John Taft of RBC Wealth Management named Outstanding Corporate Diversity Leader by the NGLCC

Firm Also Wins Excellence in Marketing and Outreach Award

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - John Taft, head of the U.S. division of RBC Wealth Management and CEO of RBC Capital Markets Corporation, was named the "Outstanding Corporate Diversity Leader" by the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) at the third annual NGLCC Diversity & Leadership in Financial Services Awards. The award was presented yesterday at the historic New York Stock Exchange. RBC Wealth Management also was awarded the "Excellence in Marketing and Outreach Award" by the NGLCC.

As head of RBC U.S. Wealth Management, Taft has made it a priority to include diversity in all aspects of the workplace environment. This focus helps improve the quality of life of clients, employees and the communities where RBC does business.

"RBC Wealth Management applauds John's consistent commitment to diversity," said George Lewis, group head, RBC Wealth Management. "As a company, RBC has been committed to diversity and inclusion for decades and this represents one of our core values in all our businesses. Our success is built on forming solid relationships based on trust and respect. John exemplifies a leader that truly makes diversity a top priority and we are thankful for all he has done to champion the cause."

The Outstanding Corporate Diversity Leader Award recognizes a corporate champion with demonstrated commitment and forethought in developing unique and creative programs and resources for inclusion of LGBT employees, and the Excellence in Marketing and Outreach Award is given to the corporation that stands out for its culturally competent efforts to include LGBT customers in their marketing strategy.

Taft has served as the executive sponsor for GLADE (Gay, Lesbian, Allied and Diverse Employees), an RBC Wealth Management employee resource group for LGBT employees, for more than five years. In this role, he has championed the importance of diversity and inclusion efforts with employees, which has paved the way to recruiting more diverse employees and clients to the firm. GLADE is an integral part of the firm's diversity strategy and in 2009, RBC Wealth Management and GLADE jointly heightened awareness, increased membership, and boosted community involvement.

In 2009, Taft approved the modification of the firm's non-discrimination policy to include gender identity and gender expression and joined the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) Business Coalition for Workplace Fairness in support of ENDA (the Employee Non-Discrimination Act). He also supported and participated in many diversity and inclusion-related events, such as the Minnesota AIDS Project Oscar Night, Minnesota AIDS Walk, National Coming Out Day, Greater Seattle Business Association and HRC Dinners.

About RBC Wealth Management

In the United States, RBC Wealth Management operates as a division of RBC Capital Markets Corporation. Founded in 1909, RBC Capital Markets Corporation is a member of the New York Stock Exchange, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and other major securities exchanges, as well as the Securities Investor Protection Corp. RBC Wealth Management has over $160 billion of assets under administration and more than 2,200 financial consultants operating in over 200 locations in 42 states.

RBC Wealth Management directly serves affluent and high-net-worth clients in Canada, the United States, Latin America, Europe and Asia with a full suite of investment, trust and other wealth management solutions. The business also provides asset management products and services directly and through RBC and third-party distributors to institutional and individual clients, through its RBC Global Asset Management division. RBC Wealth Management has more than $500 billion of assets under administration, over $245 billion of assets under management and more than 4,500 financial consultants, advisors, private bankers and trust officers. RBC Wealth Management was recognized as the Outstanding Private Bank in North America by Private Banker International in October 2009.

SOURCE RBC