
14,129
1,741
94

48,149

20,157
13,893
34,455
12,346
2,922

72
1,659
24,709
48,490

158,703

2,544
1,600
12,848
12,287
318

1,510
1,078
14,129
1,741
94

48,149

8,288
–
1,838
7,334
–

–
–
15
47,396

64,871

429
–
29
6,979
–

–
–
–
140
102

5,855
11,371
27,628
7,991
801

37
1,040
27,434
3,589

85,746

11,540
799
4,839
7,303
138

857
381
7,714
514
24

7,679

34,109

–
–
6
–
4

74
364
149
166

763

–
–
1,389
11
–

24
182
1,573
1,028
–

4,207

11,969
799
6,257
14,293
138

881
563
9,287
1,682
126

45,995

–
–

114,692
2,301

–
472

114,692
2,773

114,692
2,773

–
–

85,292
3,154

–
461

85,292
3,615

7
–
–
4,424
–

4,431

142,096
41,021
90
5,637
(1,265)

374
91
4
712
(38)

142,477
41,112
94
10,773
(1,303)

187,579

1,143

193,153

723

202

–

925

142,477
41,112
94
10,773
(1,303)

193,153
(87,527)

105,626
925

13
–
–
3,238
–

3,251

102,176
33,761
244
4,839
(702)

140,318

339
48
10
560
(56)

901

102,528
33,809
254
8,637
(758)

144,470

604

326

–

930

(87,527)

(57,068)

$72,169 $456,212 $ 5,731

$534,112 $

(87,527) $ 446,585

$76,405

$354,548

$ 6,332

$437,285

$

(57,068) $ 380,217

$

$

–
–
–

$ 16,508
93,311
5,376

389
8
–

$ 16,897
93,319
5,376

$

$

$

16,897
93,319
5,376

$

– $ 12,904
59,376
–
6,592
–

497
70
–

$ 13,401
59,446
6,592

$

47,658

47,658

32,857

17,484

31,945

15,713

–

73,362

3
–
–
3,835
–

3,838

135,455
46,675
166
8,075
(281)

190,090

–

–

820
33
5
1,025
9

1,892

73,362

136,278
46,708
171
12,935
(272)

195,820

145
–

13
112

47
–

205
112

73,362

–

58,411

9
–
–
2,886
–

2,895

96,752
35,664
327
8,537
(65)

141,215

136,278
46,708
171
12,935
(272)

195,820
(87,960)

107,860
205
112

(87,960)

4

–

709
39
15
1,062
29

1,854

50,345

58,411

97,470
35,703
342
12,485
(36)

145,964

(56,982)

–
–

30
106

20
–

50
106

11,969
799
6,257
14,293
138

881
563
9,287
1,682
126

45,995

85,292
3,615

102,528
33,809
254
8,637
(758)

144,470
(57,068)

87,402
930

$

13,401
59,446
6,592

50,345

58,411

97,470
35,703
342
12,485
(36)

145,964
(56,982)

88,982
50
106

$35,928 $394,485 $ 2,336

$432,749 $

(87,960) $ 344,789

$35,752

$296,118

$ 2,445

$334,315

$ (56,982)

$ 277,333

(1)

(2)
(3)
(4)

As at October 31, 2015, residential and commercial MBS included in all fair value levels of trading securities were $10,315 million and $137 million (October 31, 2014 – $6,400 million and
$81 million), respectively, and in all fair value levels of AFS securities, $3,394 million and $242 million (October 31, 2014 – $6,956 million and $34 million), respectively.
OECD stands for Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
CDO stands for collateralized debt obligations.
Excludes $15 million of AFS securities (October 31, 2014 – $14 million) that are carried at cost.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

139

Note 3 Fair value of financial instruments (continued)

The following describes how fair values are determined, what inputs are used and where they are classified in the fair value hierarchy table
above, for our significant assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

Government bonds (Canadian, U.S. and other OECD governments)
Government bonds are included in Canadian government debt, U.S. state, municipal and agencies debt, Other Organisation for Economic Co-
operation and Development (OECD) government debt and Obligations related to securities sold short in the fair value hierarchy table. The fair
values of government issued or guaranteed debt securities in active markets are determined by reference to recent transaction prices, broker
quotes, or third-party vendor prices and are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of securities that are not traded in
active markets are based on either security prices, or valuation techniques using implied yields and risk spreads derived from prices of actively
traded and similar government securities. Securities with observable prices or rate inputs as compared to transaction prices, dealer quotes or
vendor prices are classified as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Securities where inputs are unobservable are classified as Level 3 in the hierarchy.

Corporate and U.S. municipal bonds
The fair values of corporate and U.S. municipal bonds, which are included in Corporate debt and other debt, U.S. state, municipal and agencies
debt and Obligations related to securities sold short in the fair value hierarchy table, are determined using either recently executed transaction
prices, broker quotes, pricing services, or in certain instances discounted cash flow method using rate inputs such as benchmark yields
(Canadian Dealer Offered Rate, LIBOR and other similar reference rates) and risk spreads of comparable securities. Securities with observable
prices or rate inputs are classified as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Securities where inputs are unobservable are classified as Level 3 in the hierarchy.

Asset-backed securities and Mortgage-backed securities
Asset-backed securities (ABS) and MBS are included in Asset-backed securities, Mortgage-backed securities, Canadian government debt, U.S.
state, municipal and agencies debt, and Obligations related to securities sold short in the fair value hierarchy table. ABS include collateralized
debt obligations (CDO). Inputs for valuation of MBS and CDO are, when available, traded prices, dealer or lead manager quotes, broker quotes
and vendor prices of the identical securities. When prices of the identical securities are not readily available, we use industry standard models
with inputs such as discount margins, yields, default, prepayment and loss severity rates that are implied from transaction prices, dealer quotes
or vendor prices of comparable instruments. Where security prices and inputs are observable, ABS and MBS are classified as Level 2 in the
hierarchy. Otherwise, they are classified as Level 3 in the hierarchy.

Auction rate securities
Auction rate securities (ARS) are included in U.S. state, municipal and agencies debt, and Asset-backed securities in the fair value hierarchy
table. The valuation of ARS involves discounting forecasted cash flows from the underlying student loan collateral and incorporating multiple
inputs such as default, prepayment, deferment and redemption rates, and credit spreads. These inputs are unobservable, and therefore, ARS are
classified as Level 3 in the hierarchy. All relevant data must be assessed and significant judgment is required to determine the appropriate
valuation inputs.

Equities
Equities and Obligations related to securities sold short in the fair value hierarchy table consist of listed and unlisted common shares, private
equities and hedge funds with certain redemption restrictions. The fair values of common shares are based on quoted prices in active markets,
where available, and are classified as Level 1 in the hierarchy. Where quoted prices in active markets are not readily available, fair value is
determined based on quoted market prices for similar securities or through valuation techniques, including multiples of earnings and discounted
cash flow method with forecasted cash flows and discount rate as inputs. Private equities are classified as Level 3 in the hierarchy as their inputs
are not observable. Hedge funds are valued using Net Asset Values (NAV). If we can redeem a hedge fund at NAV prior to the next quarter end,
the fund is classified as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Otherwise, it is classified as Level 3 in the hierarchy.

Derivatives
The fair values of exchange-traded derivatives, such as interest rate and equity options and futures, are based on quoted market prices and are
classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. OTC derivatives primarily consist of interest rate and cross currency swaps, interest rate options,
foreign exchange forward contracts and options, and commodity options and swaps. The exchange-traded or OTC interest rate, foreign exchange
and equity derivatives are included in Interest rate contracts, Foreign exchange contracts and Other contracts, respectively, in the fair value
hierarchy table. The fair values of OTC derivatives are determined using valuation models when quoted market prices or third-party consensus
pricing information are not available. The valuation models, such as discounted cash flow method or Black-Scholes option model, incorporate
observable or unobservable inputs for interest and foreign exchange rates, equity and commodity prices (including indices), credit spreads,
corresponding market volatility levels, and other market-based pricing factors. As previously discussed, other adjustments to fair value include
bid-offer, CVA, FVA, OIS, parameter and model uncertainties, and unrealized gain or loss at inception of a transaction. A derivative instrument is
classified as Level 2 in the hierarchy if observable market inputs are available or the unobservable inputs are not significant to the fair value.
Otherwise, it is classified as Level 3 in the hierarchy.

Securities borrowed or purchased under resale agreements and securities loaned or sold under repurchase agreements
In the fair value hierarchy table, these instruments are included in Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities
borrowed, and Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned. Fair value for these contracts is calculated
using valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow method using interest rate curves as inputs. They are classified as Level 2 instruments
in the hierarchy as the inputs are observable.

Deposits
A majority of our deposits are measured at amortized cost but we designated certain deposits as at FVTPL. These FVTPL deposits are composed of
deposits taken, the issuance of certificates of deposits and promissory notes, interest rate and equity linked notes, and are included in Deposits
in the fair value hierarchy table. The fair values for these instruments are determined using discounted cash flow method and derivative option
valuation models. The inputs to the valuation models include benchmark yield curves, credit spreads, interest rates, interest rate and equity
volatility, dividends and correlation, where applicable. They are classified as Level 2 or 3 instruments in the hierarchy, depending on the
significance of the unobservable credit spreads, volatility, dividend and correlation rates.

140

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Quantitative information about fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 Instruments)
The following table presents fair values of our significant Level 3 financial instruments, valuation techniques used to determine their fair values,
ranges and weighted averages of unobservable inputs.

As at October 31, 2015 (Millions of Canadian dollars, except for prices, percentages and ratios)

Fair value

Range of input values (2), (3)

Products

Non-derivative financial instruments
Asset-backed securities

Reporting line in the fair value
hierarchy table

Assets

Liabilities

Valuation
techniques

Asset-backed securities
Obligations related to
securities sold short

$

48

Price-based
Discounted cash flows

$

–

Auction rate securities

Discounted cash flows

Significant
unobservable
inputs (1)

Low

High

Weighted
average / Inputs
distribution (4)

Prices
Discount margins
Yields
Default rates
Prepayment rates
Loss severity rates

Discount margins
Default rates
Prepayment rates
Recovery rates

n.a.
3.43%
1.39%
–%
–%
20.00%

1.65%
9.00%
4.00%
40.00%

n.a.
13.10%
2.78%
5.00%
30.00%
70.00%

4.50%
10.00%
8.00%
97.50%

Corporate debt

Government debt and municipal bonds

U.S. state, municipal and

agencies debt

Asset-backed securities

Corporate debt and other debt
Loans
Obligations related to
securities sold short

699
177

198
472

Canadian government debt
U.S. state, municipal and

agencies debt

Other OECD government debt
Corporate debt and other debt

5

114
–
1,750

Bank funding and deposits

Deposits

Private equities, hedge fund investments

and related equity derivatives

Equities
Derivative-related assets
Derivative-related liabilities

1,110
3

Derivative financial instruments
Interest rate derivatives and interest-rate-

linked structured notes (7)

Equity derivatives and equity-linked

structured notes (7)

Other (9)

Derivative-related assets
Deposits
Derivative-related liabilities

Derivative-related assets
Deposits
Derivative-related liabilities

Mortgage-backed securities
Corporate debt and other debt
Derivative-related assets
Deposits
Derivative-related liabilities
Other liabilities

428

559

15
–
153

–

–

218

–
822

389
569

8
283
47

Total

$ 5,731 $ 2,336

Price-based
Discounted cash flows

Prices
Yields
Capitalization rates
Liquidity discounts (5)

$

47.61 $ 164.29 $
2.98%
6.07%
n.a.

8.00%
8.50%
n.a.

Price-based
Discounted cash flows

Prices
Yields

$

64.98 $ 126.22 $
0.27%

31.37%

Discounted cash flows

Market comparable
Price-based
Discounted cash flows

Funding spreads
Interest rate (IR)-IR correlations
Foreign exchange (FX)-FX
correlations
FX-IR correlations

EV/EBITDA multiples
P/E multiples
EV/Rev multiples
Liquidity discounts (5)
Discount rate
Net asset values /prices (6)

Discounted cash flows
Option pricing model

Interest rates
CPI swap rates
IR-IR correlations
FX-IR correlations
FX-FX correlations
IR volatilities (8)

n.a.
n.a.

n.a.
n.a.

4.67X
9.40X
0.28X
15.00%
12.00%
n.a.

2.25%
1.67%
19.00%
29.00%
68.00%
0.11%

n.a.
n.a.

n.a.
n.a.

15.50X
22.40X
5.90X
40.00%
17.00%
n.a.

2.27%
1.90%
67.00%
56.00%
68.00%
6.11%

Discounted cash flows
Option pricing model

Dividend yields
Equity (EQ)-EQ correlations
EQ-FX correlations
EQ volatilities

0.01%
13.90%
(69.10)%

29.09%
96.90%
29.20%
1.70% 190.00%

n.a.
8.27%
1.79%
2.50%
15.00%
45.00%

2.78%
9.96%
4.35%
91.66%

96.57
3.89%
7.28%
n.a.

84.50
3.89%

n.a.
n.a.

n.a.
n.a.

7.38X
12.14X
2.64X
27.34%
16.46%
n.a.

Even
Even
Even
Even
Even
Middle

Lower
Middle
Middle
Lower

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

141

Note 3 Fair value of financial instruments (continued)

As at October 31, 2014 (Millions of Canadian dollars, except for prices, percentages and ratios)

Products

Non-derivative financial instruments
Asset-backed securities

Asset-backed securities
Obligations related to
securities sold short

$

478

Price-based
Discounted cash flows

$

–

Auction rate securities

Discounted cash flows

Fair value

Range of input values (2), (3)

Reporting line in the fair value
hierarchy table

Assets

Liabilities

Valuation
techniques

Significant
unobservable
inputs (1)

Low

High

Weighted
average / Inputs
distribution (4)

Prices
Discount margins
Yields
Default rates
Prepayment rates
Loss severity rates

Discount margins
Default rates
Prepayment rates
Recovery rates

$

53.70 $
0.70%
2.84%
1.00%
15.00%
30.00%

90.50 $
9.48%
5.36%
5.00%
30.00%
70.00%

1.32%
9.00%
4.00%
40.00%

4.63%
10.00%
8.00%
97.50%

Prices
Yields
Capitalization rates
Liquidity discounts (5)

$

2.50 $ 119.52 $

2.75%
6.43%
10.00%

7.50%
9.47%
10.00%

75.92
5.09%
3.52%
2.00%
20.00%
50.00%

2.26%
9.80%
4.76%
93.51%

97.86
3.84%
7.95%
10.00%

Price-based
Discounted cash flows

Price-based
Discounted cash flows

Prices
Yields

$

67.38 $ 100.00 $
0.17%

30.15%

96.24
3.06%

Discounted cash flows

Market comparable
Price-based
Discounted cash flows

Funding spreads
Interest rate (IR)-IR correlations
Foreign exchange (FX)-FX
correlations
FX-IR correlations

EV/EBITDA multiples
P/E multiples
EV/Rev multiples
Liquidity discounts (5)
Discount rate
Net asset values /prices (6)

Discounted cash flows
Option pricing model

Interest rates
CPI swap rates
IR-IR correlations
FX-IR correlations
FX-FX correlations
IR volatilities (8)

n.a.
19.00%

n.a.
67.00%

68.00%
29.00%

4.00X
8.79X
0.45X
–%
12.00%
n.a.

2.96%
1.73%
19.00%
29.00%
68.00%
26.28%

68.00%
56.00%

10.80X
15.70X
7.50X
50.00%
17.00%
n.a.

2.98%
2.30%
67.00%
56.00%
68.00%
28.28%

Discounted cash flows
Option pricing model

Dividend yields
Equity (EQ)-EQ correlations
EQ-FX correlations
EQ volatilities

0.04%
0.50%
(72.80)%

18.11%
97.20%
53.20%
1.00% 172.00%

n.a.
Even

Even
Even

8.73X
11.79X
4.97X
26.92%
14.78%
n.a.

Even
Even
Even
Even
Even
Even

Lower
Middle
Middle
Lower

Corporate debt

Government debt and municipal bonds

U.S. state, municipal and

agencies debt

Asset-backed securities

Corporate debt and other debt
Loans
Obligations related to
securities sold short

979
166

100
461

Canadian government debt
U.S. state, municipal and

agencies debt

Other OECD government debt
Corporate debt and other debt

–

416
11
1,616

Bank funding and deposits

Deposits

Private equities, hedge fund investments

and related equity derivatives

Equities
Derivative-related assets
Derivative-related liabilities

1,194
11

Derivative financial instruments
Interest rate derivatives and interest-rate-

linked structured notes (7)

Equity derivatives and equity-linked

structured notes (7)

Other (9)

Derivative-related assets
Deposits
Derivative-related liabilities

Derivative-related assets
Deposits
Derivative-related liabilities

Mortgage-backed securities
Corporate debt and other debt
Derivative-related assets
Deposits
Derivative-related liabilities
Other liabilities

348

442

4
6
100

4

70

434

–
732

497
529

–
159
20

Total

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)
(6)

(7)
(8)
(9)

n.a.

$ 6,332 $ 2,445

The acronyms stand for the following: (i) Enterprise Value (EV); (ii) Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA); (iii) Price / Earnings (P/E); (iv) Revenue (Rev); and
(v) Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The low and high input values represent the actual highest and lowest level inputs used to value a group of financial instruments in a particular product category. These input ranges do not
reflect the level of input uncertainty, but are affected by the different underlying instruments within the product category. The input ranges will therefore vary from period to period based on
the characteristics of the underlying instruments held at each balance sheet date. Where provided, the weighted average of the input values is calculated based on the relative fair values of
the instruments within the product category. The weighted averages for derivatives are not presented in the table as they would not provide a comparable metric; instead, distribution of
significant unobservable inputs within the range for each product category is indicated in the table.
Price-based inputs are significant for certain debt securities and are based on external benchmarks, comparable proxy instruments or pre-quarter-end trade data. For these instruments, the
price input is expressed in dollars for each $100 par value. For example, with an input price of $105, an instrument is valued at a premium over its par value.
The level of aggregation and diversity within each derivative instrument category may result in certain ranges of inputs being wide and inputs being unevenly distributed across the range. In
the table, we indicated whether the majority of the inputs are concentrated toward the upper, middle, or lower end of the range, or evenly distributed throughout the range.
Fair value of securities with liquidity discount inputs totalled $131 million (October 31, 2014 – $211 million).
Net asset values (NAV) of a hedge fund is total fair value of assets less liabilities divided by the number of fund units. The NAV of the funds and the corresponding equity derivatives
referenced to NAV are not considered observable as we cannot redeem certain of these hedge funds at NAV prior to the next quarter end. Private equities are valued based on NAV or
valuation techniques. The range for NAV per unit or price per share has not been disclosed for the hedge funds or private equities due to the dispersion of prices given the diverse nature of
the investments.
The structured notes contain embedded equity or interest rate derivatives with unobservable inputs that are similar to those of the equity or interest rate derivatives.
The reduction in the range of volatility inputs as at October 31, 2015 as compared to prior periods is due to the implementation of a valuation model which uses a different input convention.
Other primarily includes certain insignificant instruments such as commodity derivatives, foreign exchange derivatives, credit derivatives, bank-owned life insurance and Bank funding and
deposits.
not applicable

142

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Sensitivity to unobservable inputs and interrelationships between unobservable inputs
Yield, credit spreads/discount margins
A financial instrument’s yield is the interest rate used to discount future cash flows in a valuation model. An increase in the yield, in isolation,
would result in a decrease in a fair value measurement and vice versa. A credit spread/discount margin is the difference between a debt
instrument’s yield and a benchmark instrument’s yield. Benchmark instruments have high credit quality ratings, similar maturities and are often
government bonds. The credit spread/discount margin therefore represents the discount rate used to determine the present value of future cash
flows of an asset to reflect the market return required for uncertainty in the estimated cash flows. The credit spread/discount margin for an
instrument forms part of the yield used in a discounted cash flow method. Generally, an increase in the credit spread or discount margin will
result in a decrease in fair value, and vice versa.

Funding spread
Funding spreads are credit spreads specific to our funding or deposit rates. A decrease in funding spreads, on its own, will increase fair value of
our liabilities, and vice versa.

Default rates
A default rate is the rate at which borrowers fail to make scheduled loan payments. A decrease in the default rate will typically increase the fair
value of the loan, and vice versa. This effect will be significantly more pronounced for a non-government guaranteed loan than a government
guaranteed loan.

Prepayment rates
A prepayment rate is the rate at which a loan will be repaid in advance of its expected amortization schedule. Prepayments change the future
cash flows of a loan. An increase in the prepayment rate in isolation will result in an increase in fair value when the loan interest rate is lower
than the then current reinvestment rate, and a decrease in the prepayment rate in isolation will result in a decrease in fair value when the loan
interest rate is lower than the then current reinvestment rate. Prepayment rates are generally negatively correlated with interest rates.

Recovery and loss severity rates
A recovery rate is an estimation of the amount that can be collected in a loan default scenario. The recovery rate is the recovered amount divided
by the loan balance due, expressed as a percentage. The inverse concept of recovery is loss severity. Loss severity is an estimation of the loan
amount not collected when a loan defaults. The loss severity rate is the loss amount divided by the loan balance due, expressed as a percentage.
Generally, an increase in the recovery rate or a decrease in the loss severity rate will increase the loan fair value, and vice versa.

Capitalization rates
A capitalization rate is a rate of return on a real estate property investment calculated by dividing a property’s income by the property’s value. A
lower capitalization rate increases the property value, and vice versa.

Volatility rates
Volatility measures the potential variability of future prices and is often measured as the standard deviation of price movements. Volatility is an
input to option pricing models used to value derivatives and issued structured notes. Volatility is used in valuing equity, interest rate, commodity
and foreign exchange options. A higher volatility rate means that the underlying price or rate movements are more likely to occur. Higher volatility
rates may increase or decrease an option’s fair value depending on the option’s terms. The determination of volatility rates is dependent on
various factors, including but not limited to, the underlying’s market price, the strike price and maturity.

Dividend yields
A dividend yield is the underlying equity’s expected dividends expressed as an annual percentage of its price. Dividend yield is used as an input
for forward equity price and option models. Higher dividend yields will decrease the forward price, and vice versa. A higher dividend yield will
increase or decrease an option’s value, depending on the option’s terms.

Correlation rates
Correlation is the linear relationship between the movements in two different variables. Correlation is an input to the valuation of derivative
contracts and issued structured notes when an instrument’s payout is determined by correlated variables. When variables are positively
correlated, an increase in one variable will result in an increase in the other variable. When variables are negatively correlated, an increase in one
variable will result in a decrease in the other variable. The referenced variables can be within a single asset class or market (equity, interest rate,
commodities, credit and foreign exchange) or between variables in different asset classes (equity to foreign exchange, or interest rate to foreign
exchange). Changes in correlation will either increase or decrease a financial instrument’s fair value depending on the terms of its contractual
payout.

Interest rates
An interest rate is the percentage amount charged on a principal or notional amount. Increasing interest rates will decrease the discounted cash
flow value of a financial instrument, and vice versa.

Consumer Price Index swap rates
A Consumer Price Index (CPI) swap rate is expressed as a percentage of an increase in the average price of a basket of consumer goods and
services, such as transportation, food and medical care. An increase in the CPI swap rate will cause inflation swap payments to be larger, and
vice versa.

EV/EBITDA multiples, P/E multiples, EV/Rev multiples, and liquidity discounts
Private equity valuation inputs include Enterprise Value / Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EV/EBITDA) multiples,
Price / Earnings (P/E) multiples and Enterprise Value / Revenue (EV/Rev) multiples. These are used to calculate either enterprise value or share
value of a company based on a multiple of earnings or revenue estimates. Higher multiples equate to higher fair values for all multiple types, and
vice versa. A liquidity discount may be applied when few or no transactions exist to support the valuations.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

143

Note 3 Fair value of financial instruments (continued)

Interrelationships between unobservable inputs
Unobservable inputs of ARS, including the above discount margin, default rate, prepayment rate, recovery and loss severity rates, may not be
independent of each other. The discount margin of ARS can be affected by a change in default rate, prepayment rate, or recovery and loss
severity rates. Discount margins will generally decrease when default rates decline or when recovery rates increase. Prepayments may cause fair
value to either increase or decrease.

Changes in fair value measurement for instruments measured on a recurring basis and categorized in Level 3
The following tables present the changes in fair value measurements on a recurring basis for instruments included in Level 3 of the fair value
hierarchy.

For the year ended October 31, 2015

Total
realized/
unrealized
gains
(losses)
included in
earnings

Total
unrealized
gains (losses)
included
in other
comprehensive
income (1)

Fair value
November 1,
2014

Purchases
of assets/
issuances
of liabilities

Sales of
assets/
settlements
of liabilities
and other (2)

Transfers
into
Level 3

Transfers
out of
Level 3

Fair value
October 31,
2015

Changes in
unrealized gains
(losses) included
in earnings for
assets and
liabilities for
the year ended
October 31, 2015
for positions
still held

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Assets
Securities
Trading

Canadian government debt
Provincial and municipal

U.S. state, municipal and agencies debt
Other OECD government debt
Mortgage-backed securities
Asset-backed securities

$

CDO
Non-CDO securities

Corporate debt and other debt
Equities

Available-for-sale

U.S. state, municipal and agencies debt
Other OECD government debt
Asset-backed securities

CDO
Non-CDO securities

Corporate debt and other debt
Equities

Loans – Wholesale
Other

Net derivative balances (3)
Interest rate contracts
Foreign exchange contracts
Credit derivatives
Other contracts
Valuation adjustments

Other assets

Liabilities
Deposits

Personal
Business and government

Other

– $
6
–
4

– $
(1)
–
(4)

– $
1
–
–

74
364
149
166

763

1,389
11

24
182
1,573
1,028

4,207

461

(370)
9
(5)
(502)
(85)
–

24
(7)
(1)
(29)

(18)

7
–

–
(1)
–
105

111

(8)

(89)
46
(15)
(113)
(3)
–

(18)
47
5
24

59

157
–

3
40
246
65

511

47

(2)
6
(1)
(77)
(2)
–

– $

– $

40
–
25

102
137
93
16

413

136
4

30
–
2,524
52

2,746

605

37
34
–
28
1
–

(30)
–
(27)

(146)
(345)
(143)
(75)

(766)

(846)
(2)

–
(24)
(2,586)
(225)

(3,683)

(547)

(7)
(7)
19
216
45
–

5 $
–
20
30

– $
–
(20)
(13)

13
24
211
45

348

–
–

–
–
37
17

54

1

(11)
7
(1)
(98)
(3)
–

(44)
(197)
(123)
(24)

(421)

(46)
(13)

(57)
–
(37)
(55)

(208)

(87)

(4)
(37)
2
233
–
–

5 $

16
–
15

5
23
191
123

378

797
–

–
197
1,757
987

3,738

472

(446)
58
(1)
(313)
(47)
–

$

4,478 $

(89) $

541 $

3,864 $

(4,730) $

297 $ (522) $

3,839 $

$

(497) $
(70)

73 $
(5)

(41) $
1

(545) $
(78)

88 $ (376) $
51

–

909 $
93

(389) $
(8)

Obligations related to securities sold short
Other liabilities
Subordinated debentures

(4)
(20)
–

–
(28)
–

–
(5)
–

(11)
–
–

15
6
–

(1)
–
–

1
–
–

–
(47)
–

$

(591) $

40 $

(45) $

(634) $

160 $ (377) $ 1,003 $

(444) $

144

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

–
–
–
–

–
(2)
–
(28)

(30)

n.a.
n.a.

n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.

n.a.

–

(15)
36
(3)
124
–
–

112

45
–

–
(22)
–

23

For the year ended October 31, 2014

Total
realized/
unrealized
gains
(losses)
included in
earnings

Total
unrealized
gains (losses)
included
in other
comprehensive
income (1)

Fair value
November 1,
2013

Purchases
of assets/
issuances
of liabilities

Sales of
assets/
settlements
of liabilities
and other (2)

Transfers
into
Level 3

Transfers
out of
Level 3

Fair value
October 31,
2014

Changes in
unrealized gains
(losses) included
in earnings for
assets and
liabilities for
the year ended
October 31, 2014
for positions
still held

–
1
–
–

2
(5)
–
–

(2)

n.a.
n.a.

n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.

n.a.

(22)

(108)
(18)
(5)
20
4
–

(131)

20
(7)

–
(22)
–

(9)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Assets
Securities
Trading

Canadian government debt
Provincial and municipal

U.S. state, municipal and agencies debt
Other OECD government debt
Mortgage-backed securities
Asset-backed securities

CDO
Non-CDO securities

Corporate debt and other debt
Equities

Available-for-sale

U.S. state, municipal and agencies debt
Other OECD government debt
Asset-backed securities

CDO
Non-CDO securities

Corporate debt and other debt
Equities

Loans – Wholesale
Other

Net derivative balances (3)
Interest rate contracts
Foreign exchange contracts
Credit derivatives
Other contracts
Valuation adjustments

Other assets

Liabilities
Deposits

Personal
Business and government

Other

– $

– $

– $
5
–
1

– $
(9)
(366)
(31)

– $
6
–
4

$

– $

22
370
28

31
260
415
183

1,309

2,014
–

103
180
1,673
969

4,939

414

(458)
(117)
(5)
(869)
(105)
11

– $
–
–
(3)

15
(2)
(2)
1

9

–
–

–
(4)
–
120

116

3

(100)
(28)
(31)
43
15
–

– $
2
(4)
2

(9)
20
27
14

52

240
–

9
23
130
120

522

32

(2)
3
(2)
(54)
(1)
–

47
–
90

130
2,083
263
84

2,697

–
1

–
–
1,760
47

1,808

31

31
3
–
(103)
–
–

(61)
–
(83)

(85)
(1,984)
(487)
(77)

(2,777)

(856)
10

(36)
(17)
(1,921)
(228)

(3,048)

(19)

7
16
20
22

71

–
–

24
–
–
–

24

–

(13)
–
33
93
(73)
–

94
2
–
(169)
–
–

(15)
(29)
(87)
(61)

(598)

(9)
–

(76)
–
(69)
–

(154)

–

78
146
–
557
79
(11)

74
364
149
166

763

1,389
11

24
182
1,573
1,028

4,207

461

(370)
9
(5)
(502)
(85)
–

$

$

5,119 $

27 $

550 $

4,467 $

(5,804) $

22 $

97 $

4,478 $

(1,043) $
(3,933)

11 $

(184)

(54) $

(180)

(560) $

(1,551)

184 $ (299) $ 1,264 $
–
265

5,513

(497) $
(70)

Obligations related to securities sold short
Other liabilities
Subordinated debentures

(16)
(3)
(109)

1
29
–

(1)
–
(3)

(198)
–
–

202
(50)
–

–
–
–

8
4
112

(4)
(20)
–

$

(5,104) $

(143) $

(238) $ (2,309) $

601 $ (299) $ 6,901 $

(591) $

(1)

(2)
(3)

n.a.

These amounts include the foreign currency translation gains or losses arising on consolidation of foreign subsidiaries relating to the Level 3 instruments, where applicable. The unrealized
losses on AFS securities recognized in OCI were $5 million for the year ended October 31, 2015 (October 31, 2014 – gains of $152 million), excluding the translation gains or losses arising
on consolidation.
Other includes amortization of premiums or discounts recognized in net income.
Net derivatives as at October 31, 2015 included derivative assets of $1,143 million (October 31, 2014 – $901 million) and derivative liabilities of $1,892 million (October 31, 2014 –
$1,854 million).
not applicable

Transfers between fair value hierarchy levels for instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis
Transfers between Level 1 and Level 2, and transfers into and out of Level 3 are assumed to occur at the end of the period. For an asset or a
liability that transfers into Level 3 during the period, the entire change in fair value for the period is excluded from the Total realized/unrealized
gains (losses) included in earnings column of the above reconciliation, whereas for transfers out of Level 3 during the period, the entire change
in fair value for the period is included in the same column of the above reconciliation.

Transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 are dependent on whether fair value is obtained on the basis of quoted market prices in active
markets (Level 1) as opposed to fair value estimated using observable inputs in a discounted cash flow method (Level 2). The following transfers
occurred for the year ended October 31, 2015:

•

•

From Level 1 to 2: $284 million of Trading Canadian government debt (October 31, 2014 – $nil); $1,988 million of Trading and AFS U.S.
state, municipal and agencies debt (October 31, 2014 – $1,905 million); and $641 million of Obligations related to securities sold
short (October 31, 2014 – $1,027 million).
From Level 2 to 1: $128 million of Trading Canadian government debt; $331 million of Trading U.S. state, municipal and agencies debt;
$840 million of Trading and AFS Equities; $412 million of AFS Other OECD government debt; and $61 million of Obligations related to
securities sold short. There were no similar levelling changes in 2014.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

145

Note 3 Fair value of financial instruments (continued)

During the year ended October 31, 2015, significant transfers into and out of Level 3 occurred due to changes in the observability of inputs and
included:
•
•

From Level 2 to 3 (decreased observability): $211 million of corporate bonds in Trading Corporate debt and other debt.
From Level 3 to 2 (increased observability): (i) $201 million of net OTC equity options in Other contracts; (ii) $197 million of
collateralized loan obligations in Trading Non-CDO securities; and (iii) $123 million of corporate bonds in Trading Corporate debt and
other debt.

During the year ended October 31, 2015, significant transfers into and out of Level 3 also occurred as a result of changes in the significance of
unobservable inputs on the fair value of instruments as follows:

•
•

From Level 2 to 3 (significant impact): $314 million of equity-linked structured notes in Personal deposits.
From Level 3 to 2 (no significant impact): $909 million of equity-linked structured notes in Personal deposits.

During the year ended October 31, 2014, significant transfers into and out of Level 3 occurred due to changes in the observability of inputs and
included:
•
•

From Level 2 to 3 (decreased observability): $139 million of equity-linked structured notes in Personal deposits.
From Level 3 to 2 (increased observability): (i) $366 million of Other OECD government debt; (ii) $112 million of net Interest rate
contracts; (iii) $149 million of net Foreign exchange contracts; (iv) $515 million of net Other contracts; (v) $185 million of equity-linked
structured notes in Personal deposits; and (vi) $5,494 million of Business and government deposits.

During the year ended October 31, 2014, significant transfers into and out of Level 3 also occurred as a result of changes in the significance of
unobservable inputs on the fair value of instruments as follows:

•

From Level 3 to 2 (no significant impact): $1,071 million of equity-linked structured notes in Personal deposits.

Total gains or losses of level 3 instruments recognized in earnings

For the year ended October 31, 2015

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Non-interest income

Insurance premiums, investment and fee income
Trading revenue
Net gains on available-for-sale securities
Credit fees and Other

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Non-interest income

Insurance premiums, investment and fee income
Trading revenue
Net gains on available-for-sale securities
Credit fees and Other

$

$

$

$

Total realized/unrealized gains
(losses) included in earnings
Total

Liabilities

Assets

Changes in unrealized gains
(losses) included in earnings for
assets and liabilities for the year
for positions still held
Total

Liabilities

Assets

(1) $

461
111
(3)
568 $

– $

(605)
–
(12)
(617) $

(1) $

(144)
111
(15)
(49) $

– $

283
–
(3)
280 $

– $

(145)
–
–
(145) $

–
138
–
(3)
135

For the year ended October 31, 2014

Total realized/unrealized gains
(losses) included in earnings
Total

Liabilities

Assets

Changes in unrealized gains
(losses) included in earnings for
assets and liabilities for the year
for positions still held
Total

Liabilities

Assets

1 $

– $

686
115
(3)

(882)
–
(33)

1
(196)
115
(36)

$

– $

– $

136
–
11

(208)
–
(79)

–
(72)
–
(68)

799 $

(915) $

(116) $

147 $

(287) $

(140)

Positive and negative fair value movement of Level 3 financial instruments from using reasonably possible alternative assumptions
A financial instrument is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy if one or more of its unobservable inputs may significantly affect the
measurement of its fair value. In preparing the financial statements, appropriate levels for these unobservable input parameters are chosen so
that they are consistent with prevailing market evidence or management judgment. Due to the unobservable nature of the prices or rates, there
may be uncertainty about valuation of these Level 3 financial instruments.

146

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table summarizes the impact to fair values of Level 3 financial instruments using reasonably possible alternative
assumptions. This sensitivity disclosure is intended to illustrate the potential impact of the relative uncertainty in the fair value of Level 3
financial instruments. In reporting the sensitivities below, we offset balances in instances where: (i) the move in valuation factor caused an
offsetting positive and negative fair value movement, (ii) both offsetting instruments are in Level 3, and (iii) when exposures are managed and
reported on a net basis. With respect to overall sensitivity, it is unlikely in practice that all reasonably possible alternative assumptions would
simultaneously be realized.

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Securities
Trading

Canadian government debt
Provincial and municipal

U.S. state, municipal and agencies debt
Mortgage-backed securities
Asset-backed securities
Corporate debt and other debt
Equities

Available-for-sale

U.S. state, municipal and agencies debt
Other OECD government debt
Asset-backed securities
Corporate debt and other debt
Equities

Loans
Derivatives

Deposits
Derivatives
Other

Securities sold short, other liabilities
and subordinated debentures

As at

October 31, 2015

October 31, 2014

Positive fair value
movement from
using reasonably
possible
alternatives

Negative fair value
movement from
using reasonably
possible
alternatives

Positive fair value
movement from
using reasonably
possible
alternatives

Negative fair value
movement from
using reasonably
possible
alternatives

Level 3 fair value

Level 3 fair value

$

5 $

16
15
28
191
123

797
–
197
1,757
987
472
1,143

$

$

5,731 $

(397) $

(1,892)

(47)

$

(2,336) $

– $
1
1
2
2
–

12
–
11
11
76
8
16

140 $

13 $
33

–

46 $

$

–
(1)
(1)
(3)
(2)
–

(36)
–
(16)
(11)
(33)
(23)
(10)
(136) $
(13) $
(43)

– $
6
4
438
149
166

1,389
11
206
1,573
1,028
461
901

6,332 $

(567) $

(1,854)

–

(24)

(56) $

(2,445) $

– $
–
1
10
2
–

23
–
12
12
92
12
23

187 $

14 $
38

–

52 $

–
–
(1)
(14)
(2)
–

(57)
–
(18)
(10)
(23)
(11)
(21)

(157)

(14)
(59)

–

(73)

Sensitivity results
As at October 31, 2015, the effects of applying other reasonably possible alternative assumptions to the Level 3 asset positions would be an
increase of $140 million and a reduction of $136 million in fair value, of which $110 million and $87 million would be recorded in Other
components of equity, respectively. The effects of applying these assumptions to the Level 3 liability positions would result in a decrease of
$46 million and an increase of $56 million in fair value.

Level 3 valuation inputs and approaches to developing reasonably possible alternative assumptions
The following is a summary of the unobservable inputs used in the valuation of the Level 3 instruments and our approaches to developing
reasonably possible alternative assumptions used to determine sensitivity.

Financial assets or liabilities
Asset-backed securities,
corporate debt, government debt
and municipal bonds

Sensitivity methodology
Sensitivities are determined based on adjusting, plus or minus one standard deviation, the bid-offer
spreads or input prices if a sufficient number of prices is received, or using high and low vendor prices as
reasonably possible alternative assumptions.

Auction rate securities

Private equities, hedge fund
investments and related equity
derivatives

Interest rate derivatives

Equity derivatives

Sensitivity of ARS is determined by decreasing the discount margin between 9% and 15% and increasing
the discount margin between 18% and 30%, depending on the specific reasonable range of fair value
uncertainty for each particular financial instrument’s market. Changes to the discount margin reflect
historical monthly movements in the student loan asset-backed securities market.

Sensitivity of direct private equity investments is determined by (i) adjusting the discount rate by 2% when
discounted cash flow method is used to determine fair value, (ii) adjusting the price multiples based on the
range of multiples of comparable companies when price-based models are used, or (iii) using an alternative
valuation approach. Net asset values of the private equity funds, hedge funds and related equity derivatives
are provided by the fund managers, and as a result, there are no other reasonably possible alternative
assumptions for these investments.

Sensitivities of interest rate and cross currency swaps are derived using plus or minus one standard
deviation of the inputs, and an amount based on model and parameter uncertainty, where applicable.

Sensitivity of the Level 3 position is determined by shifting the unobservable model inputs by plus or minus
one standard deviation of the pricing service market data including volatility, dividends or correlations, as
applicable.

Bank funding and deposits

Sensitivities of deposits are calculated by shifting the funding curve by plus or minus certain basis points.

Structured notes

Sensitivities for interest-rate-linked and equity-linked structured notes are derived by adjusting inputs by
plus or minus one standard deviation, and for other deposits, by estimating a reasonable move in the
funding curve by plus or minus certain basis points.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

147

Note 3 Fair value of financial instruments (continued)

Fair value for financial instruments that are carried at amortized cost and classified using the fair value hierarchy
The following tables present fair values of financial instruments that are carried at amortized cost and classified by the fair value hierarchy.

Fair value always
approximates
carrying value (1)
–
$

As at October 31, 2015

Fair value may not approximate carrying value

Fair value measurements using

Level 1
2
$

$

Level 3
7

$

$

Total
8,759

Total
fair value
8,759

$

–

20,484

60,071

4,522
4,975
9,497
380
9,884

1,049
1,455
68
2,572

281,183
115,791
396,974
963
427,180

55,449
165,870
5,175
226,494

348,513
121,316
469,829
44,852
583,511

204,019
363,305
15,713
583,037

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Held-to-maturity securities (2)
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements

and securities borrowed

Loans

Retail
Wholesale

Other assets

Deposits

Personal
Business and government
Bank

Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase

agreements and securities loaned

Other liabilities
Subordinated debentures

$

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Held-to-maturity securities (2)
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements

and securities borrowed

Loans

Retail
Wholesale

Other assets

Deposits

Personal
Business and government
Bank

Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase

agreements and securities loaned

Other liabilities
Subordinated debentures

$

Level 2
8,750

20,484

276,661
110,816
387,477
583
417,294

54,400
164,415
5,107
223,922

Level 2
1,522

21,090

264,335
89,643
353,978
4,546
381,136

55,924
150,827
1,915
208,666

39,587

67,330
5,525
72,855
43,889
156,331

148,570
197,435
10,538
356,543

9,095
38,344
–
403,982

$

–

–
–
–
–
2

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

29,198

65,766
5,603
71,369
28,224
128,791

139,209
176,555
9,659
325,423

5,419
27,280
–
358,122

$

–

–
–
–
–
5

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

833
381
7,022
$ 232,158

–
4,471
56
$ 7,099

833
4,852
7,078
$ 239,257

9,928
43,196
7,078
$ 643,239

Fair value always
approximates
carrying value (1)
–
$

As at October 31, 2014

Fair value may not approximate carrying value

Fair value measurements using

Level 1
5
$

$

Level 3
235

$

$

Total
1,762

Total
fair value
1,762

$

–

21,090

50,288

4,374
3,215
7,589
205
8,029

831
946
62
1,839

268,709
92,858
361,567
4,751
389,170

56,755
151,773
1,977
210,505

334,475
98,461
432,936
32,975
517,961

195,964
328,328
11,636
535,928

502
5,699
7,657
$ 222,524

–
3,783
55
$ 5,677

502
9,482
7,712
$ 228,201

5,921
36,762
7,712
$ 586,323

(1)

(2)

Certain financial instruments have not been assigned to a level as the carrying amount always approximates their fair values due to the short-term nature (instruments that are receivable or
payable on demand, or with original maturity of three months or less) and insignificant credit risk.
Included in Securities – Available-for-sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Fair values of financial assets and liabilities carried at amortized cost and disclosed in the table above are determined using the following
valuation techniques and inputs.

Held-to-maturity securities
Fair values of Canadian Federal and OECD government bonds, and corporate bonds are based on quoted prices. Fair values of certain Non-OECD
government bonds are based on vendor prices or the discounted cash flow method with yield curves of other countries’ government bonds as
inputs.

Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed, and Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase
agreements and securities loaned
Valuation methods used for the long-term instruments are described in the Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis and
classified using the fair value hierarchy section of this note. The carrying values of short-term instruments generally approximate their fair values.

148

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Loans – Retail
Retail loans include residential mortgages, personal and small business loans and credit cards. For residential mortgages, and personal and
small business loans, we segregate the portfolio based on certain attributes such as product type, contractual interest rate, term to maturity and
credit scores, if applicable. Fair values of these loans are determined by the discounted cash flow method using applicable inputs such as
prevailing interest rates, contractual and posted client rates, client discounts, credit spreads, prepayment rates and loan-to-value ratio. Fair
values of credit card receivables are also calculated based on a discounted cash flow method with portfolio yields, charge off and monthly
payment rates as inputs. The carrying values of short-term and variable rate loans generally approximate their fair values.

Loans – Wholesale
Wholesale loans include Business, Bank and Sovereign loans. Where market prices are available, loans are valued based on market prices.
Otherwise, fair value is determined by the discounted cash flow method using the following inputs: market interest rates and market based
spreads of assets with similar credit ratings and terms to maturity, expected default frequency implied from credit default swap prices, if
available, and relevant pricing information such as contractual rate, origination and maturity dates, redemption price, coupon payment
frequency and date convention.

Deposits
Deposits are comprised of demand, notice, and term deposits which include senior deposit notes we have issued to provide us with long-term
funding. Fair values of term deposits are determined by one of several valuation techniques: (i) for term deposits and similar instruments, we
segregate the portfolio based on term to maturity. Fair values of these instruments are determined by the discounted cash flow method using
inputs such as client rates for new sales of the corresponding terms; and (ii) for senior deposit notes, we use actual traded prices, vendor prices
or the discounted cash flow method using a market interest rate curve and our funding spreads as inputs. The carrying values of short-term term
deposits, and demand and notice deposits generally approximate their fair values.

Other assets and Other liabilities
Other assets and Other liabilities include receivables and payables relating to certain commodities and option premiums. Fair values of the
commodity receivables and payables are calculated by the discounted cash flow method using applicable inputs such as market interest rates,
counterparties’ credit spreads, our funding spreads, commodity forward prices and spot prices. The option premium receivables and payables
are valued by the discounted cash flow models using market interest rates as inputs.

Subordinated debentures
Fair values of Subordinated debentures are based on recent transaction prices.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

149

Note 4 Securities

Carrying value of securities
The following table presents the contractual maturities of the carrying values of financial instruments held at the end of the period:

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Trading (2)

Canadian government debt
U.S. state, municipal and agencies debt
Other OECD government debt
Mortgage-backed securities
Asset-backed securities (3)
Corporate debt and other debt

Bankers’ acceptances
Certificates of deposit
Other (4)

Equities

Available-for-sale (2)

Canadian government debt

Federal

Amortized cost
Fair value
Yield (5)

Provincial and municipal

Amortized cost
Fair value
Yield (5)

U.S. state, municipal and agencies debt

Amortized cost
Fair value
Yield (5)

Other OECD government debt

Amortized cost
Fair value
Yield (5)

Mortgage-backed securities

Amortized cost
Fair value
Yield (5)

Asset-backed securities

Amortized cost
Fair value
Yield (5)

Corporate debt and other debt

Amortized cost
Fair value
Yield (5)

Equities
Cost
Fair value

Loan substitute securities

Cost
Fair value
Yield (5)

Amortized cost
Fair value

Held-to-maturity (2)
Amortized cost
Fair value

As at October 31, 2015

Term to maturity (1)

Within 3
months

3 months
to 1 year

1 year to
5 years

5 years to
10 years

Over
10 years

With no
specific
maturity

Total

$ 2,310
1,450
2,237
–
90

$ 9,737
12,867
4,373
20
64

$ 9,755
7,906
4,402
42
263

$ 3,618
3,056
941
33
846

$ 8,630
9,176
393
2,827
468

$

–
–
–
–
–

$ 34,050
34,455
12,346
2,922
1,731

104
59
1,414
–

7,664

251
251
0.4%

–
–
–

379
379
0.2%

3,946
3,947
0.0%

–
–
–

–
–
–

1,164
1,163
1.2%

–
–

–
–
–

5,740
5,740

889
889

1
329
2,866
–

30,257

–
38
14,318
–

36,724

–
12
1,836
–

–
18
3,714
–

10,342

25,226

–
–
–
48,490

48,490

105
456
24,148
48,490

158,703

572
574
0.9%

11
11
3.3%

2,563
2,563
0.6%

503
503
1.2%

–
–
–

6
6
2.2%

1,603
1,601
1.9%

–
–

–
–
–

1,603
1,605
1.3%

1,271
1,274
1.8%

161
154
5.7%

7,491
7,501
1.0%

57
57
1.8%

644
650
0.6%

10,545
10,516
1.7%

–
–

–
–
–

68
68
2.9%

64
64
3.1%

304
302
1.6%

338
336
2.2%

–
–
–

702
710
0.9%

369
369
3.9%

–
–

–
–
–

47
46
4.3%

253
251
4.2%

9,533
9,450
2.3%

–
–
–

258
261
1.9%

1,291
1,222
1.7%

490
480
4.4%

–
–

–
–
–

5,258
5,258

21,772
21,757

334
334

3,175
3,189

1,845
1,849

4,133
4,239

11,872
11,710

110
108

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

1,457
1,756

95
94
5.1%

1,552
1,850

–
–

2,541
2,544
1.2%

1,599
1,600
2.2%

12,940
12,848
1.9%

12,278
12,287
0.7%

315
318
1.9%

2,643
2,588
1.2%

14,171
14,129
1.8%

1,457
1,756

95
94
5.1%

48,039
48,164

8,641
8,759

Total carrying value of securities (2)

$14,293

$ 35,849

$61,656

$ 16,324

$37,046

$50,340

$215,508

150

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Trading (2)

Canadian government debt
U.S. state, municipal and agencies debt
Other OECD government debt
Mortgage-backed securities
Asset-backed securities (3)
Corporate debt and other debt

Bankers’ acceptances
Certificates of deposit
Other (4)

Equities

Available-for-sale (2)

Canadian government debt

Federal

Amortized cost
Fair value
Yield (5)

Provincial and municipal

Amortized cost
Fair value
Yield (5)

U.S. state, municipal and agencies debt

Amortized cost
Fair value
Yield (5)

Other OECD government debt

Amortized cost
Fair value
Yield (5)

Mortgage-backed securities

Amortized cost
Fair value
Yield (5)

Asset-backed securities

Amortized cost
Fair value
Yield (5)

Corporate debt and other debt

Amortized cost
Fair value
Yield (5)

Equities
Cost
Fair value

Loan substitute securities

Cost
Fair value
Yield (5)

Amortized cost
Fair value

Held-to-maturity (2)
Amortized cost
Fair value

As at October 31, 2014

Term to maturity (1)

Within 3
months

3 months
to 1 year

1 year to
5 years

5 years to
10 years

Over
10 years

With no
specific
maturity

Total

$ 3,050
3,272
1,637
–
56

$ 6,651
6,811
3,205
1
66

754
17
470
–

8
342
5,501
–

9,256

22,585

$ 7,594
7,109
6,223
57
330

–
574
13,093
–

34,980

$

$ 2,232
5,678
1,594
163
375

$ 5,987
6,602
2,666
584
688

– $ 25,514
29,472
–
15,325
–
805
–
1,515
–

–
30
3,004
–

–
17
3,788
–

–
–
–
51,151

762
980
25,856
51,151

13,076

20,332

51,151

151,380

626
627
1.8%

–
–
–

108
108
0.0%

5,663
5,663
0.1%

–
–
–

–
–
–

615
619
2.8%

–
–
–

385
383
8.5%

2,138
2,139
0.2%

–
–
–

–
–
–

1,625
1,628
1.1%

822
823
2.0%

–
–

–
–
–

8,022
8,026

163
163

–
–

–
–
–

3,960
3,964

21,477
21,686

110
110

38
40

8,195
8,356
2.2%

644
648
2.4%

80
81
0.7%

6,357
6,374
0.9%

–
–
–

381
387
0.6%

5,820
5,840
1.6%

–
–

–
–
–

2,197
2,367
3.3%

130
131
2.9%

213
213
0.4%

117
117
0.4%

17
17
3.0%

833
849
0.5%

727
739
2.0%

–
–

–
–
–

4,234
4,433

1,448
1,449

–
–
–

18
20
4.9%

5,544
5,472
0.7%

–
–
–

116
121
1.8%

277
208
1.0%

255
257
4.2%

–
–

–
–
–

6,210
6,078

–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

1,333
1,696

124
126
3.9%

1,457
1,822

11,633
11,969
2.4%

792
799
2.5%

6,330
6,257
1.1%

14,275
14,293
0.5%

133
138
2.0%

1,491
1,444
0.6%

9,249
9,287
1.7%

1,333
1,696

124
126
3.9%

45,360
46,009

–
–

1,759
1,762

Total carrying value of securities (2)

$17,445

$ 26,659

$56,704

$ 18,957

$26,410

$52,973 $199,148

(1)
(2)
(3)

(4)
(5)

Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities shown above since borrowers may have the right to prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.
Trading securities and AFS securities are recorded at fair value. Held-to-maturity securities are recorded at amortized cost.
Includes CDO which are presented as Asset-backed securities – CDO in the table entitled Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis and classified using the fair value
hierarchy in Note 3.
Primarily composed of corporate debt, supra-national debt, and commercial paper.
The weighted average yield is derived using the contractual interest rate and the carrying value at the end of the year for the respective securities.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

151

Note 4 Securities (continued)

Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities (1), (2)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Canadian government debt

Federal
Provincial and municipal

U.S. state, municipal and agencies debt (3)
Other OECD government debt
Mortgage-backed securities
Asset-backed securities

CDO
Non-CDO securities

Corporate debt and other debt
Equities
Loan substitute securities

October 31, 2015

October 31, 2014

As at

Cost/
Amortized
cost

Gross
unrealized
gains

Gross
unrealized
losses

Cost/
Amortized
cost

Gross
unrealized
gains

Gross
unrealized
losses

Fair
value

Fair
value

$

2,541 $
1,599
12,940
12,278
315

7 $
8
14
24
4

(4) $ 2,544
1,600
(7)
12,848
(106)
12,287
(15)
318
(1)

1,506
1,137
14,171
1,457
95

12
7
39
314
–

(8)
(66)
(81)
(15)
(1)

1,510
1,078
14,129
1,756
94

$ 11,633 $

792
6,330
14,275
133

857
634
9,249
1,333
124

338 $
8
9
19
5

26
5
49
369
2

(2) $11,969
799
(1)
6,257
(82)
14,293
(1)
138
–

(2)
(76)
(11)
(6)
–

881
563
9,287
1,696
126

$ 48,039 $

429 $

(304) $48,164

$ 45,360 $

830 $

(181) $46,009

(1)
(2)

(3)

Excludes $8,641 million of held-to-maturity securities as at October 31, 2015 (October 31, 2014 – $1,759 million) that are carried at amortized cost.
The majority of the mortgage-backed securities (MBS) are residential. Cost/Amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value related to commercial MBS are
$243 million, $nil, $1 million and $242 million, respectively as at October 31, 2015 (October 31, 2014 – $33 million, $1 million, $nil, and $34 million).
Includes securities issued by U.S. non-agencies backed by government insured assets, MBS and asset-backed securities issued by U.S. government agencies.

AFS securities are assessed for objective evidence of impairment at each reporting date and more frequently when conditions warrant.
Depending on the nature of the securities under review, we apply specific methodologies to assess whether the cost/amortized cost of the
security would be recovered. As at October 31, 2015, our gross unrealized losses on AFS securities were $304 million (October 31, 2014 –
$181 million). Management believes that there is no objective evidence of impairment on our AFS securities that are in an unrealized loss
position as at October 31, 2015.

The decrease in cost/amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and fair value of Canadian Federal government debt as compared to

October 31, 2014 is primarily due to the reclassification of financial instruments as described below.

Net gains and losses on available-for-sale securities (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Realized gains
Realized losses
Impairment losses

For the year ended

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

October 31
2013

$

$

218 $
(20)
(53)
145 $

232 $
(15)
(25)

192 $

231
(17)
(26)

188

(1)

The following related to our insurance operations are excluded from Net gains on AFS securities and included in Insurance premiums, investment and fee income in the Consolidated
Statements of Income for the year ended October 31, 2015: Realized gains of $22 million (October 31, 2014 – $12 million; October 31, 2013 – $3 million) and $6 million in impairment
losses related to our insurance operations (October 31, 2014 – $nil; October 31, 2013 – $nil). There were no realized losses for the year ended October 31, 2015 (October 31, 2014 –
$1 million; October 31, 2013 – $nil).

During the year ended October 31, 2015, $145 million of net gains were recognized in Non-interest income as compared to $192 million in the
prior year. The current year reflects net realized gains of $198 million mainly comprised of distributions from, and gains on sales of certain
Equities. Also included in the net gains are $53 million of impairment losses primarily on certain Equities and Loan substitute securities. This
compares to net realized gains for the year ended October 31, 2014 of $217 million which was partially offset by $25 million of impairment
losses.

Held-to-maturity securities
Held-to-maturity securities measured at amortized cost are subject to periodic impairment review and are classified as impaired when, in
management’s opinion, there is no longer reasonable assurance of the timely collection of the full amount of principal and interest. The
impairment review of held-to-maturity securities is primarily based on the impairment model for loans. Management believes that there is no
objective evidence of impairment on our held-to-maturity securities as at October 31, 2015.

Reclassification of financial instruments
On October 1, 2015, we reclassified certain debt securities from AFS to loans and receivables and from AFS to held-to-maturity with carrying
amounts of $4,132 million and $5,240 million, respectively, as a result of a change in our intention to hold these securities until the foreseeable
future or maturity. These debt securities were previously measured at fair value, with the increase in fair value recognized as part of the carrying
amount (fair value premium) and in OCI. Upon reclassification, the previous carrying amount of these AFS securities became the new amortized
cost of the loans and receivables and held-to-maturity securities. The net unrealized gains in Other components of equity at the reclassification
date will be amortized to Net interest income over the remaining life of the reclassified securities using the effective interest method and this
amortization will be offset by the amortization of the fair value premium of these securities.

152

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

On the date of reclassification, the debt securities reclassified to loans and receivables and held-to-maturity had weighted average effective

interest rates of 1.67% and 3.13%, respectively, with estimated cash flows expected to be recovered, on an undiscounted basis, of
$4,270 million and $5,487 million, respectively. As at October 31, 2015, the fair value and carrying value of the securities reclassified to loans
and receivables were $4,078 million and $4,083 million, respectively, and the fair value and carrying value of the securities reclassified to held-
to-maturity were $5,231 million and $5,231 million, respectively.

The following table provides information regarding debt securities that we reclassified in the current reporting period:

Financial instruments reclassified in the current period

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Available-for-sale securities reclassified to loans and receivables
Canadian government debt – Federal (2)
Available-for-sale securities reclassified to held-to-maturity
Canadian government debt – Federal (3)

For the year ended

October 31, 2015

Unrealized
gains (losses)
during the period

Interest income/gains
(losses) recognized
in net income
during the period (1)

$

$

21 $

48

69 $

83

159

242

(1)
(2)

(3)

Includes amortization of net unrealized gains associated with reclassified assets that were included in Other components of equity on the date of reclassification.
The change in fair value of these debt securities recorded in OCI for the year ended October 31, 2015 was an unrealized gain of $29 million (October 31, 2014 – unrealized gain of $9 million,
October 31, 2013 – unrealized gain of $9 million). Unrealized losses of $8 million would also have been recognized in OCI for the year ended October 31, 2015, had these debt securities not
been reclassified.
The change in fair value of these debt securities recorded in OCI for the year ended October 31, 2015 was an unrealized gain of $57 million (October 31, 2014 – unrealized gain of
$13 million, October 31, 2013 – unrealized loss of $140 million). Unrealized losses of $9 million would also have been recognized in OCI for the year ended October 31, 2015, had these debt
securities not been reclassified.

The following table provides information regarding certain debt securities that we reclassified in the prior reporting period:

Financial instruments reclassified in prior periods

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Financial assets – FVTPL reclassified to available-for-sale (1)
CDO
Mortgage-backed securities

As at

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

Total carrying
value and
fair value

Total carrying
value and
fair value

$

$

561 $
19
580 $

751
44

795

(1)

On October 1, 2011 and November 1, 2011, we reclassified $1,872 million and $255 million, respectively, of certain CDO and U.S. non-agency MBS from classified as at FVTPL to AFS.

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

FVTPL reclassified to available-for-sale
CDO
Mortgage-backed securities

October 31, 2015

For the year ended

October 31, 2014

October 31, 2013

Unrealized gains
(losses) during
the period (1)

Interest income/
gains (losses)
recognized in net
income during
the period

Unrealized gains
(losses) during
the period (1)

Interest income/
gains (losses)
recognized in net
income during
the period

Unrealized gains
(losses) during
the period (1)

Interest income/
gains (losses)
recognized in net
income during
the period

$

$

(17) $
–

(17) $

28
2

30

$

$

(29) $
(2)

(31) $

58
4

62

$

$

(5) $
–

(5) $

59
8

67

(1)

This change represents the fair value gains or losses that would have been recognized in profit or loss had the assets not been reclassified.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

153

Note 5 Loans

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Canada

October 31, 2015

United
States

Other
International

As at

Total

Canada

Retail (1)

Residential mortgages
Personal
Credit cards
Small business (2)

Wholesale (1)
Business (3)
Bank (4)
Sovereign (5)

$ 229,987 $
84,637
15,516
4,003

334,143

60,221
530
6,332

67,083

772
4,623
89
–

5,484

34,385
115
–

34,500

$ 3,216 $ 233,975
94,346
15,859
4,003

5,086
254
–

$ 215,624 $
86,984
14,650
4,067

8,556

348,183

321,325

21,952
1,155
1,379

24,486

116,558
1,800
7,711

126,069

55,374
413
1,797

57,584

October 31, 2014

United
States

Other
International

Total

539
4,082
65
–

4,686

23,544
30
–

23,574

$ 3,094 $ 219,257
96,021
14,924
4,067

4,955
209
–

8,258

334,269

20,250
758
788

21,796

99,168
1,201
2,585

102,954

Total loans
Allowance for loan losses

$ 401,226 $ 39,984
(131)

(1,416)

$ 33,042 $ 474,252
(2,029)

(482)

$ 378,909 $ 28,260
(100)

(1,466)

$ 30,054 $ 437,223
(1,994)

(428)

Total loans net of allowance for loan losses $ 399,810 $ 39,853

$ 32,560 $ 472,223

$ 377,443 $ 28,160

$ 29,626 $ 435,229

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)

Geographic information is based on residence of borrower.
Includes small business exposure managed on a pooled basis.
Includes small business exposure managed on an individual client basis.
Bank refers primarily to regulated deposit-taking institutions and securities firms.
Sovereign refers to all central governments and agencies, central banks, as well as other qualifying public sector entities and multilateral development banks.

Loans maturity and rate sensitivity

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Retail
Wholesale

Total loans
Allowance for loan losses

Total loans net of allowance for loan losses

Maturity term (1)

As at October 31, 2015

Under
1 year (2)

1 to 5
years

Over 5
years

Total

Floating

Rate sensitivity

Fixed
Rate

Non-rate-
sensitive

Total

$ 194,596 $ 143,352
19,505

101,922

$ 10,235 $ 348,183
126,069

4,642

$ 126,141 $ 216,841
70,827

53,799

$ 5,201 $ 348,183
126,069

1,443

$ 296,518 $ 162,857

$ 14,877 $ 474,252
(2,029)

$ 472,223

$ 179,940 $ 287,668

$ 6,644 $ 474,252
(2,029)

$ 472,223

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Retail
Wholesale

Total loans
Allowance for loan losses

Total loans net of allowance for loan losses

Maturity term (1)

As at October 31, 2014

Under
1 year (2)

1 to 5
years

Over 5
years

Total

Floating

Rate sensitivity

Fixed
Rate

Non-rate-
sensitive

Total

$ 184,164 $ 140,566
15,745

83,746

$ 9,539 $ 334,269
102,954

3,463

$ 121,191
44,068

208,498
57,742

4,580 $ 334,269
102,954
1,144

$ 267,910 $ 156,311

$ 13,002 $ 437,223
(1,994)

$ 435,229

$ 165,259 $ 266,240

$ 5,724 $ 437,223
(1,994)

$ 435,229

(1)
(2)

Generally, based on the earlier of contractual repricing or maturity date.
Includes variable rate loans that can be repriced at the clients’ discretion without penalty.

154

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Total allowance for loan losses

1,994

1,097

(1,338)

Allowance for off-balance sheet and other items (2)

91

–

–

Total allowance for credit losses

Individually assessed
Collectively assessed

Total allowance for credit losses

$

$

$

2,085 $ 1,097 $ (1,338) $

275 $

214 $

1,871

149 $
948

(132) $

(1,206)

18 $

257

2,085 $ 1,097 $ (1,338) $

275 $

Allowance for credit losses

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Retail

Residential mortgages
Personal
Credit cards
Small business

Wholesale
Business
Bank (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Retail

Residential mortgages
Personal
Credit cards
Small business

Wholesale
Business
Bank (1)

For the year ended October 31, 2015

Balance at
beginning of
period

Provision
for credit

losses Write-offs Recoveries

Unwind of
discount

Exchange
rate changes/
other

Balance
at end
of period

46 $

(64) $

7 $

$

240 $
535
385
64

1,224

768
2

770

384
378
32

840

258
(1)

257

(494)
(497)
(40)

(1,095)

(243)
–

(243)

105
119
10

241

33
1

34

275

–

106
114
9

231

32
–

32

263

–

(23) $
(16)
–
(2)

(41)

(39)
–

(39)

(80)

–

(80) $

(26) $
(54)

(80) $

36 $
16
1
–

53

28
–

28

81

–

242
530
386
64

1,222

805
2

807

2,029

91

81 $ 2,120

29 $
52

252
1,868

81 $ 2,120

(26) $
(23)
–
(2)

(51)

(36)
–

(36)

(87)

–

(87) $

(24) $
(63)

(87) $

48 $
(10)
(1)
(1)

240
535
385
64

36

1,224

(12)
–

(12)

24

–

768
2

770

1,994

91

24 $ 2,085

10 $
14

214
1,871

24 $ 2,085

For the year ended October 31, 2014

Balance at
beginning of
period

Provision
for credit

losses Write-offs Recoveries

Unwind of
discount

Exchange
rate changes/
other

Balance
at end
of period

95 $

(30) $

2 $

$

151 $
583
385
61

1,180

777
2

779

444
353
44

936

228
–

228

(565)
(466)
(47)

(1,108)

(221)
–

(221)

Total allowance for loan losses

1,959

1,164

(1,329)

Allowance for off-balance sheet and other items (2)

91

–

–

Total allowance for credit losses

Individually assessed
Collectively assessed

Total allowance for credit losses

$

$

$

2,050 $ 1,164 $ (1,329) $

263 $

240 $

160 $

(188) $

1,810

1,004

(1,141)

16 $

247

2,050 $ 1,164 $ (1,329) $

263 $

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

155

Note 5 Loans (continued)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Retail

Residential mortgages
Personal
Credit cards
Small business

Wholesale
Business
Bank (1)

For the year ended October 31, 2013

Balance at
beginning of
period

Provision
for credit

losses Write-offs Recoveries

Unwind of
discount

Exchange
rate changes/
other

Balance
at end
of period

41 $

(24) $

2 $

$

124 $
543
403
72

1,142

852
2

854

455
354
32

882

355
–

355

(498)
(466)
(35)

(1,023)

(448)
–

(448)

96
112
9

219

51
–

51

270

–

(24) $
(17)
–
(2)

(43)

(43)
–

(43)

(86)

–

(86) $

(28) $
(58)

(86) $

32 $
4
(18)
(15)

151
583
385
61

3

1,180

10
–

10

13

–

777
2

779

1,959

91

13 $ 2,050

(2) $
15

240
1,810

13 $ 2,050

Total allowance for loan losses

1,996

1,237

(1,471)

Allowance for off-balance sheet and other items (2)

91

–

–

Total allowance for credit losses

Individually assessed
Collectively assessed

Total allowance for credit losses

$

$

$

2,087 $ 1,237 $ (1,471) $

270 $

298 $

1,789

287 $
950

(346) $

(1,125)

31 $

239

2,087 $ 1,237 $ (1,471) $

270 $

(1)
(2)

Bank refers primarily to regulated deposit-taking institutions and securities firms.
The allowance for off-balance sheet and other items is reported separately in Other liabilities – Provisions.

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Net interest income
Provision for credit losses

For the year ended

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

October 31
2013

$ 14,771 $ 14,116 $ 13,249
1,237

1,164

1,097

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

$ 13,674 $ 12,952 $ 12,012

Loans past due but not impaired

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

1 to 29 days

30 to 89 days

90 days
and greater

Total

1 to 29 days

30 to 89 days

90 days
and greater

October 31, 2015

October 31, 2014

As at

Retail
Wholesale

$

$

3,054
417

3,471

$

$

1,298
184

1,482

$

$

314
–

314

$4,666
601

$5,267

$

$

3,055
431

3,486

$

$

1,284
322

1,606

$

$

Gross carrying value of loans individually determined to be impaired (1)

316
–

316

As at

Total

$4,655
753

$5,408

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Retail
Wholesale
Business
Bank (2)

(1)
(2)

Average balance of gross individually assessed impaired loans for the year ended October 31, 2015 was $830 million (October 31, 2014 – $690 million).
Bank refers primarily to regulated deposit-taking institutions and securities firms.

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

$

$

– $

991
2
993 $

–

631
2

633

156

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 6 Derecognition of financial assets

We enter into transactions in which we transfer financial assets such as loans or securities to structured entities or other third parties. The
transferred financial assets are derecognized from our Consolidated Balance Sheets when we transfer substantially all of the risks and rewards
of ownership of the financial assets. When we are exposed to substantially all of the risks and rewards of the assets, or when we have neither
transferred nor retained substantially all of the risks and rewards but retain control of the financial assets, we continue to recognize the financial
assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and a liability is recognized for the cash proceeds received.

The majority of assets transferred under repurchase agreements, securities lending agreements, and in our Canadian residential mortgage

securitization transactions do not qualify for derecognition.

Transferred financial assets not derecognized
Securitization of Canadian residential mortgage loans
We securitize insured Canadian residential mortgage loans through the creation of MBS pools under the National Housing Act MBS (NHA MBS)
program. All loans securitized under the NHA MBS program are required to be insured by the Canadian Mortgage Housing Corporation or a third-
party insurer. We require the borrower to pay the insurance for mortgages in which the loan amount is greater than 80% of the original appraised
value of the property (loan-to-value (LTV) ratio). For residential mortgage loans securitized under this program with an LTV ratio less than 80%,
we are required to insure the mortgages at our own expense. Under the NHA MBS program, we are responsible for making all payments due on
our issued MBS, regardless of whether we collect the necessary funds from the mortgagor or the insurer. When the borrower defaults on the
mortgage payment, we submit a claim to the insurer if the amount recovered from the collection or foreclosure process is lower than the sum of
the principal balance, accrued interest and collection costs on the outstanding loan. The insurance claim process is managed by the insurance
provider in accordance with the insurer’s policies and covers the entire unpaid loan balance plus generally up to 12 months of interest, selling
costs and other eligible expenses. If an insurance claim is denied, a loss is recognized in Provision for credit losses in our Consolidated
Statements of Income. The amount recorded as a loss is not significant to our Consolidated Financial Statements and no significant losses were
incurred due to legal action arising from a mortgage default during 2015 and 2014.

We sell the NHA MBS pools primarily to a government-sponsored structured entity under the Canada Mortgage Bond (CMB) program. The
entity periodically issues CMBs, which are guaranteed by the government, and sells them to third-party investors. Proceeds of the CMB issuances
are used by the entity to purchase the NHA MBS pools from eligible NHA MBS issuers who participate in the issuance of a particular CMB series.
Our continuing involvement includes servicing the underlying residential mortgage loans we have securitized, either ourselves or through a third-
party servicer. We also act as counterparty in interest rate swap agreements where we pay the entity the interest due to CMB investors and
receive the interest on the underlying MBS and reinvested assets. As part of the swap, we are also required to maintain a principal reinvestment
account for principal payments received on the underlying mortgage loans to meet the repayment obligation upon maturity of the CMB. We
reinvest the collected principal payments in permitted investments as outlined in the swap agreement.

We have determined that certain of the NHA MBS program loans transferred to the entity do not qualify for derecognition as we have not
transferred substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership. As a result, these transferred MBS continue to be classified as residential
mortgage loans and recognized on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The cash received for these transferred MBS is treated as a secured
borrowing and a corresponding liability recorded in Deposits – Business and government on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned
We also enter into transactions such as repurchase agreements and securities lending agreements where we transfer assets under agreements
to repurchase them on a future day and retain substantially all of the credit, price, interest rate and foreign exchange risks and rewards
associated with the assets. These transferred assets remain on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and are accounted for as collateralized
borrowing transactions.

The following table provides information on the carrying amount and fair value of the transferred assets that did not qualify for derecognition,
and their associated liabilities.

As at

October 31, 2015

October 31, 2014

Canadian
residential
mortgage
loans (1), (2)

Securities
sold under
repurchase
agreements (3)

Securities
loaned (3)

Total

Canadian
residential
mortgage
loans (1) (2)

Securities
sold under
repurchase
agreements (3)

Securities
loaned (3)

Total

$ 35,707 $

78,327 $

4,961 $ 118,995

$ 36,972 $

60,279 $ 4,052 $ 101,303

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Carrying amount of transferred
assets that do not qualify for
derecognition

Carrying amount of associated

liabilities

36,130

78,327

4,961

119,418

36,941

60,279

4,052

101,272

Fair value of transferred assets
Fair value of associated

$ 35,770 $

78,327 $

4,961 $ 119,058

$ 37,010 $

60,279 $ 4,052 $ 101,341

liabilities

37,150

78,327

4,961

120,438

37,769

60,279

4,052

102,100

Fair value of net position

$

(1,380) $

– $

– $

(1,380) $

(759) $

– $

– $

(759)

(1)

(2)
(3)

Includes Canadian residential mortgage loans transferred primarily to Canada Housing Trust at the initial securitization and other permitted investments used for funding requirements after
the initial securitization.
Canada Mortgage Bond (CMB) investors have legal recourse only to the transferred assets, and do not have recourse to our general assets.
Does not include over-collateralization of assets pledged.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

157

Note 7 Structured entities

In the normal course of business, we engage in a variety of financial transactions with structured entities to support our financing and investing
needs as well as those of our customers. A structured entity is an entity in which voting or similar rights are not the dominant factor in deciding
control. Structured entities are generally created to achieve a narrow and well defined objective with restrictions around their ongoing activities.
We consolidate a structured entity when we control the entity in accordance with our accounting policy described in Note 2. In other cases, we
may sponsor or have an interest in such an entity but not consolidate it.

Consolidated structured entities
We consolidate the following structured entities, whose assets and liabilities are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Third-party
investors in these structured entities generally have recourse only to the assets of the related entity and do not have recourse to our general
assets unless we breach our contractual obligations to those entities. In the ordinary course of business, the assets of each consolidated
structured entity can generally only be used to settle the obligations of that entity.

Credit card securitization vehicle
We securitize a portion of our credit card receivables through a structured entity on a revolving basis. The entity purchases co-ownership
interests in a pool of credit card receivables and issues senior and subordinated term notes collateralized by the underlying pool of credit card
receivables. Investors who purchase the term notes have recourse only to the underlying pool of credit card receivables.

We continue to service the credit card receivables sold and perform an administrative role for the entity. We also provide first-loss

protection through our retained interest in the transferred assets, the cash reserve balance we fund from time to time, and also through certain
subordinated notes which we retain. Additionally, we may own some senior notes as investments or for market-making activities; we provide
subordinated loans to the entity to pay upfront expenses; and we act as counterparty to interest rate and cross currency swap agreements which
hedge the entity’s interest rate and currency risk exposure.

We consolidate the structured entity because we have decision making power over the timing and size of future issuances and other
relevant activities which were predetermined by us at inception. We also obtain significant funding benefits and are exposed to the majority of
the residual ownership risks through the credit support provided. As at October 31, 2015, $9.1 billion of notes issued by our credit card
securitization vehicle were included in Deposits on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (October 31, 2014 – $8.5 billion).

Auto loan securitization vehicles
We obtained control of certain auto loan securitization vehicles as a result of the acquisition of the Canadian auto finance and deposit business
of Ally Financial Inc. completed in 2013. These vehicles issued senior and subordinated notes collateralized by auto loan receivables originated
and transferred to the entities by Ally Financial Inc. After the acquisition, we provided credit enhancement to the outstanding notes through
overcollateralization, cash reserve accounts and our interest in the excess spread, which was subordinated to the noteholders. We also acted as
swap counterparty for one entity’s interest rate swap agreements which hedge its interest rate risk exposure.

We consolidate these vehicles because we have the decision making power over their investing and financing activities. As at October 31,
2015, all of the outstanding senior and subordinated notes issued by these vehicles have been repaid in full; therefore, $nil of such notes were
included in Deposits on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (October 31, 2014 – $407 million).

Collateralized commercial paper vehicle
We established a funding vehicle that provides loans to us and finances those loans by issuing commercial paper to third-party investors. The
structured entity’s commercial paper carries an equivalent credit rating to RBC because we are obligated to advance funds to the entity in the
event there are insufficient funds from other sources to settle maturing commercial paper. We pledge collateral to secure the loans and are
exposed to the market and credits risks of the pledged securities. We administer the entity and earn an administration fee for providing these
services.

We consolidate the structured entity because we have decision making power over the relevant activities, are the sole borrower from
the structure, and are exposed to a majority of the residual ownership risks through the credit support provided. As at October 31, 2015,
$11.8 billion of commercial paper issued by the vehicle was included in Deposits on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (October 31, 2014 –
$7.8 billion).

Innovative capital vehicles
RBC Capital Trust was created to issue innovative capital instruments, the proceeds from which were used to purchase mortgages from RBC. We
consolidate the trust as, through our roles as trustee, administrative agent and equity investor, we have the decision making power over the
relevant activities of the trust and are exposed to variability from the performance of the underlying mortgages. Refer to Note 20 for further
details on our innovative capital instruments.

Covered bonds
RBC Covered Bond Guarantor Limited Partnership (Guarantor LP) was created to issue guarantees of covered bonds that we issue. We
periodically transfer mortgages to Guarantor LP to support funding activities and asset coverage requirements under our covered bond program.
The covered bonds guaranteed by Guarantor LP are direct, unsecured and unconditional obligations of RBC; therefore, investors have a claim
against the Bank which will continue if the covered bonds are not paid by the Bank and the mortgage assets in Guarantor LP are insufficient to
satisfy the obligations owing on the covered bonds. We act as general partner, limited partner, swap counterparty, lender and liquidity provider
to Guarantor LP and registered issuer of the covered bonds.

We consolidate Guarantor LP as we have the decision making power over the relevant activities through our role as general partner and are
exposed to variability from the performance of the underlying mortgages. As at October 31, 2015, the total amount of mortgages transferred and
outstanding was $54.5 billion (October 31, 2014 – $38.3 billion) and $37.2 billion of covered bonds were recorded as Deposits on our
Consolidated Balance Sheets (October 31, 2014 – $26.4 billion).

Municipal bond TOB structures
We sell taxable and tax-exempt municipal bonds into Tender Option Bond (TOB) structures, which consist of a credit enhancement (CE) trust and
a TOB trust. The CE trust purchases a bond from us, financed with a trust certificate issued to the TOB trust. The TOB trust then issues floating-
rate certificates to short-term investors and a residual certificate that is held by us. We are the remarketing agent for the floating-rate certificates

158

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

and provide a liquidity facility to the TOB trust which requires us to purchase any certificates tendered but not successfully remarketed. We also
provide a letter of credit to the CE trust under which we are required to extend funding if there are any losses on the underlying bonds. We earn
interest on the residual certificate and receive market-based fees for acting as remarketing agent and providing the liquidity facility and letter of
credit.

We consolidate both the CE trust and TOB trust when we are the holder of the residual certificate as we have decision making power over
the relevant activities, including the selection of the underlying municipal bonds and the ability to terminate the structure, and are exposed to
variability from the performance of the underlying municipal bonds. As at October 31, 2015, $6.0 billion of municipal bonds were included in
AFS securities related to consolidated TOB structures (October 31, 2014 – $3.3 billion) and a corresponding $6.1 billion of floating rate
certificates were included in Deposits on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (October 31, 2014 – $3.3 billion).

Non-RBC managed Investment funds
We enter into certain fee-based equity derivative transactions where our investments in the reference funds are held by an intermediate limited
partnership entity (intermediate entity) in which we hold a substantial majority of the equity interests. We consolidate the intermediate entity
because we have the decision making power to direct all the activities of the entity and are exposed to a majority of the risks and rewards
through our equity investments. As at October 31, 2015, $227 million of Trading securities representing our investments in the reference funds
were recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (October 31, 2014 – $277 million).

RBC managed investment funds
We are sponsors and investment managers of mutual and pooled funds, which gives us the ability to direct the investment decisions of the
funds. We consolidate those mutual and pooled funds in which our interests, which include direct investment in seed capital plus management
or performance fees, indicate that we are acting as a principal. As at October 31, 2015, $586 million of Trading securities held in the
consolidated funds (October 31, 2014 – $586 million) and $190 million of Other liabilities representing the fund units held by third parties
(October 31, 2014 – $189 million) were recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Unconsolidated structured entities
We have interests in certain structured entities that we do not consolidate but have recorded assets and liabilities on our Consolidated Balance
Sheets related to our transactions and involvement with these entities.

The following table presents the assets and liabilities recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and our maximum exposure to loss

related to our interests in unconsolidated structured entities. It also presents the size of each class of unconsolidated structured entity, as
measured by the total assets of the entities in which we have an interest.

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
On-balance sheet assets

Securities
Loans
Derivatives
Other assets

On-balance sheet liabilities

Derivatives
Other liabilities

Maximum exposure to loss (2)
Total assets of unconsolidated structured entities

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
On-balance sheet assets

Securities
Loans
Derivatives
Other assets

On-balance sheet liabilities

Derivatives
Other liabilities

Maximum exposure to loss (2)

Multi-seller
conduits (1)

Structured
finance

As at October 31, 2015

Non-RBC
managed
investment
funds

RBC
managed
investment
funds

Third-party
securitization
vehicles

$

$

$

$

17 $

– $

764
19
–

1,323
2
547

800 $ 1,872 $

2,661 $
–
–
1
2,662 $

275 $
–
–
225
500 $

– $

5,447
3
–
5,450 $

24 $
–
24 $

– $
–
– $

– $

33
33 $

– $
–
– $

– $
–
– $

Other

Total

697
–
54
57
808

11
2
13

$

$

$

$

3,650
7,534
78
830
12,092

35
35
70

$ 37,789 $ 3,681 $
927
$ 37,044 $ 21,621 $ 658,236 $ 278,474 $ 125,294 $ 67,658

3,440 $

9,694 $

490 $

$
56,021
$ 1,188,327

Multi-seller
conduits (1)

Structured
finance

$

$

42 $

864
–
–
906 $

– $
–
3
913
916 $

$

85 $
–
85 $

– $
–
– $
$
$ 31,019 $ 2,158 $

As at October 31, 2014

Non-RBC
managed
investment
funds

RBC
managed
investment
funds

Third-party
securitization
vehicles

Other

Total

3,343 $
–
–
1
3,344 $

– $
5
5 $
4,005 $

151 $
–
–
220
371 $

– $
–
– $
203 $

1 $

1,463
–
–
1,464 $

2 $
–
2 $
2,397 $

696
–
8
51
755

–
3
3
873

$

$

$

$
$

4,233
2,327
11
1,185
7,756

87
8
95
40,655

Total assets of unconsolidated structured entities

$ 30,428 $ 13,118 $ 621,938 $ 272,852 $ 27,095 $ 64,963

$ 1,030,394

(1)

(2)

Total assets of unconsolidated structured entities represent the maximum assets that may have to be purchased by the conduits under purchase commitments outstanding. Of the purchase
commitments outstanding, the conduits have purchased financial assets totalling $25.2 billion as at October 31, 2015 (October 31, 2014 – $19.8 billion).
The maximum exposure to loss resulting from our interests in these entities consists mostly of investments, loans, fair value of derivatives, liquidity and credit enhancement facilities. The
maximum exposure to loss of the multi-seller conduits is higher than the on-balance sheet assets primarily by the notional amounts of the backstop liquidity and credit enhancement
facilities. Refer to Note 26.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

159

Note 7 Structured entities (continued)

Below is a description of our involvement with each significant class of unconsolidated structured entity.

Multi-seller conduits
We administer five multi-seller asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP) conduit programs (multi-seller conduits) – two in Canada and three in the
U.S. These conduits primarily purchase financial assets from clients and finance those purchases by issuing ABCP.

We do not maintain any ownership or retained interests in the multi-seller conduits that we administer and have no rights to, or control of,

their assets. As the administrative agent, we earn a residual fee for providing services such as coordinating funding activities, transaction
structuring, documentation, execution and monitoring of transactions. The ABCP issued by each multi-seller conduit is in the conduit’s own
name with recourse to the financial assets owned by each multi-seller conduit, and is non-recourse to us except through our participation in
liquidity and/or credit enhancement facilities. We may purchase ABCP issued by our multi-seller conduits from time to time in our capacity as
placement agent in order to facilitate the overall program liquidity.

We provide transaction-specific and program-wide liquidity facilities to the multi-seller conduits. In addition, we provide program-wide
credit enhancement to the multi-seller conduits which obligate us to purchase assets or advance funds in the event the multi-seller conduit does
not otherwise have funds from other sources, such as from the liquidity facilities, to settle maturing ABCP. In some cases, we or another third
party may provide transaction-specific credit enhancement which can take various forms. We receive market-based fees for providing these
liquidity and credit facilities.

For certain transactions, we act as counterparty to foreign exchange rate forward contracts and interest rate swaps to facilitate our clients’
securitization of fixed rate and/or foreign currency denominated assets through the conduits. These derivatives expose us to foreign exchange
and interest rate risks that are centrally managed by our foreign exchange trading and swap desks, respectively, and credit risk on the underlying
assets that is mitigated by the credit enhancement described below.

Each transaction is structured with transaction-specific first loss protection provided by the third-party seller. This enhancement can take

various forms, including but not limited to overcollateralization, excess spread, subordinated classes of financial assets, guarantees or letters of
credit. The amount of this enhancement varies but is generally sized to cover a multiple of loss experience.

An unrelated third party (expected loss investor) absorbs credit losses, up to a maximum contractual amount, that may occur in the future
on the assets in the multi-seller conduits before the multi-seller conduits’ debt holders and us. In return for assuming this multi-seller conduit
first-loss position, each multi-seller conduit pays the expected loss investor a return commensurate with its risk position. The expected loss
investor has substantive power to direct the majority of the activities which significantly impact the conduit’s economic performance, including
initial selection and approval of the asset purchase commitments and liquidity facilities, approval of renewal and amendment of these
transactions and facilities, sale or transfer of assets, ongoing monitoring of asset performance, mitigation of credit losses, and management of
the ABCP liabilities.

We do not consolidate these multi-seller conduits as we do not have the decision-making power to direct the relevant activities noted

above.

Structured finance
We purchased U.S. ARS from certain trusts (U.S. ARS Trusts) which fund their long-term investments in student loans by issuing short-term senior
and subordinated notes. We are subject to losses on these U.S. ARS Trusts if defaults are experienced on the underlying student loans; however,
in the majority of these structures, the principal and accrued interest on the student loans is guaranteed by U.S. government agencies. We act as
auction agent for some of these entities but have no legal obligation to purchase the notes issued by these entities in the auction process. We do
not consolidate these U.S. ARS Trusts as we do not have decision making power over the investing and financing activities of the Trusts, which
are the activities that most significantly affect the performance of the Trusts.

Additionally, we invest in certain municipal bond TOB structures that we do not consolidate. These structures are similar to those

consolidated municipal bond TOB structures described above; however, the residual certificates are held by third-parties and we do not provide
credit enhancement of the underlying assets. We only provide liquidity facilities on the floating-rate certificates which may be drawn if certificates
are tendered but not able to be remarketed. We do not have decision making power over the relevant activities of the structures; therefore, we do
not consolidate these structures. The assets transferred into these programs are derecognized from our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

We provide senior warehouse financing to structured entities that are established by third parties to acquire loans for the purposes of
issuing a term collateralized loan obligation (CLO) transaction. Subordinated financing is provided during the warehouse phase by one or more
third-party equity investors. We act as the arranger and placement agent for the term CLO transaction. Proceeds from the sale of the term CLO are
used to repay our senior warehouse financing, at which point we have no further involvement with the transaction. We do not consolidate these
CLO structures as we do not have decision making power over the relevant activities of the entity, which include the initial selection and
subsequent management of the underlying debt portfolio.

Non-RBC managed investment funds
We enter into fee-based equity derivative transactions with third parties including mutual funds, unit investment trusts and other investment
funds. These transactions provide their investors with the desired exposure to a reference fund, and we economically hedge our exposure to
these derivatives by investing in those reference funds. We also act as custodian or administrator for several funds. We do not consolidate those
reference funds that are managed by third parties as we do not have power to direct their investing activities.

We provide liquidity facilities to certain third-party investment funds. The funds issued unsecured variable-rate preferred shares and invest

in portfolios of tax-exempt municipal bonds. Undrawn liquidity commitments expose us to liquidity risk of the preferred shares and drawn
commitments expose us to the credit risk of the underlying municipal bonds. We do not consolidate these third-party managed funds as we do
not have power to direct their investing activities.

RBC managed investment funds
We are sponsors and investment managers of mutual and pooled funds which gives us the ability to direct the investment decisions of the funds.
We do not consolidate those mutual and pooled funds in which our interests indicate that we are exercising our decision making power as an
agent of the other unit holders.

Third-party securitization vehicles
We hold interests in securitization vehicles that provide funding to certain third parties on whose behalf the entities were created. The activities
of these entities are limited to the purchase and sale of specified assets from the sponsor and the issuance of asset-backed notes collateralized
by those assets. The underlying assets are typically receivables, including auto loans and leases. We, as well as other financial institutions, are

160

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

obligated to provide funding up to our maximum commitment level and are exposed to credit losses on the underlying assets after various credit
enhancements. Enhancement can take various forms, including but not limited to overcollateralization, excess spread, subordinated classes of
financial assets, guarantees or letters of credit. The amount of this enhancement varies but is generally sized to cover a multiple of loss
experience. We do not consolidate these entities as we do not have decision making power over the relevant activities, including the investing
and financing activities.

Other
Other structured entities include credit investment products and tax credit funds.

We use structured entities to generally transform credit derivatives into cash instruments, to distribute credit risk and to create customized
credit products to meet investors’ specific requirements. We enter into derivative contracts, including credit derivatives, to purchase protection
from these entities (credit protection) and convert various risk factors such as yield, currency or credit risk of underlying assets to meet the needs
of the investors. We act as sole arranger and swap provider for certain entities and, in some cases, fulfill other administrative functions for the
entities. We do not consolidate these credit investment product entities as we do not have decision making power over the relevant activities,
which include selection of the collateral and reference portfolio, and are not exposed to a majority of the benefits or risks of the entities.

We created certain funds to pass through tax credits received from underlying low-income housing or historic rehabilitation real estate
projects to third parties (tax credit funds). We are sponsors of the tax credit funds as a result of our responsibility to manage the funds, arrange
the financing, and perform the administrative duties of these tax credit funds. We do not consolidate the tax credit funds as the investors in
these funds have the decision making power to select the underlying investments and are exposed to the majority of the residual ownership and
tax risks of the funds.

Other interests in unconsolidated structured entities
In the normal course of business, we buy and sell passive interests in certain third-party structured entities, including mutual funds, exchange
traded funds, and government-sponsored asset backed securities vehicles. Our investments in these entities are managed as part of larger
portfolios which are held for trading, liquidity or hedging purposes. We did not create or sponsor these entities and do not have any decision
making power over their ongoing activities. Our maximum exposure to loss is limited to our on-balance sheet investments in these entities,
which are not included in the table above. Refer to Note 3 and Note 4 for further details on our investment securities.

Sponsored entities
We are a sponsor of certain structured entities in which we have interests but do not consolidate. In determining whether we are a sponsor of a
structured entity, we consider both qualitative and quantitative factors, including the purpose and nature of the entity, our initial and continuing
involvement and whether we hold subordinated interests in the entity. We are considered to be the sponsor of certain credit investment
products, tax credit entities, RBC-managed mutual funds and a commercial mortgage securitization vehicle. During the year ended October 31,
2015, we transferred commercial mortgages with a carrying amount of $195 million (October 31, 2014 – $173 million) to a sponsored
securitization vehicle in which we did not have an interest as at the end of the reporting period.

Financial support provided to structured entities
During the years ended October 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we have not provided any financial or non-financial support to any consolidated or
unconsolidated structured entities when we were not contractually obligated to do so. Furthermore, we have no intention to provide such support
in the future.

Note 8 Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities

Derivative instruments are categorized as either financial or non-financial derivatives. Financial derivatives are financial contracts whose value is
derived from an underlying interest rate, foreign exchange rate, credit risk, and equity or equity index. Non-financial derivatives are contracts
whose value is derived from a precious metal, commodity instrument or index. The notional amount of derivatives represents the contract
amount used as a reference point to calculate payments. Notional amounts are generally not exchanged by counterparties, and do not reflect our
exposure at default.

Financial derivatives
Forwards and futures
Forward contracts are effectively non-standardized agreements that are transacted between counterparties in the OTC market, whereas futures
are standardized contracts with respect to amounts and settlement dates, and are traded on regular futures exchanges. Examples of forwards
and futures are described below.

Interest rate forwards (forward rate agreements) and futures are contractual obligations to buy or sell an interest-rate sensitive financial

instrument on a predetermined future date at a specified price.

Foreign exchange forwards and futures are contractual obligations to exchange one currency for another at a specified price for settlement

at a predetermined future date.

Equity forwards and futures are contractual obligations to buy or sell at a fixed value (the specified price) of an equity index, a basket of

stocks or a single stock at a predetermined future date.

Swaps
Swaps are OTC contracts in which two counterparties exchange a series of cash flows based on agreed upon rates applied to a notional amount.
Examples of swap agreements are described below.

Interest rate swaps are agreements where two counterparties exchange a series of payments based on different interest rates applied to a

notional amount in a single currency. Cross currency swaps involve the exchange of fixed payments in one currency for the receipt of fixed
payments in another currency. Cross currency interest rate swaps involve the exchange of both interest and notional amounts in two different
currencies.

Equity swaps are contracts in which one counterparty agrees to pay or receive from the other cash flows based on changes in the value of an

equity index, a basket of stocks or a single stock.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

161

Note 8 Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities (continued)

Options
Options are contractual agreements under which the seller (writer) grants the purchaser the right, but not the obligation, either to buy (call
option) or sell (put option), a security, exchange rate, interest rate, or other financial instrument or commodity at a predetermined price, at or by
a specified future date. The seller (writer) of an option can also settle the contract by paying the cash settlement value of the purchaser’s
right. The seller (writer) receives a premium from the purchaser for this right. The various option agreements that we enter into include but are not
limited to interest rate options, foreign currency options, equity options and index options.

Credit derivatives
Credit derivatives are OTC contracts that transfer credit risk related to an underlying financial instrument (referenced asset) from one
counterparty to another. Examples of credit derivatives are described below.

Credit default swaps provide protection against the decline in value of the referenced asset as a result of specified credit events such as
default or bankruptcy. They are similar in structure to an option, whereby the purchaser pays a premium to the seller of the credit default swap in
return for payment contingent on a credit event affecting the referenced asset.

Credit default baskets are similar to credit default swaps except that the underlying referenced financial instrument is a group of assets

instead of a single asset.

Total return swaps are contracts where one counterparty agrees to pay or receive from the other cash flows based on changes in the value of

the referenced asset.

Other derivative products
Certain warrants and loan commitments that meet the definition of derivative are also included as derivative instruments.

Non-financial derivatives
We also transact in non-financial derivative products including precious metal and commodity derivative contracts in both the OTC and exchange
markets.

Derivatives issued for trading purposes
Most of our derivative transactions relate to sales and trading activities. Sales activities include the structuring and marketing of derivative
products to clients to enable them to transfer, modify or reduce current or expected risks. Trading involves market-making, positioning and
arbitrage activities. Market-making involves quoting bid and offer prices to other market participants with the intention of generating revenue
based on spread and volume. Positioning involves managing market risk positions with the expectation of profiting from favourable movements
in prices, rates or indices. Arbitrage activities involve identifying and profiting from price differentials between markets and products.

Derivatives issued for other-than-trading purposes
We also use derivatives for purposes other than trading, primarily for hedging, in conjunction with the management of interest rate, credit, equity
and foreign exchange risk related to our funding, lending, investment activities and asset/liability management.

Interest rate swaps are used to manage our exposure to interest rate risk by modifying the repricing or maturity characteristics of existing

and/or forecasted assets and liabilities, including funding and investment activities. Purchased options are used to hedge redeemable deposits
and other options embedded in consumer products. We manage our exposure to foreign currency risk with cross currency swaps and foreign
exchange forward contracts. We predominantly use credit derivatives to manage our credit exposures. We mitigate industry sector concentrations
and single-name exposures related to our credit portfolio by purchasing credit derivatives to transfer credit risk to third parties.

Certain derivatives and cash instruments are specifically designated and qualify for hedge accounting. We apply hedge accounting to
minimize volatility in earnings and capital caused by changes in interest rates or foreign exchange rates. Interest rate and currency fluctuations
will either cause assets and liabilities to appreciate or depreciate in market value or cause variability in forecasted cash flows. When a hedging
relationship is effective, gains, losses, revenue and expenses of the hedging instrument will offset the gains, losses, revenue and expenses of
the hedged item. We largely assess and measure the effectiveness of a hedging relationship based on the change in fair value of the derivative
hedging instrument relative to the change in fair value of the hedged item. When cash instruments are designated as hedges of currency risks,
only changes in their value due to currency risk are included in the assessment and measurement of hedge effectiveness.

From time to time, we also enter into derivative transactions to economically hedge certain exposures that do not otherwise qualify for
hedge accounting, or where hedge accounting is not considered economically feasible to implement. In such circumstances, changes in fair
value are reflected in Non-interest income.

After-tax unrealized losses relating to de-designated hedges of $65 million (before-tax unrealized losses of $89 million) included in Other

components of equity as at October 31, 2015, are expected to be reclassified to Net interest income within the next 12 months.

The following table presents the fair values of the derivative and non-derivative instruments categorized by their hedging relationships, as

well as derivatives that are not designated in hedging relationships.

Derivatives and non-derivative instruments

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Assets

Derivative instruments

Liabilities

Derivative instruments
Non-derivative instruments

October 31, 2015
Designated as hedging instruments
in hedging relationships

As at

October 31, 2014
Designated as hedging instruments
in hedging relationships

Cash flow
hedges

Fair
value
hedges

Net
investment
hedges

Not designated
in a hedging
relationship

Cash flow
hedges

Fair
value
hedges

Net
investment
hedges

Not designated
in a hedging
relationship

$

842 $ 1,814 $

167 $ 102,803 $

504 $ 1,392 $

87 $

85,419

1,629
–

311
–

49
18,804

105,871
–

511
–

121
–

205
20,949

88,145
–

162

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Results of hedge activities recorded in Net income and Other comprehensive income

October 31, 2015

For the year ended

October 31, 2014

October 31, 2013

Net gains
(losses) included
in Non-interest
income

Net gains
(losses) included
in Net interest
income

After-tax
unrealized
gains (losses)
included in OCI

Net gains
(losses) included
in Non-interest
income

Net gains
(losses) included
in Net interest
income

After-tax
unrealized
gains (losses)
included in OCI

Net gains
(losses) included
in Non-interest
income

Net gains
(losses) included
in Net interest
income

After-tax
unrealized
gains (losses)
included in OCI

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Fair value hedges

Gains (losses) on hedging

instruments

$

313 $

n.a. $

n.a.

$

216 $

n.a. $

n.a.

$

(551) $

n.a. $

n.a.

Gains (losses) on hedged
items attributable to the
hedged risk

Ineffective portion (1)

Cash flow hedges

Ineffective portion
Effective portion
Reclassified to income
during the period (2)

Net investment hedges
Ineffective portion
Foreign currency gains

(losses)

Gains (losses) from

hedges

(424)
(111)

3
n.a.

n.a.

(1)

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.
n.a.

n.a.
n.a.

(447)

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.
n.a.

n.a.
(541)

n.a.

n.a.

5,885

(3,223)

(329)
(113)

(13)
n.a.

n.a.

1

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.
n.a.

n.a.
n.a.

(38)

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.
n.a.

n.a.
(108)

n.a.

n.a.

2,743

(1,585)

459
(92)

(13)
n.a.

n.a.

1

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.
n.a.

n.a.
n.a.

40

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

$

(109) $

(447) $

2,121

$

(125) $

(38) $

1,050

$

(104) $

40 $

n.a.
n.a.

n.a.
(11)

n.a.

n.a.

1,402

(912)

479

(1)

(2)

n.a.

Includes losses of $106 million (October 31, 2014 – $109 million; October 31, 2013 – $82 million) that are excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. These amounts are
recorded in Non-interest income and are offset by economic hedges.
After-tax losses of $330 million were reclassified from Other components of equity to income during the year ended October 31, 2015 (October 31, 2014 – losses of $28 million; October 31,
2013 – gains of $30 million).
not applicable

Notional amount of derivatives by term to maturity (absolute amounts)

As at October 31, 2015

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Over-the-counter contracts
Interest rate contracts

Forward rate agreements
Swaps
Options purchased
Options written

Foreign exchange contracts

Forward contracts
Cross currency swaps
Cross currency interest rate swaps
Options purchased
Options written
Credit derivatives (2)
Other contracts (3)

Exchange-traded contracts
Interest rate contracts

Futures – long positions
Futures – short positions
Options purchased
Options written

Foreign exchange contracts
Futures – long positions
Futures – short positions

Other contracts (3)

Within
1 year

Term to maturity

1 to
5 years

Over 5
years (1)

$

602,072
1,717,989
106,908
107,213

$

26,334
3,946,377
99,994
108,237

$

–
2,482,659
34,649
44,268

$

1,273,434
7,404
246,668
25,921
24,933
1,250
75,723

18,934
36,589
17,282
1,281

308
714
170,464

45,591
24,711
609,751
13,773
12,168
9,759
57,344

10,469
25,939
9,119
956

–
13
43,345

1,275
31,010
323,403
4,274
4,677
3,947
24,819

10
2
–
–

–
–
1,197

Total

Trading

628,406
8,147,025
241,551
259,718

1,320,300
63,125
1,179,822
43,968
41,778
14,956
157,886

29,413
62,530
26,401
2,237

308
727
215,006

$

628,406
7,922,567
241,551
259,718

1,271,428
59,423
1,129,357
43,968
41,778
14,286
154,504

29,413
62,530
26,401
2,237

308
727
215,006

Other than
Trading

$

–
224,458
–
–

48,872
3,702
50,465
–
–
670
3,382

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

$ 4,435,087

$ 5,043,880

$ 2,956,190

$ 12,435,157

$ 12,103,608

$ 331,549

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

163

Note 8 Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities (continued)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Over-the-counter contracts
Interest rate contracts

Forward rate agreements
Swaps
Options purchased
Options written

Foreign exchange contracts

Forward contracts
Cross currency swaps
Cross currency interest rate swaps
Options purchased
Options written
Credit derivatives (2)
Other contracts (3)

Exchange-traded contracts
Interest rate contracts

Futures – long positions
Futures – short positions
Options purchased
Options written

Foreign exchange contracts
Futures – long positions
Futures – short positions

Other contracts (3)

As at October 31, 2014

Within
1 year

Term to maturity

1 to
5 years

Over 5
years (1)

$

324,707
1,626,852
98,085
97,259

$

47,227
3,301,834
101,493
104,445

$

–
1,852,349
23,930
32,258

$

1,019,102
7,371
148,340
27,159
28,287
1,702
62,652

14,429
52,345
21,303
4,322

960
1,167
132,399

30,832
15,102
424,982
12,665
12,220
16,188
58,982

16,614
19,373
5,229
–

–
–
33,755

1,094
20,415
218,011
4,058
4,475
8,124
20,685

47
1
–
–

–
–
420

Total

Trading

371,934
6,781,035
223,508
233,962

1,051,028
42,888
791,333
43,882
44,982
26,014
142,319

31,090
71,719
26,532
4,322

960
1,167
166,574

$

371,934
6,579,940
223,508
233,962

1,018,520
42,156
763,764
43,882
44,982
24,707
140,168

31,090
71,719
26,532
4,322

960
1,167
166,571

Other than
Trading

$

–
201,095
–
–

32,508
732
27,569
–
–
1,307
2,151

–
–
–
–

–
–
3

$ 3,668,441

$ 4,200,941

$ 2,185,867

$ 10,055,249

$ 9,789,884

$ 265,365

(1)

(2)

(3)

Includes contracts maturing in over 10 years with a notional value of $876 billion (October 31, 2014 – $668 billion). The related gross positive replacement cost is $60 billion (October 31,
2014 – $39 billion).
Credit derivatives include credit default swaps, total return swaps and credit default baskets. Credit derivatives with a notional value of $0.7 billion (October 31, 2014 – $1.3 billion) are
economic hedges. Trading credit derivatives comprise protection purchased of $8.9 billion (October 31, 2014 – $13.3 billion) and protection sold of $5.3 billion (October 31, 2014 –
$11.4 billion).
Other contracts include precious metal, commodity, stable value and equity derivative contracts.

The following tables indicate the periods when the cash flows are expected to occur and when they are expected to affect profit or loss for cash
flow hedges.

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Cash inflows from assets
Cash outflows from liabilities

Net cash flows

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Cash inflows from assets
Cash outflows from liabilities

Net cash flows

As at October 31, 2015

Within 1 year
156
$
(1,004)

1 to 2 years
189
$
(282)

2 to 3 years
192
$
(730)

3 to 5 years
243
$
(3,556)

Over 5 years
12
$
(151)

$

Total
792
(5,723)

$

(848)

$

(93)

$

(538)

$

(3,313)

$

(139)

$ (4,931)

As at October 31, 2014

Within 1 year
268
$
(540)

1 to 2 years
287
$
(446)

2 to 3 years
243
$
(384)

3 to 5 years
325
$
(269)

Over 5 years
85
$
(87)

Total
$ 1,208
(1,726)

$

(272)

$

(159)

$

(141)

$

56

$

(2)

$

(518)

164

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Fair value of derivative instruments

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Held or issued for trading purposes

Interest rate contracts

Forward rate agreements
Swaps
Options purchased
Options written

Foreign exchange contracts

Forward contracts
Cross currency swaps
Cross currency interest rate swaps
Options purchased
Options written

Credit derivatives (2)
Other contracts (3)

Held or issued for other than trading purposes

Interest rate contracts

Swaps

Foreign exchange contracts

Forward contracts
Cross currency swaps
Cross currency interest rate swaps

Credit derivatives (2)
Other contracts (3)

Total gross fair values before netting

Valuation adjustments determined on a pooled

basis

Impact of netting agreements that qualify

for balance sheet offset

Impact of netting agreements that do not qualify

for balance sheet offset (4)

As at

October 31, 2015

October 31, 2014

Average fair value for
year ended (1)

Year end fair value

Average fair value for
year ended (1)

Year end fair value

Positive Negative

Positive

Negative

Positive

Negative

Positive

Negative

$

340 $

303 $

323 $

136,398
4,155
–

130,623
–
5,380

135,901
3,330
–

291
129,829
–
4,573

140,893

136,306

139,554

134,693

16,505
3,039
21,445
3,026
–

44,015

130
9,431

16,294
3,254
27,584
–
2,486

49,618

200
12,868

11,599
3,844
19,931
2,337
–

37,711

94
10,704

11,477
4,109
26,385
–
1,898

43,869

153
12,866

$

258 $

206 $

347 $

78,884
3,671
–

82,813

8,416
1,732
10,433
1,645
–

22,226

225
7,052

75,195
–
4,509

79,910

8,741
1,155
14,261
–
1,349

25,506

281
10,662

95,960
4,123
–

100,430

12,155
1,788
16,034
2,621
–

32,598

254
8,525

357
91,386
–
5,101

96,844

11,752
1,506
19,165
–
2,222

34,645

301
12,373

194,469

198,992

188,063

191,581

112,316

116,359

141,807

144,163

2,923

2,923

274
20
3,107

3,401

–
69

1,585

1,585

253
506
2,080

2,839

18
69

6,393

4,511

194,456

196,092

(1,303)

(272)

(87,527)

(87,960)

105,626

107,860

(71,833)

(71,833)

$ 33,793 $ 36,027

2,098

2,098

326
–
885

626

626

259
45
754

1,211

1,058

–
112

41
112

3,421

1,837

145,228

146,000

(758)

(36)

(57,068)

(56,982)

87,402

88,982

(60,546)

(60,546)

$ 26,856 $ 28,436

October 31, 2014

1 to

Less than 1
year

5 years Over 5 years

Total
$ 19,485 $ 29,838 $ 38,079 $ 87,402
88,982

19,980

36,362

32,640

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

Average fair value amounts are calculated based on monthly balances.
Credit derivatives include credit default swaps, total return swaps and credit default baskets.
Other contracts include precious metal, commodity, stable value and equity derivative contracts.
Additional impact of offsetting credit exposures on contracts that do not qualify for balance sheet offset.

Fair value of derivative instruments by term to maturity

October 31, 2015

As at

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Derivative assets
Derivative liabilities

Less than
1 year

1 to
5 years

Over
5 years

Total
$ 24,920 $ 35,883 $ 44,823 $ 105,626
107,860

26,092

41,388

40,380

Derivative-related credit risk
Credit risk from derivative transactions is generated by the potential for the counterparty to default on its contractual obligations when one or
more transactions have a positive market value to us. Therefore, derivative-related credit risk is represented by the positive fair value of the
instrument and is normally a small fraction of the contract’s notional amount.

We subject our derivative transactions to the same credit approval, limit and monitoring standards that we use for managing other

transactions that create credit exposure. This includes evaluating the creditworthiness of counterparties, and managing the size, diversification
and maturity structure of the portfolio. Credit utilization for all products is compared with established limits on a continual basis and is subject to
a standard exception reporting process. We use a single internal rating system for all credit risk exposure. In most cases, these internal ratings
approximate the external risk ratings of public rating agencies.

Netting is a technique that can reduce credit exposure from derivatives and is generally facilitated through the use of master netting
agreements. A master netting agreement provides for a single net settlement of all financial instruments covered by the agreement in the event
of default. However, credit risk is reduced only to the extent that our financial obligations to the same counterparty can be set off against

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

165

Note 8 Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities (continued)

obligations of the counterparty to us. We maximize the use of master netting agreements to reduce derivative-related credit exposure. Our overall
exposure to credit risk that is reduced through master netting agreements may change substantially following the reporting date as the exposure
is affected by each transaction subject to the agreement as well as by changes in underlying market rates. Measurement of our credit exposure
arising out of derivative transactions is reduced to reflect the effects of netting in cases where the enforceability of that netting is supported by
appropriate legal analysis as documented in our trading credit risk policies.

The use of collateral is another significant credit mitigation technique for managing derivative-related counterparty credit risk. Mark-to-

market provisions in our agreements with some counterparties, typically in the form of a Credit Support Annex, provide us with the right to
request that the counterparty pay down or collateralize the current market value of its derivatives positions when the value passes a specified
threshold amount.

Replacement cost represents the total fair value of all outstanding contracts in a gain position after factoring in the master netting
agreements. The credit equivalent amount is defined as the sum of the replacement cost plus an add-on amount for potential future credit
exposure as defined by OSFI. The risk-weighted amount is determined by applying the standard OSFI defined measures of counterparty risk to
the credit equivalent amount.

Derivative-related credit risk

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Over-the-counter contracts
Interest rate contracts

Forward rate agreements
Swaps
Options purchased

Foreign exchange contracts

Forward contracts
Swaps
Options purchased

Credit derivatives (4)
Other contracts (5)

Exchange traded contracts

October 31, 2015 (1)

October 31, 2014 (1)

Replacement
cost

Credit
equivalent
amount (2)

Risk-weighted
equivalent (3)

Replacement
cost

Credit
equivalent
amount (2)

Risk-weighted
equivalent (3)

As at

$

$

182
14,747
340

5,041
7,686
322
34
2,499
4,245

$

233
27,688
700

11,254
9,809
547
913
7,539
12,048

50
5,197
446

3,202
3,878
276
204
4,320
241

$

$

183
12,455
355

5,731
3,190
225
178
1,780
3,530

$

276
22,308
665

11,049
6,576
443
2,053
6,670
10,358

70
4,660
386

3,201
2,516
201
1,136
3,996
207

$

35,096

$

70,731

$

17,814

$

27,627

$

60,398

$

16,373

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

(5)

The amounts presented are net of master netting agreements in accordance with Basel III.
The total credit equivalent amount includes collateral applied of $17.8 billion (October 31, 2014 – $11.4 billion).
The risk-weighted balances are calculated in accordance with Basel III.
Credit derivatives include credit default swaps, total return swaps and credit default baskets, and exclude credit derivatives issued for other-than trading purposes related to bought
protection.
Other contracts include precious metal, commodity, stable value, and equity derivatives contracts.

Replacement cost of derivative instruments by risk rating and by counterparty type

Risk rating (1)

Counterparty type (2)

As at October 31, 2015

AAA, AA

A

BBB

BB or
lower

Total

Banks

OECD
governments

Other

Total

$ 30,824 $ 136,843 $ 16,191 $ 10,598 $ 194,456 $

56,631 $

16,374 $ 121,451 $ 194,456

22,751

124,603

9,260

2,746

159,360

45,401

10,971

102,988

159,360

$ 8,073 $ 12,240 $ 6,931 $ 7,852 $ 35,096 $

11,230 $

5,403 $ 18,463 $ 35,096

Risk rating (1)

Counterparty type (2)

As at October 31, 2014

AAA, AA

A

BBB

BB or
lower

Total

Banks

OECD
governments

Other

Total

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Gross positive replacement

cost

Impact of master netting

agreements

Replacement cost (after
netting agreements)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Gross positive replacement

cost

$ 25,765 $ 98,566 $ 13,995 $ 6,915 $ 145,241 $

52,986 $

12,427 $ 79,828 $ 145,241

Impact of master netting

agreements

Replacement cost (after
netting agreements)

19,279

88,911

8,154

1,270

117,614

44,372

7,743

65,499

117,614

$ 6,486 $

9,655 $ 5,841 $ 5,645 $ 27,672 $

8,614 $

4,684 $ 14,329 $ 27,627

(1)

(2)

Our internal risk ratings for major counterparty types approximate those of public ratings agencies. Ratings of AAA, AA, A and BBB represent investment grade ratings and ratings of BB or
lower represent non-investment grade ratings.
Counterparty type is defined in accordance with the capital adequacy requirements of OSFI.

166

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 9 Premises and equipment

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Cost
Balance at October 31, 2014
Additions (1)
Transfers from work in process
Disposals
Foreign exchange translation
Other

Balance at October 31, 2015

Accumulated depreciation
Balance at October 31, 2014
Depreciation
Disposals
Foreign exchange translation
Other

Balance at October 31, 2015

Land

Buildings

Computer
equipment

Furniture,
fixtures
and other
equipment

Leasehold
improvements

Work in
process

Total

$ 137
–
–
(25)
7
4

$ 123

$

$

–
–
–
–
–

–

$

$

$

$

$

1,347
4
11
(95)
18
9

1,294

499
44
(8)
6
(7)

534

760

$

$

$

$

$

1,278
195
52
(101)
54
30

1,508

925
197
(98)
42
4

1,070

438

$

$

$

$

$

1,248
53
61
(108)
30
8

1,292

839
103
(96)
21
8

875

417

$

$

$

$

$

2,192
82
212
(98)
69
7

2,464

1,463
183
(64)
42
18

1,642

822

Net carrying amount at October 31, 2015

$ 123

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Cost
Balance at October 31, 2013
Additions (1)
Transfers from work in process
Disposals
Foreign exchange translation
Other

Balance at October 31, 2014

Accumulated depreciation
Balance at October 31, 2013
Depreciation
Disposals
Foreign exchange translation
Other

Balance at October 31, 2014

Net carrying amount at October 31, 2014

Land

Buildings

Computer
equipment

Furniture,
fixtures
and other
equipment

Leasehold
improvements

$

$

$

$

$

134
–
1
(2)
2
2

137

–
–
–
–
–

–

137

$

$

$

$

$

1,358
14
17
(1)
8
(49)

1,347

499
50
(1)
3
(52)

499

848

$

$

$

$

$

1,516
108
43
(412)
27
(4)

1,278

1,155
181
(412)
21
(20)

925

353

$

$

$

$

$

1,434
74
34
(303)
14
(5)

1,248

1,015
101
(282)
9
(4)

839

409

$

$

$

$

$

2,040
54
90
(67)
34
41

2,192

1,290
167
(61)
20
47

1,463

729

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

208 $ 6,410
678
344
–
(336)
(427)
–
182
4
6
(52)

168 $ 6,849

– $ 3,726
527
–
(266)
–
111
–
23
–

– $ 4,121

168 $ 2,728

Work in
process

Total

113 $ 6,595
529
279
(185)
–
(786)
(1)
87
2
(15)
–

208 $ 6,410

– $ 3,959
499
–
(756)
–
53
–
(29)
–

– $ 3,726

208 $ 2,684

(1)

At October 31, 2015, we had total contractual commitments of $157 million to acquire premises and equipment (October 31, 2014 – $216 million; October 31, 2013 – $122 million).

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

167

Note 10 Goodwill and other intangible assets

Goodwill
The following table presents changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by CGU for the years ended October 31, 2015 and 2014.

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
At October 31, 2013
Dispositions
Currency translations

At October 31, 2014
Dispositions
Currency translations

At October 31, 2015

Canadian
Banking

Caribbean
Banking

Canadian
Wealth
Management

Global Asset
Management

U.S. Wealth
Management

International
Wealth
Management

Insurance

Investor &
Treasury
Services

$ 2,527 $ 1,504 $

–
–

(51)
140

$ 2,527 $ 1,593 $

–
–

(23)
250

548 $
–
10

558 $
–
21

1,937 $
–
105

2,042 $
–
177

$ 2,527 $ 1,820 $

579 $

2,219 $

539 $
–
43

582 $
–
91

673 $

132 $ 118 $ 149
–
–

–
–

–
9

141 $ 118 $ 149
–
(15)
–
16

–
–

$

$

Capital
Markets

Total
878 $ 8,332
(51)
366

–
59

937 $ 8,647
(38)
680

–
125

142 $ 118 $ 149

$ 1,062 $ 9,289

We perform our annual impairment test by comparing the carrying amount of each CGU to its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount of a
CGU is represented by its value in use, except in circumstances where the carrying amount of a CGU exceeds its value in use. In such cases, we
determine the CGU’s fair value less costs of disposal and its recoverable amount is the greater of its value in use and fair value less costs of
disposal. Our annual impairment test is performed as at August 1.

In our 2015 and 2014 annual impairment tests, the recoverable amounts of our Caribbean Banking and International Wealth Management

CGUs were based on fair value less costs of disposal. The recoverable amounts of all other CGUs tested were based on value in use.

Value in use
We calculate value in use using a five-year discounted cash flow method. Future cash flows are based on financial plans agreed by management
for a five-year period, estimated based on forecast results, business initiatives, capital required to support future cash flows and returns to
shareholders. Key drivers of future cash flows include net interest margins and average interest-earning assets. The values assigned to these
drivers over the forecast period are based on past experience, external and internal economic forecasts, and management’s expectations of the
impact of economic conditions on our financial results. Beyond the initial five-year period, cash flows are assumed to increase at a constant rate
using a nominal long-term growth rate (terminal growth rate). Terminal growth rates are based on the current market assessment of gross
domestic product and inflation for the countries within which the CGU operates. The discount rates used to determine the present value of each
CGU’s projected future cash flows are based on the bank-wide cost of capital, adjusted for the risks to which each CGU is exposed. CGU-specific
risks include: country risk, business/operational risk, geographic risk (including political risk, devaluation risk, and government regulation),
currency risk, and price risk (including product pricing risk and inflation).

The estimation of value in use involves significant judgment in the determination of inputs to the discounted cash flow model and is most
sensitive to changes in future cash flows, discount rates and terminal growth rates applied to cash flows beyond the forecast period. These key
inputs and assumptions used to determine the recoverable amount of each CGU using value in use were tested for sensitivity by applying a
reasonably possible change to those assumptions. The post-tax discount rates were increased by 1%, terminal growth rates were decreased by
1%, and future cash flows were reduced by 10%. As at August 1, 2015, no change in an individual key input or assumption, as described, would
result in a CGU’s carrying amount exceeding its recoverable amount based on value in use.

The terminal growth rates and pre-tax discount rates used in our discounted cash flow models are summarized below.

Group of cash generating units
Canadian Banking
Caribbean Banking
Canadian Wealth Management
Global Asset Management
U.S. Wealth Management
International Wealth Management
Insurance
Investor & Treasury Services
Capital Markets

As at

August 1, 2015

August 1, 2014

Discount
rate (1)

Terminal
growth
rate

Discount
rate (1)

Terminal
growth
rate

10.6%
13.2
11.9
11.7
16.3
11.9
11.2
12.4
15.7

3.0%
4.3
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0

10.6%
13.0
11.9
11.6
15.7
10.3
10.1
12.8
15.9

3.0%
4.2
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0

(1)

Pre-tax discount rates are determined implicitly based on post-tax discount rates.

Fair value less costs of disposal – Caribbean Banking
For our Caribbean Banking CGU, we calculated fair value less costs of disposal using a discounted cash flow method that projects future cash
flows over a 5-year period. Cash flows are based on management forecasts, adjusted to approximate the considerations of a prospective third-
party buyer. Cash flows beyond the initial 5-year period are assumed to increase at a constant rate using a nominal long-term growth rate. Future
cash flows, terminal growth rates, and discount rates are based on the same factors noted above. This fair value measurement is categorized as
level 3 in the fair value hierarchy as certain significant inputs are not observable.

168

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

The estimation of fair value less costs of disposal involves significant judgment in the determination of inputs to the discounted cash flow
model and is most sensitive to changes in future cash flows, discount rates and terminal growth rates applied to cash flows beyond the forecast
period. These key inputs and assumptions were tested for sensitivity by applying a reasonably possible change to those assumptions. The post-
tax discount rates were increased by 1%, terminal growth rates were decreased by 1%, and future cash flows were reduced by 10%. As at
August 1, 2015, no reasonably possible change in an individual key input or assumption, as described, would result in the CGU’s carrying
amount exceeding its recoverable amount based on fair value less costs of disposal.

Fair value less costs of disposal – International Wealth Management
For our International Wealth Management CGU, we calculated fair value less costs of disposal using a multiples-based approach. Each business
within the CGU was valued using either a Price-to-assets-under-administration (P/AUA) or Price-to-revenue (P/Rev) multiple, as appropriate, to
reflect the considerations of a prospective third-party buyer. In 2015 and 2014, we applied a P/AUA multiple of 2.5% to AUA as at August 1 and a
P/Rev multiple of 2.5x to revenue for the 12 months preceding the testing date. These multiples represent our best estimate from a range of
reasonably possible inputs based on precedent transactions for comparable businesses. This fair value measurement is categorized as level 3 in
the fair value hierarchy as certain significant inputs are not observable.

The estimation of fair value less costs of disposal involves significant judgment in the determination of the appropriate valuation approach

and inputs and is most sensitive to changes in the P/AUA and P/Rev multiples. These key inputs were tested for sensitivity by reducing each
multiple to the low end of the range of reasonably possible inputs considered. As at August 1, 2015, no reasonably possible change in an
individual key input or assumption, as described, would result in the CGU’s carrying amount exceeding its recoverable amount based on fair
value less costs of disposal.

Other intangible assets
The following table presents the carrying amount of our other intangible assets.

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Gross carrying amount
Balance at October 31, 2014
Additions
Transfers
Dispositions
Impairment losses
Currency translations
Other changes

Balance at October 31, 2015

Accumulated amortization
Balance at October 31, 2014
Amortization charge for the year
Dispositions
Impairment losses
Currency translations
Other changes

Balance at October 31, 2015

Net balance, at October 31, 2015

Internally
generated
software

$

3,402
50
503
(98)
–
84
(12)

Other
software

$ 1,186
75
19
(132)
–
49
(4)

$

$

3,929

$ 1,193

$

$ (2,293) $ (888) $

(494)
97
(3)
(60)
3

(81)
125
–
(30)
(19)

$ (2,750) $ (893) $

As at October 31, 2015

Core
deposit
intangibles

Customer
list and
relationships

In process
software

$

$

1,511
–
–
(30)
(22)
79
–

$

487
615
(522)
–
–
17
(17)

168
–
–
–
–
26
–

194

$

1,538

$

580

$

7,434

Total

6,754
740
–
(260)
(22)
255
(33)

(151) $

(18)
–
–
(25)
–
(194) $

(647) $
(119)
9
18
(41)
(3)

(783) $

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

$ (3,979)
(712)
231
15
(156)
(19)

$ (4,620)

$

1,179

$

300

$

–

$

755

$

580

$

2,814

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

169

Note 10 Goodwill and other intangible assets (continued)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Gross carrying amount
Balance at October 31, 2013
Additions
Transfers
Dispositions
Impairment losses
Currency translations
Other changes

Balance at October 31, 2014

Accumulated amortization
Balance at October 31, 2013
Amortization charge for the year
Dispositions
Impairment losses
Currency translations
Other changes

Balance at October 31, 2014

Internally
generated
software

$

2,554
48
750
(4)
–
32
22

Other
software

$ 1,128
57
22
(2)
–
15
(34)

As at October 31, 2014

Core
deposit
intangibles

Customer
list and
relationships

In process
software

$

$

157
–
–
(3)
–
14
–

$

1,509
–
–
–
(8)
48
(38)

711
545
(772)
–
–
8
(5)

Total

$ 6,059
650
–
(9)
(8)
117
(55)

$

3,402

$ 1,186

$

168

$

1,511

$

487

$ 6,754

$ (1,815) $ (811) $

(460)
4
–
(22)
–

(60)
1
–
(13)
(5)

(117) $
(22)
–
–
(12)
–

$ (2,293) $ (888) $

(151) $

(539) $
(124)
–
–
(22)
38

(647) $

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

$(3,282)
(666)
5
–
(69)
33

$(3,979)

Net balance, at October 31, 2014

$

1,109

$

298

$

17

$

864

$

487

$ 2,775

Note 11 Significant acquisition and dispositions

Acquisition
Wealth Management
On January 22, 2015, we announced a definitive agreement to acquire City National Corporation (City National), the holding company for City
National Bank. City National Bank provides banking, investment and trust services throughout the United States and comprises substantially all
of the business of City National.

During the fourth quarter, we received formal regulatory approval for the acquisition, which we completed on November 2, 2015. The results

of the acquired business will be consolidated from the date of close. Refer to Note 36 for further details on the close of this transaction.

Dispositions
Personal & Commercial Banking
On July 31, 2015, we completed the sale of RBC Royal Bank (Suriname) N.V., announced on April 1, 2015. As a result of the transaction, we
recorded a total loss on disposal of $19 million (before and after-tax), consisting of a loss of $23 million in the second quarter included in Non-
interest expense – Other, and a gain of $4 million in the third quarter primarily relating to foreign currency translation gains reclassified from
Other components of equity.

On June 27, 2014, we completed the sale of RBC Royal Bank (Jamaica) Limited and RBTT Securities Jamaica Limited to Sagicor Group
Jamaica Limited, as announced on January 29, 2014. As a result of the transaction, we recorded a total loss on disposal of $100 million (before
and after-tax), including a loss of $60 million in the first quarter and $40 million primarily relating to foreign currency translation losses
reclassified from Other components of equity in the third quarter of 2014. The loss on disposal has been included in Non-Interest expense –
Other.

Wealth Management
On August 28, 2015, we completed the sale of Royal Bank of Canada (Suisse) SA, announced on July 14, 2015. The transaction did not have a
significant impact on our Consolidated Statements of Income.

170

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 12 Joint ventures and associated companies

The following table summarizes the carrying value of our interests in joint ventures and associated companies accounted for under the equity
method as well as our share of the income of those entities.

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Carrying amount

Share of:

Net income
Other comprehensive income

Joint ventures

Associated companies

As at and for the year ended

October 31
2015
223

$

October 31
2014
180

$

October 31
2013
135

$

October 31
2015
137

$

October 31
2014
115

$

October 31
2013
112

$

119
8

127

$

131
5

136

$

133
5

138

$

$

30
2

32

$

31
–

31

$

26
–

26

We do not have any joint ventures or associated companies that are individually material to our financial results.

During the year ended October 31, 2015, we recognized an impairment loss of $3 million with respect of our interests in associated

companies (October 31, 2014 – $nil; October 31, 2013 – $20 million) and no gains on sales of associated companies (October 31, 2014 –
$62 million; October 31, 2013 – $nil).

Note 13 Other assets

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Cash collateral and margin deposits
Accounts receivable and prepaids
Receivable from brokers, dealers and clients
Insurance-related assets

Collateral loans
Policy loans
Reinsurance assets
Other

Deferred income tax asset
Accrued interest receivable
Taxes receivable
Precious metals
Other

Note 14 Deposits

The following table details our deposit liabilities.

As at

October 31
2015
$ 23,018
2,843
2,608

October 31
2014
$ 12,481
3,773
2,354

1,176
106
683
576
2,072
1,757
2,343
106
3,979

1,121
113
512
400
2,382
1,554
1,620
223
4,162

$ 41,267

$ 30,695

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Personal
Business and government
Bank

Non-interest-bearing (4)

Canada (5)
United States
Europe (6)
Other International

Interest-bearing (4)

Canada (5)
United States
Europe (6)
Other International

As at

October 31, 2015

October 31, 2014

Demand (1)
$ 128,101
175,931
7,711
$ 311,743

$ 70,286
1,158
1,172
6,706

192,736
4,177
31,554
3,954
$ 311,743

Notice (2)
$ 19,758
6,854
23
$ 26,635

$ 3,754
31
–
6

13,529
4,966
606
3,743
$ 26,635

Term (3)
$ 72,707
272,793
13,349
$ 358,849

$

–
–
–
–

269,395
67,710
12,270
9,474
$ 358,849

Total
$ 220,566
455,578
21,083
$ 697,227

$ 74,040
1,189
1,172
6,712

475,660
76,853
44,430
17,171
$ 697,227

Demand (1)
$ 120,444
162,988
5,771
$ 289,203

$ 62,468
1,777
3,314
5,057

178,478
3,497
31,118
3,494
$ 289,203

Notice (2)
$ 17,793
3,038
11
$ 20,842

$ 3,478
15
1
279

10,895
2,144
418
3,612
$ 20,842

Term (3)
$ 70,980
220,634
12,441
$ 304,055

$

–
–
–
–

241,902
45,359
9,282
7,512
$ 304,055

Total
$ 209,217
386,660
18,223
$ 614,100

$ 65,946
1,792
3,315
5,336

431,275
51,000
40,818
14,618
$ 614,100

(1)
(2)
(3)

(4)

(5)
(6)

Deposits payable on demand include all deposits for which we do not have the right to notice of withdrawal. These deposits include both savings and chequing accounts.
Deposits payable after notice include all deposits for which we can legally require notice of withdrawal. These deposits are primarily savings accounts.
Term deposits include deposits payable on a fixed date. These deposits include term deposits, guaranteed investment certificates and similar instruments. As at October 31, 2015, the
balance of term deposits also includes senior deposit notes we have issued to provide long-term funding of $191 billion (October 31, 2014 - $150 billion).
The geographical splits of the deposits are based on the point of origin of the deposits and where the revenue is recognized. As at October 31, 2015, deposits denominated in U.S. dollars,
Sterling, Euro and other foreign currencies were $235 billion, $13 billion, $32 billion and $28 billion, respectively (October 31, 2014 – $183 billion, $11 billion, $23 billion and $22 billion).
Certain amounts have been revised from those previously reported.
Europe includes the United Kingdom, Luxembourg and the Channel Islands.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

171

Note 14 Deposits (continued)

The following table presents the contractual maturities of our term deposit liabilities.

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Within 1 year:

less than 3 months
3 to 6 months
6 to 12 months

1 to 2 years
2 to 3 years
3 to 4 years
4 to 5 years
Over 5 years

Aggregate amount of term deposits in denominations of one hundred thousand dollars or more

The following table presents the average deposit balances and average rates of interest.

As at

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

$ 78,735
49,900
61,096
43,674
39,809
26,792
30,184
28,659

$ 57,840
32,880
50,300
54,354
31,559
28,946
24,673
23,503

$ 358,849

$ 304,055

$ 331,000

$ 270,000

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except for percentage amounts)
Canada
United States
Europe (1)
Other International

(1)

Europe includes the United Kingdom, Luxembourg and the Channel Islands.

Note 15 Insurance

October 31, 2015
Average
balances
$ 526,544
70,100
48,173
22,630

Average
rates
0.98%
0.31
0.28
0.95

For the year ended
October 31, 2014
Average
balances
$ 477,316
52,058
43,429
20,299

Average
rates
1.13%
0.30
0.21
1.03

October 31, 2013
Average
balances
$ 435,842
44,512
38,791
18,571

Average
rates
1.20%
0.38
0.27
0.95

$ 667,447

0.86%

$ 593,102

0.99%

$ 537,716

1.06%

Risk management
Insurance risk is the risk of fluctuations in the timing, frequency or severity of insured events, relative to our expectations at the time of
underwriting. We do not have a high degree of concentration risk due to our geographic diversity and business mix. Concentration risk is not a
major concern for the life and health insurance business as it does not have a material level of regional specific characteristics like those
exhibited in the property and casualty insurance business. Exposure to concentrations of insurance risks for the property and casualty business
is primarily mitigated through prudent underwriting practices and diversification by product offerings and geographical areas. Reinsurance is
also used for all insurance businesses to lower our risk profile and limit the liability on a single claim. We manage underwriting and pricing risk
through the use of underwriting guidelines which detail the class, nature and type of business that may be accepted, pricing policies by product
line and centralized control of policy wordings. The risk that claims are handled or paid inappropriately is mitigated using a range of IT system
controls and manual processes conducted by experienced staff. These, together with a range of detailed policies and procedures, ensure that all
claims are handled in a timely, appropriate and accurate manner.

Reinsurance
In the ordinary course of business, our insurance operations reinsure risks to other insurance and reinsurance companies in order to lower our
risk profile, limit loss exposure to large risks, and provide additional capacity for future growth. These ceding reinsurance arrangements do not
relieve our insurance subsidiaries from their direct obligations to the insureds. We evaluate the financial condition of the reinsurers and monitor
our concentrations of credit risks to minimize our exposure to losses from reinsurer insolvency. Reinsurance amounts (ceded premiums)
included in Non-interest income are shown in the table below.

Net premiums and claims

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Gross premiums
Premiums ceded to reinsurers

Net premiums

Gross claims and benefits
Reinsurers’ share of claims and benefits

Net claims

172

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

October 31
2015
4,721
(1,214)

$

For the year ended
October 31
2014
4,962
(1,220)

$

October 31
2013
4,785
(1,111)

$

$

$

$

3,507

3,237
(496)

2,741

$

$

$

3,742

3,692
(498)

3,194

$

$

$

3,674

2,768
(442)

2,326

Insurance claims and policy benefit liabilities
All actuarial assumptions are set in conjunction with Canadian Institute of Actuaries Standards of Practice and OSFI requirements. The
assumptions that have the greatest effect on the measurement of insurance liabilities, the processes used to determine them and the
assumptions used as at October 31, 2015 are as follows:

Life insurance
Mortality and morbidity – Mortality estimates are based on standard industry insured mortality tables, adjusted where appropriate to reflect our
own experience. Morbidity assumptions are made with respect to the rates of claim incidence and claim termination for health insurance policies
and are based on a combination of industry and our own experience.

Future investment yield – Assumptions are based on the current yield rate, a reinvestment assumption and an allowance for future credit losses
for each line of business, and are developed using interest rate scenario testing, including prescribed scenarios for determination of minimum
liabilities as set out in the actuarial standards.

Policyholder behaviour – Under certain policies, the policyholder has a contractual right to change benefits and premiums, as well as convert
policies to permanent forms of insurance. All policyholders have the right to terminate their policies through lapse. Lapses represent the
termination of policies due to non-payment of premiums. Lapse assumptions are primarily based on our recent experience adjusted for emerging
industry experience where applicable.

Non-life insurance
Assumptions related to unpaid claims concern the patterns of development of claims from inception to ultimate settlement. The reserving
assumptions, based on historical paid/incurred development patterns adjusted for changes in products, claims processes and legislative trends,
result in a collective loss ratio when compared with earned premium.

The portfolio assumptions that have the greatest effect on the net liabilities included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets are listed below:

Significant insurance assumptions

Life Insurance

Canadian Insurance
Mortality rates (1)
Morbidity rates (2)
Reinvestment yield (3)
Lapse rates (4)

International Insurance
Mortality rates (1)
Reinvestment yield (3)

Non-life Insurance

Expected loss ratio (5)

As at

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

0.12%
1.69
3.45
0.50

0.46
2.75

0.12%
1.82
3.15
0.50

0.43
2.19

60.47

60.16

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)

Average annual death rate for the largest portfolio of insured policies.
Average net settlement rate for the individual and group disability insurance portfolio.
Ultimate reinvestment rate of the insurance operations.
Ultimate policy termination rate (lapse rate) for the largest permanent life insurance portfolio that relies on higher termination rate to maintain its profitability (lapse-supported policies).
Ratio of incurred claim losses and claim expenses to net premiums of the property and casualty business, measuring the profitability or loss experience on our total book of business.

The following table summarizes our gross and reinsurers’ share of insurance liabilities at the end of the year.

Insurance claims and policy benefit liabilities

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Life insurance policyholder liabilities

Life, health and annuity
Investment contracts (1)

Non-life insurance policyholder liabilities

Unearned premium provision (1)
Unpaid claims provision

As at

October 31, 2015

October 31, 2014

Gross

Ceded

Net

Gross

Ceded

Net

$

$

$

$

$

8,084
10

8,094

450
1,026

1,476

9,570

$

$

$

$

$

519
–

519

–
38

38

$ 7,565
10

$ 7,575

$

450
988

$ 1,438

557

$ 9,013

$ 7,555
5

$ 7,560

$

419
1,010

$ 1,429

$ 8,989

$

$

$

$

$

390
–

390

–
29

29

$ 7,165
5

$ 7,170

$

419
981

$ 1,400

419

$ 8,570

(1)

Insurance claims and policy benefit liabilities include investment contracts and unearned premium provision, both of which are reported in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance
Sheets.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

173

Note 15 Insurance (continued)

Reconciliation of life insurance policyholder liabilities

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Balances, beginning of the year
New and in-force policies
Changes in assumption and methodology
Net change in investment contracts

Balances, end of the year

October 31, 2015

October 31, 2014

$

Gross
7,560
598
(69)
5

$

Ceded
390
129
–
–

Net
$ 7,170
469
(69)
5

Gross
$ 7,030
621
(95)
4

$

Ceded
300
90
–
–

Net
$ 6,730
531
(95)
4

$

8,094

$

519

$ 7,575

$ 7,560

$

390

$ 7,170

Reconciliation of non-life insurance policyholder liabilities

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Balances, beginning of the year
Changes in unearned premiums provision

Written premiums
Less: Net premiums earned

Changes in unpaid claims provision and adjustment expenses

Incurred claims
Less: Claims paid

Balances, end of the year

October 31, 2015

October 31, 2014

Gross
1,429

Ceded
29

$

Net
$ 1,400

$

Gross
$ 1,415

Ceded
21

$

Net
$ 1,394

937
(906)

614
(598)

$

1,476

$

39
(39)

27
(18)

38

898
(867)

587
(580)

942
(933)

595
(590)

91
(91)

38
(30)

851
(842)

557
(560)

$ 1,438

$ 1,429

$

29

$ 1,400

The net increase in Insurance claims and policy benefit liabilities over the prior year was comprised of the net increase in life and health,
reinsurance and property and casualty liabilities attributable to business growth and market movements on assets backing life and health
liabilities. During the year, we reviewed all key actuarial methods and assumptions which are used in determining the policy benefit liabilities
resulting in a $67 million net decrease to insurance liabilities comprised of: (i) a decrease of $70 million for assumption updates due to net
favourable interest rate and equity market changes; (ii) a decrease of $22 million due to liability impacts of significant business projects; (iii) a
decrease of $12 million due to valuation system and data changes; and (iv) an increase of $37 million arising from insurance risk related
assumption updates largely due to mortality, morbidity, maintenance, property and casualty margin for adverse deviation and expense
assumptions. Changes in Insurance claims and policy benefit liabilities are included in Insurance policyholder benefits, claims and acquisition
expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income in the period in which the estimates changed.

Sensitivity analysis
The following table presents the sensitivity of the level of insurance policyholder liabilities disclosed in this note to reasonably possible changes
in the actuarial assumptions used to calculate them. The percentage change in variable is applied to a range of existing actuarial modelling
assumptions to derive the possible impact on net income. The disclosure is not intended to explain the impact of a percentage change in the
insurance assets and liabilities disclosed above. The analyses are performed where a single assumption is changed while holding other
assumptions constant, which is unlikely to occur in practice.

Sensitivity

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except for percentage amounts)
Increase in market interest rates (1)
Decrease in market interest rates (1)
Increase in equity market values
Decrease in equity market values
Increase in maintenance expenses
Life Insurance

Adverse change in annuitant mortality rates
Adverse change in assurance mortality rates
Adverse change in morbidity rates
Adverse change in lapse rates

Non-life Insurance

Increase in expected loss ratio

Net income impact for year ended

$

Change in
variable
1%
1
10
10
5

$

October 31
2015
–
14
3
(2)
(28)

October 31
2014
1
(3)
6
(3)
(25)

2
2
5
10

5

(117)
(48)
(156)
(206)

(9)

(72)
(47)
(156)
(192)

(10)

(1)

Sensitivities for market interest rates have been calculated by increasing or decreasing 100 basis points at all points on the yield curve, with changes persisting for one year.

174

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 16 Segregated funds

We offer certain individual variable insurance contracts that allow policyholders to invest in segregated funds. The investment returns on these
funds are passed directly to the policyholders. Amounts invested are at the policyholders’ risk, except where the policyholders have selected
options providing maturity and death benefit guarantees. A liability for the guarantees is recorded in Insurance claims and policy benefit
liabilities.

Segregated funds net assets are recorded at fair value. All of our segregated funds net assets are categorized as Level 1 in the fair value
hierarchy. The fair value of the segregated funds liabilities is equal to the fair value of the segregated funds net assets. Segregated funds net
assets and segregated funds liabilities are presented on separate lines on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following tables present the
composition of net assets and the changes in net assets for the year.

Segregated funds net assets

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Cash
Investment in mutual funds
Other liabilities, net

Changes in net assets

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Net assets, beginning of year
Additions (deductions):

Deposits from policyholders
Net realized and unrealized gains
Interest and dividend
Payment to policyholders
Management and administrative fees

Net assets, end of year

As at

October 31
2015
–
832
(2)

October 31
2014
1
675
(1)

$

830

$

675

$

$

For the year ended

October 31
2015

$

675 $

October 31
2014
513

321
2
26
(173)
(21)
830 $

239
52
19
(132)
(16)

675

$

Note 17 Employee benefits - Pension and other post-employment benefits

Plan characteristics
We sponsor a number of programs that provide pension and post-employment benefits to eligible employees. The pension plans are
administered by separate trustees that are legally segregated from the Bank. The majority of beneficiaries of the pension plans are located in
Canada and other beneficiaries of the pension plans are primarily located in the United States, the United Kingdom and the Caribbean. The
pension arrangements including investment, plan benefits and funding decisions are governed by local pension committees, trustees (U.K.), or
management. Significant plan changes require the approval of the Board of Directors.

Our defined benefit pension plans provide pension benefits based on years of service, contributions and average earnings at retirement.

Our principal defined benefit pension plans are closed to new members. New employees are generally eligible to join defined contribution
pension plans. The specific features of these plans vary by location. We also provide supplemental non-registered (non-qualified) pension plans
for certain executives and senior management that are typically unfunded or partially funded.

Our defined contribution pension plans provide pension benefits based on accumulated employee and Bank contributions. The Bank
contributions are based on a percentage of an employee’s annual earnings and a portion of the Bank contribution is dependent on the amount
being contributed by the employee and their years of service.

Our primary other post-employment benefit plans provide health, dental, disability and life insurance coverage and cover a number of

current and retired employees who are mainly located in Canada. These plans are unfunded unless required by legislation.

We measure our benefit obligations and pension assets as at October 31 each year. All plans are valued using the projected unit-credit
method. We fund our registered defined benefit pension plans in accordance with actuarially determined amounts required to satisfy employee
benefit obligations under current pension regulations. For our primary pension plan, the most recent funding actuarial valuation was completed
on January 1, 2015, and the next valuation will be completed on January 1, 2016.

For the year ended October 31, 2015, total Bank contributions to our pension plans (defined benefit and defined contribution plans) and
other post-employment benefit plans were $391 million and $56 million (October 31, 2014 – $537 million and $63 million), respectively. For
2016, total contributions to our pension plans and other post-employment benefit plans are expected to be $411 million and $62 million,
respectively.

Risks
By their design, the defined benefit pension and other post-employment plans expose the Bank to various risks such as investment
performance, reductions in discount rates used to value the obligations, increased longevity of plan members, future inflation levels impacting
future salary increases as well as future increases in healthcare costs. By closing membership in our principal defined benefit pension and other
post-employment plans and migrating to defined contribution plans, the volatility associated with the aforementioned risks will reduce over
time.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

175

Note 17 Employee benefits - Pension and other post-employment benefits (continued)

The following table presents the financial position related to all of our material pension and other post-employment benefit plans worldwide,
including executive retirement arrangements.

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Canada

Fair value of plan assets
Present value of defined benefit obligation

Net surplus (deficit)

International

Fair value of plan assets
Present value of defined benefit obligation

Net (deficit)

Total

Fair value of plan assets
Present value of defined benefit obligation

Total net (deficit)

Amounts recognized in our Consolidated Balance Sheets

Employee benefit assets
Employee benefit liabilities

Total net (deficit)

As at

October 31, 2015

October 31, 2014

Defined benefit
pension plans

Other post-
employment
benefit plans

Defined benefit
pension plans

Other post-
employment
benefit plans

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

10,847
10,840

7

1,049
1,134

(85)

11,896
11,974

(78)

245
(323)

(78)

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

11
1,569

(1,558)

–
88

(88)

11
1,657

(1,646)

–
(1,646)

(1,646)

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

10,419
10,767

(348)

932
1,038

(106)

11,351
11,805

(454)

138
(592)

(454)

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

4
1,754

(1,750)

–
78

(78)

4
1,832

(1,828)

–
(1,828)

(1,828)

The following table presents an analysis of the movement in the financial position related to all of our material pension and other post-
employment benefit plans worldwide, including executive retirement arrangements.

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Change in fair value of plan assets
Opening fair value of plan assets

Interest income
Remeasurements

Return on plan assets (excluding interest income)

Change in foreign currency exchange rate
Contributions – Employer
Contributions – Plan participant
Payments
Payments – amount paid in respect of any settlements
Other

Closing fair value of plan assets

Change in present value of benefit obligation
Opening benefit obligation
Current service costs
Past service costs
Interest expense
Remeasurements

Actuarial losses (gains) from demographic assumptions
Actuarial losses (gains) from financial assumptions
Actuarial losses (gains) from experience adjustments

Change in foreign currency exchange rate
Contributions – Plan participant
Payments
Payments – amount paid in respect of any settlements
Business combinations/Disposals
Other

Closing benefit obligation

Unfunded obligation
Wholly or partly funded obligation

Total benefit obligation

As at or for the year ended

October 31, 2015

October 31, 2014

Defined benefit
pension plans (1)

Other post-
employment
benefit plans

Defined benefit
pension plans (1)

Other post-
employment
benefit plans

$

$

$

$

$

$

11,351
460

$

$

$

243
113
235
51
(513)
(31)
(13)

11,896

11,805
345
(16)
490

7
(296)
(7)
139
51
(513)
(31)
–
–

11,974

33
11,941

11,974

$

$

$

4
–

11
–
56
16
(76)
–
–

11

1,832
34
–
75

(176)
(33)
(27)
15
16
(76)
–
(3)
–

1,657

332
1,325

1,657

$

$

$

$

$

$

10,266
472

$

$

$

647
60
400
52
(456)
(78)
(12)

11,351

10,413
315
97
486

76
830
6
67
52
(456)
(78)
–
(3)

11,805

28
11,777

11,805

$

$

$

3
–

–
–
63
13
(75)
–
–

4

1,722
31
–
80

(58)
119
7
6
13
(75)
–
(11)
(2)

1,832

1,670
162

1,832

(1)

For pension plans with funding deficits, the benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets as at October 31, 2015 were $1,020 million and $709 million, respectively (October 31, 2014 –
$10,180 million and $9,587 million, respectively).

176

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Pension and other post-employment benefit expense
The following table presents the composition of our pension and other post-employment benefit expense.

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Current service costs
Past service costs
Net interest expense
Remeasurements of other long term benefits
Administrative expense

Defined benefit pension expense
Defined contribution pension expense

For the year ended

Pension plans

Other post-employment benefit plans

October 31
2015
345
(16)
30
–
12

$

October 31
2014
315
97
14
–
13

$

October 31
2013
298
(2)
30
–
11

$

October 31
2015
34
–
75
2
–

$

October 31
2014
31
–
80
9
–

$

October 31
2013
28
(2)
73
(5)
–

371
156

527

$

$

439
137

576

$

$

337
117

454

$

$

111
–

111

$

$

120
–

120

$

$

94
–

94

$

$

$

Total service costs for the year ended October 31, 2015 totalled $335 million (October 31, 2014 – $307 million; October 31, 2013 – $284
million) for pension plans in Canada and $(6) million (October 31, 2014 – $105 million; October 31, 2013 – $12 million) for International plans.
Net interest expense for the year ended October 31, 2015 totalled $25 million (October 31, 2014 – $10 million; October 31, 2013 – $26 million)
for pension plans in Canada and $5 million (October 31, 2014 – $4 million; October 31, 2013 – $4 million) for International plans.

Remeasurements of employee benefit plans
The following table presents the composition of our remeasurements recorded in OCI.

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Actuarial (gains) losses:

Changes in demographic assumptions
Changes in financial assumptions
Experience adjustments

Return on plan assets (excluding interest based on

discount rate)

For the year ended

Defined benefit pension plans

Other post-employment benefit plans

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

October 31
2013

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

October 31
2013

$

$

7
(296)
(7)

(243)

(539)

$

$

76
830
6

(647)

$

265

$

382
(265)
49

(601)

(435)

$

$

(174)
(30)
(34)

(11)

$

(249)

$

(54) $
113
–

–

59 $

53
(62)
4

–

(5)

Total remeasurements recorded in OCI for the year ended October 31, 2015 were gains of $526 million (October 31, 2014 – losses of
$238 million; October 31, 2013 – gains of $424 million) for pension plans in Canada and gains of $13 million (October 31, 2014 – losses of
$27 million; October 31, 2013 – gains of $11 million) for International plans.

Investment policy and strategies
Defined benefit pension plan assets are invested prudently in order to meet our longer term pension obligations. The pension plan’s investment
strategy is to hold a diversified mix of investments by asset class and geographic location, in order to reduce investment-specific risk to the
funded status while maximizing the expected returns to meet pension obligations. Investment of the plan’s assets is conducted with careful
consideration of the pension obligation’s exposure to interest rates, credit spreads and inflation which are key risk factors impacting the
obligation. The asset mix policy is therefore consistent with an asset/liability framework. Factors taken into consideration in developing our
asset mix include but are not limited to the following:

(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)

the nature of the underlying benefit obligations, including the duration and term profile of the liabilities;
the member demographics, including expectations for normal retirements, terminations, and deaths;
the financial position of the pension plans;
the diversification benefits obtained by the inclusion of multiple asset classes; and
expected asset returns, including asset and liability volatility and correlations.

To implement our asset mix policy, we may invest in equity securities, debt securities, alternative investments and derivative instruments. Our
holdings in certain investments, including common shares, emerging market equity and debt, debt securities rated lower than BBB and
residential and commercial mortgages, cannot exceed a defined percentage of the market value of our defined benefit pension plan assets. We
may use derivative instruments as either a synthetic investment to more efficiently replicate the performance of an underlying security, or as a
hedge against financial risks associated with the underlying portfolio. To manage our credit risk exposure, counterparties of our derivative
instruments are required to meet minimum credit ratings and enter into collateral agreements.

Our defined benefit pension plan assets are primarily comprised of equity and debt securities. Our equity securities generally have unadjusted
quoted market prices in an active market (Level 1) and our debt securities generally have quoted market prices for similar assets in an active
market (Level 2). Alternative investments and other includes cash, hedge funds, and private fund investments including infrastructure, real
estate leases, private equity and derivative financial instruments. In the case of private fund investments, no quoted market prices are usually
available (Level 2 or Level 3). These fund assets are either valued by an independent valuator or priced using observable market inputs.

During the year, investment changes and risk factor diversification continued in support of our efforts to reduce variability in the funded status.
As a result, equity risk was reduced through redeployment of equity investments into a diverse mix of quality alternative investments with low
correlation to equity markets, including investments in hedge funds, infrastructure, private equity and real estate. In addition, an increasing
allocation to debt securities is used to reduce asset liability duration mismatch and hence variability of the plan’s funded status due to interest
rate changes. Longer maturity debt securities, given their price sensitivity to movements in interest rates, are considered to be a good economic

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

177

Note 17 Employee benefits - Pension and other post-employment benefits (continued)

hedge to risk associated with the plan’s liabilities, which are discounted using predominately long maturity bond interest rates as inputs. We
expect to continue to move towards a higher weighting of debt securities as market conditions permit, to further reduce risk of variability in the
funded status.

Asset allocation of defined benefit pension plans (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentages)

Equity securities

Domestic
Foreign

Debt securities

Domestic government bonds
Foreign government bonds
Corporate and other bonds
Alternative investments and other

As at

October 31, 2015

October 31, 2014

Percentage
of total
plan assets

Quoted
in active
market (2)

Percentage
of total
plan assets

Quoted
in active
market (2)

Fair value

11%
22

19
5
21
22

100%
98

$ 1,623
2,530

–
–
–
8

2,199
530
2,097
2,372

14%
22

19
5
19
21

100%
100

–
–
–
11

Fair value

$ 1,277
2,645

2,232
561
2,548
2,633

(1)
(2)

The asset allocation is based on the underlying investments held directly and indirectly through the funds as this is how we manage our investment policy and strategies.
If our assessment of quoted in an active market was based on the direct investments, 36% of our total plan assets would be classified as quoted in an active market (October 31, 2014 –
45%).

$ 11,896

100%

34%

$ 11,351

100%

39%

The allocation to equity securities of our pension plans in Canada is 34% (October 31, 2014 – 38%) and that of our International plans is 17%
(October 31, 2014 – 18%). The allocation to debt securities of our pension plans in Canada is 44% (October 31, 2014 – 41%) and that of our
International plans is 57% (October 31, 2014 – 58%). The allocation to alternative investments and other in our pension plans in Canada is 22%
(October 31, 2014 – 21%) and that of our International plans is 26% (October 31, 2014 – 24%).

As at October 31, 2015, the plan assets include 1 million (October 31, 2014 – 1 million) of our common shares with a fair value of
$85 million (October 31, 2014 – $107 million) and $71 million (October 31, 2014 – $39 million) of our debt securities. For the year ended
October 31, 2015, dividends received on our common shares held in the plan assets were $4 million (October 31, 2014 – $4 million).

Maturity profile
The following table presents the maturity profile of our defined benefit pension plan obligation.

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except participants and years)

Number of plan participants
Actual benefit payments 2015
Benefits expected to be paid 2016
Benefits expected to be paid 2017
Benefits expected to be paid 2018
Benefits expected to be paid 2019
Benefits expected to be paid 2020
Benefits expected to be paid 2021-2025
Weighted average duration of defined benefit payments

As at

October 31, 2015

Canada

International

Total

$

73,869
447
514
540
564
587
607
3,312
14.6 years

$

9,864
97
50
45
47
48
52
313
18.0 years

$

83,733
544
564
585
611
635
659
3,625
14.9 years

Significant assumptions
Our methodologies to determine significant assumptions used in calculating the defined benefit pension and other post-employment benefit
expense are as follows:

Discount rate
For the Canadian pension and other post-employment benefit plans, all future expected benefit payments at each measurement date are
discounted at spot rates from a derived Aa corporate bond yield curve. The derived curve is based on observed rates for Aa corporate bonds with
maturities less than six years and a projected Aa corporate curve based on spreads between observed Aa corporate bonds and Aa provincial
bonds for periods greater than six years. For the International pension and other post-employment benefit plans, all future expected benefit
payments at each measurement date are discounted at spot rates from an Aa corporate bond yield curve. Spot rates beyond 30 years are set to
equal the 30-year spot rate. The discount rate is the equivalent single rate that produces the same discounted value as that determined using
the entire discount curve. This valuation methodology does not rely on assumptions regarding reinvestment returns.

Rate of increase in future compensation
The assumptions for increases in future compensation are developed separately for each plan, where relevant. Each assumption is set based on
the price inflation assumption and compensation policies in each market, as well as relevant local statutory and plan-specific requirements.

178

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Healthcare cost trend rates
Healthcare cost calculations are based on both short and long term trend assumptions established based on the plan’s recent trend experience
as well as on market expectations.

As at

Defined benefit pension plans

Other post-employment benefit plans

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

October 31
2013

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

October 31
2013

Weighted average assumptions to determine benefit

obligation
Discount rate
Rate of increase in future compensation
Healthcare cost trend rates (1)

– Medical
– Dental

4.30%
3.30%

n.a.
n.a.

4.10%
3.30%

n.a.
n.a.

4.60%
3.30%

n.a.
n.a.

4.40%
n.a.

4.10%
4.00%

4.20%
n.a.

3.50%
4.00%

4.70%
n.a.

3.80%
4.00%

(1)
n.a.

For our other post-employment benefit plans, the 2015 assumed trend rates used to measure the expected benefit costs of the defined benefit obligations are also the ultimate trend rates.
not applicable

Mortality assumptions
Mortality assumptions are significant in measuring our obligations under the defined benefit pension plans. These assumptions have been set
based on country specific statistics. Future longevity improvements have been considered and included where appropriate. The following table
summarizes the mortality assumptions used for major plans.

As at

October 31, 2015

October 31, 2014

Life expectancy at 65 for a member currently at

Life expectancy at 65 for a member currently at

Age 65

Age 45

Age 65

Age 45

Male

Female

Male

Female

Male

Female

Male

Female

23.1
21.2
24.0

23.6
23.2
25.9

24.1
21.7
26.0

24.5
24.1
28.2

23.0
20.6
23.9

23.5
22.9
25.2

24.0
21.1
26.1

24.5
23.4
27.6

(In years)

Country

Canada
United States
United Kingdom

Sensitivity analysis
Assumptions adopted can have a significant effect on the obligations for defined benefit pension and other post-employment benefit plans. The
increase (decrease) in obligation in the following table has been determined assuming all other assumptions are held constant. In practice, this
is unlikely to occur, as changes in some of the assumptions may be correlated. The following table presents the sensitivity analysis of key
assumptions for 2015.

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Discount rate

Impact of 50bps increase in discount rate
Impact of 50bps decrease in discount rate

Rate of increase in future compensation

Impact of 50bps increase in rate of increase in future compensation
Impact of 50bps decrease in rate of increase in future compensation

Mortality rate

Impact of an increase in longevity by one additional year

Healthcare cost trend rate

Impact of 100bps increase in healthcare cost trend rate
Impact of 100bps decrease in healthcare cost trend rate

n.a.

not applicable

Defined benefit pension
plans – Increase
(decrease) in obligation

Other post-employment
benefit plans – Increase
(decrease) in obligation

$

(839) $
930

57
(57)

275

n.a.
n.a.

(110)
124

n.a.
n.a.

29

101
(82)

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

179

Note 18 Other liabilities

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Cash collateral
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Payroll and related compensation
Payable to brokers, dealers and clients
Negotiable instruments
Accrued interest payable
Deferred income
Taxes payable
Precious metals certificates
Dividends payable
Insurance related liabilities
Deferred income taxes
Provisions
Other

Note 19 Subordinated debentures

As at

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

$

$

15,249
999
6,358
2,981
2,309
1,679
2,028
1,533
420
1,194
735
201
512
5,309

41,507

$

10,500
2,386
6,582
2,063
2,416
1,748
1,937
1,691
572
1,127
617
204
500
4,966

$

37,309

The debentures are unsecured obligations and are subordinated in right of payment to the claims of depositors and certain other creditors. All
redemptions, cancellations and exchanges of subordinated debentures are subject to the consent and approval of OSFI. The amounts presented
below include the impact of fair value hedging for interest rate risk and are net of our holdings in these securities which have not been cancelled
and are still outstanding.

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage and foreign currency)

Maturity
November 14, 2014 (1)
November 4, 2018
June 15, 2020
November 2, 2020
June 8, 2023
July 17, 2024 (8)
December 6, 2024
June 4, 2025 (8)
September 29, 2026 (8)
November 1, 2027
June 26, 2037
October 1, 2083
June 29, 2085
June 18, 2103

Deferred financing costs

Earliest par value
redemption date

November 4, 2013 (2)
June 15, 2015 (4)
November 2, 2015 (6)

July 17, 2019
December 6, 2019
June 4, 2020
September 29, 2021
November 1, 2022
June 26, 2017
Any interest payment date
Any interest payment date

June 18, 2009 (15)

Interest
rate
10.00%

5.45% (3)
4.35% (5)
3.18% (7)
9.30%
3.04% (9)
2.99% (10)
2.48% (11)
3.45% (12)
4.75%
2.86%

(13)

(14)
5.95% (16)

Denominated in
foreign currency
(millions)

TT$300
JPY 10,000

US$174

As at

$

October 31
2015
–
–
–
1,500
110
1,014
2,061
1,004
1,055
62
112
224
227
–

$

October 31
2014
200
–
1,491
1,483
110
1,002
1,992
–
1,009
53
106
224
196
–

$

$

7,369
(7)

7,362

$

$

7,866
(7)

7,859

The terms and conditions of the debentures are as follows:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)

All $200 million outstanding 10.00% subordinated debentures matured on November 14, 2014.
All $1 billion outstanding subordinated debentures were redeemed on November 4, 2013 for 100% of their principal amount plus accrued interest to the redemption date.
Interest at stated interest rate until earliest par value redemption date, and thereafter at a rate of 1.00% above the 90-day Bankers’ Acceptance rate.
All $1.5 billion outstanding subordinated debentures were redeemed on June 15, 2015 for 100% of their principal amount plus accrued interest to the redemption date.
Interest at stated interest rate until earliest par value redemption date, and thereafter at a rate of 1.41% above the 90-day Bankers’ Acceptance rate.
All $1.5 billion outstanding subordinated debentures were redeemed on November 2, 2015 for 100% of their principal amount plus accrued interest to the redemption date.
Interest at stated interest rate until earliest par value redemption date, and thereafter at a rate of 1.21% above the 90-day Bankers’ Acceptance rate.
The notes include non-viability contingency capital (NVCC) provisions, necessary for the notes to qualify as Tier 2 regulatory capital under Basel III. NVCC provisions require the conversion of
the instrument into a variable number of common shares in the event that OSFI deems the Bank non-viable or a federal or provincial government in Canada publicly announces that the Bank
has accepted or agreed to accept a capital injection. In such an event, each note is convertible into common shares pursuant to an automatic conversion formula with a multiplier of 1.5 and a
conversion price based on the greater of: (i) a floor price of $5.00 and (ii) the current market price of our common shares based on the volume weighted average trading price of our common
shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The number of shares issued is determined by dividing the par value of the note (including accrued and unpaid interest on such note) by the
conversion price and then times the multiplier.
Interest at stated interest rate until earliest par value redemption date, and thereafter at a rate of 1.08% above the 90-day Bankers’ Acceptance rate.
Interest at stated interest rate until earliest par value redemption date, and thereafter at a rate of 1.10% above the 90-day Bankers’ Acceptance rate.
Interest at stated interest rate until earliest par value redemption date, and thereafter at a rate of 1.10% above the 90-day Bankers’ Acceptance rate.
Interest at stated interest rate until earliest par value redemption date, and thereafter at a rate of 1.12% above the 90-day Bankers’ Acceptance rate.
Interest at a rate of 40 basis points above the 30-day Bankers’ Acceptance rate.
Interest at a rate of 25 basis points above the U.S. dollar 3-month London Interbank Mean Rate (LIMEAN). In the event of a reduction of the annual dividend we declare on our common shares,
the interest payable on the debentures is reduced pro rata to the dividend reduction and the interest reduction is payable with the proceeds from the sale of newly issued common shares.

(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
(14)

(15) All $600 million outstanding subordinated debentures were redeemed on June 18, 2014 for 100% of their principal amount plus accrued interest to the redemption date.
Interest at stated interest rate until earliest par value redemption date and every 5 years thereafter at a rate of 1.72% above the 5-year Government of Canada yield.
(16)

180

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Maturity schedule
The aggregate maturities of subordinated debentures, based on the maturity dates under the terms of issue, are as follows:

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
5 to 10 years
Thereafter

Note 20 Trust capital securities

October 31
2015
5,689
1,680

$

$

7,369

We issued innovative capital instruments, RBC Trust Capital Securities (RBC TruCS), through two structured entities: RBC Capital Trust (Trust) and
RBC Capital Trust II (Trust II). Trust II was wound up in 2014 after the redemption of the RBC TruCS Series 2013 (RBC TruCS 2013) on
December 31, 2013.

The Trust has issued non-voting RBC TruCS Series 2010, 2011, 2015 and 2008-1 (RBC TruCS 2010, 2011, 2015 and 2008-1). RBC TruCS

2010 and 2011 were redeemed in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

The holders of RBC TruCS 2015 and 2008-1 do not have any conversion rights or any other redemption rights. As a result, upon

consolidation of the Trust, RBC TruCS 2015 and 2008-1 are classified as non-controlling interests. Holders of RBC TruCS 2015 and 2008-1 are
eligible to receive semi-annual non-cumulative fixed cash distributions until December 31, 2015 and June 30, 2018, respectively, and a floating-
rate cash distribution thereafter.

No cash distributions will be payable by the Trust on RBC TruCS if we fail to declare regular dividends (i) on our preferred shares, or (ii) on
our common shares if no preferred shares are then outstanding. In this case, the net distributable funds of the Trust will be distributed to us as
holders of residual interest in the Trust. Should the Trust fail to pay the semi-annual distributions in full, we will not declare dividends of any kind
on any of our preferred or common shares for a specified period of time.

The table below presents the significant terms and conditions of RBC TruCS.

Significant terms and conditions of RBC Trust Capital Securities

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except for percentage
amounts)
RBC Capital Trust (1),(2),(3),(4),(5),(6),(7)
Included in Non-controlling interests

Issuance date

Distribution dates

Annual
yield

At the option
of the issuer

At the option
of the holder

Earliest
redemption date

Conversion
date

As at

October 31
2015
Principal
amount

October 31
2014
Principal
amount

1,200,000 Trust Capital Securities – Series 2015
500,000 Trust Capital Securities – Series 2008-1

October 28, 2005
April 28, 2008

June 30, December 31
June 30, December 31

4.87% (8) December 31, 2010
June 30, 2013
6.82% (8)

$

n.a.
n.a.

1,200
500

$

1,200
500

RBC Capital Trust II (2),(3),(4),(5),(6),(7),(9)
Included in Deposits

900,000 Trust Capital Securities – Series 2013 (10)

July 23, 2003

June 30, December 31

5.812% December 31, 2008

Any time

$

–

$

–

The significant terms and conditions of the RBC TruCS are as follows:
(1)

Subject to the approval of OSFI, the Trust may, on the earliest redemption date specified above, and on any distribution date thereafter, redeem in whole (but not in part) the RBC TruCS 2008-
1 and 2015, without the consent of the holders.
Subject to the approval of OSFI, upon occurrence of a special event as defined, prior to the earliest redemption date specified above, the trusts may redeem in whole (but not in part) the RBC
TruCS 2008-1, 2013 or 2015 without the consent of the holders.
Issuer Redemption Price: The RBC TruCS 2008-1 may be redeemed for cash equivalent to (i) the Early Redemption Price if the redemption occurs prior to June 30, 2018 or (ii) the Redemption
Price if the redemption occurs on or after June 30, 2018. The RBC TruCS 2013 and 2015 may be redeemed for cash equivalent to (i) the Early Redemption Price if the redemption occurs prior
to December 31, 2013 and 2015, respectively, or (ii) the Redemption Price if the redemption occurs on or after December 31, 2013 and 2015, respectively. Redemption Price refers to an
amount equal to $1,000 plus the unpaid distributions to the redemption date. Early Redemption Price refers to an amount equal to the greater of (i) the Redemption Price and (ii) the price
calculated to provide an annual yield, equal to the yield on a Government of Canada bond issued on the redemption date with a maturity date of June 30, 2018, plus 77 basis points, for RBC
TruCS 2008-1, and a maturity date of December 31, 2013 and 2015, plus 23 basis points and 19.5 basis points, for RBC TruCS 2013 and 2015, respectively.
Automatic Exchange Event: Without the consent of the holders, each RBC TruCS 2008-1, 2013 and 2015 will be exchanged automatically for 40 of our non-cumulative redeemable First
Preferred Shares Series Al, T and Z, respectively, upon occurrence of any one of the following events: (i) proceedings are commenced for our winding-up; (ii) OSFI takes control of us; (iii) we
have Tier 1 capital ratio of less than 5% or Total capital ratio of less than 8%; or (iv) OSFI has directed us to increase our capital or provide additional liquidity and we elect such automatic
exchange or we fail to comply with such direction. The First Preferred Shares Series AI, T and Z pay semi-annual non-cumulative cash dividends and Series T is convertible at the option of the
holder into a variable number of common shares.
From time to time, we purchase some of the innovative capital instruments and hold them temporarily. As at October 31, 2015, we held an insignificant amount of RBC TruCS 2015
(October 31, 2014 –$9 million) and $6 million of the RBC TruCS 2008-1 (October 31, 2014 – $3 million) as treasury holdings which were deducted from regulatory capital.
Regulatory capital: In accordance with OSFI Capital Adequacy Requirements, effective January 2013, RBC TruCS no longer qualify as additional Tier 1 capital due to their lack of non-viability
contingent capital terms and conditions. As such, outstanding RBC TruCS are being phased out of regulatory capital in accordance with OSFI guidelines.
Holder Exchange Right: Holders of RBC TruCS 2013 may, at any time, exchange all or part of their holdings for 40 non-cumulative redeemable First Preferred Shares Series U, for each RBC
TruCS 2013 held. The First Preferred Shares Series U pay semi-annual non-cumulative cash dividends as and when declared by our Board of Directors and are convertible at the option of the
holder into a variable number of common shares. Holders of RBC TruCS 2008-1 and RBC TruCS 2015 do not have similar exchange rights.
The non-cumulative cash distribution on the RBC TruCS 2015 will be 4.87% paid semi-annually until December 31, 2015, and at one half of the sum of 180-day Bankers’ Acceptance rate plus
1.5%, thereafter. The non-cumulative cash distribution on the RBC TruCS 2008-1 will be 6.82% paid semi-annually until June 30, 2018, and at one half of the sum of 180-day Bankers’
Acceptance rate plus 3.5% thereafter.
Subject to the approval of OSFI, Trust II may, in whole or in part, on the redemption date specified above, and on any distribution date thereafter, redeem any outstanding RBC TruCS 2013
without the consent of the holders.

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10) On December 31, 2013, Trust II redeemed all $900 million principal amount of RBC TruCS 2013 for cash at a redemption price of $1,000 per unit.
n.a.

not applicable

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

181

Note 21 Equity

Share capital
Authorized share capital
Preferred – An unlimited number of First Preferred Shares and Second Preferred Shares without nominal or par value, issuable in series; the
aggregate consideration for which all the First Preferred Shares and all the Second Preferred Shares that may be issued may not exceed
$20 billion and $5 billion, respectively.
Common – An unlimited number of shares without nominal or par value may be issued.

Outstanding share capital
The following table details our common and preferred shares outstanding.

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except the
number of shares and dividends per share)
Preferred shares

First preferred (1)

Non-cumulative, fixed rate

Series W
Series AA
Series AB
Series AC
Series AD
Series AE
Series AF
Series AG
Series BH
Series BI
Series BJ

Non-cumulative, 5-Year Rate Reset

Series AJ (2)
Series AL
Series AN (3)
Series AP (3)
Series AR (3)
Series AT (4)
Series AV (4)
Series AX (5)
Series AZ
Series BB
Series BD
Series BF

Non-cumulative, floating rate

Series AK (2)

Common shares
Balance at beginning of year
Issued under the stock option plan (6)
Purchased for cancellation (7)
Balance at end of year

Treasury shares – Preferred shares
Balance at beginning of year
Sales
Purchases
Balance at end of year

Treasury shares – Common shares
Balance at beginning of year
Sales
Purchases
Balance at end of year

As at

October 31, 2015

October 31, 2014

Number of
shares
(thousands)

Dividends
declared
per share

Number of
shares
(thousands)

Dividends
declared
per share

Amount

Amount

12,000
12,000
12,000
8,000
10,000
10,000
8,000
10,000
6,000
6,000
6,000

13,579
12,000
–
–
–
–
–
–
20,000
20,000
24,000
12,000

2,421

1,442,233
1,190
–
1,443,423

1
4,736
(4,800)
(63)

892
78,852
(79,212)
532

$

300
300
300
200
250
250
200
250
150
150
150

339
300
–
–
–
–
–
–
500
500
600
300

61
$ 5,100

$ 14,511
62
–
$ 14,573

$

$

$

$

–
117
(119)
(2)

71
6,098
(6,131)
38

$

1.23
1.11
1.18
1.15
1.13
1.13
1.11
1.13
0.58
0.42
–

0.88
1.07
–
–
–
–
–
–
1.00
0.98
0.73
0.63

0.67

12,000
12,000
12,000
8,000
10,000
10,000
8,000
10,000
–
–
–

13,579
12,000
–
–
–
–
–
13,000
20,000
20,000
–
–

2,421

$

300
300
300
200
250
250
200
250
–
–
–

339
300
–
–
–
–
–
325
500
500
–
–

61
$ 4,075

$

1.23
1.11
1.18
1.15
1.13
1.13
1.11
1.13
–
–
–

0.97
1.15
0.39
0.39
0.39
1.17
1.17
1.53
0.50
0.46
–
–

0.53

1,441,056
2,723
(1,546)
1,442,233

$ 14,377
150
(16)
$ 14,511

$

2.84

$

3.08

47
4,919
(4,965)
1

666
70,684
(70,458)
892

$

$

$

$

1
124
(125)
–

41
5,333
(5,303)
71

(1)
(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)
(6)
(7)

First Preferred Shares Series were issued at $25 per share.
On February 24, 2014, we issued 2.4 million Non-Cumulative Floating Rate First Preferred Shares, Series AK, totalling $61 million through a holder option, one-for-one conversion of some of
our Non-Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset First Preferred Shares, Series AJ.
On February 24, 2014, we redeemed all issued and outstanding Non-Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset First Preferred Shares, Series AN (9 million shares), Series AP (11 million shares), and
Series AR (14 million shares) for cash at a redemption price of $25 per share.
On August 24, 2014, we redeemed all issued and outstanding Non-Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset First Preferred Shares, Series AT (11 million shares) and Series AV (16 million shares) for
cash at a redemption price of $25 per share.
On November 24, 2014, we redeemed all 13 million of issued and outstanding Non-Cumulative 5-year Rate Reset First Preferred Shares Series AX for cash at a redemption price of $25 per share.
Includes fair value adjustments to stock options of $7 million (2014 – $16 million).
During the year ended October 31, 2015, we did not purchase any common shares for cancellation. During the year ended October 31, 2014, we purchased for cancellation common shares at
an average cost of $72.64 per share with a book value of $10.03 per share.

182

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Significant terms and conditions of preferred shares

As at October 31, 2015
Preferred shares
First preferred

Non-cumulative, fixed rate

Series W (4)
Series AA
Series AB
Series AC
Series AD
Series AE
Series AF
Series AG
Series BH (5)
Series BI (5)
Series BJ (5)

Non-cumulative, 5-Year Rate Reset (6)

Series AJ
Series AL
Series AZ (5)
Series BB (5)
Series BD (5)
Series BF (5)

Non-cumulative, floating rate

Series AK (7)

Initial
Period
Annual Yield

Current
Dividend
per share (1)

Premium

Earliest
redemption date (2)

Issue Date

Redemption
price (2), (3)

4.90%
4.45%
4.70%
4.60%
4.50%
4.50%
4.45%
4.50%
4.90%
4.90%
5.25%

February 24, 2010
$.306250
May 24, 2011
.278125
.293750
August 24, 2011
.287500 November 24, 2011
February 24, 2012
.281250
February 24, 2012
.281250
May 24, 2012
.278125
.281250
May 24, 2012
.577260 November 24, 2020
.419520 November 24, 2020
February 24, 2021

–

January 31, 2005 $ 25.00
25.00
25.00
25.25
25.25
25.25
25.25
25.25
26.00
26.00
26.00

April 4, 2006
July 20, 2006
November 1, 2006
December 13, 2006
January 19, 2007
March 14, 2007
April 26, 2007
June 5, 2015
July 22, 2015
October 2, 2015

February 24, 2014 September 16, 2008
5.00% 1.93% .220000
November 3, 2008
February 24, 2014
5.60% 2.67% .266250
January 30, 2014
May 24, 2019
4.00% 2.21% .250000
June 3, 2014
August 24, 2019
3.90% 2.26% .243750
January 30, 2015
3.60% 2.74% .225000
May 24, 2020
March 13, 2015
3.60% 2.62% .225000 November 24, 2020

25.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
25.00

1.93% .156463

February 24, 2019

February 24, 2014

25.00

(1)
(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

Non-cumulative preferential dividends of each Series are payable quarterly, as and when declared by the Board of Directors, on or about the 24th day of February, May, August and November.
Subject to the consent of OSFI and the requirements of the Bank Act (Canada), we may, on or after the dates specified above, redeem First Preferred Shares. In the case of Series AJ, AL, AZ,
BB, BD, BF and AK, these may be redeemed for cash at a price per share of $25 if redeemed on the earliest redemption date and on the same date every fifth year thereafter. In the case of
Series W, AA, AB, AC, AD, AE, AF, AG, BH, BI and BJ, these may be redeemed for cash at a price per share of $26 if redeemed during the 12 months commencing on the earliest redemption
date and decreasing by $0.25 each 12-month period thereafter to a price per share of $25 if redeemed four years from the earliest redemption date or thereafter.
Subject to the consent of OSFI and the requirements of the Bank Act (Canada), we may purchase the First Preferred Shares of each Series for cancellation at the lowest price or prices at which,
in the opinion of the Board of Directors, such shares are obtainable.
Subject to the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange, we may, on or after February 24, 2010, convert First Preferred Shares Series W into our common shares. First Preferred Shares Series W
may be converted into that number of common shares determined by dividing the current redemption price by the greater of $2.50 and 95% of the weighted average trading price of common
shares at such time.
The preferred shares include non-viability contingency capital (NVCC) provisions, necessary for the shares to qualify as Tier 1 regulatory capital under Basel III. NVCC provisions require the
conversion of the instrument into a variable number of common shares in the event that OSFI deems the Bank non-viable or a federal or provincial government in Canada publicly announces
that the Bank has accepted or agreed to accept a capital injection. In such an event, each preferred share is convertible into common shares pursuant to an automatic conversion formula
with a conversion price based on the greater of: (i) a floor price of $5.00 and (ii) the current market price of our common shares based on the volume weighted average trading price of our
common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The number of shares issued is determined by dividing the preferred share value ($25.00 plus declared and unpaid dividends) by the
conversion price.
The dividend rate will reset on the earliest redemption date and every fifth year thereafter at a rate equal to the 5-year Government of Canada bond yield plus the premium indicated. The
holders have the option to convert their shares into non-cumulative floating rate First Preferred Shares subject to certain conditions on the earliest redemption date and every fifth year
thereafter at a rate equal to the three-month Government of Canada Treasury Bill rate plus the premium indicated.
The dividend rate is equal to the three-month Government of Canada Treasury Bill rate plus the premium indicated. The holders have the option to convert their shares into non-cumulative
First Preferred Shares, Series AJ subject to certain conditions on February 24, 2019 and every fifth year thereafter.

Restrictions on the payment of dividends
We are prohibited by the Bank Act (Canada) from declaring any dividends on our preferred or common shares when we are, or would be placed as
a result of the declaration, in contravention of the capital adequacy and liquidity regulations or any regulatory directives issued under the Act. We
may not pay dividends on our common shares at any time unless all dividends to which preferred shareholders are then entitled have been
declared and paid or set apart for payment. We have agreed that if the Trust fails to pay any required distribution on the trust capital securities in
full, we will not declare dividends of any kind on any of our preferred or common shares. Refer to Note 20.

Currently, these limitations do not restrict the payment of dividends on our preferred or common shares.

Dividend reinvestment plan
Our dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) provides common and preferred shareholders with a means to receive additional common shares rather
than cash dividends. The plan is only open to shareholders residing in Canada or the United States. The requirements of our DRIP are satisfied
through either open market share purchases or shares issued from treasury. During 2015 and 2014, the requirements of our DRIP were satisfied
through open market share purchases.

Shares available for future issuances
As at October 31, 2015, 43.3 million common shares are available for future issue relating to our DRIP and potential exercise of stock options
outstanding. In addition, we may issue up to 38.9 million common shares from treasury under the RBC Umbrella Savings and Securities Purchase
Plan that was approved by shareholders on February 26, 2009.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

183

Note 21 Equity (continued)

Non-controlling interests

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
RBC Trust Capital Securities (1)

Series 2015
Series 2008-1

Other

As at

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

$

$

1,219
505
74

1,798

$

$

1,211
508
94

1,813

(1)

As at October 31, 2015, RBC TruCS Series 2015 includes $20 million of accrued interest (October 31, 2014 – $20 million), net of an insignificant amount of treasury holdings (October 31,
2014 – $9 million). Series 2008-1 includes $11 million of accrued interest (October 31, 2014 – $11 million), net of $6 million of treasury holdings (October 31, 2014 – $3 million).

Note 22 Share-based compensation

Stock option plans
We have stock option plans for certain key employees. Under the plans, options are periodically granted to purchase common shares. The
exercise price for each grant is determined as the higher of the volume-weighted average of the trading prices per board lot (100 shares) of our
common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (i) on the day preceding the day of grant; and (ii) the five consecutive trading days immediately
preceding the day of grant. The options vest over a four-year period for employees, and are exercisable for a period not exceeding 10 years from
the grant date.

The compensation expense recorded for the year ended October 31, 2015, in respect of the stock option plans was $6 million (October 31,
2014 – $7 million; October 31, 2013 – $7 million). The compensation expense related to non-vested options was $3 million at October 31, 2015
(October 31, 2014 – $4 million; October 31, 2013 – $5 million), to be recognized over the weighted average period of 1.8 years (October 31,
2014 – 1.4 years; October 31, 2013 – 1.1 years).

Analysis of the movement in the number and weighted average exercise price of options is set out below:

A summary of our stock option activity and related information

(Canadian dollars per share except share amounts)
Outstanding at beginning of year
Granted
Exercised (1), (2)
Forfeited in the year

Outstanding at end of year

Exercisable at end of year
Available for grant

October 31, 2015

October 31, 2014

October 31, 2013

Number of
options
(thousands)
8,579
803
(1,190)
(10)

Weighted
average
exercise price
52.36
$
78.59
46.44
70.25

8,182

5,231
10,649

$

$

55.78

50.75

Number of
options
(thousands)
10,604
705
(2,723)
(7)

Weighted
average
exercise price
50.39
$
69.17
49.03
52.92

8,579

4,987
11,443

$

$

52.36

49.60

Number
of options
(thousands)
12,304
906
(2,528)
(78)

Weighted
average
exercise price
48.12
$
58.65
42.22
53.27

10,604

5,711
12,140

$

$

50.39

47.80

(1)

(2)

Cash received for options exercised during the year was $55 million (October 31, 2014 – $133 million; October 31, 2013 – $107 million) and the weighted average share price at the date of
exercise was $76.87 (October 31, 2014 – $74.27; October 31, 2013 – $63.17).
New shares were issued for all stock options exercised in 2015, 2014 and 2013. See Note 21.

Options outstanding as at October 31, 2015 by range of exercise price:

(Canadian dollars per share except share amounts)
$35.37 – $48.93
$50.55 – $52.94
$54.99 – $57.90
$58.65 – $78.59

Options outstanding

Options exercisable

Number
outstanding
(thousands)
1,799
1,908
2,087
2,388

Weighted
average
exercise price (1)
43.11
$
52.67
55.09
68.41

Weighted
average
remaining
contractual life
(years)
4.78
3.87
3.40
8.08

Number
exercisable
(thousands)
1,236
1,908
2,087
–

Weighted
average
exercise price (1)
40.46
$
52.67
55.09
–

8,182

$

55.78

5.18

5,231

$

50.75

(1)

The weighted average exercise prices have been revised to reflect the conversion of foreign currency-denominated options at the exchange rate as of October 31, 2015.

The weighted average fair value of options granted during the year ended October 31, 2015 was estimated at $6.75 (October 31, 2014 – $7.19;
October 31, 2013 – $5.33). This was determined by applying the Black-Scholes model on the date of grant, taking into account the specific
terms and conditions under which the options are granted, such as the vesting period and expected share price volatility estimated by
considering both historic average share price volatility and implied volatility derived from traded options over our common shares of similar
maturity to those of the employee options. The following assumptions were used to determine the fair value of options granted:

184

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Weighted average assumptions

(Canadian dollars per share except percentages)

Share price at grant date
Risk-free interest rate
Expected dividend yield
Expected share price volatility
Expected life of option

For the year ended

$

October 31
2015
77.58
1.40%
3.76%
17%
6 years

$

October 31
2014
68.75
1.95%
3.94%
18%
6 years

$

October 31
2013
58.65
1.38%
4.19%
18%
6 years

Employee savings and share ownership plans
We offer many employees an opportunity to own our common shares through savings and share ownership plans. Under these plans, the
employees can generally contribute between 1% and 10% of their annual salary or benefit base for commissioned based employees. For each
contribution between 1% and 6%, we will match 50% of the employee contributions in our common shares. For the RBC Dominion Securities
Savings Plan, our maximum annual contribution is $4,500 per employee. For the RBC U.K. Share Incentive Plan, our maximum annual
contribution is £1,500 per employee. For the year ended October 31, 2015, we contributed $88 million (October 31, 2014 – $85 million;
October 31, 2013 – $77 million), under the terms of these plans, towards the purchase of our common shares. As at October 31, 2015, an
aggregate of 37 million common shares were held under these plans (October 31, 2014 – 38 million common shares; October 31, 2013 –
38 million common shares).

Deferred share and other plans
We offer deferred share unit plans to executives, non-employee directors and to certain key employees. Under these plans, the executives or
directors may choose to receive all or a percentage of their annual variable short-term incentive bonus or directors’ fee in the form of deferred
share units (DSUs). The executives or directors must elect to participate in the plan prior to the beginning of the year. DSUs earn dividend
equivalents in the form of additional DSUs at the same rate as dividends on common shares. The participant is not allowed to convert the DSUs
until retirement, permanent disability or termination of employment/directorship. The cash value of the DSUs is equivalent to the market value of
common shares when conversion takes place.

We have a deferred bonus plan for certain key employees within Capital Markets. The deferred bonus is invested as RBC share units and a
specified percentage vests on each of the three anniversary dates following the grant date. Each vested amount is paid in cash and is based on
the original number of RBC share units plus accumulated dividends valued using the average closing price of RBC common shares during the five
trading days immediately preceding the vesting date.

We offer performance deferred share award plans to certain key employees, all of which vest at the end of three years. Upon vesting, the

award is paid in cash and is based on the original number of RBC share units granted plus accumulated dividends valued using the average
closing price of RBC common shares during the five trading days immediately preceding the vesting date. A portion of the award under certain
plans can be increased or decreased up to 25%, depending on our total shareholder return compared to a defined peer group of global financial
institutions. We previously offered deferred compensation to certain employees in the form of common shares that were held in trust and
accumulated dividends during the three year vesting period.

We maintain a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for key employees in the United States under an arrangement called the RBC U.S.

Wealth Accumulation Plan. This plan allows eligible employees to defer a portion of their annual income and allocate the deferrals among
various fund choices, which include a share unit fund that tracks the value of our common shares. Certain deferrals may also be eligible for
matching contributions, all of which are allocated to the RBC share unit fund.

Our liabilities for the awards granted under the deferred share and other plans are measured at fair value, determined based on the quoted

market price of our common shares. The following tables present our obligations under the deferred share and other plans, and the related
compensation expenses (recoveries) recognized for the year.

Obligation under deferred share and other plans

October 31, 2015

October 31, 2014

October 31, 2013

(Millions of Canadian dollars
except units and per unit
amounts)
Deferred share unit plans
Deferred bonus plan
Performance deferred
share award plans

RBC U.S. Wealth

Accumulation Plan
Other share-based plans

Units granted
during the year

Number
granted
(thousands)

Weighted
average
fair value
343 $ 69.68
75.60

5,849

Units
outstanding
at the end
of the year

Carrying
amount
334
1,442

$

Units granted
during the year

Number
granted
(thousands)

Weighted
average
fair value
315 $ 71.57
78.97

5,339

Units
outstanding
at the end
of the year

Carrying
amount
333
1,585

$

Units granted
during the year

Number
granted
(thousands)

Weighted
average
fair value
265 $ 60.83
69.45

5,215

Units
outstanding
at the end
of the year

Carrying
amount
307
1,517

$

2,049

77.69

64
879

79.52
76.44

429

313
114

2,181

68.09

69
845

74.68
70.32

503

343
118

2,337

58.62

374
809

61.23
60.47

440

301
76

9,184 $ 75.95

$

2,632

8,749 $ 75.12

$

2,882

9,000 $ 65.23

$

2,641

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

185

Note 22 Share-based compensation (continued)

Compensation expenses recognized under deferred share and other plans

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Deferred share unit plans
Deferred bonus plan
Performance deferred share award plans
RBC U.S. Wealth Accumulation Plan
Other share-based plans

For the year ended

$

October 31
2015
(1)
(139)
135
36
39

$

October 31
2014
61
121
243
147
65

$

October 31
2013
53
284
249
211
46

$

70

$

637

$

843

Note 23 Income and expenses from selected financial instruments

Gains and losses arising from financial instruments held at FVTPL, except for those supporting our insurance operations, are reported in Non-
interest income. Related interest and dividend income are reported in Net interest income.

Net gains (losses) from financial instruments held at fair value through profit or loss (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Net gains (losses)

Classified as at fair value through profit or loss (2)
Designated as at fair value through profit or loss (3)

By product line

Interest rate and credit
Equities
Foreign exchange and commodities

For the year ended

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

October 31
2013

$

$

$

$

(218)
750

532

149
(89)
472

532

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

922
(132)

790

603
(190)
377

790

$

875
(30)

845

593
(55)
307

845

(1)

(2)
(3)

The following related to our insurance operations are excluded from Non-interest income and included in Insurance premiums, investment and fee income in the Consolidated Statements of
Income: Net gains (losses) from financial instruments designated as at FVTPL of $51 million (October 31, 2014 – $515 million; October 31, 2013 – $(496) million).
Excludes derivatives designated in a hedging relationship. Refer to Note 8 for net gains (losses) on these derivatives.
For the year ended October 31, 2015, $1,118 million of net fair value gains on financial liabilities designated as at FVTPL, other than those attributable to changes in our own credit risk, were
included in Non-interest income (October 31, 2014 – losses of $414 million).

Net interest income from financial instruments (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Interest income

Financial instruments held as at fair value through profit or loss
Other categories of financial instruments (2)

Interest expense

Financial instruments held as at fair value through profit or loss
Other categories of financial instruments

Net interest income

For the year ended

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

October 31
2013

$

$

4,810
17,919

22,729

2,621
5,337

7,958

$

$

4,246
17,773

22,019

2,198
5,705

7,903

$

$

3,959
17,189

21,148

2,260
5,639

7,899

$ 14,771

$ 14,116

$ 13,249

(1)

(2)

The following related to our insurance operations are excluded from Net-interest income and included in Insurance premiums, investment and fee income in the Consolidated Statements of
Income: Interest income of $449 million (October 31, 2014 – $435 million; October 31, 2013 – $470 million), and Interest expense of $3 million (October 31, 2014 – $nil; October 31, 2013 –
$nil).
Refer to Note 5 for interest income accrued on impaired financial assets.

Income from other categories of financial instruments (1), (2)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Net gains (losses) arising from financial instruments measured at amortized cost (3)
Net fee income which does not form an integral part of the effective interest rate of

financial assets and liabilities

Net fee income arising from trust and other fiduciary activities

For the year ended

October 31
2015
(6)

$

October 31
2014
(7)

$

October 31
2013
–

$

4,604
9,587

4,190
9,138

3,869
7,990

(1)
(2)
(3)

Refer to Note 4 for net gains (losses) on AFS securities.
Refer to Note 4 for impairment losses on AFS and held-to-maturity securities, and Note 5 for impairment losses on loans.
Financial instruments measured at amortized cost include held-to-maturity securities, loans and financial liabilities measured at amortized cost.

186

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 24 Income taxes

The components of tax expense are as follows.

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Income taxes (recoveries) in Consolidated Statements of Income
Current tax

For the year ended

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

October 31
2013

Tax expense for current year
Adjustments for prior years
Recoveries arising from previously unrecognized tax loss, tax credit or temporary difference of a

$

2,244
91

$

2,858
(64)

$

2,516
(289)

prior period

Deferred tax

Origination and reversal of temporary difference
Effects of changes in tax rates
Adjustments for prior years
Recoveries arising from previously unrecognized tax loss, tax credit or temporary difference of a

prior period

Write-down

Income taxes (recoveries) in Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Changes in

Equity
Other comprehensive income

Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities
Reclassification of net losses (gains) on available-for-sale securities to income
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)
Net foreign currency translation gains (losses) from hedging activities
Reclassification of losses (gains) on net investment hedging activities to income
Net gains (losses) on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
Reclassification of losses (gains) on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges to income
Remeasurements of employee benefit plans
Net fair value change due to credit risk on financial liabilities designated as at fair

value through profit or loss

Issuance costs

(5)

2,330

312
35
(74)

(6)
–

267

2,597

(22)
(12)
8
(1,140)
38
(193)
117
206

127
(7)

(878)

(4)

2,790

(156)
(3)
74

(3)
4

(84)

2,706

70
(12)
5
(561)
1
(39)
10
(88)

(22)
(7)

(643)

(2)

2,225

(100)
(1)
(5)

(46)
32

(120)

2,105

3
(20)
2
(322)
–
(4)
(11)
121

–
–

(231)

Total income taxes

$

1,719

$

2,063

$

1,874

Our effective tax rate changed from 23.1% for 2014 to 20.6% for 2015, principally due to net favourable tax adjustments related to prior years
recorded in 2015, which are presented in Other in the table below.

The following is an analysis of the differences between the income tax expense reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income and the

amounts calculated at the Canadian statutory rate.

Reconciliation to statutory tax rate

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except for percentage amounts)
Income taxes at Canadian statutory tax rate
Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from
Lower average tax rate applicable to subsidiaries
Tax-exempt income from securities
Tax rate change
Effect of previously unrecognized tax loss, tax credit or temporary

differences

Other

October 31, 2015
26.3%
$ 3,320

For the year ended

October 31, 2014
26.3%
$ 3,080

October 31, 2013
26.2%
$ 2,737

(116)
(452)
35

(11)
(179)

(0.9)
(3.6)
0.3

(0.1)
(1.4)

(272)
(386)
(3)

(7)
294

(2.3)
(3.3)
–

(0.1)
2.5

(190)
(294)
(1)

(48)
(99)

(1.8)
(2.8)
–

(0.5)
(1.0)

Income taxes in Consolidated Statements of Income / effective tax rate

$ 2,597

20.6%

$ 2,706

23.1%

$ 2,105

20.1%

Deferred tax assets and liabilities result from tax loss carryforwards and temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and
their carrying amounts on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

187

Note 24 Income taxes (continued)

Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Net deferred tax asset/(liability)
Allowance for credit losses
Deferred compensation
Business realignment charges
Tax loss carryforwards
Deferred income
Available-for-sale securities
Premises and equipment
Deferred expense
Pension and post-employment related
Intangibles
Other

Comprising

Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities

Net Asset
November 1,
2014

Change
through
equity

Change
through profit
or loss

Exchange rate
differences

Acquisitions/
disposals

Other

Net Asset
October 31,
2015

As at October 31, 2015

(2)
(375)
(4)
4
27
(13)
50
3
46
31
(34)

(267)

$

$

(2)
158
1
4
–
3
2
–
1
(19)
10

158

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

376
1,513
9
44
120
30
(322)
(98)
566
(282)
222

$

–
–
–
2
–
(8)
–
9
(201)
–
–

2,178

$ (198)

$

2,382
(204)

2,178

–
–
–
–
–
–
1
–
–
–
(1)

–

$

$

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

$

$

$

$

372
1,296
6
54
147
12
(269)
(86)
412
(270)
197

1,871

2,072
(201)

1,871

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Net deferred tax asset/(liability)
Allowance for credit losses
Deferred compensation
Business realignment charges
Tax loss carryforwards
Deferred income
Available-for-sale securities
Premises and equipment
Deferred expense
Pension and post-employment related
Intangibles
Other

Comprising

Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities

Net Asset
November 1,
2013

Change
through
equity

Change
through profit
or loss

Exchange rate
differences

Acquisitions/
disposals

Other

Net Asset
October 31,
2014

As at October 31, 2014

$

$

$

$

$

$

413
1,290
6
62
42
102
(227)
(80)
492
(279)
150

–
–
–
–
–
(49)
–
7
88
–
–

$

(37)
151
3
(19)
78
(19)
(99)
(25)
(16)
5
62

1,971

$

46

$

84

$

–
72
–
1
–
(4)
4
–
2
(8)
10

77

$

$

2,141
(170)

1,971

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

$

$

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

$

$

$

$

376
1,513
9
44
120
30
(322)
(98)
566
(282)
222

2,178

2,382
(204)

2,178

The tax loss carryforwards amount of deferred tax assets relates to losses in our Caribbean, U.K., U.S. and Japanese operations. Deferred tax
assets of $54 million were recognized at October 31, 2015 (October 31, 2014 – $44 million) in respect of tax losses incurred in current or
preceding years for which recognition is dependent on the projection of future taxable profits. Management’s forecasts support the assumption
that it is probable that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to utilize the deferred tax assets. The forecasts rely
on continued liquidity and capital support to our business operations, including tax planning strategies implemented in relation to such support.
As at October 31, 2015, unused tax losses, tax credits and deductible temporary differences of $525 million, $356 million and $6 million

(October 31, 2014 – $532 million, $267 million and $7 million) available to be offset against potential tax adjustments or future taxable income
were not recognized as deferred tax assets. This amount includes unused tax losses of $158 million which expire within one year (October 31,
2014 – $nil), $28 million which expire in two to four years (October 31, 2014 - $167 million), and $339 million which expire after four years
(October 31, 2014 – $365 million). There are $11 million of tax credits that will expire in two to four years (October 31, 2014 - $6 million) and
$345 million that will expire after four years (October 31, 2014 – $261 million). In addition, there are deductible temporary differences of
$1 million that will expire within one year (October 31, 2014 - $nil) and $5 million that will expire after four years (October 31, 2014 –
$7 million).

The amount of temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, branches and associates and interests in joint ventures

for which deferred tax liabilities have not been recognized in the parent bank is $11.2 billion as at October 31, 2015 (October 31, 2014 –
$9.0 billion).

188

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 25 Earnings per share

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)
Basic earnings per share

Net Income
Preferred share dividends
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

Net income available to common shareholders

Weighted average number of common shares (in thousands)
Basic earnings per share (in dollars)

Diluted earnings per share

Net income available to common shareholders
Dilutive impact of exchangeable shares

Net income available to common shareholders including dilutive impact of

exchangeable shares

Weighted average number of common shares (in thousands)
Stock options (1)
Issuable under other share-based compensation plans
Exchangeable shares (2)

Average number of diluted common shares (in thousands)
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars)

For the year ended

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

October 31
2013

$

$

$

10,026
(191)
(101)

9,734

1,442,935
6.75

9,734
15

9,749

1,442,935
2,446
–
4,128

$

$

$

9,004
(213)
(94)

8,697

1,442,553
6.03

8,697
21

8,718

1,442,553
2,938
–
6,512

$

$

$

8,342
(253)
(98)

7,991

1,443,735
5.53

7,991
53

8,044

1,443,735
2,320
74
20,400

1,449,509
6.73

$

1,452,003
6.00

$

1,466,529
5.49

$

(1)

(2)

The dilutive effect of stock options was calculated using the treasury stock method. When the exercise price of options outstanding is greater than the average market price of our common
shares, the options are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share. For the year ended October 31, 2015, an average of 703,808 outstanding options with an average exercise
price of $78.59 were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share; for the years ended October 31, 2014 and 2013 – no outstanding options were excluded from the
calculation of diluted earnings per share.
Includes exchangeable preferred shares and trust capital securities.

Note 26 Guarantees, commitments, pledged assets and contingencies

Guarantees and commitments
We use guarantees and other off-balance sheet credit instruments to meet the financing needs of our clients.

The table below summarizes our maximum exposure to credit losses related to our guarantees and commitments provided to third parties.

The maximum exposure to credit risk relating to a guarantee is the maximum risk of loss if there was a total default by the guaranteed parties,
without consideration of possible recoveries under recourse provisions, insurance policies or from collateral held or pledged. The maximum
exposure to credit risk relating to a loan commitment is the full amount of the commitment. In both cases, the maximum risk exposure is
significantly greater than the amount recognized as a liability in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Financial guarantees

Financial standby letters of credit

Commitments to extend credit

Backstop liquidity facilities (1)
Credit enhancements (1)
Documentary and commercial letters of credit
Other commitments to extend credit

Other credit-related commitments

Securities lending indemnifications
Performance guarantees
Other

(1)

Amounts have been revised from those previously reported.

Maximum exposure to credit losses
As at

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

$

17,494

$

17,208

40,387
3,348
216
172,924

74,239
6,042
221

32,183
2,530
180
137,623

62,319
6,115
110

Our credit review process, our policy for requiring collateral security, and the types of collateral security held are generally the same for
guarantees and commitments as for loans. Our clients generally have the right to request settlement of, or draw on, our guarantees and
commitments within one year. However, certain guarantees can only be drawn if specified conditions are met. These conditions, along with
collateral requirements, are described below. We believe that it is highly unlikely that all or substantially all of the guarantees and commitments
will be drawn or settled within one year, and contracts may expire without being drawn or settled.

Financial guarantees
Financial standby letters of credit
Financial standby letters of credit represent irrevocable assurances that we will make payments in the event that a client cannot meet its
obligations to the third party. For certain guarantees, the guaranteed party can request payment from us even though the client has not defaulted
on its obligations. The term of these guarantees can range up to eight years.

Our policy for requiring collateral security with respect to these instruments and the types of collateral security held is generally the same as

for loans. When collateral security is taken, it is determined on an account-by-account basis according to the risk of the borrower and the
specifics of the transaction. Collateral security may include cash, securities and other assets pledged.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

189

Note 26 Guarantees, commitments, pledged assets and contingencies (continued)

Commitments to extend credit
Backstop liquidity facilities
Backstop liquidity facilities are provided to asset-backed commercial paper conduit programs administered by us and third parties, as an
alternative source of financing in the event that such programs are unable to access commercial paper markets, or in limited circumstances,
when predetermined performance measures of the financial assets owned by these programs are not met. The average remaining term of these
liquidity facilities is approximately three years.

Backstop liquidity facilities are also provided to non-asset backed programs such as variable rate demand notes issued by third parties.

These standby facilities provide liquidity support to the issuer to buy the notes if the issuer is unable to remarket the notes, as long as the
instrument and/or the issuer maintain the investment grade rating.

The terms of the backstop liquidity facilities do not require us to advance money to these programs in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency

events and generally do not require us to purchase non-performing or defaulted assets.

Credit enhancements
We provide partial credit enhancement to multi-seller programs administered by us to protect commercial paper investors in the event that the
collection on the underlying assets, the transaction-specific credit enhancement or the liquidity proves to be insufficient to pay for maturing
commercial paper. Each of the asset pools is structured to achieve a high investment-grade credit profile through credit enhancements from us
and other third parties related to each transaction. The average remaining term of these credit facilities is approximately three years.

Documentary and commercial letters of credit
Documentary and commercial letters of credit, which are written undertakings by us on behalf of a client authorizing a third party to draw drafts
on us up to a stipulated amount under specific terms and conditions, are collateralized by the underlying shipment of goods to which they relate.

Other commitments to extend credit
Commitments to extend credit represent unused portions of authorizations to extend credit in the form of loans, bankers’ acceptances or letters
of credit.

Other credit-related commitments
Securities lending indemnifications
In securities lending transactions, we act as an agent for the owner of a security, who agrees to lend the security to a borrower for a fee, under the
terms of a pre-arranged contract. The borrower must fully collateralize the security loaned at all times. As part of this custodial business, an
indemnification may be provided to securities lending customers to ensure that the fair value of securities loaned will be returned in the event
that the borrower fails to return the borrowed securities and the collateral held is insufficient to cover the fair value of those securities. These
indemnifications normally terminate without being drawn upon. The term of these indemnifications varies, as the securities loaned are recallable
on demand. Collateral held for our securities lending transactions typically includes cash or securities that are issued or guaranteed by the
Canadian government, U.S. government or other OECD countries.

Performance guarantees
Performance guarantees represent irrevocable assurances that we will make payments to third-party beneficiaries in the event that a client fails
to perform under a specified non-financial contractual obligation. Such obligations typically include works and service contracts, performance
bonds, and warranties related to international trade. The term of these guarantees can range up to eight years.

Our policy for requiring collateral security with respect to these instruments and the types of collateral security held is generally the same as

for loans. When collateral security is taken, it is determined on an account-by-account basis according to the risk of the borrower and the
specifics of the transaction. Collateral security may include cash, securities and other assets pledged.

Indemnifications
In the normal course of our operations, we provide indemnifications which are often standard contractual terms to counterparties in transactions
such as purchase and sale contracts, fiduciary, agency, licensing, custodial and service agreements, director/officer contracts and leasing
transactions. These indemnification agreements may require us to compensate the counterparties for costs incurred as a result of changes in
laws and regulations (including tax legislation) or as a result of litigation claims or statutory sanctions that may be suffered by the counterparty
as a consequence of the transaction. The terms of these indemnification agreements will vary based on the contract. The nature of the
indemnification agreements prevents us from making a reasonable estimate of the maximum potential amount we could be required to pay to
counterparties. Historically, we have not made any significant payments under such indemnifications.

Uncommitted amounts
Uncommitted amounts represent undrawn credit facilities for which we have the ability to unilaterally withdraw the credit extended to the
borrower. These include both retail and commercial commitments. As at October 31, 2015, the total balance of uncommitted amounts was
$209 billion (October 31, 2014 – $195 billion).

Other commitments
We act as underwriter for certain new issuances under which we alone or together with a syndicate of financial institutions purchase the new
issuances for resale to investors. In connection with these activities, our commitments were $353 million as at October 31, 2015 (October 31,
2014 – $1,109 million).

Pledged assets and collateral
In the ordinary course of business, we pledge assets and enter in collateral agreements with terms and conditions that are usual and customary
to our regular lending, borrowing and trading activities recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following are examples of our general
terms and conditions on pledged assets and collateral:

•
•
•
•

The risks and rewards of the pledged assets reside with the pledgor.
The pledged asset is returned to the pledgor when the necessary conditions have been satisfied.
The right of the pledgee to sell or re-pledge the asset is dependent on the specific agreement under which the collateral is pledged.
If there is no default, the pledgee must return the comparable asset to the pledgor upon satisfaction of the obligation.

190

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

We are also required to provide intraday pledges to the Bank of Canada when we use the Large Value Transfer System (LVTS), which is a real-time
electronic wire transfer system that continuously processes all Canadian dollar large-value or time-critical payments throughout the day. The
pledged assets earmarked for LVTS activities are normally released back to us at the end of the settlement cycle each day. Therefore, the pledged
assets amount is not included in the table below. For the year ended October 31, 2015, we had on average of $3.5 billion of assets pledged
intraday to the Bank of Canada on a daily basis (October 31, 2014 – $3.1 billion). There are infrequent occasions where we are required to take
an overnight advance from the Bank of Canada to cover a settlement requirement, in which case an equivalent value of the pledged assets would
be used to secure the advance. There were no overnight advances taken on October 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014.

Details of assets pledged against liabilities and collateral assets held or re-pledged are shown in the following tables:

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Sources of pledged assets and collateral
Bank assets

Cash and due from banks
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
Loans
Securities
Other assets

Client assets

Collateral received and available for sale or re-pledging
Less: not sold or re-pledged

Uses of pledged assets and collateral

Securities lent
Securities borrowed
Obligations related to securities sold short
Obligations related to securities lent or sold under repurchase agreements
Securitization
Covered bonds
Derivative transactions
Foreign governments and central banks
Clearing systems, payment systems and depositories
Other

As at

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

$

–
1
81,397
63,761
22,305

$

243
90
72,191
59,476
11,887

167,464

143,887

232,499
(74,471)

158,028

189,229
(67,747)

121,482

$ 325,492

$ 265,369

$ 21,767
33,306
47,658
88,834
44,203
36,422
27,411
2,770
4,017
19,104

$ 21,550
25,150
50,345
61,184
45,089
26,589
17,068
2,167
4,947
11,280

$ 325,492

$ 265,369

Lease commitments
Finance lease commitments
We lease computer equipment from third parties under finance lease arrangements. The leases have various terms, escalation and renewal
rights. The future minimum lease payments under the finance leases are as follows:

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Future minimum lease payments

No later than one year
Later than one year and no later than five years

As at

October 31, 2015

October 31, 2014

Total future
minimum
lease
payments

Future
interest
charges

Present
value of
finance lease
commitments

Total future
minimum
lease
payments

Future
interest
charges

Present
value of
finance lease
commitments

$

$

38
22

60

$

$

(4)
(3)

(7)

$

$

34
19

53

$

$

59
51

110

$

$

(6)
(6)

(12)

$

$

53
45

98

The net carrying amount of computer equipment held under finance lease as at October 31, 2015 was $65 million (October 31, 2014 –
$113 million).

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

191

Note 26 Guarantees, commitments, pledged assets and contingencies (continued)

Operating lease commitments
We are obligated under a number of non-cancellable operating leases for premises and equipment. These leases have various terms, escalation
and renewal rights. The minimum future lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows.

October 31, 2015

October 31, 2014

As at

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Future minimum lease payments

No later than one year
Later than one year and no later than five years
Later than five years

Less: Future minimum sublease payments to be received

Land and
buildings

$

590
1,822
1,811

4,223
(14)

Net future minimum lease payments

$ 4,209

$

Note 27 Litigation

Equipment

Equipment

$

$

Land and
buildings

$

536
1,663
1,294

3,493
(17)

$ 3,476

$

131
80
–

211
–

211

134
200
–

334
–

334

We are a large global institution that is subject to many different complex legal and regulatory requirements that continue to evolve. As a result,
Royal Bank of Canada and its subsidiaries are and have been subject to a variety of legal proceedings, including civil claims and lawsuits,
regulatory examinations, investigations, audits and requests for information by various governmental regulatory agencies and law enforcement
authorities in various jurisdictions. Some of these matters may involve novel legal theories and interpretations and may be advanced under
criminal as well as civil statutes, and some proceedings could result in the imposition of civil, regulatory enforcement or criminal penalties.
Management reviews the status of all proceedings on an ongoing basis and will exercise its judgment in resolving them in such manner as
management believes to be in the Bank’s best interest. This is an area of significant judgment and uncertainty and the extent of our financial and
other exposure to these proceedings could be material to our results of operations in any particular period. The following is a description of our
significant legal proceedings.

Rural/Metro litigation
On October 14, 2014, the Delaware Court of Chancery (the Court of Chancery) in a class action brought by former shareholders of Rural/Metro
Corporation, held RBC Capital Markets, LLC liable for aiding and abetting a breach of fiduciary duty by three Rural/Metro directors, but did not
make an additional award for attorney’s fees. A final judgment was entered on February 19, 2015 in the amount of US$93 million plus post-
judgment interest. RBC Capital Markets, LLC appealed the Court of Chancery’s determination of liability and quantum of damages, and the
plaintiffs cross-appealed the ruling on additional attorneys’ fees. On November 30, 2015, the Delaware Supreme Court affirmed the Court of
Chancery with respect to both the appeal and cross-appeal. RBC Capital Markets, LLC is cooperating with an investigation by the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission relating to this matter.

LIBOR regulatory investigations and litigation
Various regulators and competition and enforcement authorities around the world, including in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the U.S., are
conducting investigations related to certain past submissions made by panel banks in connection with the setting of the U.S. dollar London
interbank offered rate (LIBOR). These investigations focus on allegations of collusion between the banks that were on the panel to make
submissions for certain LIBOR rates. As Royal Bank of Canada is a member of certain LIBOR panels, including the U.S. dollar LIBOR panel, we
have been the subject of regulatory demands for information and are cooperating with those investigations. In addition, Royal Bank of Canada
and other U.S. dollar panel banks have been named as defendants in private lawsuits filed in the U.S. with respect to the setting of LIBOR
including a number of class action lawsuits which have been consolidated before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (the
Court). The complaints in those actions assert claims against us and other panel banks under various U.S. laws, including U.S. antitrust laws, the
U.S. Commodity Exchange Act, and state law. The Court has issued five detailed rulings on various motions in the consolidated cases and based
on the Court’s decisions to date, many of the claims against Royal Bank of Canada have been dismissed; however, these decisions are subject to
appeal and the claims that have been dismissed may be refiled based upon the appeal decisions. The parties are currently working with the
Court to confirm the cases which remain active.

Based on the facts currently known, it is not possible at this time for us to predict the ultimate outcome of these investigations or proceedings or
the timing of their resolution.

Royal Bank of Canada Trust Company (Bahamas) Limited Proceedings
On April 13, 2015, a French investigating judge notified Royal Bank of Canada Trust Limited (RBC Bahamas) of the issuance of an ordonnance de
renvoi referring RBC Bahamas and other unrelated persons to the French tribunal correctionnel to face the charge of complicity in estate tax fraud
relating to actions taken relating to a trust for which RBC Bahamas serves as trustee. The trial for this matter is expected to commence in January
2016. RBC Bahamas believes that its actions did not violate French law and intends to contest the charge in the French court. Based on the facts
currently known, it is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of this proceeding; however, management believes that its ultimate resolution
will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, although it may be material to our results of operations in the period it
occurs.

Interchange fees litigation
Since 2011, seven proposed class actions have been commenced in Canada: Bancroft-Snell v. Visa Canada Corporation, et al., 9085-4886
Quebec Inc. v. Visa Canada Corporation, et al., Coburn and Watson’s Metropolitan Home v. Bank of America Corporation, et al. (Watson),
Macaronies Hair Club and Laser Centre Inc. v. BofA Canada Bank, et al., 1023926 Alberta Ltd. v. Bank of America Corporation, et al., The Crown &
Hand Pub Ltd. v. Bank of America Corporation, et al., and Hello Baby Equipment Inc. v. BofA Canada Bank, et al. The defendants in each action are
VISA Canada Corporation (Visa), MasterCard International Incorporated (MasterCard), Royal Bank of Canada and other financial institutions. The
plaintiff class members are Canadian merchants who accept Visa and/or MasterCard branded credit cards for payment. The actions allege,

192

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

among other things, that from March 2001 to the present, Visa and MasterCard conspired with their issuing banks and acquirers to set default
interchange rates and merchant discount fees and that certain rules (Honour All Cards and No Surcharge) have the effect of increasing the
merchant discount fees. The actions include claims of civil conspiracy, breach of the Competition Act, interference with economic relations and
unjust enrichment. The claims seek unspecified general and punitive damages. In Watson, a decision to partially certify the action as a class
proceeding was released on March 27, 2014, and was appealed. On August 19, 2015, the British Columbia Court of Appeal struck the plaintiff
class representative’s cause of action under section 45 of the Competition Act and reinstated the plaintiff class representative’s cause of action
in civil conspiracy by unlawful means, among other rulings. Based on the facts currently known, it is not possible at this time for us to predict the
ultimate outcome of this proceeding or the timing of its resolution.

Foreign Exchange Matters
On July 2, 2015, the Brazilian civil antitrust authority Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) initiated an administrative proceeding
to investigate possible violations of Brazilian antitrust law by a number of banks, including Royal Bank of Canada, regarding foreign exchange
trading. The matter is in its initial stages.

On July 31, 2015, RBC Capital Markets, LLC was added as a new defendant in a pending putative class action initially filed in November
2013 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The action is brought against multiple foreign exchange dealers and
alleges collusive behaviour, among other allegations, in foreign exchange trading. The action is in its initial stages as it relates to the new
defendants, including RBC Capital Markets, LLC. On September 11, 2015, a class action lawsuit was filed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice
and a motion for authorization of a class action was filed in the Quebec Superior Court, both on behalf of an alleged class of Canadian investors,
against Royal Bank of Canada, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and a number of other foreign exchange dealers. The Canadian class actions allege that
the defendants conspired to manipulate the prices of currency trades and are in their initial stages. Based on the facts currently known, it is not
possible to predict the ultimate outcome of the Foreign Exchange Matters or the timing of their ultimate resolution.

Wisconsin school districts litigation
RBC Capital Markets, LLC, RBC Europe, Ltd. and RBC USA Holdco Corporation are defendants in a lawsuit relating to their role in transactions
involving investments made by a number of Wisconsin school districts in certain collateralized debt obligations. These transactions were also
the subject of a regulatory investigation. In September 2011, we reached a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission which was
paid to the school districts through a Fair Fund. Based on the facts currently known, it is not possible at this time to predict the ultimate outcome
of this proceeding or the timing of its resolution; however, management believes the ultimate resolution of this proceeding will not have a
material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Other matters
We are a defendant in a number of other actions alleging that certain of our practices and actions were improper. The lawsuits involve a variety of
complex issues and the timing of their resolution is varied and uncertain. Management believes that we will ultimately be successful in resolving
these lawsuits, to the extent that we are able to assess them, without material financial impact to the Bank. This is, however, an area of
significant judgment and the potential liability resulting from these lawsuits could be material to our results of operations in any particular
period.

Various other legal proceedings are pending that challenge certain of our other practices or actions. While this is an area of significant

judgment and some matters are currently inestimable, we consider that the aggregate liability, to the extent that we are able to assess it,
resulting from these other proceedings will not be material to our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

193

Note 28 Contractual repricing and maturity schedule

The following table details our exposure to interest rate risk. The carrying amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities are reported below
based on the earlier of their contractual repricing date or maturity date.

The following table does not incorporate management’s expectation of future events where expected repricing or maturity dates differ
significantly from the contractual dates. We incorporate these assumptions in the management of interest rate risk exposure. These assumptions
include expected repricing of trading instruments and certain loans and deposits. Taking into account these assumptions on the consolidated
contractual repricing and maturity schedule at October 31, 2015, would result in a change in the under-one-year gap from $11.5 billion to
$82.3 billion.

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Assets
Cash and deposits with banks
Trading securities
Available-for-sale securities
Assets purchased under reverse
repurchase agreements and
securities borrowed

Loans (net of allowance for loan

losses)
Derivatives
Segregated fund net assets
Other assets

Liabilities
Deposits
Obligations related to assets sold

under repurchase agreements and
securities loaned

Obligations related to securities sold

short
Derivatives
Segregated fund net liabilities
Other liabilities
Subordinated debentures
Non-controlling interests
Shareholders’ equity

Total gap

Canadian dollar
Foreign currency

Total gap

Immediately
interest
rate-sensitive

Under 3
months

3 to 6
months

6 to 12
months

1 to
5 years

Over
5 years

Non-rate-
sensitive

As at October 31, 2015

$ 11,712 $ 17,162 $

17 $

– $

– $

– $

6,251 $

59
–

29,399
23,406

11,229
2,865

14,777
1,194

22,678
17,387

32,143
10,103

48,418
1,850

Total

35,142
158,703
56,805

1,467

147,194

21,242

4,157

–

–

663

174,723

179,940
105,626
–
177

70,297
–
–
22,828

21,094
–
–
–

25,187
–
–
–

162,856
–
–
–

8,234
–
–
106

4,615
–
830
47,045

472,223
105,626
830
70,156

$ 298,981 $ 310,286 $ 56,447 $ 45,315 $ 202,921 $ 50,586 $ 109,672 $ 1,074,208

$ 257,456 $ 166,310 $ 22,988 $ 37,906 $ 104,122 $ 25,322 $ 83,123 $

697,227

1,709

78,533

1,400

1,199

–

–

447

83,288

5
107,860
–
89
–
–
–

2,335
–
–
15,221
1,951
1,207
700

547
–
–
24
–
–
300

664
–
–
57
–
–
1,050

9,580
–
–
1,790
4,191
518
2,301

13,447
–
–
7,193
1,220
–
751

21,080
–
830
41,665
–
73
57,044

47,658
107,860
830
66,039
7,362
1,798
62,146

$ 367,119 $ 266,257 $ 25,259 $ 40,876 $ 122,502 $ 47,933 $ 204,262 $ 1,074,208

$ (68,138) $ 44,029 $ 31,188 $ 4,439 $ 80,419 $ 2,653 $ (94,590) $

$ (51,779) $ 14,274 $ 12,805 $
29,755

(16,359)

18,383

(678) $ 109,580 $ (2,800) $ (81,403) $

5,117

(29,161)

5,453

(13,187)

$ (68,138) $ 44,029 $ 31,188 $ 4,439 $ 80,419 $ 2,653 $ (94,590) $

–

(1)
1

–

194

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 29 Related party transactions

Related parties
Related parties include associated companies, post-employment benefit plans for the benefit of our employees, key management personnel, the
Board of Directors (Directors), close family members of key management personnel and Directors, and entities which are, directly or indirectly,
controlled by, jointly controlled by or significantly influenced by key management personnel, Directors or their close family members.

Key management personnel and Directors
Key management personnel are defined as those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling our
activities, directly or indirectly. They include the senior members of our organization called the Group Executive. The Group Executive is
comprised of the President and Chief Executive Officer and individuals that report directly to him, including the Chief Administrative Officer and
Chief Financial Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief Risk Officer, and Group Heads for Wealth Management and Insurance, Capital
Markets and Investor & Treasury Services, Technology & Operations, and Personal & Commercial Banking. The Directors do not plan, direct, or
control the activities of the entity; they oversee the management of the business and provide stewardship.

Compensation of key management personnel and Directors

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Salaries and other short-term employee benefits (2)
Post-employment benefits
Share-based payments

For the year ended

October 31
2015
21
2
37

$

October 31
2014 (1)
22
7
26

$

October 31
2013
23
3
30

$

$

60

$

55

$

56

(1)

(2)

During the year ended October 31, 2014, certain executives who were members of the Bank’s Group Executive as at October 31, 2013 left the Bank and therefore, were no longer part of key
management personnel. Compensation for the year ended October 31, 2014, attributable to the former executives, including benefits and share based payments relating to awards granted in
prior years was $60 million.
Includes the portion of the annual variable short-term incentive bonus that certain executives elected to receive in the form of DSUs. Refer to Note 22 for further details.

Stock options, stock awards and shares held by key management personnel, Directors and their close family members

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except number of shares)
Stock options
Other non-option stock based awards
RBC common and preferred shares

As at

October 31, 2015

October 31, 2014

No. of
units held
2,494,007
1,485,976
738,777

4,718,760

Value
$ 44
111
55

$ 210

No. of
units held
2,472,134
1,447,763
686,674

4,606,571

Value
$ 66
116
55

$ 237

Transactions, arrangements and agreements involving key management personnel, Directors and their close family members
In the normal course of business, we provide certain banking services to key management personnel, Directors, and their close family members.
These transactions were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and security, as for comparable transactions with
persons of a similar standing and did not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavourable features.

As at October 31, 2015, total loans to key management personnel, Directors and their close family members were $7 million (October 31,

2014 – $7 million). No guarantees, pledges or commitments have been given to key management personnel, Directors or their close family
members.

Joint ventures and associates
In the normal course of business, we provide certain banking and financial services to our joint ventures and associates, including loans, interest
and non-interest bearing deposits. These transactions meet the definition of related party transactions and were made on substantially the same
terms as for comparable transactions with third-party counterparties.

As at October 31, 2015, loans to joint ventures and associates were $65 million (October 31, 2014 – $57 million) and deposits from joint

ventures and associates were $27 million (October 31, 2014 – $14 million). No guarantees have been given to joint ventures or associates.

Other transactions, arrangements or agreements involving joint ventures or associates

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Commitments and other contingencies
Other fees received for services rendered
Other fees paid for services received

As at or for the year ended

October 31
2015
365
41
182

$

October 31
2014
315
45
185

$

October 31
2013
240
47
191

$

Restricted net assets
Certain of our subsidiaries and joint ventures are subject to regulatory requirements of the jurisdictions in which they operate. When these
subsidiaries and joint ventures are subject to such requirements, they may be restricted from transferring to us, our share of their assets in the
form of cash dividends, loans or advances. At October 31, 2015, restricted net assets of these subsidiaries and joint ventures were $30.8 billion
(October 31, 2014 – $16 billion).

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

195

Note 30 Results by business segment

Composition of business segments
For management purposes, based on the products and services offered, we are organized into five business segments: Personal & Commercial
Banking, Wealth Management, Insurance, Investor & Treasury Services and Capital Markets.

Personal & Commercial Banking is comprised of our personal and business banking operations, and our auto financing and retail

investment businesses and operates through four business lines: Personal Financial Services, Business Financial Services, Cards and Payment
Solutions (Canadian Banking), and Caribbean & U.S. Banking. In Canada, we provide a broad suite of financial products and services to our
individual and business clients through our extensive branch, automated teller machines, online and telephone banking networks, as well as
through a large number of proprietary sales professionals. In the Caribbean, we offer a broad range of financial products and services to
individuals, business clients and public institutions in targeted markets. In the United States, we serve the cross-border banking needs of
Canadian clients within the United States, as well as the banking product needs of our U.S. wealth management clients.

Wealth Management is comprised of Canadian Wealth Management, U.S. & International Wealth Management and Global Asset

Management. We serve affluent, high net worth and ultra high net worth clients in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and
Asia with a comprehensive suite of investment, trust, banking, credit and other wealth management solutions. We also provide asset
management products and services directly to institutional and individual clients as well as through RBC distribution channels and third-party
distributors.

Insurance is comprised of our insurance operations in Canada and globally and operates under two business lines: Canadian Insurance and

International Insurance, providing a wide range of life, health, property and casualty, and reinsurance products and solutions. In Canada, we
offer our products and services through our proprietary distribution channels, comprised of the field sales force which includes retail insurance
branches, our field sales representatives, advice centers and online, as well as through independent insurance advisors and affinity
relationships. Outside North America, we operate in reinsurance markets globally offering life, accident and annuity reinsurance products.
Investor & Treasury Services offers global custody, fund and pension administration, as well as an integrated suite of products to

institutional investors worldwide. We also provide cash management, correspondent banking and trade finance services to financial institutions
globally and funding and liquidity management for RBC as well as other select institutions.

Capital Markets is comprised of a majority of our global wholesale banking businesses providing public and private companies,

institutional investors, governments and central banks with a wide range of products and services across our two main business lines: Global
Markets and Corporate and Investment Banking. In North America, we offer a full suite of products and services which include corporate and
investment banking, equity and debt origination and distribution, and structuring and trading. Outside North America, we have a select presence
in the U.K., Europe, and Other international, where we offer a diversified set of capabilities in our key sectors of expertise such as energy, mining
and infrastructure.

All other enterprise level activities that are not allocated to these five business segments, such as enterprise funding, securitizations, net

charges associated with unattributed capital, and consolidation adjustments, including the elimination of the Taxable equivalent basis (Teb)
gross-up amounts, are included in Corporate Support. Teb adjustments gross up Net interest income from certain tax-advantaged sources
(Canadian taxable corporate dividends) to their effective tax equivalent value with the corresponding offset recorded in the provision for income
taxes. Management believes that these adjustments are necessary for Capital Markets to reflect how it is managed. The use of the Teb
adjustments enhances the comparability of revenue across our taxable and tax-advantaged sources. Our use of Teb adjustments may not be
comparable to similarly adjusted amounts at other financial institutions. The Teb adjustment for the year ended October 31, 2015 was
$570 million (October 31, 2014 – $492 million, October 31, 2013 – $380 million).

Geographic segments
For geographic reporting, our segments are grouped into Canada, United States and Other International. Transactions are primarily recorded in
the location that best reflects the risk due to negative changes in economic conditions and prospects for growth due to positive economic
changes. This location frequently corresponds with the location of the legal entity through which the business is conducted and the location of
our clients. Transactions are recorded in the local currency and are subject to foreign exchange rate fluctuations with respect to the movement in
the Canadian dollar.

Management reporting framework
Our management reporting framework is intended to measure the performance of each business segment as if it were a stand-alone business
and reflects the way our business segments are managed. This approach is intended to ensure that our business segments’ results reflect all
relevant revenue and expenses associated with the conduct of their businesses. Management regularly monitors these segments’ results for the
purpose of making decisions about resource allocation and performance assessment. These items do not impact our consolidated results.

The expenses in each business segment may include costs or services directly incurred or provided on their behalf at the enterprise level.

For other costs not directly attributable to one of our business segments, we use a management reporting framework that uses assumptions,
estimates and methodologies for allocating overhead costs and indirect expenses to our business segments and that assists in the attribution of
capital and the transfer pricing of funds to our business segments in a manner that fairly and consistently measures and aligns the economic
costs with the underlying benefits and risks of that specific business segment. Activities and business conducted between our business
segments are generally at market rates. All other enterprise level activities that are not allocated to our five business segments are reported
under Corporate Support.

196

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Our assumptions and methodologies used in our management reporting framework are periodically reviewed by management to ensure that

they remain valid. The capital attribution methodologies involve a number of assumptions and estimates that are revised periodically.

For the year ended October 31, 2015

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Net interest income (2), (3)
Non-interest income

Total revenue
Provision for credit losses
Insurance policyholder
benefits, claims and
acquisition expense
Non-interest expense

Net income (loss) before

income taxes

Income taxes (recoveries)

Personal &
Commercial
Banking
$ 10,004
4,309

14,313
984

–
6,611

6,718
1,712

5,006

Wealth
Management

Insurance

$

493 $

– $

Investor &
Treasury
Services

818 $

Capital
Markets (1)
3,970
4,093

Corporate
Support (1)
$

(514) $
210

6,282

6,775
46

–
5,292

1,437
396

4,436

4,436
–

2,963
613

860
154

1,220

2,038
(1)

–
1,301

738
182

8,063
71

–
4,696

3,296
977

(304)
(3)

–
125

(426)
(824)

United
States
1,977 $
4,619

Other
International
1,256
5,042

Total

Canada

14,771 $ 11,538 $
20,550

10,889

35,321
1,097

22,427
933

2,963
18,638

12,623
2,597

1,976
10,139

9,379
1,727

6,596
98

–
4,762

1,736
649

6,298
66

987
3,737

1,508
221

1,287

Net income

$

$ 1,041 $

706 $

556 $

2,319

$

398 $

10,026 $

7,652 $

1,087 $

Non-interest expense

includes:
Depreciation and
amortization

Impairment of other

intangibles

Restructuring provisions

$

345

$

157 $

16 $

54 $

28

$

639 $

1,239 $

1,046 $

40 $

153

1
–

4
83

–
–

–
–

–
–

2
–

7
83

3
25

1
45

3
13

Total assets

$ 397,132

$ 26,891 $ 14,139 $ 132,294 $ 478,289

$ 25,463 $ 1,074,208 $ 584,419 $ 252,845 $ 236,944

Total assets include:

Additions to premises
and equipment
and intangibles

$

327

$

122 $

23 $

46 $

256

$

644 $

1,418 $

1,071 $

206 $

141

Total liabilities

$ 397,157

$ 26,906 $ 14,160 $ 132,275 $ 478,291

$ (38,525) $ 1,010,264 $ 520,420 $ 252,970 $ 236,874

For the year ended October 31, 2014 (4)

Wealth
Management

Insurance

$

469 $

– $

Investor &
Treasury
Services

732 $

Capital
Markets (1)
3,485
3,881

Corporate
Support (1)
$

(313) $
164

5,844

6,313
19

–
4,800

1,494
411

4,964

4,964
–

3,573
579

812
31

1,152

1,884
–

–
1,286

598
157

7,366
44

–
4,344

2,978
923

(149)
(2)

–
89

(236)
(405)

Total
14,116 $
19,992

Canada
11,128 $
10,488

34,108
1,164

21,616
922

3,573
17,661

11,710
2,706

2,188
9,650

8,856
1,983

5,954
52

1
4,199

1,702
660

$ 1,083 $

781 $

441 $

2,055

$

169 $

9,004 $

6,873 $

1,042 $

United
States
1,697 $
4,257

Other
International
1,291
5,247

6,538
190

1,384
3,812

1,152
63

1,089

Personal &
Commercial
Banking
9,743
3,987

$

13,730
1,103

–
6,563

6,064
1,589

4,475

$

$

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Net interest income (2), (3)
Non-interest income

Total revenue
Provision for credit losses
Insurance policyholder
benefits, claims and
acquisition expense
Non-interest expense

Net income (loss) before

income taxes

Income taxes (recoveries)

Net income

Non-interest expense

includes:
Depreciation and
amortization

Impairment of other

intangibles

Restructuring provisions

338

$

147 $

16 $

58 $

28

$

578 $

1,165 $

971 $

39 $

155

–
20

6
16

–
–

–
–

2
–

–
–

8
36

2
–

6
16

–
20

Total assets

$ 376,188

$ 27,084 $ 12,930 $ 103,822 $ 400,314

$ 20,212 $

940,550 $ 496,120 $ 194,879 $ 249,551

Total assets include:

Additions to premises
and equipment
and intangibles

$

318

$

105 $

16 $

30 $

147

$

563 $

1,179 $

924 $

154 $

101

Total liabilities

$ 376,154

$ 27,022 $ 12,988 $ 103,798 $ 400,114

$ (34,029) $

886,047 $ 441,607 $ 194,946 $ 249,494

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

197

Note 30 Results by business segment (continued)

For the year ended October 31, 2013 (4)

Wealth
Management

Insurance

$

396 $

– $

Investor &
Treasury
Services

671 $

Capital
Markets (1)
2,872
3,708

Corporate
Support (1)
$

(124) $
(12)

5,091

5,487
51

–
4,219

1,217
331

3,928

3,928
–

2,784
551

593
(2)

1,133

1,804
–

–
1,348

456
117

6,580
188

–
3,856

2,536
836

(136)
3

–
72

(211)
(653)

Total
13,249 $
17,433

30,682
1,237

Canada
10,961 $

8,601

19,562
892

2,784
16,214

10,447
2,105

1,425
9,210

8,035
1,710

5,258
78

10
3,663

1,507
370

$

886 $

595 $

339 $

1,700

$

442 $

8,342 $

6,325 $

1,137 $

United
States
1,448 $
3,810

Other
International
840
5,022

5,862
267

1,349
3,341

905
25

880

Personal &
Commercial
Banking
9,434
3,585

$

13,019
995

–
6,168

5,856
1,476

4,380

$

$

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Net interest income (2), (3)
Non-interest income

Total revenue
Provision for credit losses
Insurance policyholder
benefits, claims and
acquisition expense
Non-interest expense

Net income (loss) before

income taxes

Income taxes (recoveries)

Net income

Non-interest expense

includes:
Depreciation and
amortization

Impairment of other

intangibles

Restructuring provisions

279

$

135 $

13 $

56 $

25

$

503 $

1,011 $

838 $

36 $

137

1
21

–
–

–
–

5
44

–
–

4
–

10
65

10
9

–
–

–
56

Total assets

$ 362,932

$ 23,361 $ 12,275 $

90,621 $ 358,036

$ 12,520 $

859,745 $ 494,306 $ 181,703 $ 183,736

Total assets include:

Additions to premises
and equipment
and intangibles

$

468

$

90 $

13 $

35 $

107

$

517 $

1,230 $

966 $

132 $

132

Total liabilities

$ 362,892

$ 23,306 $ 12,325 $

90,793 $ 357,872

$ (36,903) $

810,285 $ 444,781 $ 181,815 $ 183,689

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

Taxable equivalent basis (Teb).
Inter-segment revenue and share of profits in joint ventures and associates are not material.
Interest revenue is reported net of interest expense as management relies primarily on net interest income as a performance measure.
Certain amounts have been revised from those previously reported.

Revenue by business line

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Personal Financial Services
Business Financial Services
Cards and Payment Solutions
Caribbean & U.S. Banking
Canadian Wealth Management
U.S. & International Wealth Management
Global Asset Management
Insurance
Investor & Treasury services
Corporate and Investment Banking
Global Markets (1)
Other Capital Markets (1)
Corporate Support

For the year ended

$

October 31
2015
7,634
3,091
2,654
934
2,226
2,729
1,820
4,436
2,038
3,697
4,477
(111)
(304)

$

October 31
2014
7,285
3,135
2,449
861
2,186
2,430
1,697
4,964
1,884
3,437
3,896
33
(149)

$

October 31
2013
6,948
2,990
2,282
799
1,889
2,225
1,373
3,928
1,804
3,014
3,314
252
(136)

$ 35,321

$ 34,108

$ 30,682

(1)

Certain amounts have been revised from those previously reported.

Note 31 Nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments

We are exposed to credit, market and liquidity and funding risks as a result of holding financial instruments. Our risk measurement and
objectives, policies and methodologies for managing these risks are disclosed in the shaded text along with those tables specifically marked
with an asterisk (*) on pages 56 to 82 of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis. These shaded text and tables are an integral part of these
Consolidated Financial Statements.

Concentrations of credit risk exist if a number of our clients are engaged in similar activities, are located in the same geographic region or

have comparable economic characteristics such that their ability to meet contractual obligations would be similarly affected by changes in
economic, political or other conditions.

198

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Concentrations of credit risk indicate the relative sensitivity of our performance to developments affecting a particular industry or
geographic location. The amounts of credit exposure associated with certain of our on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments are
summarized in the following table.

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)
On-balance sheet assets other than

derivatives (1)

Derivatives before master netting

agreement (2), (3)

Off-balance sheet credit instruments (4)
Committed and uncommitted (5)
Other

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)
On-balance sheet assets other than

derivatives (1)

Derivatives before master netting

agreement (2), (3)

Off-balance sheet credit instruments (4)
Committed and uncommitted (5)
Other

Canada

%

United
States

%

Europe

%

Other
International

%

Total

As at October 31, 2015

$ 453,650

68% $ 110,341

17% $ 56,984

9%

$ 41,453

6% $ 662,428

20,911

11

22,877

12

143,414

74

7,254

3

194,456

$ 474,561

55% $ 133,218

16% $ 200,398

23%

$ 48,707

6% $ 856,884

$ 239,351
49,740

57% $ 137,204
17,520
51

33% $ 32,638
29,213
18

8%

30

$ 10,312
1,523

2% $ 419,505
97,996
1

$ 289,091

56% $ 154,724

30% $ 61,851

12%

$ 11,835

2% $ 517,501

Canada

%

United
States

%

Europe

%

Other
International

%

Total

As at October 31, 2014

$ 422,498

72% $ 79,140

14% $ 46,596

8%

$36,031

6% $ 584,265

12,825

9

23,039

16

102,368

70

7,009

5

145,241

$ 435,323

60% $ 102,179

14% $ 148,964

20%

$43,040

6% $ 729,506

$ 224,849
45,600

62% $ 102,253
14,579
53

28% $ 28,312
25,023
17

8%

29

$ 7,876
550

2% $ 363,290
85,752
1

$ 270,449

60% $ 116,832

26% $ 53,335

12%

$ 8,426

2% $ 449,042

(1)

(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)

Includes assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed, loans and customers’ liability under acceptances. The largest concentrations in Canada are Ontario
at 47% (October 31, 2014 – 46%), the Prairies at 21% (October 31, 2014 – 21%), British Columbia and the territories at 16% (October 31, 2014 – 16%) and Quebec at 11% (October 31,
2014 – 12%). No industry accounts for more than 35% (October 31, 2014 – 33%) of total on-balance sheet credit instruments.
The largest concentration of credit exposure by counterparty type is banks at 29% (October 31, 2014 – 36%).
Excludes credit derivatives classified as other than trading.
Represents financial instruments with contractual amounts representing credit risk.
Retail and wholesale commitments respectively comprise 36% and 64% of our total commitments (October 31, 2014 – 38% and 62%). The largest concentrations in the wholesale portfolio
related to Financing products at 15% (October 31, 2014 – 14%), Non-bank financial services at 10% (October 31, 2014 – 9%), Oil and gas at 10% (October 31, 2014 – 9%), Utilities at 9%
(October 31, 2014 – 9%), and Real estate and related at 8% (October 31, 2014 – 9%).

Note 32 Capital management

Regulatory capital and capital ratios
OSFI formally establishes risk-based capital and leverage targets for deposit-taking institutions in Canada. We are required to calculate our
capital ratios using the Basel III framework. Under Basel III, regulatory capital includes Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1), Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital.
CET1 capital mainly consists of common shares, retained earnings and other components of equity. Regulatory adjustments under Basel III
include deductions of goodwill and other intangibles, certain deferred tax assets, defined benefit pension fund assets, investments in banking,
financial and insurance entities, and the shortfall of provisions to expected losses. Tier 1 capital comprises predominantly CET1, with additional
items that consist of capital instruments such as certain preferred shares, and certain non-controlling interests in subsidiaries. Tier 2 capital
includes subordinated debentures that meet certain criteria and certain loan loss allowances. Total capital is the sum of CET1, additional Tier 1
capital and Tier 2 capital. Regulatory capital ratios are calculated by dividing CET1, Tier 1 and Total capital by risk-weighted assets.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

199

Note 32 Capital management (continued)

Beginning this year, the asset-to-capital multiple has been replaced by a leverage ratio. The leverage ratio is calculated by dividing Tier 1
capital by an exposure measure. The exposure measure consists of total assets (excluding items deducted from Tier 1 capital) and certain off-
balance sheet items converted into credit exposure equivalents. Adjustments are also made to derivatives and secured financing transactions to
reflect credit and other risks. During 2015 and 2014, we complied with all capital and leverage requirements imposed by OSFI.

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage and multiple amounts)
Capital (1)

Common Equity Tier 1 capital
Tier 1 capital
Total capital

Risk-weighted assets used in calculation of capital ratios (1), (2)

Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio
Tier 1 capital ratio
Total capital ratio

Total capital risk-weighted assets (1)

Credit risk
Market risk
Operational risk

Capital ratios, leverage ratios and multiples (1)

Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio
Tier 1 capital ratio
Total capital ratio
Leverage ratio (3)
Assets-to-capital multiple (4)

As at

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

$

43,715
50,541
58,004

$ 36,406
42,202
50,020

411,756
412,941
413,957

323,870
39,786
50,301
$ 413,957

10.6%
12.2%
14.0%
4.3%
n.a.

368,594
369,976
372,050

286,327
38,460
47,263
$ 372,050

9.9%
11.4%
13.4%
n.a.
17.0X

(1)
(2)

(3)
(4)
n.a.

Capital, risk-weighted assets and capital ratios and multiples are calculated using OSFI Capital Adequacy Requirements. Leverage ratio is calculated using OSFI Leverage Requirements.
Effective the third quarter of 2014, the credit valuation adjustment to our risk-weighted asset calculation implemented in the first quarter of 2014, must reflect different percentages for each
tier of capital. This change reflects a phase-in of credit valuation adjustments ending in the fourth quarter of 2018. During this phase-in period, risk-weighted assets for Common Equity Tier 1,
Tier 1 and Total capital ratios will be subject to different annual credit valuation adjustment percentages.
Exposure measure as at October 31, 2015 was $1,170 billion.
Beginning this year, the asset-to-capital multiple has been replaced by a leverage ratio. Gross adjusted assets as at October 31, 2014 were $885 billion.
not applicable

Note 33 Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities

Offsetting within our balance sheet may be achieved where financial assets and liabilities are subject to master netting arrangements that
provide the currently enforceable right of offset and where there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or realize the assets and liabilities
simultaneously. For derivative contracts and repurchase and reverse repurchase arrangements, this is generally achieved when there is a market
mechanism for settlement (e.g. central counterparty exchange, or clearing house) which provides daily net settlement of cash flows arising from
these contracts. Margin receivables and margin payables are generally offset as they settle simultaneously through a market settlement
mechanism. These are generally classified as Other assets or Other liabilities.

Amounts that do not qualify for offsetting include master netting arrangements that only permit outstanding transactions with the same
counterparty to be offset in an event of default or occurrence of other predetermined events. Such master netting arrangements include the ISDA
Master Agreement or derivative exchange or clearing counterparty agreements for derivative contracts, global master repurchase agreement and
global master securities lending agreements for repurchase, reverse repurchase and other similar secured lending and borrowing arrangements.
The amount of the financial collateral received or pledged subject to master netting arrangement or similar agreements but not qualified for
offsetting refers to the collateral received or pledged to cover the net exposure between counterparties, by enabling the collateral to be realized
in an event of default or the occurrence of other predetermined events. Certain amounts of collateral are restricted from being sold or re-pledged
unless there is an event of default or the occurrence of other predetermined events.

The tables below provide the amount of financial instruments that have been offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the amounts
that do not qualify for offsetting but are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements. The amounts presented are
not intended to represent our actual exposure to credit risk.

Financial assets subject to offsetting, enforceable master netting arrangements and similar agreements

Amounts subject to offsetting and enforceable netting arrangements

As at October 31, 2015

Amounts subject to master
netting arrangements or
similar agreements but do
not qualify for offsetting on
the balance sheet (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Assets purchased under reverse
repurchase agreements and
securities borrowed

Derivative assets (3)
Other financial assets

Gross amounts
of financial
assets before
balance sheet
offsetting

Amounts of
financial
liabilities
offset on the
balance sheet

Net amount of
financial assets
presented on the
balance sheet

Impact of
master
netting
agreements

Financial
collateral
received (2)

Net
amount

Amounts not
subject to
enforceable
netting
arrangements

Total amount
recognized
on the
balance sheet

$

$

183,493
185,654
1,560
370,707

$

$

9,846
87,527
1,283
98,656

$

$

173,647
98,127
277
272,051

$

$

30
71,833
–
71,863

$ 172,910
14,956
52
$ 187,918

$

707
11,338
225
$12,270

$

$

1,076
7,499
78
8,653

$

$

174,723
105,626
355
280,704

200

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Amounts subject to offsetting and enforceable netting arrangements

As at October 31, 2014

Amounts subject to master
netting arrangements or
similar agreements but do
not qualify for offsetting on
the balance sheet (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Assets purchased under reverse
repurchase agreements and
securities borrowed

Derivative assets (3)
Other financial assets

Gross amounts
of financial
assets before
balance sheet
offsetting

Amounts of
financial
liabilities
offset on the
balance sheet

Net amount of
financial assets
presented on the
balance sheet

Impact of
master
netting
agreements

Financial
collateral
received (2)

Net
amount

Amounts not
subject to
enforceable
netting
arrangements

Total amount
recognized
on the
balance sheet

$

$

149,348
136,230
1,345
286,923

$

$

14,038
57,068
1,247
72,353

$

$

135,310
79,162
98
214,570

$

$

56
60,546
–
60,602

$ 134,985
8,993
70
$ 144,048

$

$

269
9,623
28
9,920

$

$

270
8,240
60
8,570

$

$

135,580
87,402
158
223,140

(1)

(2)
(3)

Financial collateral is reflected at fair value. The amount of financial instruments and financial collateral disclosed is limited to the net balance sheet exposure, and any over-collateralization
is excluded from the table.
Includes cash collateral of $11,345 million (October 31, 2014 – $8,719 million) and non-cash collateral of $177 billion (October 31, 2014 – $135 billion).
Includes cash margin of $1,512 million (October 31, 2014 – $1,326 million) which offset against the derivative balance on the balance sheet.

Financial liabilities subject to offsetting, enforceable master netting arrangements and similar agreements

Amounts subject to offsetting and enforceable netting arrangements

As at October 31, 2015

Amounts subject to master
netting arrangements or
similar agreements but do
not qualify for offsetting on
the balance sheet (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Obligations related to assets sold

under repurchase agreements and
securities loaned
Derivative liabilities (3)
Other financial liabilities

Gross amounts
of financial
liabilities
before balance
sheet offsetting

Amounts of
financial
assets offset
on the
balance sheet

Net amount of
financial liabilities
presented on the
balance sheet

Impact of
master
netting
agreements

Financial
collateral
pledged (2)

Net
amount

Amounts not
subject to
enforceable
netting
arrangements

Total amount
recognized
on the
balance sheet

$

$

92,564
186,400
2,348
281,312

$

$

9,846
87,960
1,517
99,323

$

$

82,718
98,440
831
181,989

$

$

30
71,833
–
71,863

$ 82,476
15,060
551
$ 98,087

$

212
11,547
280
$ 12,039

$

$

570
9,420
3
9,993

$

$

83,288
107,860
834
191,982

Amounts subject to offsetting and enforceable netting arrangements

As at October 31, 2014

Amounts subject to master
netting arrangements or
similar agreements but do
not qualify for offsetting on
the balance sheet (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Obligations related to assets sold

under repurchase agreements and
securities loaned
Derivative liabilities (3)
Other financial liabilities

Gross amounts
of financial
liabilities
before balance
sheet offsetting

Amounts of
financial
assets offset
on the
balance sheet

Net amount of
financial liabilities
presented on the
balance sheet

Impact of
master
netting
agreements

Financial
collateral
pledged (2)

Net
amount

Amounts not
subject to
enforceable
netting
arrangements

Total amount
recognized
on the
balance sheet

$

$

78,029
135,662
1,921
215,612

$

$

14,038
56,982
1,333
72,353

$

$

63,991
78,680
588
143,259

$

$

56
60,546
–
60,602

$ 63,790
9,184
478
$ 73,452

$

$

145
8,950
110
9,205

$

$

340
10,302
8
10,650

$

$

64,331
88,982
596
153,909

(1)

(2)
(3)

Financial collateral is reflected at fair value. The amount of financial instruments and financial collateral disclosed is limited to the net balance sheet exposure, and any over-collateralization
is excluded from the table.
Includes cash collateral of $13,233 million (October 31, 2014 – $7,187 million) and non-cash collateral of $85 billion (October 31, 2014 – $66 billion).
Includes cash margin of $1,277 million (October 31, 2014 – $1,240 million) which offset against the derivative balance on the balance sheet.

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

201

Note 34

Recovery and settlement of on-balance sheet assets and liabilities

The table below presents an analysis of assets and liabilities recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets by amounts to be recovered or
settled within one year and after one year, as at the balance sheet date, based on contractual maturities and certain other assumptions outlined
in the footnotes below. As warranted, we manage the liquidity risk of various products based on historical behavioural patterns that are often not
aligned with contractual maturities. Amounts to be recovered or settled within one year, as presented below, may not be reflective of
management’s long-term view of the liquidity profile of certain balance sheet categories.

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Assets
Cash and due from banks (2)
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
Securities

Trading securities (3)
Available-for-sale securities

Assets purchased under reverse repurchase

agreements and securities borrowed

Loans

Retail
Wholesale
Allowance for loan losses
Segregated fund net assets
Other

Customers’ liability under acceptances
Derivatives (3)
Premises and equipment, net
Goodwill
Other intangibles
Investments in joint ventures and associates
Employee benefit assets
Other assets

Liabilities
Deposits (4)
Segregated fund net liabilities
Other

Within one
year

October 31, 2015
After one
year

October 31, 2014 (1)
After one
year

Within one
year

Total

Total

As at

$ 10,466
22,690

$

1,986
–

$

12,452
22,690

$ 16,649
7,494

$

772
905

$ 17,421
8,399

149,150
12,338

9,553
44,467

158,703
56,805

141,399
12,318

9,981
35,450

151,380
47,768

172,122

2,601

174,723

133,438

2,142

135,580

92,012
25,842

256,171
100,227

–

13,446
103,618
–
–
–
–
–
35,350

830

7
2,008
2,728
9,289
2,814
360
245
5,917

348,183
126,069
(2,029)
830

13,453
105,626
2,728
9,289
2,814
360
245
41,267

78,435
22,491

255,834
80,463

–

11,456
85,688
–
–
–
–
–
24,414

675

6
1,714
2,684
8,647
2,775
295
138
6,281

334,269
102,954
(1,994)
675

11,462
87,402
2,684
8,647
2,775
295
138
30,695

$ 637,034

$ 439,203

$ 1,074,208

$ 533,782

$ 408,762

$ 940,550

$ 528,109
–

$ 169,118
830

$

697,227
830

$ 451,065
–

$ 163,035
675

$ 614,100
675

Acceptances
Obligations related to securities sold short
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase

agreements and securities loaned

Derivatives (3)
Insurance claims and policy benefit liabilities
Employee benefit liabilities
Other liabilities

Subordinated debentures

13,446
41,156

82,498
105,271
97
–
28,563
1,500

7
6,502

790
2,589
9,013
1,969
12,944
5,862

13,453
47,658

83,288
107,860
9,110
1,969
41,507
7,362

11,456
46,125

64,331
87,830
135
–
25,228
200

6
4,220

–
1,152
8,429
2,420
12,081
7,659

11,462
50,345

64,331
88,982
8,564
2,420
37,309
7,859

$ 800,640

$ 209,624

$ 1,010,264

$ 686,370

$ 199,677

$ 886,047

(1)
(2)
(3)

(4)

Certain amounts have been revised from those previously reported.
Cash and due from banks are assumed to be recovered within one year, except for cash balances not available for use by the bank.
Trading securities classified as at FVTPL and trading derivatives not designated in hedging relationships are presented as within one year as this best represents in most instances the short-
term nature of our trading activities. Non-trading derivatives designated in hedging relationships are presented according to the recovery or settlement of the related hedged item.
Demand deposits of $312 billion (October 31, 2014 – $289 billion) are presented as within one year due to their being repayable on demand or at short notice on a contractual basis. In
practice, these deposits relate to a broad range of individuals and customer-types which form a stable base for our operations and liquidity needs.

202

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 35 Parent company information

The following table presents information regarding the legal entity of Royal Bank of Canada with its subsidiaries presented on an equity
accounted basis.

Condensed Balance Sheets

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Assets
Cash and due from banks
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
Securities
Investments in bank subsidiaries and associated corporations
Investments in other subsidiaries and associated corporations
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses
Net balances due from bank subsidiaries
Other assets

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Deposits
Net balances due to other subsidiaries
Other liabilities

Subordinated debentures
Shareholders’ equity

Condensed Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Interest income (1)
Interest expense

Net interest income
Non-interest income (2)

Total revenue

Provision for credit losses
Non-interest expense

Income before income taxes
Income taxes

Net income before equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries
Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries

Net income

Other comprehensive income, net of taxes

Total comprehensive income

As at

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

$

3,123
15,838
130,326
22,907
60,378
23,418
444,169
19,118
147,330

$

7,333
5,788
111,159
20,240
53,131
17,075
407,440
10,466
120,052

$ 866,607

$ 752,684

$ 566,903
66,879
163,379

$ 497,053
56,146
138,989

797,161

692,188

7,300
62,146

7,806
52,690

$ 866,607

$ 752,684

For the year ended

October 31
2015
$ 18,287
5,785

October 31
2014
$ 18,415
5,882

October 31
2013
$ 18,573
5,795

12,502
5,474

17,976

1,027
8,051

8,898
1,939

6,959
3,067

10,026

3,153

12,533
6,007

18,540

1,010
7,801

9,729
2,283

7,446
1,558

9,004

915

12,778
4,626

17,404

1,147
7,304

8,953
1,537

7,416
926

8,342

696

$ 13,179

$

9,919

$

9,038

(1)
(2)

Includes dividend income from investments in subsidiaries and associated corporations of $120 million (2014 – $10 million; 2013 – $1,313 million).
Includes share of profit from associated corporations of $15 million (2014 – profit of $7 million; 2013 – loss of $9 million).

Consolidated Financial Statements

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

203

Note 35 Parent company information (continued)

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

(Millions of Canadian dollars)
Cash flows from operating activities

Net income
Adjustments to determine net cash from operating activities:

Change in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
Change in deposits, net of securitizations
Change in loans, net of securitizations
Change in trading securities
Change in obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities

loaned

Change in assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed
Change in obligations related to securities sold short
Other operating activities, net

Net cash from (used in) operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Change in interest-bearing deposits with banks
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities
Proceeds from maturity of available-for-sale securities
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
Net acquisitions of premises and equipment and other intangibles
Change in cash invested in subsidiaries
Change in net funding provided to subsidiaries
Proceeds from sale of associated corporations

Net cash (used in) from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Issue of subordinated debentures
Repayment of subordinated debentures
Issue of preferred shares
Issuance costs
Redemption of preferred shares
Issue of common shares
Common shares purchased for cancellation
Dividends paid

Net cash used in financing activities

Net change in cash and due from banks
Cash and due from banks at beginning of year

Cash and due from banks at end of year

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

Amount of interest paid in year
Amount of interest received in year
Amount of dividends received in year
Amount of income taxes paid in year

Note 36 Subsequent events

For the year ended

October 31
2015

October 31
2014

October 31
2013

$ 10,026

$

9,004

$

8,342

(3,067)
70,802
(33,904)
(10,663)

2,687
(6,343)
(1,244)
(7,845)

20,449

(10,050)
620
25,207
(36,408)
(937)
(978)
2,081
4

(20,461)

1,000
(1,700)
1,350
(21)
(325)
62
–
(4,564)

(4,198)

(4,210)
7,333

3,123

5,786
18,001
106
1,323

$

$

(1,558)
41,428
(22,865)
(4,193)

(2,712)
(2,497)
(1,305)
182

15,484

(3,081)
1,225
28,875
(36,165)
(803)
(2,409)
4,889
70

(7,399)

2,000
(1,600)
1,000
(14)
(1,525)
150
(113)
(4,211)

(4,313)

3,772
3,561

7,333

5,814
18,582
10
1,286

$

$

(926)
31,183
(18,927)
(19,048)

1,730
(3,668)
388
(8,210)

(9,136)

(1,548)
1,641
28,056
(26,392)
(754)
(7,323)
20,164
–

13,844

2,046
(2,000)
–
–
(222)
121
(408)
(3,810)

(4,273)

435
3,126

3,561

5,943
17,281
1,313
265

$

$

Acquisition and disposition
On November 2, 2015, we completed the acquisition of City National. City National’s business will give us an expansion platform for long-term
growth in the U.S. By acquiring 100% of the voting equity interests, the acquisition provides us with the opportunity to enhance and complement
our existing U.S. businesses in line with our strategic goals. Total consideration of $7.1 billion (US$5.5 billion) at the date of close includes
US$2.6 billion in cash, 41.6 million RBC common shares issued at a price of US$57.16 per share, first preferred shares, Series C-1 and Series C-2
with a fair value of US$290 million (par value of US$275 million), issued upon the cancellation of the outstanding City National preferred shares,
as well as amounts related to share based compensation. Due to the proximity of the close date to the release date of our Consolidated Financial
Statements, we have not finalized the initial accounting for the acquisition as the valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed including
loans, intangible assets, goodwill, share based compensation and contingent liabilities has not been completed.

On November 4, 2015, we entered into a purchase and sale agreement to sell our trust, custody and fund administration business in the

Caribbean to SMP Group Limited. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory approvals.

Capital and funding transactions

On November 2, 2015, we redeemed all $1.5 billion outstanding 3.18% subordinated debentures due on November 2, 2015 for 100% of

their principal amount plus accrued interest to the redemption date.

On November 16, 2015, we announced our intention to redeem all issued and outstanding $1.2 billion principal amount of RBC TruCS 2015

for cash at a redemption price of $1,000 per unit. The redemption is expected to be completed on December 31, 2015.

204

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Consolidated Financial Statements

Ten-year statistical review

Condensed Balance Sheet

IFRS

CGAAP

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Canadian
dollars)

Assets
Cash and due from

banks

$

12,452 $ 17,421 $ 15,550 $ 12,428 $ 12,428

$ 13,247 $

8,440 $

7,584 $ 11,086 $

4,226 $

4,401

Interest-bearing

deposits with banks

Securities
Assets purchased
under reverse
repurchase
agreements and
securities borrowed

Loans net of
allowance

Other
Total Assets

Liabilities
Deposits
Other
Subordinated
debentures

Trust capital securities
Preferred shares

liabilities
Non-controlling
interest in
subsidiaries

Total Liabilities

Equity attributable to

shareholders

Non-controlling

interest

Total equity

Total liabilities and

22,690
215,508

8,399
199,148

9,039
182,710

10,246
161,602

6,460
167,022

12,181
179,558

13,254
183,519

8,919
177,298

20,041
171,134

11,881
178,255

10,502
184,869

174,723

135,580

117,517

112,257

84,947

84,947

72,698

41,580

44,818

64,313

59,378

472,223
176,612

347,530
175,446
$ 1,074,208 $ 940,550 $ 859,745 $ 823,954 $ 793,833

378,241
149,180

435,229
144,773

408,850
126,079

296,284
165,485

208,530
69,100
$ 751,702 $ 726,206 $ 654,989 $ 723,859 $ 600,346 $ 536,780

237,936
103,735

258,395
161,213

289,540
187,240

273,006
175,289

$ 697,227 $ 614,100 $ 563,079 $ 512,244 $ 479,102
263,625

259,174

239,763

264,088

305,675

$ 444,181 $ 414,561 $ 378,457 $ 438,575 $ 365,205 $ 343,523
160,575

229,699

242,744

201,404

263,030

256,124

7,362
–

7,859
–

7,443
–

7,615
–

8,749
894

7,749
–

6,681
727

6,461
1,395

8,131
1,400

6,235
1,400

7,103
1,383

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

300

298

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

1,941

2,256

2,071

2,371

1,483

1,775

1,010,264

886,047

810,285

779,033

752,370

709,995

687,255

618,083

693,221

576,027

514,657

62,146

52,690

47,665

43,160

39,702

41,707

38,951

36,906

30,638

24,319

22,123

1,798

1,813

1,795

1,761

1,761

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

63,944

54,503

49,460

44,921

41,463

41,707

38,951

36,906

30,638

24,319

22,123

equity

$ 1,074,208 $ 940,550 $ 859,745 $ 823,954 $ 793,833

$ 751,702 $ 726,206 $ 654,989 $ 723,859 $ 600,346 $ 536,780

Condensed Income Statement

IFRS

CGAAP

$

(Millions of Canadian
dollars)
Net interest income
Non-interest income
Total revenue
Provision for credit
losses (PCL)

Insurance

policyholder
benefits, claims and
acquisition expense
Non-interest expense

(NIE)

Non-controlling

interest

Net income from
continuing
operations
Net loss from

discontinued
operations

Net income

2014

2011
2013
2015
14,771 $ 14,116 $ 13,249 $ 12,439 $ 11,357
16,281
17,433
20,550
27,638
30,682
35,321

19,992
34,108

16,708
29,147

2012

2011

2010
$ 10,600 $ 10,338 $ 10,705 $
15,744
26,082

15,736
26,441

16,830
27,430

2009

2008
9,054 $

2007
7,700 $

12,528
21,582

14,762
22,462

2006
6,796
13,481
20,637

1,097

1,164

1,237

1,299

1,133

975

1,240

2,167

1,595

791

429

2,963

3,573

2,784

3,621

3,358

3,360

3,546

3,042

1,631

2,173

2,509

18,638

17,661

16,214

14,641

14,167

14,453

13,469

13,436

12,351

12,473

11,495

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

104

99

100

81

141

44

10,026

9,004

8,342

7,558

6,970

6,650

5,732

5,681

4,555

5,492

4,757

–
10,026

–
9,004

–
8,342

(51)
7,507

(526)
6,444

(1,798)
4,852

(509)
5,223

(1,823)
3,858

–
4,555

–
5,492

(29)
4,728

Ten-year statistical review

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

205

Other Statistics – reported
(Millions of Canadian dollars,
except percentages and
per share amounts)

PROFITABILITY MEASURES (1)
Earnings per shares (EPS)

IFRS

CGAAP

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

– basic
– diluted

$
$

6.75 $
6.73 $

6.03 $
6.00 $

5.53 $
5.49 $

4.96 $
4.91 $

4.25 $
4.19 $

3.21 $
3.19 $

3.49 $
3.46 $

2.59 $
2.57 $

3.41 $
3.38 $

4.24 $
4.19 $

3.65
3.59

Return on common equity

(ROE)

Return on risk-weighted

assets (RWA) (2)
Efficiency ratio (3)

KEY RATIOS

PCL on impaired loans as
a % of Average net
loans and acceptances
Net interest margin (total

average assets)

Non-interest income as a
% of total revenue

SHARE INFORMATION (1)

Common shares

outstanding (000s) –
end of period

Dividends declared per

common share

Dividend yield
Dividend payout ratio (2)
Book value per share
Common share price (RY
on TSX) – close, end of
period

Market capitalization

18.6%

19.0%

19.7%

19.6%

18.7%

12.9%

14.9%

11.9%

18.1%

24.7%

23.5%

2.45%
52.8%

2.52%
51.8%

2.67%
52.8%

2.70%
50.2%

2.44%
51.3%

1.87%
52.7%

2.03%
51.6%

1.50%
50.8%

1.78%
57.2%

2.23%
55.5%

2.21%
55.7%

0.24%

0.27%

0.31%

0.35%

0.33%

0.34%

0.45%

0.72%

0.53%

0.33%

0.23%

1.40%

1.56%

1.56%

1.55%

1.52%

1.49%

1.59%

1.64%

1.39%

1.33%

1.35%

58.2%

58.6%

56.8%

57.3%

58.9%

61.4%

60.4%

59.5%

58.0%

65.7%

67.1%

1,443,423 1,442,233 1,441,056 1,445,303 1,438,376

1,438,376 1,424,922 1,417,610 1,341,260 1,276,260 1,280,890

$

$

$

3.08 $
4.1%
46%
39.51 $

2.84 $
3.8%
47%
33.69 $

2.53 $
4.0%
46%
29.87 $

2.28 $
4.5%
46%
26.52 $

2.08 $
3.9%
45%

24.25 $

2.08 $
3.9%
47%
25.65 $

2.00 $
3.6%
52%
23.99 $

2.00 $
4.8%
52%
22.67 $

2.00 $
4.2%
59%
20.90 $

1.82 $
3.3%
43%
17.49 $

1.44
3.1%
40%
16.52

74.77 $

80.01 $

70.02 $

56.94 $

48.62 $

48.62 $

54.39 $

54.80 $

46.84 $

56.04 $

49.80

(TSX)

107,925

115,393

100,903

82,296

69,934

69,934

77,502

77,685

62,825

71,522

63,788

Market price to book

value

CAPITAL MEASURES –
CONSOLIDATED (4)
Common Equity Tier 1

capital ratio
Tier 1 capital ratio
Total capital ratio
Assets-to-capital multiple
Leverage Ratio

1.89

2.38

2.34

2.15

2.00

1.90

2.27

2.42

2.24

3.20

3.01

10.6%
12.2%
14.0%
n.a.
4.3%

9.9%
11.4%
13.4%
17.0X
n.a.

9.6%
11.7%
14.0%
16.6X
n.a.

n.a.
13.1%
15.1%
16.7X
n.a.

n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.

n.a.
13.3%
15.3%
16.1X
n.a.

n.a.
13.0%
14.4%
16.5X
n.a.

n.a.
13.0%
14.2%
16.3X
n.a.

n.a.
9.0%
11.0%
20.1X
n.a.

n.a.
9.4%
11.5%
20.0X
n.a.

n.a.
9.6%
11.9%
19.7X
n.a.

(1)

(2)
(3)
(4)

On April 6, 2006, we paid a stock dividend of one common share on each of our issued and outstanding common shares. The effect was the same as two-for-one split of our common shares.
All common share and per share information have been adjusted retroactively for the stock dividend.
Return on risk-weighted assets (RWA) for fiscal 2011 is based on RWA reported under CGAAP and Income reported under IFRS.
Ratios for 2009-2012 represent continuing operations.
Effective 2013 we calculate the capital ratios and multiples using the Basel III (all-in basis) framework unless otherwise stated. 2008-2012 capital ratios and multiples were calculated using
the Basel II framework. 2004-2007 capital ratios and 2005-2007 asset-to-capital multiples were calculated using the Basel I framework. Capital ratios and multiples for 2011 were
determined under Canadian GAAP.

206

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Ten-year statistical review

Glossary

Acceptances
A bill of exchange or negotiable instrument
drawn by the borrower for payment at maturity
and accepted by a bank. The acceptance
constitutes a guarantee of payment by the bank
and can be traded in the money market. The
bank earns a “stamping fee” for providing this
guarantee.

Allowance for credit losses
The amount deemed adequate by management
to absorb identified credit losses as well as
losses that have been incurred but are not yet
identifiable as at the balance sheet date. This
allowance is established to cover the lending
portfolio including loans, acceptances,
guarantees, letters of credit, and unfunded
commitments. The allowance is increased by
the provision for credit losses, which is charged
to income and decreased by the amount of
write-offs, net of recoveries in the period.

Alt-A assets
A term used in the U.S. to describe assets
(mainly mortgages) with a borrower risk profile
between the prime and subprime
categorizations. Categorization of assets as Alt-
A (as opposed to prime) varies, such as limited
verification or documentation of borrowers’
income or a limited credit history.

Asset-backed securities (ABS)
Securities created through the securitization of
a pool of assets, for example auto loans or
credit card loans.

Assets-to-capital multiple (ACM)
Total assets plus specified off-balance sheet
items, as defined by OSFI, divided by total
regulatory capital on a transitional basis. ACM
has been replaced in 2015 by the Basel III
Leverage Ratio.

Assets under administration (AUA)
Assets administered by us, which are
beneficially owned by clients, as at October 31,
unless otherwise noted. Services provided in
respect of assets under administration are of
an administrative nature, including
safekeeping, collecting investment income,
settling purchase and sale transactions, and
record keeping.

Assets under management (AUM)
Assets managed by us, which are beneficially
owned by clients, as at October 31, unless
otherwise noted. Services provided in respect
of assets under management include the
selection of investments and the provision of
investment advice. We have assets under
management that are also administered by us
and included in assets under administration.

Auction rate securities (ARS)
Securities issued through structured entities
that hold long-term assets funded with long-
term debt. In the U.S., these securities are
issued by sponsors such as municipalities,
student loan authorities or other sponsors
through bank-managed auctions.

Average earning assets
Average earning assets include interest-
bearing deposits with other banks including
certain components of cash and due from
banks, securities, assets purchased under
reverse repurchase agreements and
securities borrowed, loans, and excludes
segregated fund net assets and other assets.
The averages are based on the daily
balances for the period.

Bank-owned life insurance contracts (BOLI)
Our legacy portfolio includes BOLI where we
provided banks with BOLI stable value
agreements (“wraps”), which insure the life
insurance policy’s cash surrender value from
market fluctuations on the underlying
investments, thereby allowing us to guarantee
a minimum tax-exempt return to the
counterparty. These wraps allow us to account
for the underlying assets on an accrual basis
instead of a mark-to-market basis.

Basis point (bp)
One one-hundredth of a percentage point
(.01%).

Collateral
Assets pledged as security for a loan or other
obligation. Collateral can take many forms,
such as cash, highly rated securities, property,
inventory, equipment and receivables.

Collateralized debt obligation (CDO)
Securities with multiple tranches that are
issued by structured entities and collateralized
by debt obligations including bonds and loans.
Each tranche offers a varying degree of risk and
return so as to meet investor demand.

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
(CMBS)
Securities created through the securitization of
commercial mortgages.

Commitments to extend credit
Unutilized amount of credit facilities available
to clients either in the form of loans, bankers’
acceptances and other on-balance sheet
financing, or through off-balance sheet
products such as guarantees and letters of
credit.

Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital
A regulatory Basel III capital measure
comprised mainly of common shareholders’
equity less regulatory deductions and
adjustments for goodwill and intangibles,
defined benefit pension fund assets, shortfall
in allowances and other specified items.

Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio
A risk-based capital measure calculated as
CET1 capital divided by risk-weighted assets.

Covered bonds
Full recourse on-balance sheet obligations
issued by banks and credit institutions that are
also fully collateralized by assets over which
investors enjoy a priority claim in the event of
an issuer’s insolvency.

Credit default swaps (CDS)
A derivative contract that provides the
purchaser with a one-time payment should the
referenced entity/entities default (or a similar
triggering event occur).

Derivative
A contract between two parties, which requires
little or no initial investment and where
payments between the parties are dependent
upon the movements in price of an underlying
instrument, index or financial rate. Examples of
derivatives include swaps, options, forward
rate agreements and futures. The notional
amount of the derivative is the contract amount
used as a reference point to calculate the
payments to be exchanged between the two
parties, and the notional amount itself is
generally not exchanged by the parties.

Dividend payout ratio
Common dividends as a percentage of net
income available to common shareholders.

Earnings per share (EPS), basic
Calculated as net income available to common
shareholders divided by the average number of
shares outstanding.

Earnings per share (EPS), diluted
Calculated as net income available to
common shareholders divided by the
average number of shares outstanding
adjusted for the dilutive effects of stock
options and other convertible securities.

Economic capital
An estimate of the amount of equity capital
required to underpin risks. It is calculated by
estimating the level of capital that is necessary
to support our various businesses, given their
risks, consistent with our desired solvency
standard and credit ratings. The identified risks
for which we calculate Economic Capital are
credit, market (trading and non-trading),
operational, business, fixed asset, and
insurance. Additionally, Economic Capital
includes goodwill and intangibles, and allows
for diversification benefits across risks and
business segments.

Fair value
Fair value of a financial instrument is the price
that would be received to sell an asset or paid
to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction
between market participants at the
measurement date.

Glossary

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

207

Funding Valuation Adjustment
Funding valuation adjustments are calculated
to incorporate cost and benefit of funding in the
valuation of uncollateralized and under-
collateralized OTC derivatives. Future expected
cash flows of these derivatives are discounted
to reflect the cost and benefit of funding the
derivatives by using a funding curve, implied
volatilities and correlations as inputs.

Gross-adjusted assets (GAA)
GAA are used in the calculation of the Assets-
to-Capital multiple. They represent our total
assets including specified off-balance sheet
items and net of prescribed deductions. Off
balance sheet items for this calculation are
direct credit substitutes, including letters of
credit and guarantees, transaction-related
contingencies, trade-related contingencies and
sale and repurchase agreements. Commencing
Q1/15, the Asset-to-capital multiple and GAA
have been replaced by with the leverage ratio
and leverage ratio exposure respectively.

Guarantees and standby letters of credit
These primarily represent irrevocable
assurances that a bank will make payments in
the event that its client cannot meet its
financial obligations to third parties. Certain
other guarantees, such as bid and performance
bonds, represent non-financial undertakings.

Hedge
A risk management technique used to mitigate
exposure from market, interest rate or foreign
currency exchange risk arising from normal
banking operations. The elimination or
reduction of such exposure is accomplished by
establishing offsetting positions. For example,
assets denominated in foreign currencies can
be offset with liabilities in the same currencies
or through the use of foreign exchange hedging
instruments such as futures, options or foreign
exchange contracts.

Hedge funds
A type of investment fund, marketed to
accredited high net worth investors, that is
subject to limited regulation and restrictions on
its investments compared to retail mutual
funds, and that often utilize aggressive
strategies such as selling short, leverage,
program trading, swaps, arbitrage and
derivatives.

High-quality liquid assets (HQLA)
Assets are considered to be HQLA if they can be
easily and immediately converted into cash at
little or no loss of value during a time of stress.

Home equity products
This is comprised of residential mortgages and
secured personal loans whereby the borrower
pledges real estate as collateral.

International Financial Reporting Standards
(IFRS)
IFRS are principles-based standards,
interpretations and the framework adopted by
the International Accounting Standards Board.

Impaired loans
Loans are classified as impaired when there
has been a deterioration of credit quality to the
extent that management no longer has
reasonable assurance of timely collection of the
full amount of principal and interest in
accordance with the contractual terms of the
loan agreement. Credit card balances are not
classified as impaired as they are directly
written off after payments are 180 days past
due.

Innovative capital instruments
Innovative capital instruments are capital
instruments issued by structured entities,
whose primary purpose is to raise capital. We
previously issued innovative capital
instruments, RBC Trust Capital Securities (RBC
TruCS) and RBC Trust Subordinated Notes (RBC
TSNs), through three structured entities: RBC
Capital Trust, RBC Capital Trust II and RBC
Subordinated Notes Trust. As per OSFI Basel III
guidelines, non-qualifying innovative capital
instruments treated as additional Tier 1 capital
are subject to phase out over a ten year period
beginning on January 1, 2013.

Leverage Ratio
A Basel III regulatory measure, the ratio divides
Tier 1 capital by the sum of total assets plus
specified off-balance sheet items.

Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR)
The Liquidity Coverage Ratio is a Basel III metric
that measures the sufficiency of HQLA available
to meet net short-term financial obligations
over a thirty day period in an acute stress
scenario.

Loan-to-value (LTV) ratio
Calculated based on the total facility amount
for the residential mortgage and homeline
product divided by the value of the related
residential property.

Master netting agreement
An agreement between us and a counterparty
designed to reduce the credit risk of multiple
derivative transactions through the creation of
a legal right of offset of exposure in the event of
a default.

Net interest income
The difference between what is earned on
assets such as loans and securities and what is
paid on liabilities such as deposits and
subordinated debentures.

Net interest margin (average assets)
Net interest income as a percentage of total
average assets.

Net interest margin (on average earning
assets)
Calculated as net interest income divided by
average earning assets.

Normal course issuer bid (NCIB)
A program for the repurchase of our own shares
for cancellation through a stock exchange that
is subject to the various rules of the relevant
stock exchange and securities commission.

Notional amount
The contract amount used as a reference point
to calculate payments for derivatives.

Off-balance sheet financial instruments
A variety of arrangements offered to clients,
which include credit derivatives, written put
options, backstop liquidity facilities, stable
value products, financial standby letters of
credit, performance guarantees, credit
enhancements, mortgage loans sold with
recourse, commitments to extend credit,
securities lending, documentary and
commercial letters of credit, note issuances
and revolving underwriting facilities, securities
lending indemnifications and indemnifications.

Office of the Superintendent of Financial
Institutions Canada (OSFI)
The primary regulator of federally chartered
financial institutions and federally
administered pension plans in Canada. OSFI’s
mission is to safeguard policyholders,
depositors and pension plan members from
undue loss.

Operating leverage
The difference between our revenue growth rate
and non-interest expense growth rate.

Options
A contract or a provision of a contract that gives
one party (the option holder) the right, but not
the obligation, to perform a specified
transaction with another party (the option
issuer or option writer) according to specified
terms.

Primary dealer
A formal designation provided to a bank or
securities broker-dealer permitted to trade
directly with a country’s central bank. Primary
dealers participate in open market operations,
act as market-makers of government debt and
provide market information and analysis to
assist with monetary policy.

Provision for credit losses (PCL)
The amount charged to income necessary to
bring the allowance for credit losses to a level
determined appropriate by management. This
includes both specific and general provisions.

208

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Glossary

Repurchase agreements
These involve the sale of securities for cash and
the simultaneous repurchase of the securities
for value at a later date. These transactions
normally do not constitute economic sales and
therefore are treated as collateralized financing
transactions.

Securities sold short
A transaction in which the seller sells securities
and then borrows the securities in order to
deliver them to the purchaser upon settlement.
At a later date, the seller buys identical
securities in the market to replace the
borrowed securities.

Residential mortgage-backed securities
(RMBS)
Securities created through the securitization of
residential mortgage loans.

Securitization
The process by which various financial assets
are packaged into newly issued securities
backed by these assets.

Return on common equity (ROE)
Net income available to common shareholders,
expressed as a percentage of average common
equity.

Reverse repurchase agreements
These involve the purchase of securities for
cash and the simultaneous sale of the
securities for value at a later date. These
transactions normally do not constitute
economic sales and therefore are treated as
collateralized financing transactions.

Risk-weighted assets (RWA)
Assets adjusted by a regulatory risk-weight
factor to reflect the riskiness of on and off-
balance sheet exposures. Certain assets are
not risk-weighted, but deducted from capital.
The calculation is defined by guidelines issued
by OSFI. For more details, refer to the Capital
management section.

Securities lending
Transactions in which the owner of a security
agrees to lend it under the terms of a
prearranged contract to a borrower for a fee.
The borrower must collateralize the security
loan at all times. An intermediary such as a
bank often acts as agent for the owner of the
security. There are two types of securities
lending arrangements: lending with and
without credit or market risk indemnification. In
securities lending without indemnification, the
bank bears no risk of loss. For transactions in
which the bank provides an indemnification, it
bears the risk of loss if the borrower defaults
and the value of the collateral declines
concurrently.

Structured entities
A structured entity is an entity in which voting
or similar rights are not the dominant factor in
deciding who controls the entity, such as when
the activities that significantly affect the
entity’s returns are directed by means of
contractual arrangements. Structured entities
often have restricted activities, narrow and well
defined objectives, insufficient equity to
finance their activities, and financing in the
form of multiple contractually-linked
instruments.

Standardized Approach
Risk weights prescribed by OSFI are used to
calculate risk-weighted assets for the credit risk
exposures. Credit assessments by OSFI-
recognized external credit rating agencies of
S&P, Moody’s, Fitch and DBRS are used to risk-
weight our Sovereign and Bank exposures
based on the standards and guidelines issued
by OSFI. For our Business and Retail exposures,
we use the standard risk weights prescribed by
OSFI.

Structured investment vehicle
Managed investment vehicle that holds mainly
highly rated asset-backed securities and funds
itself using the short-term commercial paper
market as well as the medium-term note (MTN)
market.

Subprime loans
Subprime lending is the practice of making
loans to borrowers who do not qualify for the
best market interest rates because of their
deficient credit history. Subprime lending
carries more risk for lenders due to the
combination of higher interest rates for the
borrowers, poorer credit histories, and adverse
financial situations usually associated with
subprime applicants.

Taxable equivalent basis (teb)
Income from certain specified tax advantaged
sources (eligible Canadian taxable corporate
dividends) is increased to a level that would
make it comparable to income from taxable
sources. There is an offsetting adjustment in
the tax provision, thereby generating the same
after-tax net income.

Tier 1 capital
Tier 1 capital comprises predominantly of CET1
capital, with additional Tier 1 items such as
preferred shares, innovative instruments and
non-controlling interests in subsidiaries Tier 1
instruments.

Tier 2 capital
Tier 2 capital consists mainly of subordinated
debentures that meet certain criteria, certain
loan loss allowances and non-controlling
interests in subsidiaries’ Tier 2 instruments.

Total capital and total capital ratio
Total capital is defined as the total of Tier 1 and
Tier 2 capital. The total capital ratio is
calculated by dividing total capital by risk-
weighted assets.

Tranche
A security class created whereby the risks and
returns associated with a pool of assets are
packaged into several classes of securities
offering different risk and return profiles from
those of the underlying asset pool. Tranches
are typically rated by ratings agencies, and
reflect both the credit quality of underlying
collateral as well as the level of protection
based on the tranches’ relative subordination.

Trust Capital Securities (RBC TruCS)
Transferable trust units issued by structured
entities RBC Capital Trust or RBC Capital Trust II
for the purpose of raising innovative Tier 1
capital.

Value-at-Risk (VaR)
A generally accepted risk-measurement
concept that uses statistical models based on
historical information to estimate within a given
level of confidence the maximum loss in market
value we would experience in our trading
portfolio from an adverse one-day movement in
market rates and prices.

Glossary

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

209

Directors and executive officers

Directors

W. Geoffrey Beattie (2001)
Toronto, Ontario
Chief Executive Officer
Generation Capital

Jacynthe Côté (2014)
Montreal, Quebec
Corporate Director

Toos N. Daruvala (2015)
New York, New York
Director and Senior Partner
McKinsey & Company

David F. Denison, O.C., FCPA,
FCA (2012)
Toronto, Ontario
Corporate Director

Richard L. George, O.C. (2012)
Calgary, Alberta
Partner, Novo Investment Group

Alice D. Laberge (2005)
Vancouver, British Columbia
Corporate Director

Michael H. McCain (2005)
Toronto, Ontario
President and Chief
Executive Officer
Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

David I. McKay (2014)
Toronto, Ontario
President and Chief
Executive Officer
Royal Bank of Canada

Heather Munroe-Blum,
O.C., O.Q.,
Ph.D., FRSC (2011)
Montreal, Quebec
Professor Emerita and
Principal Emerita
McGill University

Bridget A. van Kralingen (2011)
New York, New York
Senior Vice President
IBM Global Business Services
IBM Corporation

Thierry Vandal (2015)
New York, New York
President
Axium Infrastructure US Inc.

Victor L. Young, O.C. (1991)
St. John’s, Newfoundland
and Labrador
Corporate Director

J. Pedro Reinhard (2000)
Key Biscayne, Florida
President
Reinhard & Associates

Thomas A. Renyi (2013)
New Harbor, Maine
Corporate Director

Edward Sonshine, O.Ont., Q.C.
(2008)
Toronto, Ontario
Chief Executive Officer
RioCan Real Estate
Investment Trust

Kathleen P. Taylor (2001)
Toronto, Ontario
Chair of the Board
Royal Bank of Canada

The date appearing after the name of each director indicates the year in which the individual became a director.

Group Executive

Janice R. Fukakusa, FCPA, FCA
Chief Administrative Officer and
Chief Financial Officer

Zabeen Hirji
Chief Human Resources Officer

A. Douglas McGregor
Group Head, Capital Markets
and Investor & Treasury Services

Bruce Ross
Group Head, Technology &
Operations

Doug Guzman(1)
Group Head, Wealth
Management and Insurance

Mark Hughes
Chief Risk Officer

David I. McKay
President and
Chief Executive Officer

Jennifer Tory
Group Head,
Personal & Commercial Banking

(1)

Effective November 1, 2015, Doug Guzman was appointed Group Head, Wealth Management and Insurance, replacing M. George Lewis, who is continuing as a Senior Portfolio Manager,
RBC Global Asset Management.

210

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Directors and executive officers

Principal subsidiaries

Principal subsidiaries (1)

Royal Bank Holding Inc.

Royal Mutual Funds Inc.
RBC Insurance Holdings Inc.

RBC General Insurance Company
RBC Insurance Company of Canada
RBC Life Insurance Company

RBC Direct Investing Inc.
RBC Phillips, Hager & North Investment Counsel Inc.
R.B.C. Holdings (Bahamas) Limited

RBC Caribbean Investments Limited

Royal Bank of Canada Insurance Company Ltd.

Investment Holdings (Cayman) Limited
RBC (Barbados) Funding Ltd.
RBC Capital Markets Arbitrage S.A.
Capital Funding Alberta Limited

RBC Global Asset Management Inc.

RBC Investor Services Trust
RBC Investor Services Bank S.A.
RBC (Barbados) Trading Bank Corporation
BlueBay Asset Management (Services) Ltd

RBC USA Holdco Corporation (2)
RBC Capital Markets, LLC (2)
RBC Global Asset Management (U.S.) Inc.

RBC Dominion Securities Limited
RBC Dominion Securities Inc.

RBC Holdings (Barbados) Ltd.

RBC Financial (Caribbean) Limited

RBC Finance S.à r.l./B.V. (2)

RBC Holdings (Luxembourg) S.A R.L.

RBC Holdings (Channel Islands) Limited

Royal Bank of Canada (Channel Islands) Limited

RBC Capital Trust

RBC Europe Limited

Royal Bank Mortgage Corporation

The Royal Trust Company

RBC Bank (Georgia), National Association (2)

Royal Trust Corporation of Canada

Principal office address (2)

Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas
George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
St. Michael, Barbados
George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
St. Michael, Barbados
Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
St. James, Barbados
London, England

New York, New York, U.S.
New York, New York, U.S.
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

St. Michael, Barbados
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Amsterdam, Netherlands
Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Jersey, Channel Islands
Guernsey, Channel Islands

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

London, England

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

RBC Covered Bond Guarantor Limited Partnership

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Carrying value of
voting shares owned
by the Bank (3)

$

48,117

13,558

7,326

3,479

3,282

2,133

1,860

1,060

572

326

243

237

(1)
(2)

(3)

The Bank directly or indirectly controls each subsidiary.
Each subsidiary is incorporated or organized under the law of the state or country in which the principal office is situated, except for RBC USA Holdco Corporation which is incorporated under
the laws of the State of Delaware, U.S., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, which is organized under the laws of the State of Minnesota, U.S. RBC Finance S.à r.l. / B.V. is a company incorporated in the
Netherlands with its official seat in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and place of effective management, central administration, and principal establishment in Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of
Luxembourg. RBC Bank (Georgia), National Association is a national banking association organized under the laws of the U.S. with its main office in Atlanta, Georgia and management offices
in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The carrying value (in millions of Canadian dollars) of voting shares is stated as the Bank’s equity in such investments.

Principal subsidiaries

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

211

Shareholder Information

Corporate headquarters
Street address:
Royal Bank of Canada
200 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2J5
Canada
Tel: 1-888-212-5533

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 1
Royal Bank Plaza
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2J5
Canada
website: rbc.com

Transfer Agent and Registrar
Main Agent:
Computershare Trust
Company of Canada
1500 Robert Bourassa Blvd.
Suite 700
Montreal, Quebec H3A 3S8
Canada
Tel: 1-866-586-7635 (Canada and
the U.S.) or 514-982-7555
(International)
Fax: 514-982-7580
website: computershare.com/rbc

Co-Transfer Agent (U.S.):
Computershare Trust
Company, N.A.
250 Royall Street
Canton, Massachusetts 02021
U.S.A.

Co-Transfer Agent (U.K.):
Computershare Investor
Services PLC
Securities Services – Registrars
P.O. Box 82, The Pavilions,
Bridgwater Road,
Bristol BS99 6ZZ
U.K.

Stock exchange listings
(Symbol: RY)

Common shares are listed on:
Canada – Toronto Stock
Exchange (TSX)
U.S. – New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE)
Switzerland – Swiss Exchange
(SIX)

All preferred shares are listed on
the TSX with the exception of the
series C-1 and C-2. The related
depository shares of the series
C-1 and C-2 preferred shares are
listed on the NYSE.

Valuation day price
For capital gains purposes, the
Valuation Day (December 22,
1971) cost base for our common
shares is $7.38 per share. This
amount has been adjusted to
reflect the two-for-one share split
of March 1981 and the two-for-
one share split of February 1990.
The one-for-one share dividends
paid in October 2000 and April
2006 did not affect the Valuation
Day value for our common
shares.

Shareholder contacts
For dividend information, change
in share registration or address,
lost stock certificates, tax forms,
estate transfers or dividend
reinvestment, please contact:
Computershare Trust Company of
Canada
100 University Avenue, 8th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2Y1
Canada

Tel: 1-866-586-7635 (Canada and
the U.S.) or 514-982-7555
(International)
Fax: 1-888-453-0330 (Canada and
the U.S.) or 416-263-9394
(International)
email: service@computershare.com

For other shareholder inquiries,
please contact:
Shareholder Relations
Royal Bank of Canada
200 Bay Street
South Tower
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2J5
Canada
Tel: 416-955-7806

Financial analysts, portfolio
managers, institutional
investors
For financial information inquiries,
please contact:
Investor Relations
Royal Bank of Canada
200 Bay Street
North Tower
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2W7
Canada
Tel: 416-955-7802

or visit our website at
rbc.com/investorrelations

Direct deposit service
Shareholders in Canada and the
U.S. may have their RBC common
share dividends deposited directly
to their bank account by
electronic funds transfer. To
arrange for this service, please
contact our Transfer Agent and
Registrar, Computershare Trust
Company of Canada.

Eligible dividend designation
For purposes of the enhanced
dividend tax credit rules
contained in the Income Tax Act
(Canada) and any corresponding
provincial and territorial tax
legislation, all dividends (and
deemed dividends) paid by us to
Canadian residents on our
common and preferred shares
after December 31, 2005, are
designated as “eligible
dividends”.
Unless stated otherwise, all
dividends (and deemed
dividends) paid by us hereafter
are designated as “eligible
dividends” for the purposes of
such rules.

2016 Quarterly earnings release
dates
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter

February 24
May 26
August 24
November 30

2016 Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of Common
Shareholders will be held on
Wednesday, April 6, 2016, at
9:30am (Eastern Time) at the
Mount Royal Centre, Auditorium,
2200 Mansfield Street, Montreal,
Quebec, Canada.

Dividend dates for 2016
Subject to approval by the Board of Directors

Common and preferred

shares series W, AA, AB,
AC, AD, AE, AF, AG, AJ, AK,
AL, AZ, BB, BD, BF, BH, BI,
and BJ

Preferred shares series C-1

(US$)

Preferred shares series C-2

(US$)

Ex-dividend
dates
January 22
April 21
July 22
October 24

Record
dates
January 26
April 25
July 26
October 26

Payment
dates
February 24
May 24
August 24
November 24

February 3
April 29
August 3
November 2
January 27
April 27
July 27
October 26

February 5
May 3
August 5
November 4
January 29
April 29
July 29
October 28

February 15
May 13
August 15
November 14
February 8
May 9
August 8
November 7

Governance
A summary of the significant ways in which corporate governance
practices followed by RBC differ from corporate governance practices
required to be followed by U.S. domestic companies under the NYSE
listing standards is available on our website at rbc.com/governance.

Information contained in or otherwise accessible through the websites mentioned in this report to shareholders does not form a part of this report. All references to websites are
inactive textual references and are for your information only.

Trademarks used in this report include the LION & GLOBE Symbol, ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, RBC, RBC ASSET MANAGEMENT, RBC BLUE WATER PROJECT, RBC CAPITAL TRUST,
RBC GLOBAL ASSET MANAGEMENT, RBC INSURANCE, RBC NEWCOMER ADVANTAGE, RBC TSNs, RBC TruCS, RBC WALLET, RBC WEALTH MANAGEMENT, AVION and CHEQUE-PRO which
are trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada used by Royal Bank of Canada and/or by its subsidiaries under license. All other trademarks mentioned in this report, which are not the
property of Royal Bank of Canada, are owned by their respective holders.

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Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2015

Shareholder information

rbc.com/ar2015

81104 (12/2015)