RBC Global Asset Management named Morningstar Analysts' Choice Fund Company of the Year at 2012 Canadian Investment Awards

PH&N Fixed Income Team Named Morningstar Fixed Income Manager of the Year

RBC GAM Funds Win Multiple Individual Fund Awards

TORONTO, Nov. 29, 2012 /CNW/ - RBC Global Asset Management Inc. (RBC GAM Inc.) received top honours at the Morningstar^® Canadian Investment Awards™ (CIA), an event that recognizes companies and individuals that have made a difference in the lives of investors through superior investment management.

RBC GAM Inc. was named Morningstar Analysts' Choice Fund Company of the Year and Phillips, Hager & North Investment Management's (PH&N) fixed income team was named Morningstar Fixed Income Manager of the Year.

"We are incredibly honoured to be recognized among our industry peers," said John Montalbano, CEO of RBC GAM Inc. "At RBC Global Asset Management, we have always had a team culture focused on delivering exceptional investment solutions for our clients. These awards not only highlight the dedication and diligence of our people to that purpose, but also recognize the tradition that we have built and look to continue building on in the years to come."

The Morningstar Analysts' Choice Fund Company of the Year and Morningstar Fixed Income Fund Manager of the Year are determined by a jury of analysts. A broad range of factors are considered, including fund performance across the entire line-up of funds, quality of the products offered, strength of the fund management teams, effectiveness of the firm's communications, and fee competitiveness.

In addition to receiving two of the top Morningstar awards, multiple RBC GAM Funds were recognized in individual fund categories.

"The Morningstar Awards are a tremendous honour and acknowledgement of the work our teams commit to day-in and day-out," said Dan Chornous, CIO of RBC GAM Inc. "It is their focus on continually delivering value for our clients that has resulted in our history of industry recognitions. I would like to congratulate and thank the teams for their continued efforts, as well as thank the analysts, advisors and investors for their confidence in our investment management approach."

Individual Fund Awards:

To be considered for an individual fund award, investment funds must meet stringent criteria. Panels of industry experts review performance, focusing on the three-year return history, the quantitative performance of a fund on an absolute basis, as well as various measures of risk and diversification benefits. The panels also weigh qualitative factors such as management quality, availability and fee structure. Results are returned to an audit team for final review. Winner, Silver and Bronze are identified in the fund categories.

The Morningstar CIA is the only national event of its kind in Canada that reflects the collective efforts of a broad range of industry experts, advisors and investors within the Canadian financial services industry. The awards recognize leadership in the investment industry and represent a wide range of investment products, including mutual funds, pooled funds, exchange traded funds, and hedge funds.

About RBC Global Asset Management and RBC Wealth Management
RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM) is the asset management division of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), and includes institutional money managers BlueBay Asset Management, Phillips, Hager & North Investment Management and RBC Global Asset Management (U.S.). RBC GAM is a provider of global investment management services and solutions to individual, high-net-worth and institutional investors through exchange-traded funds, hedge funds, mutual funds, pooled funds, separate accounts and specialty investment strategies. RBC GAM group of companies manage more than $270 billion in assets and have approximately 1,000 employees located across Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia.

RBC Global Asset Management is part of RBC Wealth Management, which is one of the world's top 10 largest wealth managers. RBC Wealth Management directly serves affluent, high-net-worth and ultra high net worth clients in Canada, the United States, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia with a full suite of banking, 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 business (which includes BlueBay Asset Management). RBC Wealth Management has more than C$577 billion of assets under administration, more than C$339 billion of assets under management and approximately 4,300 financial consultants, advisors, private bankers and trust officers.

SOURCE: RBC