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Mortgage-Free Eventually: RBC Poll Finds Majority of Canadians Hope to Pay Off Their Homes by Retirement

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Nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) of Canadians with a mortgage hope to bemortgage-free by the time they reach age 65, but one-third (33 per cent) of older Canadians, those over the age of 55, have 16 or more years left on their mortgage term, according to the latest RBC Housing Snapshot poll.

“Canadians want to be mortgage-free as they approach retirement age and beyond, but the reality is that it takes prudent planning and the right advice to stay on track,” said Claude DeMone, director of Strategy for Home Equity Financing, RBC. “Using flexible and accelerated payment options are an easy and pain-free way to help take years off your mortgage and save thousands of dollars in interest costs.”

Canadians overwhelmingly say that a low interest rate is the most important feature when choosing a mortgage (96 per cent). Almost nine-in-10 Canadians also say that accelerated payment options (85 per cent) and flexible payment options (88 per cent) are important and desirable features.

Looking ahead, the majority of Canadians expect steadyinterest rates in the next six to 12 months. Almost one-in-five Canadians (18 per cent) expect rates will rise less than one per cent. Just over a quarter of respondents (26 per cent) think interest rates will rise more than one per cent in the same time period.

“Though many Canadians expect interest rates to stay the same over the next year, they should still keep in mind that it’s important to build some wiggle room into your budget to prepare for any extra costs or future rate increases,” DeMone added.

With a firm belief that interest rates will stay relatively stable over the next year, the RBC poll shows Canadians are increasingly interested in using either a variable (29 per cent, compared to 19 per cent in the first quarter of this year) orfixed rate mortgage (46 per cent, compared to 40 per cent in the first quarter of this year). Interest in using a hybridmortgage (part fixed, part variable) has declined (25 per cent, compared to 41 per cent in the first quarter of this year).

DeMone offers the following mortgage advice that will help Canadians pay down mortgages faster and get the right one to meet their individual needs:

  1. “Stress test” your mortgage for rate increases.If you are concerned about affordability down the road, knowing what your payments would be with a one to three per cent rate increase will give you greater peace of mind that your new home is affordable both today and in a few years, when rates might be higher.
  2. Look beyond the interest rate and consider your prepayment options. Many closed mortgages allow you to double up a payment or pay a lump sum on your mortgage annually without prepayment charges. Prepayments are applied directly to the principal balance, helping to save thousands of dollars in interest costs over the life of the mortgage.
  3. Take advantage of early renewal options. Some mortgages allow you to renew up to 120 days before the end of your term. This means you can lock in your new mortgage rate early.

Poll highlights:

  • An equal amount of Canadians in the 35-54 age group plan to be mortgage-free by age 55 (39 per cent) or by age 65 (39 per cent).
  • Young Canadians (age 18-34) have the most aggressive views of when they will be mortgage-free (by age 35: 12 per cent; by age 45: 26 per cent).
  • Among Canadian homeowners, the number of mortgage-free Canadians has increased slightly to 41 per cent in the fourth quarter from 38 per cent in the first quarter, and the highest level since 2006.
  • Canadians ages 55 and over were more likely to expect interest rates to stay about the same in the next six to 12 months (55+ 60 per cent compared to the national average of 51 per cent).

One-third of younger Canadians (18-34: 34 per cent) anticipate a steeper increase in interest rates in the next six to 12 months.

Regional highlights for British Columbia, Alberta, Prairies,Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada are also available.

Canadians can visit the RBC Advice Centrewww.rbcadvicecentre.com for advice on the costs associated with purchasing a home. The RBC Advice Centre is an online resource, with videos and interactive tools and calculators, that gives Canadians access to advice about all aspects of their finances including their homeownership goals – whether they are buying their first home, planning their next move, renovating or managing their current home financing. With the guidance of RBC mortgage specialists, Canadians have access to free, no-obligation professional advice and personalized one-on-one service about RBC mortgage products and services.

RBC is the largest residential mortgage lender in Canada. As the country’s number one source of financial advice on homeownership, RBC conducts consumer surveys as one way to provide insight to Canadians about the marketplace in which they live. These are some of the findings of the RBC Housing Snapshot poll conducted by Ipsos Reid between from October 6-14, 2011. The results are based on a sample where quota sampling and weighting are employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample’s composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to Census data. Quota samples with weighting from the Ipsos online panel provide results that are intended to approximate a probability sample. An unweighted probability sample of 2,282 adults, with 100 per cent response rate, would have an estimated margin of error of ±2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The margin of error within subgroups of the sample will be higher.

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For more information, contact:
Ka Yan Ng, RBC Communications
Matt Gierasimczuk, RBC Communications

RBC Donates $2.6 Million to 99 After-School Programs Across Canada

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The RBC After-School Grants Project announced on November 17, 2011 that 99 community-based organizations across Canada will share $2.6 million in funding to provide after-school programs, including 15 new grant recipients. RBC has been supporting after-school programs since 1999, helping provide children with a safe, supervised environment for activities outside the classroom.

“Having funded 227 after-school programs since 1999, we know that children who participate in these programs have enhanced social skills and show increased motivation to excel in school,” said Shari Austin, vice-president, Corporate Citizenship at RBC. “We are very proud that our grants continue to help community-based organizations provide engaging activities that keep kids safe, inspire them to learn and grow, while alleviating some pressures for working families.”

RBC After-School Grant recipients represent a diverse range of community based organizations, and were chosen by members of the community. Each program will receive up to $40,000 from RBC. There are 15 first-time grant recipients, including:

BRITISH COLUMBIA

  • Chilliwack Central Elementary School – A grant of $40,000 will help this downtown school provide a free after-school program to about 50 children, five days a week. Children can get help with homework, enjoy daily story time, visit the local library, participate in a formal fitness program, and receive art instruction.
  • KB Woodward Elementary School – A grant of $40,000 will help this school, located in Surrey where half of the residents are newcomers to Canada, provide a free, daily program for 30 children aged 6-12. Many other community partners are engaged to help deliver tutoring, ESL and literacy, athletics, arts and music programs, computer workshops and a science program.

ALBERTA

  • The Airdrie Boys’ and Girls’ Club – A grant of $40,000 will help this organization start a new, daily after-school program for about 30 teens, aged 13-18. This program addresses a need for local children to have access to organized activities and homework help and will provide group and individual life skill development, a book club, and weekly volunteering opportunities.
  • The Cerebral Palsy Association – A grant of $40,000 will help this organization start a new after-school program for teens with disabilities. The funds will be used to purchase specialized equipment, develop programming and educational resources. Activities will include homework help, art, mentoring, healthy snacks, computers, music therapy, cultural trips and sports.

SASKATCHEWAN

  • YMCA King George Community School – A grant of $34,000 will help provide a daily after-school program for 35 First Nations children aged 6-12, with culturally-sensitive activities as well as swimming lessons, tours, and activities at the YMCA.
  • Boys and Girls Clubs of Regina – A grant of $40,000 will help the Boys and Girls Club deliver free programming for 20 children, aged 7 to 14, in Regina’s inner-city, where youth face issues such as malnutrition, gangs, substance abuse and lack of access to social supports. Activities will focus on skill development and artistic expression in a safe environment.

MANITOBA

  • Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg, Aberdeen Club– A grant of $40,000 will help this organization deliver a free, daily after-school program to about 25 children aged 6-14, many of whom are Aboriginal. Activities will include organized sports, art and performing arts, homework help, computer instruction and environmental programs.

ONTARIO

  • The Beyond 3:30 program/ Kane Middle School, Toronto – A grant of $40,000 will allow this organization, serving a neighbourhood where drop-out rates are increasing, to provide a free, daily after-school program to more than 40 children aged 11-14. The program will offer homework help, a Book Club, a Junior Chefs Club, sports, music activities, as well as provide a nutritious snack, and discussions about topics ranging from gardening to bullying.
  • Harmony for Youth, Sarnia – A grant of $40,000 will help this organization run an after-school program in a region where children often lack the resources and supports they need just to complete their homework. The free daily program will be open to 25 participants aged 4-18, and will provide tutoring, cultural activities, such as music, crafts, cooking, leadership skills, mentoring, nutritious snacks, computer support, and outdoor activities, ‘pay it forward’, and a bully-buster program.
  • Essa Public Library After School Program – A grant of $39,400 provides a daily after-school program for 40 children aged 8-13, including children from military families stationed at CFB Borden, who face additional challenges because of frequent moves from school to school. The program will provide daily homework help through peer-tutoring, physical activities and games, art and crafts, special guests, music and a nutritious snack.
  • Wasauksing First Nation – A grant of $40,000 will help this community provide a daily after-school program to 25 students aged 12-18. The program is intended to help students transition from a small elementary school to the nearby high school through activities that help build self-esteem in a safe environment. RBC’s funds will be used to provide activities requested by the youth themselves, including sports, homework help, hand drumming and dancing, leadership opportunities through Drum Chiefs and Drum Kwee, access to a computer lab and nutritious snacks.

QUEBEC

  • Projet Harmonie, Montreal – A grant of $40,000 will help this organization provide a free, daily after-school program for 30 children aged 6-12. Children benefit from a range of activities including homework help, reading exercises, sports, music and even food-shopping expeditions to learn about the importance of good nutrition.
  • Centre communautaire Hochelaga, Montreal – A grant of $35,000 will help provide a daily after-school program for 25 participants aged 6 to 12. Children will get homework help and access to computers in a safe environment. The program also engages youth and seniors from the community so that participants can benefit from intergenerational connections.

ATLANTIC

  • Lower Sackville Boys and Girls Club, Nova Scotia– A grant of $35,000 will help provide a daily after-school program for 80 children aged 5-16. The funding will be used to add a new athletic program and math tutoring, to the current range of activities such as homework help, a reading club, swimming, arts and cultural activities, computer instruction and a science club.
  • Jello Tree After School Program, Shelburne County Youth Health and Support Association, Nova Scotia – A grant of $40,000 will help provide a free, daily after-school program for 30-35 participants aged 5 to 16. Activities include daily homework help, organized sports, art, leadership training, guitar, voice and song writing, as well as supervised time on computers, discussion groups/workshops by staff on topics ranging from addictions to healthy lifestyle choices, nutrition and bullying.

To be selected for a grant, after-school programs must offer structured and supervised activities for children between the ages of six and 17. The programs must focus on what RBC calls the “three Ss” — safety, social skills and self-esteem. RBC’s grants are used to provide a wide-range of activities including computer instruction, sports, literacy tutoring, music and art lessons, nutrition guidance, and homework help.

Since 1999, RBC has provided more than $25 million in grants to 227 after-school programs in Canada, helping more than 24,000 children.

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For more information, please contact:
Jackie Braden, RBC Brand Communications, (416) 974-1724

NATIONAL LEASING REGIONAL WINNER OF CANADA’S 10 MOST ADMIRED CORPORATE CULTURES™ OF 2011

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“We are delighted to be recognized as a regional winner of this award,” said Grant Shaw, Vice President of HR, Strategy and Culture for National Leasing. “A strong culture is the foundation of our organization’s success and is at the forefront of all our initiatives. We build strong successful relationships with our customers by keeping our employees engaged and energized.”

This year, the number of nominated organizations grew by 60 per cent over 2010 and the number of organizations that proceeded with a formal submission to the program increased by 20 per cent.

Waterstone Human Capital held in-person interviews with senior executives from all submitting organizations this past summer. The program’s 26-member Board of Governors, which consists of top executives from many leading organizations across Canada, voted on the submissions and chose the regional winners at the end of September.

The Board of Governors for the Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures™ program will reconvene in November to select the national winners and the two special category national winners. National winners of Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures™ of 2011 will be celebrated at the seventh annual gala to be held on February 6, 2012 in Toronto.
About Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures™

Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures™ is founded and presented by Waterstone Human Capital, a leading retained executive search firm specializing in recruiting for fit and in cultural assessment. This national program, now in its seventh year, annually recognizes best-in-class Canadian organizations for having a culture that has helped them enhance performance and sustain a competitive advantage www.canadasmostadmired.com.

About National Leasing
National Leasing provides sound financial solutions to businesses across Canada. We are a leader in commercial equipment leasing and are recognized as one of the largest Canadian lessors in small to mid-ticket transactions. Backed by professional service and an outstanding reputation, National Leasing is fast to respond, easy to work with and committed to meet our clients’ needs. National Leasing is a wholly owned affiliate of Canadian Western Bank. The common shares of Canadian Western Bank are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “CWB”. For more information please visit www.nationalleasing.com or call us at 1-888-408-1966.

For media inquiries, contact:
Samantha Gorlick, Communications Coordinator, National Leasing, Phone: (204) 954-7373

Canadian Western Bank issues $150 million of Senior Deposit Notes

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EDMONTON, November 4, 2011 – Canadian Western Bank (the “Bank”)(TSX: CWB) today announced the completion of a $150 million issuance of Senior Deposit Notes (“the Notes”) in the debt capital markets to a broad group of investors. Proceeds of the issue were added to the Bank’s general funds and will be utilized for general banking purposes.

The Notes bear interest on a fixed rate basis at 2.57%, paid semi-annually, representing a spread of 131.5 basis points above the benchmark Government of Canada instrument. The Notes will mature on November 4, 2014 and will not be redeemable prior to the maturity date. The current rating assigned by DBRS Limited on Canadian Western Bank’s deposits and senior debt is “A (low)” with a stable trend.

“We were very pleased with the success of this placement, which represented our second issuance of senior debt this year,” said Tracey Ball, the Bank’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “Selectively utilizing the debt capital markets is part of our strategy to further diversify the Bank’s funding base over time. It was great to see the strong level of interest expressed by the group of accredited investors who chose to participate in this offering.”

RBC Capital Markets and National Bank Financial acted as co-lead agents on the issue.

About Canadian Western Bank Group
Canadian Western Bank offers highly personalized service through 40 branch locations and is the largest publicly traded Canadian bank headquartered in Western Canada. The Bank specializes in mid-market commercial lending and offers a full complement of personal banking services. The Bank, along with its operating affiliates, National Leasing Group Inc., Canadian Western Trust Company, Valiant Trust Company, Canadian Direct Insurance Incorporated, Adroit Investment Management Ltd. and Canadian Western Financial Ltd., collectively offer a diversified range of financial services across Canada and are together known as Canadian Western Bank Group. The common shares of Canadian Western Bank are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “CWB”. Refer to www.cwbankgroup.com for additional information.

For Further Information Contact:
Kirby Hill, Director, Investor and Public Relations, External Communications Canadian Western Bank, Phone: (780) 441-3770

Scotiabank’s Commodity Price Index Shows Retreat in October

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TORONTO, Nov. 24, 2011 /CNW/ – Scotiabank’s Commodity Price Index, which measures price trends in 32 of Canada’s major exports, lost further ground in October, declining 3.7 per cent month over month (m/m). The All Items Index has fallen 9.8 per cent from its near-term peak in April – just prior to the advent of financial market concern over Eurozone debt challenges. While significant, the commodity price correction remains mild compared with the 40 per cent plunge in the second half of 2008.

“Many exchange-traded commodity prices such as copper and zinc have edged up in November and are above the lows of early October,” said Patricia Mohr, Vice-President, Economics and Commodity Market Specialist at Scotiabank. “However, intensifying economic and credit concerns in Europe have contributed to renewed downward pressure on prices in the past week. As well, the failure of the U.S. Congressional Committee to agree on the details of a further deficit reduction package, potentially leading to sequestration – automatic spending reductions of US$1.2 trillion starting in 2013 over a decade – has added to uncertainty.”

The Metals and Minerals Index led the decline in October (-6.9 per cent m/m). Broad-based declines in base and precious metals – with an early-month selloff – and lower quarterly contract prices for Western Canada’s coking coal more than offset a moderate increase in overseas potash prices. The price of premium-grade hard coking coal for Asian sales declined from US$315 to US$285 per tonne (FOB Vancouver).

Iron ore spot prices delivered to Northern China may have bottomed, after plunging in September-October. Chinese steel makers have been cutting stocks of construction-grade steel. Prices rebounded to US$148-151 per tonne in mid-November (+20 per cent in the past several weeks). Potash prices (FOB Vancouver) also inched up to US$502 per tonne in October (+43 per cent year over year), as Canpotex and BPC implemented a price increase in Brazil and Southeast Asia. Given uncertainty over the global economic outlook, producers may hold off on additional price increases until next year.

The Oil and Gas Index eased by -0.6 per cent m/m, as lower Edmonton par prices for light crude and a further decline in Canadian natural gas export prices to the United States just offset firmer heavy crude oil at Hardisty, Alberta and stronger propane prices. Light oil prices at Edmontonhave rebounded in November to the US$95 mark.

Oil prices remain resilient. The spot price of North Sea Brent Blend – a world benchmark used to price some West African and Middle Eastern crudes – has inched up from US$110 per barrel in October to US$111 to date in November. WTI has jumped from US$86 in October to US$96 this month – with its discount off Brent narrowing. Prospective rail and pipeline developments will link new U.S. and Canadian oil plays to U.S. Gulf Coast refining centres, where international prices (Light Louisiana Sweet) prevail.

Pipeline and Rail Developments Alter North American Oil Market Dynamics

Spot WTI oil prices traded at only a slight discount to spot Brent (a world benchmark) in 2009 and much of 2010. However, the discount started to widen in the Fall of 2010, climbing to a record of almost US$30 per barrel on September 6, 2011 (also over US$29 in late September and mid-October).  Oil flows from new developments were arriving at  Cushing, Oklahoma, the pricing point for the NYMEX WTI oil contract, with limited pipeline takeaway capacity to refining centres on the U.S. Gulf Coast.

However, the discount on WTI has narrowed again to US$9-12 in mid-November alongside three developments:

  1. Inventories at Cushing have dropped substantially from the April 2011 high (-23 per cent), with oil producers simply avoiding this hub and selling in other more profitable North American markets;
  2. Rising rail shipments of Bakken light crude oil directly from North Dakota to St. James, Louisiana, diverting crude from Cushing; and
  3. The November 16 announcement by a Canadian pipeline company that it will acquire a 50 per cent interest in the Seaway Crude Pipeline System and — together with a joint owner – will reverse its flow from Cushing to Houston (the largest refining centre in the United States). WTI oil prices jumped by US$3 to US$102.50 on the day of the announcement, though prices have since eased back to US$95.87.

“Despite these positive developments, Western Canada’s oil patch will remain vulnerable to the commercial risks from selling the bulk of its oil to just one key export market – the United States – a market likely to post slow growth at best in coming years,” noted Ms. Mohr.  “This vulnerability suggests the need to build a transportation system to connect the Alberta oil sands to one or more export terminals on the B.C. Coast for onward shipment to the growth markets of Asia – China,Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines. Timing is important, as Alberta crude must be placed in Asian markets ahead of other competing international oil plays.”

Scotia Economics provides clients with in-depth research into the factors shaping the outlook forCanada and the global economy, including macroeconomic developments, currency and capital market trends, commodity and industry performance, as well as monetary, fiscal and public policy issues.

For further information:

Patricia Mohr, Scotia Economics,  (416) 866-4210

Patty Stathokostas, Scotiabank Media Communications, (416) 866-3625

RBC Dominion Securities to Receive Transfer of MF Global Canada Inc. Client Accounts

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On November 14, 2011 RBC Dominion Securities announced it had agreed to the transfer of client accounts from MF Global Canada Inc., whose parent company, MF Global Holdings Ltd. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on October 31, 2011.

On November 14, 2011, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice approved the transfer of certain MF Global Canada client accounts to RBC Dominion Securities. Holdings in the accounts to be transferred include futures, equity and fixed income positions. This transfer will enable these account holders to access their accounts.

KPMG, the Court-appointed trustee in bankruptcy, and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) approached RBC Dominion Securities after the bankruptcy filing to request accommodating a bulk transfer of accounts and positions. RBC was approached given its strong balance sheet and commitment to the futures business.

“We have been working diligently with KPMG to secure the required approvals and resolve the matter for MF Global Canada clients,” said David Agnew, Head, RBC Wealth Management Canada. “We realize that the past two weeks have been very stressful for MF Global Canada clients. RBC Dominion Securities is happy to be in a position to assist.”

On Tuesday November 15, RBC Dominion Securities will begin proactively contacting clients of MF Global Canada and working with them to expedite access to their accounts.

RBC Dominion Securities has a robust infrastructure that can accommodate trading and hedging solutions across major markets for futures, options and commodities, including its own clearing capability for futures and options trading. This is in addition to disciplined investment management expertise in equities, fixed income and foreign exchange, as well as a comprehensive range of estate and wealth planning solutions.

Further information about the bankruptcy of MF Global Canada is available on the KPMG website kpmg.ca/mfglobalcanada, by e-mail mfglobalcanada@kpmg.ca, or by phone (416 777 3666 or toll-free at 1 866 602 6743).

About RBC Dominion Securities
With over 400,000 clients across Canada and worldwide, and $180 billion in assets under administration, RBC Dominion Securities is Canada’s leading full-service investment and wealth management firm for affluent and high net worth investors. While investment management is the core offering, our 1,500 investment advisors and portfolio managers also provide a full range of wealth management advice and solutions, such as insurance, retirement, estate and tax planning and charitable giving to help our clients preserve, grow and pass on their wealth. www.rbcds.com

For more information, contact:
Bev MacLean, Corporate Communications, RBC,  416-974-9334