RBC Centura Donates $75,000 to Help Victims of Hurricane Charley; Establishes Employee Relief Fund

Business Wire, August 18, 2004

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- RBC Centura Banks, Inc. (NYSE:RY)(TSX:RY), today contributed $75,000 to help the residents of central and southwestern Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley. The donation will specifically support Florida's United Way of Sarasota County Inc., and the Heart of Florida United Way Hurricane Relief Fund. All RBC Centura branches are open and are accepting contributions from the general public to the American Red Cross through Nov. 1, 2004.

"RBC Centura has a long-standing tradition of responding when our communities are in need and our customers are in trouble," said Steve Jones, RBC Centura regional president of personal and business banking in Florida. "We are confident we can help the most people most effectively by giving to the United Ways of Sarasota and Orange counties."

"We know that these agencies are helping our neighbors, our customers and our communities when it counts most," added Kevin McNamara, Florida regional president of commercial banking.

In addition to the corporate gift to the United Way, RBC Centura is participating in a number of other programs.

Red Cross Contribution Program:

As a participant in the Red Cross Contribution Program, RBC Centura is accepting contributions from the general public to the American Red Cross through Nov.1, 2004, at all RBC Centura banking centers. All checks should be made payable to the American Red Cross, Hurricane Charley Relief Fund. Or you can phone the American Red Cross directly at (800) 435-7669.

RBC Centura has several hundred employees and 19 offices in the most severely affected areas of central and southwest Florida. RBC Centura branches located in affected areas include Orlando, Venice, Winter Park, Sarasota and Naples. The bank also has Florida retail banking offices in Tampa, Bradenton, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Brevard County. All banking centers are now open, however, RBC Centura employees and customers are still working through Charley's aftermath.

Employee Relief Fund:

At least 20 employees in Florida were affected by Hurricane Charley. RBC Centura's Employee Relief Fund is ready to meet their needs as well as the needs of other employees throughout the Southeast who need assistance after the storm. The fund was established with a $5,000 corporate donation and will grow through employee donations as well as other projects and fundraisers throughout the year.

The relief fund will also support employee need beyond natural disaster, including serious health or personal tragedy.

"Our employees and customers have peace of mind knowing they have our support in good times and bad," said Kel Landis, CEO, RBC Centura. "Providing an extra amount of encouragement to our employees through the weeks ahead will strengthen the RBC Centura family as we move forward in assisting our customers. It's the right thing to do."

Customer Assistance:

Through RBC Centura's Customer Assistance Program, current customers in the impacted areas of Hurricane Charley will receive special retail and business choices, including deferrals for loan payments, mortgage payments and personal credit card payments. Many current customers in central and southwest Florida also are eligible for special rates on unsecured installment loans and rapid recovery single payment loans.

About RBC Centura

RBC Centura Bank offers a wide range of financial services and advice, including a complete line of banking, investment, loan, mortgage, life insurance and other services, to individuals and businesses in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia and Florida. RBC Centura's multifaceted customer access network includes more than 260 full-service financial offices, an extensive ATM network, and telephone and Internet banking. In addition, RBC Centura offers residential mortgages through its wholly owned subsidiary, RBC Mortgage, one of the largest retail mortgage originators in the U.S., and builder finance products through RBC Builder Finance. RBC Centura Banks, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE, TSX: RY). Additional information may be found at www.rbccentura.com.

In addition to RBC Centura, RBC's U.S. operations include: Minneapolis-based RBC Dain Rauscher, a full-service securities firm; RBC Capital Markets, with corporate and investment banking operations in New York, Greenwich, and other select U.S. locations; RBC Insurance, which provides individual insurance and administration solutions through its operating businesses, Liberty Life Insurance Company and Liberty Insurance Services Corporation of Greenville, S.C.; and Royal Bank of Canada Global Private Banking in New York and Miami.