EX-2 Financial Review

Exhibit 2

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, 2024, compared to the preceding fiscal year. This MD&A should be read in conjunction with our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes and is dated December 3, 2024. Effective November 1, 2023, we adopted IFRS 17

Insurance Contracts

(IFRS 17). Comparative amounts have been restated from those previously presented. All amounts are in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise specified, and are based on financial statements presented 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 2024 Annual Information Form, is available free of charge on our website at rbc.com/investorrelations, on the Canadian Securities Administrators’ website, SEDAR+, at sedarplus.com and on the EDGAR section of the United States (U.S.) Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) website at sec.gov.

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

Table of contents


Caution regarding forward-looking statements			22

Overview and outlook			23
Selected financial and other highlights			23
About Royal Bank of Canada			24
Vision and strategic goals			24
Economic, market and regulatory review and outlook			24
Key corporate events of 2024			25
Defining and measuring success through total shareholder returns			26

Financial performance			27
Overview			27
Impact of foreign currency translation			27
Total revenue			28
Provision for credit losses			29
Non-interest expense			30
Income and other taxes			30
Client assets			31

Business segment results			32
Results by business segment			32
How we measure and report our business segments			32


Key performance and non-GAAP measures			33
Personal Banking			37
Commercial Banking			42
Wealth Management			45
Insurance			52
Capital Markets			55
Corporate Support			60

Quarterly financial information			61
Fourth quarter performance			61
Quarterly results and trend analysis			62

Financial condition			63
Condensed balance sheets			63
Off-balance sheet arrangements			64

Risk management			66
Top and emerging risks			66
Overview			69
Enterprise risk management			70

Principal risks			75
Credit risk			75
Market risk			85
Liquidity and funding risk			90
Insurance risk			104
Operational risk			104


Compliance risk			107
Strategic risk			107
Reputation risk			108

Overview of other risks			108
Legal and regulatory environment risk			108
Competitive risk			109
Systemic risk			110
Government fiscal, monetary and other policies			110
Tax risk and transparency			110
Environmental and social risk			111

Capital management			114

Accounting and control matters			125
Critical accounting policies and estimates			125
Controls and procedures			129

Related party transactions			129

Supplementary information			129

Glossary			137

Enhanced Disclosure Task Force recommendations index			140

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 2024 Annual Report, in other filings with Canadian regulators or the SEC, in other reports to shareholders, and in other communications. In addition, our representatives may communicate forward-looking statements orally to analysts, investors, the media and others. Forward-looking statements in this document include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our financial performance objectives, priorities, vision and strategic goals, the economic, market, and regulatory review and outlook for Canadian, U.S., United Kingdom (U.K.), European and global economies, the regulatory environment in which we operate, the expected impacts of the HSBC Bank Canada (HSBC Canada) transaction, including transaction and integration costs, the Strategic priorities and Outlook sections for each of our business segments, the risk environment including our credit risk, market risk, liquidity and funding risk as well as the effectiveness of our risk monitoring, our climate- and sustainability-related beliefs, targets and goals and related legal and regulatory developments, and include statements made by our President and Chief Executive Officer and other members of management. The forward-looking statements contained in this document represent the views of management and are 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, as well as our financial performance objectives, vision, strategic goals and priorities and anticipated financial performance, and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “believe”, “expect”, “suggest”, “seek”, “foresee”, “forecast”, “schedule”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “estimate”, “goal”, “commit”, “target”, “objective”, “plan”, “outlook”, “timeline” and “project” and similar expressions of future or conditional verbs such as “will”, “may”, “might”, “should”, “could”, “can”, “would” or negative or grammatical variations thereof.

By their very nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific in nature, 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, that our financial performance, environmental & social or other objectives, vision and strategic goals will not be achieved, and that our actual results may differ materially from such predictions, forecasts, projections, expectations or conclusions.

We caution readers not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking 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, but are not limited to: credit, market, liquidity and funding, insurance, operational, compliance (which could lead to us being subject to various legal and regulatory proceedings, the potential outcome of which could include regulatory restrictions, penalties and fines), strategic, reputation, legal and regulatory environment, competitive and systemic risks and other risks discussed in the risk sections of our 2024 Annual Report, including business and economic conditions in the geographic regions in which we operate, Canadian housing and household indebtedness, information technology, cyber and third-party risks, geopolitical uncertainty, environmental and social risk, digital disruption and innovation, privacy and data related risks, regulatory changes, culture and conduct risks, the effects of changes in government fiscal, monetary and other policies, tax risk and transparency, and our ability to anticipate and successfully manage risks arising from all of the foregoing factors. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations in such forward-looking statements can be found in the risk sections of our 2024 Annual Report, as may be updated by subsequent quarterly reports.

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, as well as the inherent uncertainty of forward-looking statements. Material economic assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained in this 2024 Annual Report are set out in the Economic, market and regulatory review and outlook section and for each business segment under the Strategic priorities and Outlook headings, as such sections may be updated by subsequent quarterly reports. Assumptions about costs related to post-close consolidation and integration activities were considered in the estimation of transaction and integration costs. Any forward-looking statements contained in this document represent the views of management only as of the date hereof, and 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 sections of this 2024 Annual Report, as may be updated by subsequent quarterly reports.

22 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Overview and outlook


Selected financial and other highlights		Table 1



(Millions of Canadian dollars, except per share, number of and percentage amounts)	2024 (1)			2023 (2)			2024 vs. 2023 Increase (decrease)
Total revenue	$	57,344		$	51,464		$	5,880		11.4%
Provision for credit losses (PCL)		3,232			2,468			764		n.m.
Non-interest expense		34,250			30,813			3,437		11.2%
Income before income taxes		19,862			18,183			1,679		9.2%
Net income	$	16,240		$	14,612		$	1,628		11.1%
Net income – adjusted (3), (4)	$	17,430		$	15,829		$	1,601		10.1%
Segments – net income
Personal Banking (5)	$	5,921		$	5,418		$	503		9.3%
Commercial Banking (5)		2,818			2,582			236		9.1%
Wealth Management (5)		3,422			2,693			729		27.1%
Insurance		729			549			180		32.8%
Capital Markets		4,573			4,139			434		10.5%
Corporate Support		(1,223	)		(769	)		(454	)	n.m.
Net income	$	16,240		$	14,612		$	1,628		11.1%
Selected information
Earnings per share (EPS) – basic	$	11.27		$	10.33		$	0.94		9.1%
– diluted		11.25			10.32			0.93		9.0%
– basic adjusted (3), (4)		12.11			11.21			0.90		8.0%
– diluted adjusted (3), (4)		12.09			11.19			0.90		8.0%
Return on common equity (ROE) (4)		14.4%			14.3%			n.m.		10 bps
ROE – adjusted (3), (4)		15.5%			15.5%			n.m.		– bps
Average common equity (6)	$	110,650		$	100,400		$	10,250		10.2%
Net interest margin (NIM) – on average earning assets, net (4)		1.54%			1.50%			n.m.		4 bps
PCL on loans as a % of average net loans and acceptances		0.35%			0.29%			n.m.		6 bps
PCL on performing loans as a % of average net loans and acceptances		0.07%			0.08%			n.m.		(1) bps
PCL on impaired loans as a % of average net loans and acceptances		0.28%			0.21%			n.m.		7 bps
Gross impaired loans (GIL) as a % of loans and acceptances		0.59%			0.42%			n.m.		17 bps
Liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) (4), (7)		128%			131%			n.m.		(300) bps
Net stable funding ratio (NSFR) (4), (7)		114%			113%			n.m.		100 bps
Capital, Leverage and Total loss absorbing capacity (TLAC) ratios (4), (8), (9)
Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio		13.2%			14.5%			n.m.		(130) bps
Tier 1 capital ratio		14.6%			15.7%			n.m.		(110) bps
Total capital ratio		16.4%			17.6%			n.m.		(120) bps
Leverage ratio		4.2%			4.3%			n.m.		(10) bps
TLAC ratio		29.3%			31.0%			n.m.		(170) bps
TLAC leverage ratio		8.4%			8.5%			n.m.		(10) bps
Selected balance sheet and other information (10)
Total assets	$	2,171,582		$	2,006,531		$	165,051		8.2%
Securities, net of applicable allowance		439,918			409,730			30,188		7.4%
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses		981,380			852,773			128,607		15.1%
Derivative related assets		150,612			142,450			8,162		5.7%
Deposits		1,409,531			1,231,687			177,844		14.4%
Common equity		118,058			107,734			10,324		9.6%
Total risk-weighted assets (RWA) (4), (8), (9)		672,282			596,223			76,059		12.8%
Assets under management (AUM) (4)		1,342,300			1,067,500			274,800		25.7%
Assets under administration (AUA) (4), (11)		4,965,500			4,338,000			627,500		14.5%
Common share information
Shares outstanding (000s) – average basic		1,411,903			1,391,020			20,883		1.5%
– average diluted		1,413,755			1,392,529			21,226		1.5%
– end of period		1,414,504			1,400,511			13,993		1.0%
Dividends declared per common share	$	5.60		$	5.34		$	0.26		4.9%
Dividend yield (4)		3.9%			4.3%			n.m.		(40) bps
Dividend payout ratio (4)		50%			52%			n.m.		(200) bps
Common share price (RY on TSX) (12)	$	168.39		$	110.76		$	57.63		52.0%
Market capitalization (TSX) (12)		238,188			155,121			83,067		53.5%
Business information (number of)
Employees (full-time equivalent) (FTE)		94,838			91,398			3,440		3.8%
Bank branches		1,292			1,247			45		3.6%
Automated teller machines (ATMs)		4,367			4,341			26		0.6%
Period average US$ equivalent of C$1.00 (13)	$	0.736		$	0.741		$	(0.005	)	(0.7)%
Period-end US$ equivalent of C$1.00	$	0.718		$	0.721		$	(0.003	)	(0.4)%

(1)

On March 28, 2024, we completed the HSBC Canada transaction. HSBC Canada results have been consolidated from the closing date, and are included in our Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, Wealth Management and Capital Markets segments. For further details, refer to the Key corporate events section.

(2)

Amounts have been restated from those previously presented as part of the adoption of IFRS 17, effective November 1, 2023. For further details on the impacts of the adoption of IFRS 17 including the description of accounting policies selected, refer to Note 2 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

(3)	These are non-GAAP measures. For further details, including a reconciliation, refer to the Key performance and non-GAAP measures section.

(4)	See Glossary for composition of these measures.

(5)

moved from the previous Personal & Commercial Banking segment to the Wealth Management segment. Amounts have been revised from those previously presented to conform to our new basis of segment presentation. For further details, refer to the About Royal Bank of Canada section.

(6)	Average amounts are calculated using methods intended to approximate the average of the daily balances for the period.

(7)

The LCR and NSFR are calculated in accordance with the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions’ (OSFI) Liquidity Adequacy Requirements (LAR) guideline. LCR is the average for the three months ended for each respective period. For further details, refer to the Liquidity and funding risk section.

(8)

Capital ratios and RWA are calculated using OSFI’s Capital Adequacy Requirements (CAR) guideline, the Leverage ratio is calculated using OSFI’s Leverage Requirements (LR) guideline, and both the TLAC and TLAC leverage ratios are calculated using OSFI’s TLAC guideline. The results for the year ended October 31, 2023 reflect our adoption of the revised CAR and LR guidelines that came into effect in the second quarter of 2023, as further updated on October 20, 2023 as part of OSFI’s implementation of the Basel III reforms. The results for the year ended October 31, 2024 also reflect our adoption of the revised market risk and CVA frameworks that came into effect on November 1, 2023. For further details, refer to the Capital management section.

(9)	As prior period restatements are not required by OSFI, there was no impact from the adoption of IFRS 17 on regulatory capital, RWA, capital ratios, leverage ratio, TLAC available and TLAC ratios for periods prior to November 1, 2023.

(10)	Represents period-end spot balances.

(11)	AUA includes $15 billion and $6 billion (2023 – $13 billion and $7 billion) of securitized residential mortgages and credit card loans, respectively.

(12)	Based on TSX closing market price at period-end.

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

n.m.	not meaningful

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 23

About Royal Bank of Canada

Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 98,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada’s biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our more than 18 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.

Effective the fourth quarter of 2024, the Personal & Commercial Banking segment became two standalone business segments: Personal Banking and Commercial Banking. With this change, RBC Direct Investing moved from the previous Personal & Commercial Banking segment to the Wealth Management segment. Comparative results in this MD&A have been revised to conform to our new basis of segment presentation.

Our business segments are described below.


Personal Banking		Provides a broad suite of financial products and services to retail clients in Canada, the Caribbean and the U.S. Our commitment to building and maintaining deep and meaningful relationships with our clients is underscored by the delivery of exceptional client experiences, the breadth of our product suite, our depth of expertise and the features of our digital solutions.

Commercial Banking		Offers a wide range of lending, deposit and transaction banking products and services to Canadian companies and foreign businesses in Canada. Our team of relationship managers and specialists serves the full lifecycle of commercial clients, from entrepreneurs and mid-market enterprises to the largest Canadian privately owned companies, public corporations and Canadian subsidiaries of global multinationals.

Wealth Management		Primarily serves affluent, high net worth (HNW) and ultra-high net worth (UHNW) clients from our offices in key financial centres across the globe. We offer a comprehensive suite of wealth, investment, trust, banking, credit and other solutions to this client segment. We also provide a self-directed investment service in Canada, as well as asset management products globally to institutional and individual clients through our distribution channels and third-party distributors. We offer asset services and investor services to financial institutions, asset managers and asset owners in Canada.

Insurance		Offers a comprehensive suite of advice and solutions for individual and business clients including life, health, wealth solutions, property & casualty, travel, group benefits, longevity reinsurance and reinsurance. We provide tailored, client-led advice and solutions, harnessing the power of technology and data and leveraging the strength and scale of the RBC enterprise as our competitive advantage.

Capital Markets		Provides expertise in advisory & origination, sales & trading, lending & financing and transaction banking to corporations, institutional clients, asset managers, private equity firms and governments globally. We serve clients from 58 offices in 16 countries across North America, the U.K. & Europe, Australia, Asia and other regions.

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 institutional, corporate, commercial and HNW 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 2024 against our business strategies and strategic goals, refer to the Business segment results section.

Economic, market and regulatory review and outlook – data as at December 3, 2024

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.

Economic and market review and outlook

Central banks have begun reducing interest rates from elevated levels as inflation slows. Unemployment rates remain low across most advanced economies but have increased more substantially in Canada. The U.S. economy remains resilient with strong GDP growth and a low unemployment rate. The number of job openings has continued to decline, signaling a slowdown in hiring demand but high levels of government spending are expected to continue to protect against a significant softening in U.S. labour markets in calendar 2025. We expect the Bank of Canada (BoC) to cut interest rates more aggressively than in other regions in response to underperforming economic growth and deteriorating labour market conditions. However, we do not expect a meaningful acceleration of GDP growth in Canada in calendar 2025, in part because of planned reductions in Canadian immigration levels that are expected to slow population growth. We anticipate the outperformance of the U.S. economy will lead to fewer and smaller interest rate reductions from the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed). GDP growth in the Euro area and the United Kingdom is expected to abate with the Bank of England (BOE) and the European Central Bank (ECB) also expected to lower interest rates at a more gradual pace.

24 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Canada

Canadian GDP is expected to increase 1.0% in calendar 2024 following a 1.5% increase in calendar 2023. GDP has continued to increase, in aggregate, but has declined on a per-capita basis for six consecutive quarters as of the third calendar quarter of 2024. Labour market conditions have weakened as the unemployment rate increased by 0.8% from a year ago in October and is approximately one percent above 2019 (pre-pandemic) levels. Inflation rates have moderated sharply. Year-over-year growth in the Canadian consumer price index (CPI) has been below the top end of the BoC’s 1% to 3% target range since January 2024, and was at the 2% mid-point target in October. Canadian population growth is expected to slow in calendar 2025 amidst reductions in federal government visa issuances. The weakening economy signals that inflation is likely to continue to slow, prompting further interest rate reductions from the BoC. The BoC has already reduced the overnight rate by 125 basis points since June 2024 and we expect further reductions to a 2.0% rate by the end of the third calendar quarter of 2025. GDP growth is expected to remain slow in calendar 2025 with the lagged impact of lower interest rates supporting stronger per-capita GDP growth, combined with the impact of slower population growth.

U.S.

U.S. GDP growth has remained resilient and is expected to increase 2.8% in calendar 2024 following a 2.9% increase in calendar 2023. Consumer spending has been robust despite high interest rates and employment has continued to increase at a solid pace. Hiring demand has continued to slow, indicated by declining job openings, and wage growth has shown signs of deceleration. The unemployment rate has edged higher but remains low at 4.1% as of October. U.S. inflation growth has slowed after showing signs of reacceleration earlier in calendar 2024 but remains above the Fed’s 2% target. Slower price growth and gradual increases in the unemployment rate over the last year prompted the Fed to begin lowering interest rates with a 50 basis point reduction to the target range for the federal funds rate in September and followed with a 25 basis point reduction in November. We expect an additional 50 basis points of reductions to the target range for the federal funds rate by the end of the first calendar quarter of 2025. A significant government budget deficit is expected to keep GDP growth positive and prevent a substantial increase in the unemployment rate. However, this is also expected to limit the slowing in inflation and interest rates reductions in calendar 2025.

Europe

Euro area GDP is expected to rise by 0.7% in calendar 2024 following a 0.5% increase in calendar 2023. Unemployment rates remain very low across countries in the Euro area, however GDP growth is expected to remain slow in the first half of calendar 2025. Inflation in the Euro area has slowed with year-over-year growth in consumer prices down to 2.3% in November. The ECB has cut the deposit rate by 75 basis points since early June 2024 and we expect further gradual reductions to a 2.25% rate by the end of the second calendar quarter of 2025. U.K. GDP is projected to rise by 0.9% in calendar 2024 after a 0.3% rise in calendar 2023. In the U.K., GDP growth strengthened over the first half of calendar 2024 but is expected to grow at a slower pace in the second half of the year. The unemployment rate in the U.K. is expected to remain low through calendar 2025. U.K. inflation has moderated, allowing the BOE to begin gradually lowering interest rates from higher levels. The BOE reduced the Bank Rate by 25 basis points to 4.75% in November and we expect further gradual reductions to 4.0% by the end of the third calendar quarter of 2025.

Financial markets

Government bond yields increased after declining into the summer as markets await the extent to which central banks will be able to cut interest rates in the year ahead, particularly in the U.S. where the economy remains resilient and inflation remains elevated in part due to elevated government budget deficits. Equity markets have increased to record highs. Commodity prices, on average, remain well below peak levels from 2022 but are still historically high. Oil prices have been volatile but are below levels a year ago.

Regulatory environment

We continue to monitor and prepare for regulatory developments and changes in a manner that seeks to ensure compliance with new requirements, while mitigating adverse business or financial impacts. Such impacts could result from new or amended laws or regulations and the expectations of those who enforce them. A high level summary of the key regulatory changes that have the potential to increase or decrease our costs and the complexity of our operations is included in the Legal and regulatory environment risk section.

For a discussion on risk factors resulting from these and other developments which may affect our business and financial results, refer to the risk sections of this 2024 Annual Report. For further details on our framework and activities to manage risks, refer to the risk and Capital management sections of this 2024 Annual Report.

Key corporate events

HSBC Bank Canada

On March 28, 2024, we completed the acquisition of HSBC Bank Canada (HSBC Canada). The acquisition of HSBC Canada (the HSBC Canada transaction) gives us the opportunity to enhance our existing businesses in line with our strategic goals and better positions us to be the bank of choice for commercial clients with international needs, newcomers to Canada and globally connected clients. HSBC Canada results have been consolidated from the closing date and are included in our Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, Wealth Management and Capital Markets segments.

Total consideration of $15.5 billion in cash included $13.5 billion for 100% of the common shares of HSBC Canada, $2.1 billion for the preferred shares and subordinated debt held directly or indirectly by HSBC Holdings plc, $(0.5) billion for the settlement of pre-existing relationships with HSBC Canada and $0.4 billion for an additional amount that accrued from August 30, 2023 to the closing date. This additional amount was calculated based on the $13.5 billion all-cash purchase price for the common shares of HSBC Canada and the Canadian Overnight Repo Rate Average. Relatedly, under a locked box mechanism, HSBC Canada’s earnings from June 30, 2022 to the closing date accrued to RBC and were reflected in the acquired net assets on closing. For further details, refer to Note 6 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 25

As the fair values of HSBC Canada’s fixed rate financial assets and liabilities are sensitive to changes in market interest rates, increases in interest rates prior to closing would have reduced the net fair value of the financial assets and liabilities to be acquired, which would have increased the goodwill recognized on closing and reduced our capital ratios. To manage this, we had previously de-designated certain interest rate swaps in cash flow hedging relationships such that future mark-to-market gains (losses) were recorded in net income, instead of Other comprehensive income (OCI), to mitigate closing capital ratio volatility. For the year ended October 31, 2024, we recognized $222 million of mark-to-market losses in Non-interest income – Other on the swaps and $91 million in Net interest income related to the reclassification of amounts previously accumulated in OCI, both of which are treated as specified items and reflected in Corporate Support. Subsequent to closing, we re-designated these interest rate swaps into cash flow hedging relationships. Adjusted results excluding specified items are non-GAAP measures. For further details, including a reconciliation, refer to the Key performance and non-GAAP measures section.

The following table provides details on the impact of the HSBC Canada transaction on our Personal Banking segment, Commercial Banking segment and consolidated results, and reflects revenue, PCL, non-interest expenses and income taxes associated with the acquired operations and clients, which include the acquired assets, assumed liabilities and employees with the exception of assets and liabilities relating to treasury and liquidity management activities (HSBC Canada results).


		Table 2


	For the year ended October 31, 2024
	Segment results – Personal Banking						Segment results – Commercial Banking						Consolidated results

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Excluding HSBC Canada		HSBC Canada		Total		Excluding HSBC Canada		HSBC Canada		Total		Excluding HSBC Canada		HSBC Canada		Total
Net interest income	$	11,911	$	527	$	12,438	$	5,308	$	753	$	6,061	$	26,598	$	1,355	$	27,953
Non-interest income		4,822		82		4,904		1,194		127		1,321		29,030		361		29,391
Total revenue		16,733		609		17,342		6,502		880		7,382		55,628		1,716		57,344
PCL (1)		1,745		57		1,802		671		304		975		2,861		371		3,232
Non-interest expense		7,117		368		7,485		2,238		274		2,512		33,529		721		34,250
Income before income taxes		7,871		184		8,055		3,593		302		3,895		19,238		624		19,862
Income taxes		2,083		51		2,134		994		83		1,077		3,451		171		3,622
Net income	$	5,788	$	133	$	5,921	$	2,599	$	219	$	2,818	$	15,787	$	453	$	16,240

(1)

Segment results – Personal Banking and Segment results – Commercial Banking include initial PCL on purchased performing financial assets of $44 million and $142 million, respectively. Consolidated results include initial PCL on purchased performing financial assets of $200 million, of which $193 million relates to purchased performing loans.

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 in the Vision and strategic goals section 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 TSR will vary depending on market conditions, and the bank’s 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 our performance against our medium-term TSR objectives and are used as goals as we execute against our strategic priorities. We review and revise these financial performance objectives as economic, market and regulatory environments change. Our financial performance reflects the impact of specified items and the amortization of acquisition related intangibles.

The following table provides a summary of our 3-year and 5-year performance against our medium-term financial performance objectives:


Financial performance compared to our medium-term objectives		Table 3



Medium-term objectives (1)	3-year (2)		5-year (2)
Diluted EPS growth of 7% +		1%		5%
ROE of 16% +		15.0%		15.6%
Strong capital ratio (CET1) (3)		13.4%		13.3%
Dividend payout ratio 40% – 50%		49%		48%

(1)

A medium-term (3-5 year) objective is considered to be achieved when the performance goal is met in either a 3- or 5-year period. These objectives assume a normal business environment and our ability to achieve them in a period may be adversely affected by the macroeconomic backdrop and the cyclical nature of the credit cycle.

(2)

Diluted EPS growth is calculated using a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). ROE, CET1 and dividend payout ratio are calculated using an average.

(3)

The CET1 ratio is calculated using OSFI’s CAR guideline. For further details on the CET1 ratio, refer to the Capital management section.

Our 3-year and 5-year medium-term financial performance objectives will remain unchanged in fiscal 2025.

26 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

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


		Table 7



(Average foreign currency equivalent of C$1.00) (1)	2024		2023
U.S. dollar		0.736		0.741
British pound		0.575		0.599
Euro		0.677		0.689

(1)

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

Total revenue


		Table 8



(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)	2024			2023 (1)
Interest and dividend income	$	104,951		$	86,991
Interest expense		76,998			61,862
Net interest income	$	27,953		$	25,129
NIM		1.54%			1.50%
Insurance service result	$	777		$	703
Insurance investment result (2)		294			156
Trading revenue		2,327			2,392
Investment management and custodial fees		9,325			8,344
Mutual fund revenue		4,437			4,063
Securities brokerage commissions		1,660			1,463
Service charges		2,294			2,099
Underwriting and other advisory fees		2,672			2,005
Foreign exchange revenue, other than trading		1,142			1,292
Card service revenue		1,273			1,240
Credit fees		1,592			1,489
Net gains on investment securities		170			193
Income (loss) from joint ventures and associates		(16	)		(219	)
Other		1,444			1,115
Non-interest income	$	29,391		$	26,335
Total revenue	$	57,344		$	51,464

(1)

Amounts have been restated from those previously presented as part of the adoption of IFRS 17, effective November 1, 2023. Refer to Note 2 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on these changes.

(2)

The 2023 restated results may not be fully comparable to the current period as we were not managing our asset and liability portfolios under IFRS 17.

2024 vs. 2023

Total revenue increased $5,880 million or 11% from last year, mainly due to higher net interest income and investment management and custodial fees. Higher underwriting and other advisory fees, mutual fund revenue, and other revenue also contributed to the increase. The prior year also reflected impact of a specified item in income (loss) from joint ventures and associates. The impact of foreign exchange translation increased revenue by $310 million. The inclusion of HSBC Canada revenue contributed $1,716 million to total revenue.

Net interest income increased $2,824 million or 11%, of which $1,355 million reflects the inclusion of HSBC Canada net interest income. The remaining increase of $1,469 million or 6% was largely due to average volume growth and higher spreads in both Personal Banking and Commercial Banking.

NIM was up 4 bps compared to last year, mainly driven by the benefit of higher interest rates across most of our business segments, favourable product mix shift in Personal Banking and the acquisition of HSBC Canada including the accretion of fair value adjustments. These factors were partially offset by competitive pricing pressures in Personal Banking and Commercial Banking and higher funding costs in Capital Markets.

Investment management and custodial fees increased $981 million or 12%, mainly reflecting higher fee-based client assets reflecting market appreciation and net sales.

Mutual fund revenue increased $374 million or 9%, largely due to higher fee-based client assets reflecting market appreciation and net sales in Wealth Management, and higher average mutual fund balances driving higher distribution fees in Personal Banking.

Underwriting and other advisory fees increased $667 million or 33%, mainly due to higher debt origination across all regions and higher M&A activity across most regions.

Income (loss) from joint ventures and associates improved $203 million, as the prior year included the impact of the specified item relating to impairment losses on our interest in an associated company in Wealth Management.

Other revenue increased $329 million or 30%, mainly attributable to changes in the fair value of the hedges related to our U.S. share-based compensation plans, which was largely offset in Non-interest expense, as well as the impact of economic hedges. These factors were partially offset by the impact of management of closing capital volatility related to the HSBC Canada transaction, which is treated as a specified item.

28 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Additional trading information


		Table 9



(Millions of Canadian dollars)	2024		2023
Net interest income (1)	$	1,742	$	1,510
Non-interest income		2,327		2,392
Total trading revenue	$	4,069	$	3,902
Total trading revenue by product
Interest rate and credit	$	2,371	$	2,528
Equities		817		604
Foreign exchange and commodities		881		770
Total trading revenue	$	4,069	$	3,902

(1)

Reflects net interest income arising from trading-related positions, including assets and liabilities that are classified or designated at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL).

2024 vs. 2023

Total trading revenue of $4,069 million, which is comprised of trading-related revenue recorded in Net interest income and

Non-interest

income, increased $167 million or 4% from last year, mainly due to higher equity trading revenue across all regions and higher foreign exchange trading revenue. This was partially offset by lower fixed income trading revenue across most regions.

Provision for credit losses

(1)


		Table 10



	For the year ended
(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)	October 31 2024			October 31 2023
Personal Banking (2)	$	399		$	301
Commercial Banking (2)		260			68
Wealth Management (2)		(119	)		154
Capital Markets		86			137
Corporate Support and other (3)		1			–
PCL on performing loans		627			660
Personal Banking (2)	$	1,418		$	978
Commercial Banking (2)		714			247
Wealth Management		148			175
Capital Markets		340			436
Corporate Support and other		–			–
PCL on impaired loans (3)		2,620			1,836
PCL – Loans		3,247			2,496
PCL – Other (4)		(15	)		(28	)
Total PCL	$	3,232		$	2,468
PCL on loans is comprised of:
Retail	$	414		$	295
Wholesale		213			365
PCL on performing loans		627			660
Retail		1,586			1,051
Wholesale		1,034			785
PCL on impaired loans		2,620			1,836
PCL – Loans	$	3,247		$	2,496
PCL on loans as a % of average net loans and acceptances		0.35%			0.29%
PCL on impaired loans as a % of average net loans and acceptances		0.28%			0.21%

(1)

Information on loans represents loans, acceptances and commitments.

(2)

Amounts have been revised from those previously presented to conform to our new basis of segment presentation. For further details, refer to the About Royal Bank of Canada section.

(3)

Includes PCL recorded in Corporate Support and Insurance.

(4)

PCL – Other includes amounts related to debt securities measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) and amortized cost, accounts receivable, and financial and purchased guarantees.

2024 vs. 2023

Total PCL increased $764 million or 31% from last year, mainly due to higher provisions in Commercial Banking and Personal Banking, partially offset by lower provisions in Wealth Management and Capital Markets. The PCL on loans ratio increased 6 bps.

PCL on performing loans decreased $33 million or 5%, largely due to favourable changes to our macroeconomic forecast and scenario weights, partially offset by unfavourable changes in credit quality and the initial PCL on performing loans purchased in the HSBC Canada transaction.

PCL on impaired loans increased $784 million or 43%, mainly due to higher provisions in Commercial Banking and Personal Banking, partially offset by lower provisions in Capital Markets.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 29

Non-interest expense


		Table 11



(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)	2024		2023 (1)
Salaries	$	8,878	$	8,478
Variable compensation		8,838		7,608
Benefits and retention compensation		2,408		2,139
Share-based compensation		959		628
Human resources		21,083		18,853
Equipment		2,537		2,381
Occupancy		1,805		1,619
Communications		1,369		1,261
Professional fees		2,525		2,171
Amortization of other intangibles		1,549		1,471
Other		3,382		3,057
Non-interest expense	$	34,250	$	30,813
Efficiency ratio (2)		59.7%		59.9%
Efficiency ratio – adjusted (2), (3)		57.1%		58.2%

(1)

(2)

See Glossary for composition of these measures.

(3)

This is a non-GAAP ratio. For further details, including a reconciliation, refer to the Key performance and non-GAAP measures section.

2024 vs. 2023

Non-interest expense increased $3,437 million or 11% from last year, of which $721 million reflects the inclusion of HSBC Canada non-interest expense. The remaining increase of $2,716 million or 9% was primarily due to higher variable compensation costs commensurate with increased revenue, higher HSBC Canada transaction and integration costs, which is treated as a specified item, as well as the change in the fair value of our U.S. share-based compensation plans, which was largely offset in Other revenue. Higher staff costs, the impact of foreign exchange translation and ongoing technology investments also contributed to the increase. These factors were partially offset by reduced expenses following the sale of RBC Investor Services.

Our efficiency ratio of 59.7% decreased 20 bps from 59.9% last year. Our adjusted efficiency ratio of 57.1% dec

reas

ed 110 bps from 58.2% last year.

Adjusted efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP ratio. For further details, including a reconciliation, refer to the Key performance and

non-GAAP

measures section.

Income and other taxes


		Table 12



(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)	2024		2023 (1)
Income taxes	$	3,622	$	3,571
Other taxes
Value added and sales taxes		680		597
Payroll taxes		1,060		990
Capital taxes		47		55
Property taxes		155		144
Insurance premium taxes		45		35
Business taxes		61		82
		2,048		1,903
Total income and other taxes	$	5,670	$	5,474
Income before income taxes	$	19,862	$	18,183
Effective income tax rate		18.2%		19.6%
Effective total tax rate (2)		25.9%		27.3%
Adjusted results (3), (4)
Income taxes – adjusted	$	3,984	$	3,317
Income before income taxes – adjusted		21,414		19,146
Effective income tax rate – adjusted		18.6%		17.3%

(1)

(2)

Total income and other taxes as a percentage of income before income taxes and other taxes.

(3)

These are non-GAAP measures. For further details, including a reconciliation, refer to the Key performance and non-GAAP measures section.

(4)

See Glossary for composition of these measures.

30 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

2024 vs. 2023

Income tax expense increased $51 million or 1% from last year, primarily due to the impact of certain deferred tax adjustments in the prior year, which was treated as a specified item, higher income before income taxes and the net impact of tax adjustments. These factors were partially offset by the impact of the CRD and other tax related adjustments, which was treated as a specified item in the prior year, and the impact of changes in earnings mix. Adjusted income tax expense increased $667 million or 20%.

The effective income tax rate of 18.2% decreased 140 bps, primarily due to the impact of the CRD and other tax related adjustments noted above. This factor was partially offset by the impact of certain prior year deferred tax adjustments noted above, the net impact of tax adjustments and the impact of changes in earnings mix. Adjusted effective income tax rate of 18.6% increased 130 bps.

Other taxes increased $145 million or 8% from last year, primarily due to higher value added and sales taxes commensurate with increased purchase activity and higher payroll taxes driven by higher staff-related costs.

For further details on specified items, including a reconciliation, refer to the Key performance and non-GAAP measures section.

Client assets

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 Wealth Management business is the primary business segment that has AUA with approximately 94% of total AUA, mainly in the Investor Services line of business with approximately 54% of AUA, as at October 31, 2024. The Personal Banking business has approximately 5% of total AUA.

2024 vs. 2023

AUA increased $628 billion or 14% from last year, primarily due to market appreciation.

The following table summarizes AUA by geography and asset class:


AUA by geographic mix and asset class		Table 13



(Millions of Canadian dollars)	2024		2023
Canada (1)
Money market	$	32,800	$	34,900
Fixed income		784,600		705,800
Equity		701,800		770,500
Multi-asset and other		1,458,300		1,045,800
Total Canada		2,977,500		2,557,000
U.S. (1)
Money market		36,600		31,600
Fixed income		144,600		131,600
Equity		335,900		271,600
Multi-asset and other		432,900		326,500
Total U.S.		950,000		761,300
Other International (1)
Money market		19,200		19,100
Fixed income		130,800		130,000
Equity		425,600		404,100
Multi-asset and other		462,400		466,500
Total International		1,038,000		1,019,700
Total AUA	$	4,965,500	$	4,338,000

(1)

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

Assets under management

AUM are assets managed by us which are beneficially owned by our clients. Management fees are paid by the investment funds and other clients for the investment capabilities of an investment manager and can also cover administrative services. Management fees may be calculated daily, monthly or quarterly as a percentage of the AUM, depending on the distribution channel, product 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 have performance fee arrangements where fees are recorded when certain benchmarks or performance targets are achieved. These factors could lead to differences in fees earned by product 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 with approximately 99% of total AUM as at October 31, 2024.

2024 vs. 2023

AUM increased $275 billion or 26% from last year, primarily due to market appreciation.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 31

The following table presents the change in AUM for the year ended October 31, 2024:


Client assets – AUM		Table 14



	2024															2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Money market			Fixed income			Equity			Multi-asset and other			Total			Total
AUM, beginning balance	$	40,600		$	217,300		$	130,200		$	679,400		$	1,067,500		$	999,700
Institutional inflows		214,100			74,000			9,300			21,000			318,400			239,100
Institutional outflows		(217,000	)		(48,000	)		(12,600	)		(17,900	)		(295,500	)		(226,000	)
Personal flows, net		800			5,700			2,700			10,600			19,800			10,400
Total net flows		(2,100	)		31,700			(600	)		13,700			42,700			23,500
Market impact		1,600			24,900			37,500			137,900			201,900			27,900
Acquisition/dispositions		2,300			800			7,600			9,900			20,600			–
Foreign exchange		200			900			300			8,200			9,600			16,400
Total market, acquisition/dispositions and foreign exchange impact		4,100			26,600			45,400			156,000			232,100			44,300
AUM, balance at end of year	$	42,600		$	275,600		$	175,000		$	849,100		$	1,342,300		$	1,067,500

Business segment results

Results by business segments


		Table 15


	2024																2023 (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)	Personal Banking (2)		Commercial Banking (2)		Wealth Management (2)		Insurance		Capital Markets (2), (3)			Corporate Support (3)			Total		Total
Net interest income	$	12,438	$	6,061	$	4,979	$	–	$	3,183		$	1,292		$	27,953	$	25,129
Non-interest income		4,904		1,321		14,647		1,224		8,829			(1,534	)		29,391		26,335
Total revenue		17,342		7,382		19,626		1,224		12,012			(242	)		57,344		51,464
PCL		1,802		975		29		2		424			–			3,232		2,468
Non-interest expense		7,485		2,512		15,312		285		7,016			1,640			34,250		30,813
Income before income taxes		8,055		3,895		4,285		937		4,572			(1,882	)		19,862		18,183
Income taxes		2,134		1,077		863		208		(1	)		(659	)		3,622		3,571
Net income	$	5,921	$	2,818	$	3,422	$	729	$	4,573		$	(1,223)		$	16,240	$	14,612
ROE (4)		24.8%		18.5%		14.4%		35.3%		14.2%			n.m.			14.4%		14.3%
Average assets	$	528,200	$	165,400	$	176,200	$	26,400	$	1,134,300		$	78,000		$	2,108,500	$	2,004,500

(1)

(2)

(3)

Net interest income,

Non-interest

income, Total revenue, Income before income taxes, and 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.

(4)

For further details, refer to the Key performance and

non-GAAP

measures section.

n.m.	not meaningful

How we measure and report our business segments

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. Effective November 1, 2023, we adopted IFRS 17

Insurance Contracts

(IFRS 17). Comparative amounts have been restated from those previously presented. For further details, refer to Note 2 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements. Effective the fourth quarter of 2024, the Personal & Commercial Banking segment became two standalone business segments: Personal Banking and Commercial Banking. With this change, RBC Direct Investing moved from the previous Personal & Commercial Banking segment to the Wealth Man

ageme

nt segment. For further details, refer to the About Royal Bank of Canada section.

32 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Expense and tax 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 management reporting 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 amounts are reported in Corporate Support. Effective November 1, 2023, we prospectively revised our attributed capital methodology to include the allocation of leverage to our business segments to further align our allocation processes with evolving regulatory capital requirements. For Insurance, the allocation of capital remains unchanged and continues to be based on fully diversified economic capital. 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 for management reporting purposes. We employ a funds transfer pricing process to enable risk-adjusted management reporting of segment results. This process determines the costs and revenue for intra-company borrowing and lending of funds after taking into consideration our interest rate risk and liquidity risk management objectives, as well as applicable regulatory requirements.

Provisions for credit losses

PCL is recorded to recognize expected credit losses on all financial assets, except for financial assets classified or designated as FVTPL and equity securities designated as FVOCI, which are not subject to impairment assessment. For details on our accounting policy on Allowance for credit losses (ACL), refer to Note 2 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

PCL is included in the results of each business segment to fully reflect the appropriate expenses related to the conduct of each business segment.

In addition to the key methodologies described above, the following components of our management reporting framework also impact how our business segments are managed and reported:

•

Wealth Management results include disclosure in U.S. dollars, primarily for U.S. Wealth Management (including City National Bank (“City National”)) as we review and manage the results of this business largely in this currency.

•

Capital Markets results are reported on a teb basis, which grosses up total revenue from certain

tax-advantaged

sources (Canadian taxable corporate dividends received on or before December 31, 2023 and the U.S. tax credit investment business) 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

sources of revenue. The use of teb adjustments and measures may not be comparable to similar GAAP measures or similarly adjusted amounts disclosed by other financial institutions. For further details on the elimination of the availability of the dividend received deduction for Canadian taxable corporate dividends after December 31, 2023, refer to the Legal and regulatory environment risk section.

•

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, such as certain treasury and liquidity management activities, including amounts associated with unattributed capital, and consolidation adjustments, including the elimination of the teb

gross-up

amounts. In addition, we record gains (losses) on economic hedges of our U.S. Wealth Management (including City National) share-based compensation plans, which are reflected in revenue, and related variability in share-based compensation expense driven by changes in the fair value of liabilities relating to these plans in Corporate Support as we believe this presentation more closely aligns with how we view business performance and manage the underlying risks.

Key performance and

non-GAAP

measures

Performance measures

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. Certain financial metrics, including ROE, do not have a standardized meaning under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other financial institutions.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 33

Return on common equity

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, with the exception of Insurance, average attributed capital includes the capital and leverage required to underpin various risks as described in the Capital management section and amounts invested in goodwill and intangibles and other regulatory deductions. For Insurance, the allocation of capital is based on fully diversified economic capital.

The attribution of 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 business 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		Table 16



	2024															2023 (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)	Personal Banking (2)		Commercial Banking (2)		Wealth Management (2)		Insurance		Capital Markets (2)		Corporate Support			Total		Total
Net income available to common shareholders	$	5,842	$	2,775	$	3,355	$	724	$	4,483	$	(1,271	)	$	15,908	$	14,369
Total average common equity (3), (4)		23,600		15,000		23,250		2,050		31,650		15,100			110,650		100,400
ROE		24.8%		18.5%		14.4%		35.3%		14.2%		n.m.			14.4%		14.3%

(1)

(2)

Effective November 1, 2023, our attributed capital methodology incorporates leverage requirements to allocate capital to our business segments. For further details on changes to our attributed capital methodology, refer to the How we measure and report our business segments section.

(3)

Total average common equity represents rounded figures.

(4)

The amounts for the segments are referred to as attributed capital.

n.m.	not meaningful

Non-GAAP

measures

We believe that certain

non-GAAP

measures (including

non-GAAP

ratios) 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, 2024 with the results from last year.

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.

Adjusted results

We believe that providing adjusted results as well as certain measures and ratios excluding the impact of the specified items discussed below and amortization of acquisition-related intangibles enhances comparability with prior periods and enables readers to better assess trends in the underlying businesses.

Our results for all reported periods were adjusted for the following specified item:

•

HSBC Canada transaction and integration costs.

Our results for the current year were adjusted for the following specified item:

•

Management of closing capital volatility related to the HSBC Canada transaction. For further details, refer to the Key corporate events section.

Our results for the prior year were adjusted for the following specified items:

•

Impairment losses on our interest in an associated company.

•

Certain deferred tax adjustments: reflects the recognition of deferred tax assets relating to realized losses in City National associated with the intercompany sale of certain debt securities.

•

CRD and other tax related adjustments: reflects the impact of the CRD and the 1.5% increase in the Canadian corporate tax rate applicable to fiscal 2022, net of deferred tax adjustments, which were announced in the Government of Canada’s 2022 budget and enacted in the first quarter of 2023.

34 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Consolidated results, reported and adjusted

The following table provides a reconciliation of reported results to our adjusted results and illustrates the calculation of adjusted measures presented. The adjusted results and measures presented below are

non-GAAP

measures or ratios.


		Table 17


(Millions of Canadian dollars, except per share, number of and percentage amounts)	2024		2023 (1)
Total revenue	$	57,344	$	51,464
PCL		3,232		2,468
Non-interest expense		34,250		30,813
Income before income taxes		19,862		18,183
Income taxes		3,622		3,571
Net income	$	16,240	$	14,612
Net income available to common shareholders	$	15,908	$	14,369
Average number of common shares (thousands)		1,411,903		1,391,020
Basic earnings per share (in dollars)	$	11.27	$	10.33
Average number of diluted common shares (thousands)		1,413,755		1,392,529
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars)	$	11.25	$	10.32
ROE		14.4%		14.3%
Effective income tax rate		18.2%		19.6%
Total adjusting items impacting net income (before-tax)	$	1,552	$	963
Specified item: HSBC Canada transaction and integration costs (2), (3)		960		380
Specified item: Management of closing capital volatility related to the HSBC Canada transaction (2), (4)		131		–
Specified item: Impairment losses on our interest in an associated company (5)		–		242
Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles (6)		461		341
Total income taxes for adjusting items impacting net income	$	362	$	(254	)
Specified item: HSBC Canada transaction and integration costs (2)		201		78
Specified item: Management of closing capital volatility related to the HSBC Canada transaction (2), (4)		36		–
Specified item: Certain deferred tax adjustments (2)		–		578
Specified item: Impairment losses on our interest in an associated company (5)		–		65
Specified item: CRD and other tax related adjustments (2), (7)		–		(1,050	)
Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles (6)		125		75
Adjusted results
Income before income taxes – adjusted	$	21,414	$	19,146
Income taxes – adjusted		3,984		3,317
Net income – adjusted		17,430		15,829
Net income available to common shareholders – adjusted (8)		17,098		15,586
Average number of common shares (thousands)		1,411,903		1,391,020
Basic earnings per share (in dollars) – adjusted	$	12.11	$	11.21
Average number of diluted common shares (thousands)		1,413,755		1,392,529
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars) – adjusted	$	12.09	$	11.19
ROE – adjusted		15.5%		15.5%
Effective income tax rate – adjusted		18.6%		17.3%

Adjusted efficiency ratio
Total revenue	$	57,344	$	51,464
Add specified item: Management of closing capital volatility related to the HSBC Canada transaction (before-tax) (2), (4)		131		–
Add specified item: Impairment losses on our interest in an associated company (5)		–		242
Total revenue – adjusted (8)	$	57,475	$	51,706
Non-interest expense	$	34,250	$	30,813
Less specified item: HSBC Canada transaction and integration costs (before-tax) (2)		960		380
Less: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles (before-tax) (6)		461		341
Non-interest expense – adjusted (8)	$	32,829	$	30,092
Efficiency ratio		59.7%		59.9%
Efficiency ratio – adjusted		57.1%		58.2%

(1)

(2)

These amounts have been recognized in Corporate Support.

(3)

As at October 31, 2024, the cumulative HSBC Canada transaction and integration costs

(before-tax)

incurred were $1.3 billion and it is currently estimated that an additional $0.2 billion will be incurred, for a total of approximately $1.5 billion.

(4)

For the year ended October 31, 2024, we included management of closing capital volatility related to the acquisition of HSBC Canada as a specified item for

non-GAAP

measures and

non-GAAP

ratios. Refer to the Key corporate events section for further details.

(5)

During the fourth quarter of 2023, we recognized impairment losses on our interest in an associated company. This amount was recognized in Wealth Management.

(6)

Represents the impact of amortization of acquisition-related intangibles (excluding amortization of software), and any goodwill impairment.

(7)

The impact of the CRD and other tax related adjustments does not include $0.2 billion recognized in other comprehensive income.

(8)

See Glossary for composition of these measures.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 35

Personal Banking

Personal Banking provides a broad suite of financial products and services to retail clients for their

day-to-day

banking, investing and financing needs. We are focused on building deep and meaningful relationships with our clients, underscored by the delivery of exceptional client experiences, the breadth of our product suite, our depth of expertise and the features of our digital solutions.


~14.7 million	#1	38,642

Number of Personal Banking – Canada clients	Ranking in market share for all key retail products 1	Employees (FTE) 2

Revenue by business lines	We operate through two businesses – Personal Banking – Canada and Caribbean & U.S. Banking. Personal Banking – Canada serves our home market in Canada. We have the largest branch network, the most ATMs, and one of the largest mobile sales forces across Canada along with market-leading digital capabilities. In Caribbean & U.S. Banking, we offer a broad range of financial products and services in targeted markets. In Canada, we compete with other Schedule 1 banks, independent trust companies, foreign banks, credit unions, caisses populaires and auto financing companies, as well as emerging entrants to the financial services industry. In the Caribbean, our competition includes banks, emerging digital banks, trust companies and investment management companies serving retail and corporate clients, as well as public institutions. In the U.S., we compete primarily with other Canadian banking institutions that have U.S. operations.

2024 Operating environment

›

Following months of record high interest rates, the BoC began to loosen monetary policy in June 2024 in response to easing inflationary pressures. As a result of the higher rate environment throughout 2024, we saw sustained volume growth as well as an increasing NIM, carrying through from 2023.

›

Residential real estate markets have been impacted by the offsetting impacts of high population growth supporting demand, and the negative impact on housing affordability from high interest rates and a softening labour market. With interest rates stabilizing in the first half of the year at peak cycle levels and declines in the second half of the year, housing activity remained stable with mortgage originations up from the prior year.

National composite house price measures have changed little from the end of calendar 2023.

›

In an environment where clients have had lower purchasing power due to higher interest rates and inflation, and as consumer spending continues to show signs of softness, credit card purchase volumes exhibited strong growth primarily through robust card account acquisition and client engagement strategies.

›

We recorded significant growth in term deposit products, reflecting client preference for

low-risk

products at higher yields, driven by the BoC’s monetary policy. Although the BoC began cutting interest rates in June 2024, we continue to experience growth in term deposit products, as well as sustained leadership in overall deposit volumes.

›

We have observed favourable equity market conditions throughout fiscal 2024, which has driven higher average mutual fund balances.

›

Clients continued to demonstrate a preference for digital offerings, augmented by experienced advisors, increasing our capacity to deliver personalized advice and an exceptional client experience.

›

The credit environment was impacted by slowing economic growth, rising unemployment rates and elevated interest rates, resulting in higher provisions on impaired and performing loans.

›

Non-interest expense reflects investments in staff, the integration of HSBC Canada, ongoing investments in technology and marketing costs associated with new client acquisition campaigns.

›

The Caribbean region’s economy continued to expand at a healthy pace in 2024, propelled by robust tourism performance alongside sustained foreign investment inflows largely targeting tourism developments and residential real estate. The inflation rate in the region further subsided as the pass-through from higher prices on imported goods and services receded. Our Caribbean Banking business benefitted from higher interest rates, as well as volume growth in loans, and we continued to invest in growing the franchise.

›

In our U.S. Banking business, net interest income benefitted from solid loan and deposit growth, as well as the impact of higher interest rates.

Market share is calculated using most current data available from OSFI (M4), Investment Funds Institute Canada (IFIC) and Canadian Bankers Association (CBA), and is as at August 2024 and June 2024, respectively.

Includes FTE for all shared services across Personal Banking and Commercial Banking, for which the Non-interest expenses are allocated to both Personal Banking and Commercial Banking.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 37

Strategic priorities



OUR STRATEGY	PROGR ESS IN 2024	PRIORITIES IN 2025
Accelerate our growth and deepen relationships	Acquired and integrated HSBC Canada’s retail clients, of which a significant percentage are affluent clients, well-positioning RBC to be the bank of choice for newcomers to Canada and retail clients who need global capabilities. Existing RBC retail clients are also benefitting from new product and service capabilities, including foreign currency accounts Demonstrated growth in client acquisition volumes driven by robust value propositions, such as RBC Vantage TM , client acquisition in the newcomer segment and partnership referrals Announced the launch of Global Credit Connect with Nova Credit, a cross-border credit bureau, to help eligible RBC newcomer clients leverage their international credit history in Canada, which can then be used in applications for RBC credit products and solutions Expanded our strategic partnership with METRO Inc., one of Canada’s leading Canadian food retailers, into Ontario. METRO’s Moi ‡ Rewards program is now linked with Avion Rewards, our loyalty and consumer engagement platform. In addition, we announced a new strategic loyalty partnership between Avion Rewards and Pattison Food Group’s More Rewards ‡ , one of Western Canada’s leading loyalty programs from Canada’s largest Western-based provider of food and health products Avion Rewards was recognized for a second consecutive year as the International Loyalty Program of the Year (Americas) at the 2024 International Loyalty Awards. This award recognizes the highest level of excellence and innovation in loyalty programs on a global scale. Avion Rewards also won top honours at the 2024 Loyalty360 Awards, including Platinum (top spot) for “Brand-to-Brand Partnerships”	Continue to deepen relationships with HSBC Canada clients to facilitate growth Focus on engaging key high-growth client segments and empowering our advisors to build new and deeper relationships with superior advice to drive industry-leading volume growth Enable unparalleled value for consumers through a best-in-class loyalty program Establish additional key partnerships to continue to drive new client acquisition and deepen relationships through added value for our clients Continue to build a suite of best-in-class value propositions, digital experiences and Beyond Banking to accelerate client acquisition, engaging Canadians earlier, more often and in more compelling ways
Transform sales, advice and service, while digitizing to unlock productivity	We are the first Canadian bank to win The Digital Banker’s Digital CX Award for Excellence in Omni-Channel Customer Experiences. Regardless of the client’s channel of choice, RBC was recognized for empowering its clients to start banking swiftly, conveniently and safely. The award builds upon global recognition from Celent as Model Bank for Digital Onboarding and further establishes RBC as a global leader in creating seamless account opening experiences for its clients Received highest ranking in client satisfaction in the J.D. Power 2024 Canada Banking Mobile App Satisfaction Study, Canada Online Banking Satisfaction Study and Canada Retail Banking Satisfaction Study Secured a win for all 11 Ipsos 2024 Financial Service Excellence Awards among the Big 5 banks, including four solo wins in “Recommend to Friends or Family (Net Promoter Score)”, “Financial Planning & Advice”, “ATM Banking Excellence” and “Online Banking Excellence” Ranked third overall and #1 in Canada for AI maturity among 50 global financial institutions in the Evident AI index which evaluates financial institutions on talent, innovation, leadership and transparency. RBC was one of only two banks to rank in the top 10 across all four pillars and improved its year-over-year ranking in the two heaviest-weighted pillars – Talent and Innovation	Provide flexibility by continuing to deliver anytime, anywhere solutions to our clients across all channels Lead in mobile capabilities and enable fulfillment of servicing through digital channels with access to advisors to help clients on their chosen path of interaction Continue to reimagine our branch network to meet the evolving needs of our clients Continuously upskill our expert advisor network to deliver more personalized insights and address complex advice needs for a superior client experience Leverage digital and agile methods to drive faster delivery of products and services while improving productivity and efficiency

38 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis



OUR STRATEGY	PROGRESS IN 2024	PRIORITIES IN 2025
Support sustainable communities	Continued to support Canadians on the adoption of electric vehicles (EV) through collaborations with Tesla, Lucid and Vinfast, Avion Rewards campaign incentives and educational support along the EV buying and ownership journey Supported the financing of new homes through the green home mortgage program and explored opportunities to support energy efficiency improvements in homes Increased employee engagement and awareness on the impacts of climate change through a leadership summit, and establishing additional climate champion networks in three new regions Announced plans to accelerate the retrofit of the Canadian branch network where we are responsible for HVAC by investing $35 million over three years (2025-2027) in the first phase through the installation of energy efficient, low-carbon heating and cooling systems such as heat pumps, which will replace aging heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment Expanded Mydoh ‡ to Quebec and went subscription-free to continue helping parents across Canada educate youth about money management	Continue to focus on opportunities to support Canadians in achieving their climate goals, including building upon our existing portfolio of products, services and advice Continue to focus on increasing employee awareness, knowledge and engagement on climate initiatives to better support clients on their environmental journey Continue to support the financial wellbeing of Canadians by enabling individuals to build confidence, establish financial security and reach their goals through dedicated products, services and partnerships
Attract, grow and retain future-ready Talent	Continued to engage employees through awareness and development seminars, including targeted initiatives to develop and retain high-performing employees Invested in skills development, elevating performance and fostering a culture of inclusive leadership through programs, such as people manager masterclasses, reskilling programs and learning series Strengthened our culture of inclusion and belonging through initiatives that provide access to opportunities for growth and development, including: Canadian Banking Women’s Forum, Empower Program (BIPOC and People with Disabilities) and Indigenous Development Program	Coach and enable our employees to grow and develop skills to thrive Empower teams to deliver value to our clients and shareholders, and drive our strategic ambitions Develop leaders who create the right conditions for a high-performance culture to unlock the best of RBC Foster inclusive access to development opportunities and further strengthen our culture of belonging
In the Caribbean	Continued our Investing for Growth strategy by expanding product offerings while progressing initiatives to simplify and digitize operational processes to deliver an enhanced client and employee experience	Prioritize and accelerate the delivery of key initiatives in our Investing for Growth strategy that will enhance the employee and client experience as we expand products and prioritize resources to modernize, simplify and streamline our business
In the U.S.	Continued to drive business growth through deeper integration with Canadian franchise product, channel and marketing strategies Ongoing automation and development of digital tools to enhance scalability, simplify processes and improve the client experience	Further align with Canadian product and channel experiences to support client acquisition and anchoring relationships, including clients from the HSBC Canada transaction Continued transformation of sales and service channels to streamline client acquisition and enhance acquisition and servicing processes

Outlook

The BoC has begun lowering interest rates, but the lagged impact of earlier increases continues to slow economic growth in Canada. Rapid population growth driven by immigration has helped support total GDP growth and consumer spending, but GDP has been declining on a per-capita basis, and population growth is expected to slow sharply in calendar 2025 due to planned reductions in federal government immigration levels. GDP growth is expected to remain slow in calendar 2025 with strengthening per-capita output growth in the second half of the year offset by slower expected population increases. The weakening economy signals that inflation is likely to continue to slow, prompting further interest rate reductions from the BoC. We expect the continued benefit of our structural hedges to reduce volatility in NIM from short-term rate movements, while varying levels of competitiveness on mortgages and GICs may generate pressures on margins.

In the Caribbean, the speed of economic growth in 2025 is anticipated to moderate further as the region’s economies converge to their medium-term potential. Climate vulnerability, notably hurricane shocks, remain an ever-present risk, while worsening geopolitical conflicts and geoeconomic fragmentation have the potential to further impede growth prospects in the region.

In the U.S., the resilience of U.S. GDP growth supported by a large government budget deficit is expected to limit downward pressure on labour markets and inflation in calendar 2025. We anticipate this will lead to fewer and smaller interest rate reductions from the Fed than from the BoC.

We will continue to pursue industry-leading growth and deepen client relationships to meet the evolving needs of our clients.

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

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 39


Personal Banking		Table 19



(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts and as otherwise noted)	2024 (1)		2023 (2)
Net i nterest income	$	12,438	$	10,945
Non-interest income		4,904		4,526
Total revenue		17,342		15,471
PCL on performing assets		392		301
PCL on impaired assets		1,410		963
PCL		1,802		1,264
Non-interest expense		7,485		6,813
Income before income taxes		8,055		7,394
Net income	$	5,921	$	5,418
Revenue by business
Personal Banking – Canada	$	16,206	$	14,401
Caribbean & U.S. Banking		1,136		1,070
Key ratios
ROE (3)		24.8%		28.9%
NIM		2.43%		2.30%
Efficiency ratio		43.2%		44.0%
Operating leverage (4)		2.2%		1.3%
Selected balance sheet information
Average total assets	$	528,200	$	487,900
Average total earning assets, net		512,300		475,500
Average loans and acceptances, net		502,700		465,700
Average deposits		404,600		350,300
Other information
AUA (5), (6)	$	255,400	$	205,200
Average AUA		235,500		213,300
AUM (6)		6,400		5,900
Number of employees (FTE) (7)		38,642		37,017
Credit information
PCL on impaired loans as a % of average net loans and acceptances		0.28%		0.21%
Other selected information – Personal Banking – Canada
Net income	$	5,550	$	5,074
NIM		2.35%		2.22%
Efficiency ratio		41.6%		42.4%
Operating leverage		2.3%		0.8%

(1)

On March 28, 2024, we completed the HSBC Canada transaction. HSBC Canada results have been consolidated from the closing date, which impacted results, balances and ratios for 2024. For further details, refer to the Key corporate events section.

(2)

Effective the fourth quarter of 2024, the Personal & Commercial Banking segment became two standalone business segments: Personal Banking and Commercial Banking. With this change, RBC Direct Investing moved from the previous Personal & Commercial Banking segment to the Wealth Management segment. Amounts have been revised from those previously presented to conform to our new basis of segment presentation. For further details, refer to the About Royal Bank of Canada section.

(3)

(4)

See Glossary for composition of this measure.

(5)

AUA includes securitized residential mortgages and credit card loans as at October 31, 2024 of $15 billion and $6 billion, respectively (October 31, 2023 – $13 billion and $7 billion).

(6)

Represents

year-end

spot balances.

(7)

Includes FTE for all shared services across Personal Banking and Commercial Banking, for which the

Non-interest

expenses are allocated to both Personal Banking and Commercial Banking.

Financial performance

2024 vs. 2023

Net income increased $503 million or 9% from last year. The inclusion of HSBC Canada results increased net income by $133 million. Excluding HSBC Canada results, net income increased $370 million or 7%, primarily driven by higher net interest income reflecting higher spreads and average volume growth of 6% in Personal Banking – Canada, partially offset by higher PCL.

Total revenue increased $1,871 million or 12%, of which $609 million reflects the inclusion of HSBC Canada revenue. The remaining increase of $1,262 million or 8% was primarily due to higher net interest income reflecting higher spreads and average volume growth of 9% in deposits and 4% in loans in Personal Banking – Canada. Higher average mutual fund balances driving higher distribution fees, higher service charges, mainly reflecting higher client activity, and the prior year impact of HST on payment card clearing services also contributed to the increase.

NIM was up 13 bps, mainly due to the impact of the higher interest rate environment and changes in product mix. These factors were partially offset by competitive pricing pressures.

PCL increased $538 million or 43%, primarily due to higher provisions on impaired loans mainly in our Canadian personal and credit cards portfolios, resulting in an increase of 7 bps in the PCL on impaired loans ratio.

Non-interest

expense increased $672 million or 10%, of which $368 million reflects the inclusion of HSBC Canada

non-interest

expense. The remaining increase of $304 million or 4% was primarily due to increased operating expenses, higher marketing costs largely associated with new client acquisition campaigns, higher professional fees and staff-related costs, as well as ongoing technology investments.

Average loans and acceptances increased 8%, primarily driven by the inclusion of HSBC Canada loans and acceptances and mortgage loan growth.

Average deposits increased 16%, primarily reflecting an increase in term deposits and the inclusion of HSBC Canada deposits. These factors were partially offset by a decline in demand deposits.

40 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Business line review

Personal Banking – Canada

Personal Banking – Canada offers a full range of products focused 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. This includes home equity financing, personal lending, chequing and savings accounts, private banking, indirect lending (including auto financing), mutual funds, GICs, credit cards, and payment products and solutions.

We rank #1 in market share for all key Personal Banking products in Canada, supported by the largest retail banking network in Canada, with 1,189 branches and 4,042 ATMs.

Financial performance

Total revenue increased $1,805 million or 13% compared to last year, of which $609 million reflects the inclusion of HSBC Canada revenue. The remaining increase of $1,196 million or 8% was primarily due to higher net interest income reflecting higher spreads and average volume growth of 9% in deposits and 4% in loans.

Average residential mortgages increased 8% compared to last year, primarily driven by the inclusion of HSBC Canada residential mortgages and an increase in mortgage originations.

Average deposits increased 16% from last year, primarily reflecting an increase in term deposits and the inclusion of HSBC Canada deposits. These factors were partially offset by a decline in demand deposits.


Selected highlights		Table 20



(Millions of Canadian dollars, except number of)	2024 (1)		2023 (2)
Total revenue	$	16,206	$	14,401
Other information
Average residential mortgages		388,500		358,400
Average other loans and acceptances, net		78,300		74,800
Average deposits		382,300		328,400
Average credit card balances		23,400		20,800
Credit card purchase volumes		185,000		174,200
Branch mutual fund balances (3)		223,600		174,700
Average branch mutual fund balances		204,000		183,100
Number as at October 31:
Branches (4)		1,189		1,143
ATMs (4)		4,042		4,003

(1)

On March 28, 2024, we completed the HSBC Canada transaction. HSBC Canada results have been consolidated from the closing date, which impacted results for 2024. For further details, refer to the Key corporate events section.

(2)

Certain amounts have been revised from those previously presented to conform to our new basis of segment presentation. For further details, refer to the About Royal Bank of Canada section.

(3)

Represents

year-end

spot balances.

(4)

Branches and ATMs are shared across Personal Banking and Commercial Banking.

(1)

Average other loans and acceptances, net and average deposits amounts have been revised from those previously presented to conform to our new basis of segment presentation. For further details, refer to the About Royal Bank of Canada section.

Caribbean & U.S. Banking

Our Caribbean Banking business provides personal and commercial banking to a range of clients, including individuals, small businesses, general commercial entities, regional and multi-national corporations, and governments; supported by an extensive branch, ATM, online and mobile banking network.

Our U.S. Banking business serves the needs of Canadian retail and small business clients providing personalized, digitally-enabled cross-border banking solutions enabling a cross-border lifestyle in all 50 states across the U.S.

Financial performance

Total revenue increased $66 million or 6% from last year, primarily due to higher net interest income reflecting higher spreads.

Average loans and acceptances increased 7% and average deposits increased 1%, primarily due to increased client activity and the impact of foreign exchange translation.


Selected highlights		Table 21
(Millions of Canadian dollars, except number of and percentage amounts)	2024		2023
Total revenue	$	1,136	$	1,070
Other information
NIM		4.26%		4.08%
Average loans and acceptances, net		12,500		11,700
Average deposits		22,300		21,900
AUA (1)		11,000		10,800
Average AUA		10,700		10,500
AUM (1)		5,700		5,500
Average AUM		5,600		5,400
Number as at October 31:
Branches		38		38
ATMs		259		271

(1)

Represents

year-end

spot balances.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 41

Strategic priorities



OUR STRATEGY	PROGRESS IN 2024	PRIORITIES IN 2025
Further strengthen our market-leading value proposition for Small Business and Mid-Market Commercial clients	Extended our Canadian leadership position in the small business and mid-market commercial banking segments Sharpened and deepened focus on priority sectors to enhance competitiveness Continued to invest in the client experience and digitization of our platforms	Grow our share of new businesses through our market-leading small business value proposition Digitize our business to drive more convenience, efficiency and speed for our clients Develop capabilities in key strategic assets (e.g., Ownr, Dr. Bill, PayEdge, etc.), and foster partnerships to drive increased value for clients
Become bank of choice for Canadian nexus international clients	Acquired and integrated HSBC Canada’s internationally-focused business and talent to better position us to be the bank of choice for commercial clients with international needs Invested in new product capabilities to better serve clients with international needs such as virtual accounts, liquidity management, international payments and structured trade Collaborated with Capital Markets to strengthen FX and foreign currency offerings to better meet needs of international clients	Complete integration of colleagues, clients and capabilities from the former HSBC Canada organization to enable growth Invest in our leading global payments solutions, extending to RBC clients, in conjunction with Capital Markets Enhance sales and servicing model for international clients, leveraging HSBC Canada’s best practices
Accelerate growth and deepen relationships with large commercial and corporate clients	Onboarded experienced HSBC Canada relationship managers and product specialists, bolstering the client experience and our capacity in key markets Migrated HSBC Canada legacy clients onto RBCEdge, our next-generation business banking platform Continued to enhance specialty finance and sustainable finance capabilities through strategic hiring and product enhancements	Broaden and deepen coverage and expertise in priority sectors and Canadian markets Accelerate investment in RBC Edge TM and market-leading capabilities (e.g., virtual accounts, liquidity, etc.) to deliver next-generation treasury platform and extend it to RBC clients Invest in large commercial/corporate coverage and servicing model to further enhance the client experience
Support sustainable communities	Scaled sustainable finance offerings, with a focus on market and business development for initial sectors in focus Helped Canadian businesses grow through dedicated products, services, along with RBC Beyond Banking business services and offers Shared insights and ideas to help employees, communities, governments and organizations move towards sustainability goals Launched training programs to support advisors’ climate education	Expand sustainable finance business through investments in our value proposition, advisor capabilities and foundational processes Continue to help Canadian businesses grow through dedicated products, services and collaborations Continue sharing insights and ideas to help employees, communities, governments and organizations move towards their sustainability goals
Attract, grow and retain future-ready talent	Invested in skills development, elevating performance and fostering a culture of inclusive leadership through programs such as people manager masterclasses, reskilling programs and learning series Continued to help employees achieve their work and life goals through targeted health and wellbeing support Strengthened our culture of inclusion and belonging through initiatives that provide access to opportunities for growth and development, including: Canadian Banking Women’s Forum, Empower Program (BIPOC and People with Disabilities), and Indigenous Development Program	Coach and enable our employees to grow and develop skills to thrive Empower teams to deliver value to our clients and shareholders, and drive our strategic ambitions Develop leaders who create the right conditions for a high-performance culture to unlock the best of RBC Foster inclusive access to development opportunities and further strengthen our culture of belonging

Outlook

Rapid population growth driven by immigration has helped to support total GDP growth and consumer spending, but GDP has been declining on a per-capita basis. Sharply reduced immigration rates are expected to weigh on total consumer demand growth in 2025, but per-person GDP growth is expected to accelerate gradually starting in the second half of 2025, reflecting lower inflation and the lagged impact of BoC interest rate cuts. The cooling inflation may reduce cost pressures, which have been challenging for many Canadian businesses, allowing more opportunities for business growth and reduce the risk of default. Changes in the U.S. trade policies may also adversely impact some export-oriented Canadian businesses, which could reduce business activity and volumes.

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

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 43


Commercial Banking		Table 22


(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts and as otherwise noted)	2024 (1)		2023 (2)
Net interest income	$	6,061	$	4,771
Non-interest income		1,321		1,261
Total revenue		7,382		6,032
PCL on performing assets		261		70
PCL on impaired assets		714		245
PCL		975		315
Non-interest expense		2,512		2,143
Income before income taxes		3,895		3,574
Net income	$	2,818	$	2,582
Key ratios
ROE (3)		18.5%		23.7%
NIM		4.06%		4.39%
Efficiency ratio		34.0%		35.5%
Operating leverage		5.2%		1.0%
Selected balance sheet information
Average total assets	$	165,400	$	127,200
Average total earning assets, net		149,400		108,800
Average loans and acceptances, net		161,600		125,800
Average deposits		281,800		241,800
Other information
Number of employees (FTE) (4)		1,290		928
Credit information
PCL on impaired loans as a % of average net loans and acceptances		0.44%		0.20%

(1)

(2)

Effective the fourth quarter of 2024, the Personal & Commercial Banking segment became two standalone business segments: Personal Banking and Commercial Banking. With this change, RBC Direct Investing moved from the previous Personal & Commercial Banking segment to the Wealth Management segment. Amounts have been revised from those previously presented to conform to our new basis of segment presentation. For further details, refer to the About Royal Bank of Canada section.

(3)

(4)

Excludes FTE for all shared services across Personal Banking and Commercial Banking, for which the

Non-interest

expenses are allocated to both Personal Banking and Commercial Banking.

Financial performance

2024 vs. 2023

Net income increased $236 million or 9% from last year. The inclusion of HSBC Canada results increased net income by $219 million. Excluding HSBC Canada results, net income increased $17 million or 1%, as growth in total revenue more than offset higher PCL and higher

non-interest

expenses.

Total revenue increased $1,350 million or 22%, of which $880 million reflects the inclusion of HSBC Canada revenue. The remaining increase of $470 million or 8% was primarily due to higher net interest income reflecting average volume growth of 9% in deposits and 13% in loans and acceptances, including the impact of the cessation of Bankers’ Acceptance-based lending, which was largely offset in non-interest income, and higher spreads. These factors were partially offset by lower

non-interest

income, primarily in credit fees reflecting the impact of the cessation of Bankers’ Acceptance-based lending, which was largely offset in net interest income as noted above.

PCL increased $660 million, largely due to higher provisions on impaired loans in a few sectors, including the automotive and real estate and related sectors, resulting in an increase of 24 bps in the PCL on impaired loans ratio. Higher provisions on performing loans, mainly reflecting the initial PCL on performing loans purchased in the HSBC Canada transaction and unfavourable changes in credit quality, also contributed to the increase.

Non-interest

expense increased $369 million or 17%, of which $274 million reflects the inclusion of HSBC Canada

non-interest

expense. The remaining increase of $95 million or 4% was primarily attributable to higher staff-related costs and ongoing technology investments.

Average loans and acceptances increased 28%, primarily driven by the inclusion of HSBC Canada loans and acceptances and our continued focus on growing strategic client segments and ongoing sales enablement.

Average deposits increased 17%, primarily driven by the inclusion of HSBC Canada deposits and growth across all client segments.

44 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Wealth Management

Wealth Management primarily serves affluent, high net worth (HNW) and ultra-high net worth (UHNW) clients from our offices in key financial centres across the globe. We offer a comprehensive suite of wealth, investment, trust, banking, credit and other solutions to this client segment. We also provide a self-directed investment service in Canada, as well as asset management products globally to institutional and individual clients through our distribution channels and third-party distributors. We offer asset services and investor services to financial institutions, asset managers and asset owners in Canada.


$19.6 billion	> 6,100	~ 80%

Total revenue	Client-facing advisors	GAM AUM outperforming the benchmark on a blended 1-3-5 year basis 1




Asset under Administration (AUA)	Assets under Management (AUM)	Our lines of business include Canadian Wealth Management, U.S. Wealth Management (including City National), Global Asset Management (GAM), International Wealth Management and Investor Services. • Canadian Wealth Management includes a full-service wealth advisory business serving HNW and UHNW clients, as well as a leading self-directed investment service in Canada. The full-service wealth advisory business is the largest in Canada, as measured by AUA • U.S. Wealth Management (including City National) encompasses our private client group (PCG) and clearing and custody (C&C) businesses. PCG is a full-service wealth advisory firm in the U.S., and City National is a U.S.-based relationship bank serving the entertainment industry, mid-market businesses, HNW individuals and other clients who value personalized banking relationships • GAM is the largest retail mutual fund company in Canada as measured by AUM, as well as a leading institutional asset manager • International Wealth Management serves HNW and UHNW clients, primarily through key financial centres in the U.K., Ireland, the Channel Islands and Asia • Investor Services safeguards client assets and supports the growth of Canadian asset managers, asset owners, insurance companies and investment counsellors. Investor Services also provides sub-custody services to global financial institutions and brokers
Asset under Administration (AUA)	Assets under Management (AUM)

2024 Operating environment

›

Earnings in the current fiscal year benefitted from strong growth in client assets, primarily driven by favourable market conditions and positive net flows. U.S. Wealth Management (including City National) earnings also benefitted from the higher interest rate environment and lower PCL.

›

Our wealth advisory businesses performed well with continued net positive flows of

fee-based

client assets reflecting the strength of our business driven by the quality of our advice, the breadth of our investment and holistic wealth planning solutions and clients’ trust in our brand. The Canadian mutual fund sector started to show improvement in sales due to favourable market conditions and the expectation of reduced interest rates.

›

We continued to invest in our people and technology to maintain our competitive advantage and increase efficiencies in an environment characterized by market volatility, rapidly changing client preferences and increasing regulatory requirements.

›

While the credit environment in fiscal 2024 reflected elevated interest rates, it also reflected favourable changes in our economic outlook towards the latter half of the year, resulting in releases of provisions on performing loans and lower provisions on impaired loans.

As at September 2024, gross of fees, excluding RBC Indigo Asset Management Inc. (formerly HSBC Asset Management Canada).

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 45

rategi

c priorities



OUR STRATEGY	PROGRESS IN 2024	PRIORITIES IN 2025
In Canada, be the premier service provider for HNW and UHNW clients, and build on our leading position serving self-directed investors	Further extended our position as an industry leader in our full-service private wealth business Continued to focus on holistic wealth planning, including advisor training on intergenerational and business wealth transfer Continued to expand RBC ® Premier Banking to deepen banking relationships with Wealth Management clients Focused on the business owner client segment, deepening client relationships across the various business segments Continued to enhance our digital and data capabilities to drive increased client satisfaction and advisor productivity Implemented unique capabilities that are becoming increasingly important to our client base, such as private alternative investment products Successfully transitioned HSBC Canada clients onto the RBC Direct Investing ® platform and RBC Phillips, Hager & North Investment Counsel ® Expanded online trading capabilities to new foreign stock exchanges	Continue to retain and attract top-performing advisors to strengthen our talent advantage Deliver a differentiated client experience through enriched advisor-client interactions and seamless digital experiences Deepen client relationships by leveraging the combined strengths across other business segments with a focus on the business owner client segment Continue to invest in digital solutions to streamline and improve efficiency and advisor productivity, including our positioning with early stage investors through RBC Direct Investing Modernize infrastructure and systems to ensure ongoing resiliency in our technology platforms
In the U.S., become the leading private and commercial bank and wealth manager in our key markets	Continued to invest in key areas needed to drive growth in the U.S. market, including banking and lending solutions, enhancements to the digital platform, increased brand presence and financial advisor recruitment At City National, we continued to focus on enhancing our risk management and compliance capabilities across the three lines of defence for sustainable, organic growth in the future	Continue to deliver an exceptional client experience for targeted HNW and UHNW segments by deepening client relationships with the expansion of our banking and lending offering Leverage the combined strengths within U.S. Wealth Management (including City National) and Capital Markets to deepen client relationships At City National, we will continue to focus on enhancing our risk management and compliance capabilities across the three lines of defence for sustainable, organic growth in the future
In select global financial centres, become the most trusted regional private bank	Continued to deliver on growth initiatives, bringing the full strength and breadth of RBC to our clients Focused on delivering a differentiated client experience by leveraging our global capabilities Continued to leverage RBC Brewin Dolphin to support our position as a top five largest wealth manager in the U.K. 2 Achieved growth and continued momentum in Asia through the addition of experienced client-facing advisors and net new assets	Focus on growing market share in target markets Continue to leverage our global strengths to better serve clients and deepen relationships, taking advantage of our expanded product suite and distribution channels Continue to deliver an exceptional client experience and increase business effectiveness and talent capabilities Continue to enhance client value proposition and consolidation of position in the U.K. local market In Asia, continue to focus on achieving scale by growing the business through hiring of experienced client-facing advisors and leveraging our global capabilities
In asset management, be a leading, diversified asset manager focused on global institutional and North American retail clients	Maintained #1 market share in Canadian mutual fund AUM RBC ® iShares strategic alliance maintained #1 market share in Canadian ETFs Integrated RBC Indigo Asset Management Inc., formerly HSBC Asset Management Canada, as part of the broader HSBC Canada acquisition	Continue to focus on delivering exceptional investment performance and valued insights with client experience at the centre of all that we do Continue to expand our investment capabilities to meet evolving client needs in our target distribution regions
In Investor Services, be the market leader of investment servicing in Canada	Continued to focus on our Canadian business and completed divestiture of the non-Canadian operations	Continue investments in client experience and for driving efficiency in operations
Attract, grow and retain future-ready talent	Continued to focus on leadership capabilities to grow and develop our employees through programs, such as people manager masterclasses, learning series and workshops Strengthened our culture of inclusion and belonging through initiatives that provide access to opportunities for growth and development, including: Women in Investments, Women Advisor Experience listening sessions, Diversity Leadership Councils and Employee Resource Groups Embedded refreshed practices to grow and retain our employees by increasing coaching, mentorship, reskilling programs and sponsorships	Coach and enable our employees to grow and develop skills to thrive Empower teams to deliver value to our clients and shareholders, and drive our strategic ambitions Develop leaders who create the right conditions for a high-performance culture to unlock the best of RBC Foster inclusive access to development opportunities and further strengthen our culture of belonging

Outlook

Markets will continue to be impacted by the evolving macroeconomic environment, including the impact of interest rates which are expected to decline further as well as a slowdown in economic growth in Canada.

Despite this backdrop, we believe our diversified businesses remain well-positioned to continue growing our leading position in Canada and increasing our market share in the HNW and UHNW client segments globally, leveraging the strength of our brand, reputation and strong financial position. Our strategy remains unchanged as we continue to focus on delivering an unmatched client experience through holistic goals-based advice, attracting and retaining

top-performing

advisors, and collaborating across the enterprise to bring the full breadth of our capabilities to our clients. We will continue to invest in our people and technology to improve client and advisor experiences, drive operational efficiencies, and further strengthen our risk, compliance and controls infrastructure to meet heightened regulatory expectations.

Based on publicly available information for wealth management firms (excluding platform businesses) in the U.K., as of September 2024.

46 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

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


Wealth Management		Table 23


(Millions of Canadian dollars, except number of, percentage amounts and as otherwise noted)	2024 (1)		2023 (2)
Net interest income	$	4,979	$	4,853
Non-interest income		14,647		13,308
Total revenue		19,626		18,161
PCL on performing assets		(119)		153
PCL on impaired assets		148		175
PCL		29		328
Non-interest expense		15,312		14,387
Income before income taxes		4,285		3,446
Net income	$	3,422	$	2,693
Revenue by business
Canadian Wealth Management (2)	$	5,777	$	5,060
U.S. Wealth Management (including City National)		8,906		7,969
U.S. Wealth Management (including City National) (US$ millions)		6,550		5,908
Global Asset Management		2,948		2,626
International Wealth Management		1,295		1,273
Investor Services (3)		700		1,233
Key ratios
ROE (4)		14.4%		10.9%
NIM		3.26%		2.84%
Pre-tax margin (5)		21.8%		19.0%
Selected balance sheet information
Average total assets	$	176,200	$	194,600
Average total earning assets, net		152,500		170,900
Average loans and acceptances, net		114,600		115,300
Average deposits (3)		163,400		169,200
Other information
AUA (3), (6), (7)	$	4,685,900	$	4,110,200
U.S. Wealth Management (including City National) (6)		930,000		752,700
U.S. Wealth Management (including City National) (US$ millions) (6)		668,100		542,800
Investor Services (6)		2,681,400		2,488,600
AUM (6)		1,332,500		1,058,900
Average AUA (3)		4,384,200		5,119,500
Average AUM		1,218,900		1,058,000
PCL on impaired loans as a % of average net loans and acceptances		0.13%		0.15%
Number of employees (FTE)		25,672		25,278
Number of advisors (8)		6,116		6,169
Adjusted results (9)
Total revenue – adjusted	$	19,626	$	18,403
Income before income taxes – adjusted		4,285		3,688
Net income – adjusted		3,422		2,870
U.S. Wealth Management (including City National) revenue – adjusted		8,906		8,211
U.S. Wealth Management (including City National) revenue (US$ millions) – adjusted		6,550		6,083
Key ratios – adjusted (9)
ROE – adjusted		14.4%		11.6%
Pre-tax margin – adjusted (5)		21.8%		20.0%

Estimated impact of U.S. dollar, British pound and Euro translation on key income statement items
(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)	2024 vs. 2023
Increase (decrease):
Total revenue	$	144
PCL		–
Non-interest expense		120
Net income		23
Percentage change in average U.S. dollar equivalent of C$1.00		(1)%
Percentage change in average British pound equivalent of C$1.00		(4)%
Percentage change in average Euro equivalent of C$1.00		(2)%

(1)

(2)

Effective the fourth quarter of 2024, RBC Direct Investing moved from the previous Personal & Commercial Banking segment to the Wealth Management segment. Comparative amounts have been revised from those previously presented to conform to our new basis of segment presentation. For further details, refer to the About Royal Bank of Canada section.

(3)

We completed the sale of RBC Investor Services operations in Europe, Jersey and the U.K to CACEIS on July 3, 2023, December 1, 2023 and March 25, 2024, respectively (the sale of RBC Investor Services operations). For further details, refer to Note 6 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

(4)

Effective November 1, 2023, our attributed capital methodology incorporates leverage requirements to allocate capital to our business segments. For further details on changes to our attributed capital methodology, refer to How we measure and report our business segments section.

(5)

Pre-tax

margin is defined as Income before income taxes divided by Total revenue. Adjusted

pre-tax

margin is calculated in the same manner, using adjusted income before income taxes and adjusted total revenue.

(6)

Represents

year-end

spot balances.

(7)

In addition to Canadian Wealth Management, U.S. Wealth Management (including City National), International Wealth Management and Investor Services, AUA includes $7,400 million (2023 – $6,200 million) related to GAM.

(8)

Represents client-facing advisors across all our Wealth Management businesses.

(9)

These are

non-GAAP

measures and

non-GAAP

ratios. During the year ended October 31, 2023, we recognized impairment losses of $177 million

(before-tax

$242 million) on our interest in an associated company. For further details on this specified item, including a reconciliation, refer to the Key performance and

non-GAAP

measures section.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 47


Client assets – AUA		Table 24


(Millions of Canadian dollars)	2024			2023 (1)
AUA, beginning balance (2)	$	1,621,600		$	1,515,500
Asset inflows		474,000			428,800
Asset outflows		(458,800	)		(410,600	)
Total net flows (2)		15,200			18,200
Market impact		341,700			45,500
Acquisitions/dispositions		21,400			–
Foreign exchange/other		4,600			42,400
Total market, acquisition/dispositions and foreign exchange/other impact (2)		367,700			87,900
AUA, balance at end of year (2)		2,004,500			1,621,600
Investor Services, balance at end of year (3)		2,681,400			2,488,600
Total AUA	$	4,685,900		$	4,110,200

(1)

Certain amounts have been revised from those previously presented to conform to our new basis of segment presentation. For further details, refer to the About Royal Bank of Canada section.

(2)

Includes AUA from the following lines of business; Canadian Wealth Management, U.S. Wealth Management (including City National), Global Asset Management and International Wealth Management.

(3)

Includes the impact from the sale of RBC Investor Services operations. For further details, refer to Note 6 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.


AUA by geographic mix and asset class		Table 25



(Millions of Canadian dollars)	2024		2023 (1)
Canada (2), (3)
Money market	$	28,400	$	32,300
Fixed income		61,500		55,700
Equity		248,400		183,400
Multi-asset and other		510,300		400,500
Total Canada		848,600		671,900

U.S. (2), (3)
Money market		36,300		31,600
Fixed income		144,600		131,600
Equity		335,900		271,600
Multi-asset and other		413,200		318,000
Total U.S.		930,000		752,800

Other International (2), (3)
Money market		19,200		18,800
Fixed income		13,200		11,300
Equity		56,800		49,300
Multi-asset and other		136,700		117,500
Total International		225,900		196,900
AUA, balance at end of year (3)		2,004,500		1,621,600
Investor Services, balance at end of year (4)		2,681,400		2,488,600
Total AUA	$	4,685,900	$	4,110,200

(1)

Certain amounts have been revised from those previously presented to conform to our new basis of segment presentation. For further details, refer to the About Royal Bank of Canada section.

(2)

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

(3)

Includes AUA from the following lines of business; Canadian Wealth Management, U.S. Wealth Management (including City National), Global Asset Management and International Wealth Management.

(4)

Includes the impact from the sale of RBC Investor Services operations. For further details, refer to Note 6 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.


Client assets – AUM		Table 26


	2024															2023
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Money market			Fixed income			Equity			Multi-asset and other			Total			Total
AUM, beginning balance	$	40,600		$	214,800		$	129,700		$	673,800		$	1,058,900		$	991,500
Institutional inflows		214,100			74,000			9,300			20,500			317,900			239,200
Institutional outflows		(217,000	)		(48,100	)		(12,600	)		(17,400	)		(295,100	)		(226,000	)
Personal flows, net		800			5,700			2,600			10,700			19,800			10,300
Total net flows		(2,100	)		31,600			(700	)		13,800			42,600			23,500
Market impact		1,600			24,700			37,200			137,500			201,000			27,500
Acquisition/dispositions		2,300			800			7,600			9,900			20,600			–
Foreign exchange		200			900			300			8,000			9,400			16,400
Total market, acquisition/dispositions and foreign exchange impact		4,100			26,400			45,100			155,400			231,000			43,900
AUM, balance at end of year	$	42,600		$	272,800		$	174,100		$	843,000		$	1,332,500		$	1,058,900

48 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Financial performance

2024 vs. 2023

Net income increased $729 million or 27% from last year, primarily due to higher fee-based client assets reflecting market appreciation and net sales, which also drove higher variable compensation. Higher transactional revenue and lower PCL also contributed to the increase. Adjusted net income increased $552 million or 19%, as the prior year included the impact of the specified item relating to impairment losses on our interest in an associated company.

Total revenue increased $1,465 million or 8%, primarily due to higher fee-based client assets reflecting market appreciation and net sales. Higher transactional revenue, mainly driven by client activity and the impact of foreign exchange translation also contributed to the increase. The prior year also included the impact of the specified item relating to impairment losses on our interest in an associated company. These factors were partially offset by reduced revenue following the sale of RBC Investor Services operations. Adjusted total revenue increased $1,223 million or 7%.

PCL decreased $299 million or 91%, primarily due to releases of provisions on performing loans this year in U.S. Wealth Management (including City National), mainly driven by favourable changes to our macroeconomic forecast, as compared to provisions taken last year.

Non-interest expense increased $925 million or 6%, primarily driven by higher variable compensation commensurate with increased commissionable revenue. The cost of the FDIC special assessment, the impact of foreign exchange translation, and higher staff costs including continued investments in the operational infrastructure of City National also contributed to the increase. These factors were partially offset by reduced expenses following the sale of RBC Investor Services operations, and the impact of legal provisions in the prior year.

AUA and AUM increased $576 billion or 14% and $274 billion or 26% respectively, primarily due to market appreciation.

For further details on specified items, including a reconciliation, refer to the Key performance and

non-GAAP

measures section.

Business line review

Canadian Wealth Management

Canadian Wealth Management includes our full-service wealth advisory business as well as our self-directed investment service in Canada. Our full-service wealth advisory business is the largest in Canada as measured by AUA, with approximately 2,000 investment advisors providing comprehensive financial solutions with a focus on HNW and UHNW clients. We provide discretionary investment management and estate and trust services to our clients through over 140 investment counsellors and over 120 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 for the HNW/UHNW segment.

Financial performance

Revenue increased $717 million or 14% from last year, largely due to higher fee-based client assets reflecting market appreciation and net sales. Higher transactional revenue, mainly driven by client activity, also contributed to the increase.


Selected highlights		Table 27



(Millions of Canadian dollars)	2024 (1)		2023 (2)
Total revenue	$	5,777	$	5,060
Other information
Average loans and acceptances, net		6,500		6,700
Average deposits		25,000		26,300
AUA (3)		855,800		677,300
AUM (3)		240,500		184,300
Average AUA		791,100		668,200
Average AUM		218,600		182,200

(1)

(2)

Certain amounts have been revised from those previously presented to conform to our new basis of segment presentation. For further details, refer to the About Royal Bank of Canada section.

(3)

Represents

year-end

spot balances.

(1)

Average AUA amounts have been revised from those previously presented to conform to our new basis of segment presentation. For further details, refer to the About Royal Bank of Canada section.

U.S. Wealth Management (including City National)

U.S. Wealth Management (including City National) encompasses PCG and our C&C businesses. PCG is a full-service wealth advisory firm in the U.S. with over 2,200 financial advisors. Our C&C business delivers clearing and execution services for small to

mid-sized

independent broker-dealers and registered investment advisor firms. City National provides comprehensive financial solutions to affluent individuals, entrepreneurs, professionals, their businesses and their families, and other clients who value personalized banking relationships through a high-touch service model, proactive advice and financial solutions. City National offers a broad range of lending, deposit, cash management, equipment financing, wealth management and other products and services. In the U.S., we operate in a fragmented and highly competitive industry. Our competitors include other broker-dealers, commercial banks and other financial institutions that service HNW and UHNW individuals, entrepreneurs and their businesses.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 49

Financial performance

Revenue increased $937 million or 12% from last year. In U.S. dollars, revenue increased $642 million or 11%, mainly due to higher fee-based client assets reflecting market appreciation and net sales. Higher transactional revenue, mainly reflecting client activity, also contributed to the increase. The prior year also included the impact of the specified item relating to impairment losses on our interest in an associated company. Adjusted revenue in U.S. dollars increased $467 million or 8%.

NIM was up 18 bps, primarily driven by lower wholesale borrowing and the impact of higher interest rates, partially offset by higher deposit costs.

For further details on specified items, including a reconciliation, refer to the Key performance and

non-GAAP

measures section.


Selected highlights		Table 28



(Millions of Canadian dollars, except as otherwise noted)	2024		2023
Total revenue	$	8,906	$	7,969
Other information (Millions of U.S. dollars)
Total revenue		6,550		5,908
NIM		2.71%		2.53%
Average earning assets, net		100,600		103,500
Average loans, guarantees and letters of credit, net		75,500		75,900
Average deposits		84,100		83,200
AUA (1)		668,100		542,800
AUM (1)		220,200		176,900
Average AUA		629,100		544,000
Average AUM		206,300		174,500

(1)

Represents

year-end

spot balances.

Global Asset Management

GAM provides global investment management services and solutions for individual and institutional investors in Canada, the U.K., the U.S., 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, endowments and foundations.

We are the largest retail fund company in Canada measured by AUM, as well as a leading institutional asset manager. We face competition in Canada from banks, insurance companies and asset management organizations. The Canadian fund management industry is large and mature, but remains 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 global capabilities distributed under the RBC BlueBay Asset Management platform, 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 owned by international banks, as well as national and regional asset managers in the geographies where we serve clients.

Financial performance

Revenue increased $322 million or 12% from last year, mainly due to higher fee-based client assets reflecting market appreciation and net sales. Changes in the fair value of seed capital investments and the inclusion of HSBC Canada revenue also contributed to the increase.


Selected highlights		Table 29



(Millions of Canadian dollars)	2024 (1)		2023
Total revenue	$	2,948	$	2,626
Other information
Canadian net long-term mutual fund sales (redemptions) (2)		1,898		(11,367	)
Canadian net money market mutual fund sales (redemptions) (2)		1,334		1,121
AUM (3)		680,300		541,300
Average AUM		619,900		550,700

(1)

(2)

As reported to the Investment Funds Institute of Canada. Includes all prospectus-based mutual funds across our Canadian GAM businesses.

(3)

Represents

year-end

spot balances.

50 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Strategic

prioriti


OUR STRATEGY	PROGRESS IN 2024	PRIORITIES IN 2025
Deliver a market-leading client experience	Completed the national roll-out of HomeProtector ® Basic Life Coverage, providing enhanced training for 1,500+ mortgage specialists, and offering additional choice and flexibility to clients during challenging economic conditions Launched Life Affinity to provide multi-product advice and affordable solutions to support our clients having coverage for all their needs. With this launch, clients who have both life and property insurance with RBC can access savings on their property insurance Launched Corporate Life Insurance School, helping advisors build their corporate insurance knowledge and expand their life business to corporate clients. Over 2,500+ insurance advisors have earned continuing education credits in less than three months	Drive profitable business growth by continuing the journey to become a client-led organization underpinned by superior advice and solutions Drive deep client relationships through distribution excellence, including channel growth, and by supporting our agents and partners with best-in-class tools and unique value propositions
Lead in digital, data and technology	Transitioned to our new Agile Operating Model, resulting in approximately 30% YoY increase in overall digital release volume Achieved an approximately 17% reduction in call hold time through “ProcedureFlow”, a digital solution enabling advisors to quickly find information, scripting, and processes when they need it Achieved an approximately 40% reduction in cycle time for underwriting life contracts following the full transition to the Agile Operating Model, driving cost optimization	Create innovative client experiences, leveraging data and analytics to proactively anticipate future insurance needs
Harness the power of RBC and the RBC Brand to grow our Insurance business	Maintained leadership in Creditor products (total insured lending balance) through advancements in the online digital enrollment channel Launched the Wealth Management and Insurance Collaboration Accelerator, designed to help our respective businesses partner more closely to meet client needs by enhancing partnership, tailoring products, and elevating service delivery Leveraged Enterprise Gen AI code generation tools for application development and testing, increasing team productivity by approximately 25%	Harness the power of being a bank-owned insurer by tapping into enterprise capabilities, relationships, channels, best practices and the RBC brand to maximize enterprise opportunities
Drive operational excellence through automation and streamlined processes	Achieved an approximately 55% reduction in client approval time for life insurance applications through business process re-engineering, surpassing the goal of a 50% reduction Achieved approximately 45% reduction in claim payment time for group life claims, and approximately 79% reduction in new claim payment time for long-term disability claims, through end-to-end process review and optimization Celebrated the one-year launch anniversary of our Enhanced Mental Health Claims program. Clients who have completed treatment in this program have returned to work approximately 10 months sooner compared to prior outcomes	Reimagine our processes through automation, advanced capabilities and resilient operations to position us for scale and to deliver an enhanced client experience
Attract, develop, and retain future-ready talent	Continued to develop advisors’ capabilities and drive a high-performance culture Leveraged our Agile framework to integrate teams and optimize decisions that benefitted both clients and the business Strengthened our culture of inclusion and belonging through initiatives that provide access to opportunities for growth and development, including: Diversity Champions Program, and The Black Professional Network-Insurance Program	Coach and enable our employees to grow and develop skills to thrive Empower teams to deliver value to our clients and shareholders, and drive our strategic ambitions Develop leaders who create the right conditions for a high-performance culture to unlock the best of RBC Foster inclusive access to development opportunities and further strengthen our culture of belonging

Outlook

The insurance industry is expected to continue experiencing demographic changes and technological advancements. With an aging population, there is an expected increase in demand for life, health and wealth insurance products tailored to the needs of different client segments. As the integration of digital technologies is transforming the industry, we will remain focused on further strengthening our digital and data technology to offer more personalized insurance products and services. We will also seek to further enhance the client experience by investing in operational improvements and focusing on sustainable growth, enabling achievement of our goal of continuing to be a market leading insurer providing tailored,

client-led

solutions by harnessing the power of technology and data.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 53

Capital Markets

RBC Capital Markets

is a premier global investment bank providing expertise in advisory & origination, sales & trading, lending & financing and transaction banking to corporations, institutional clients, asset managers, private equity firms and governments globally. Our professionals provide clients with the advice, products and services their businesses need from 58 offices in 16 countries. Our presence extends across North America, the U.K. & Europe, Australia, Asia and other regions.


> 22,500	#10	7,424

Number of clients	Global league table rankings 1	Employees (FTE)

Revenue by Geography	We operate two main business lines: Corporate & Investment Banking and Global Markets. In North America, we offer a full suite of products and services, including equity and debt origination and distribution, advisory services, sales & trading and transaction banking. In Canada, we are a market leader with a strategic presence in all lines of capital markets businesses. In the U.S., where our competitors include large global investment banks, we have a full industry sector coverage and investment banking product range, as well as capabilities in credit, secured lending, municipal finance, fixed income, currencies & commodities and equities. Outside North America, we have a targeted strategic presence in the U.K. & Europe, Australia, Asia and other markets aligned to our global expertise. In the U.K. & Europe, we offer a diversified set of capabilities in key industry sectors of focus. In Australia and Asia, we compete with global and regional investment banks in targeted areas aligned to our global expertise, including fixed income distribution and currencies trading, secured financing, as well as corporate & investment banking.

2024 Operating environment

›

The fiscal 2024 operating environment was characterized by declining interest rates and subsiding inflation signaling an improvement in the macroeconomic outlook despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

›

Industry-wide fee pools, particularly in the U.S. and Europe, began to recover in the first half of 2024 and continued to carry strong momentum through the second half, compared to 2023 during which fee pools were muted as clients largely maintained a

risk-off

position. In addition to the benefit of a recovering fee pool, we continued to advance our advisory capabilities and grew our market share across investment banking products which underpinned strong performance, as reflected in our solid top 10 ranking in the global league table.

›

Trading activity, supported by strong client flow, continued to be robust during the year as the credit trading environment was mostly constructive while rates and foreign exchange trading saw a slight normalization compared to 2023 on lower market volatility.

›

We maintained a moderate growth strategy in our lending businesses, and delivered strong financial performance, despite elevated funding costs that began to normalize in the second half of the year. We also continued to leverage our balance sheet strength to support our clients during the 2024 fiscal year, including new clients acquired as part of the HSBC Canada transaction.

›

While the credit environment in fiscal 2024 reflected elevated interest rates, it also reflected favourable changes in our economic outlook towards the latter half of the fiscal year, resulting in releases of provisions on performing loans and lower provisions on impaired loans.

Source: Dealogic, based on global investment bank fees, Fiscal 2024

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 55

Strate

gic priorities



OUR STRATEGY	PROGRESS IN 2024	PRIORITIES IN 2025
Grow and deepen client relationships	Leveraged our globalized business model to drive multi-product global client relationships, resulting in high quality mandates and notable wins in Corporate & Investment Banking and Global Markets A notable client example is: • Sole underwriter on GFL Environmental US$723 million registered block trade of secondary shares Awarded Best Investment Bank in Canada as part of Euromoney’s Awards for Excellence in 2024 Awarded #1 Broker for in-person roadshows, and joint #2 for virtual roadshows for North American companies (IR Magazine)	Deliver advisory, origination and sales & trading solutions across a broad client franchise through continued investments in talent, technology and financial resources Expand client coverage in target sectors and products Increase collaboration and connectivity within RBC Capital Markets and across RBC to amplify our holistic approach to serving clients
Lead with advice and extend capabilities	Launched our U.S. Cash Management platform, RBC Clear, with strong momentum in client acquisition, leading to multiple industry awards, including: • Outstanding Cash Management Platform and Best Wholesale / Transaction Bank for Digital Customer Experience in the United States (The Digital Banker) Expanded existing capabilities within credit products and risk solutions Advanced RBC Capital Markets’ contribution to RBC’s actions on climate. A notable client example is: • Exclusive financial advisor to Schroders Greencoat on the £700 million acquisition of a U.K.-based solar photovoltaics portfolio, lead underwriter for bridge financing and exclusive financial advisor for subsequent refinancing Lead financial advisor and committed financing to J.M. Smucker Co. on the US$5.6 billion acquisition of Hostess Brands, Inc.	Pursue adjacencies to our existing core capabilities across Corporate & Investment Banking and Global Markets Scale U.S. Cash Management capabilities across RBC Capital Markets’ clients Lead with advice by accelerating growth in Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Equity Capital Markets and Risk Solutions Continue to advance RBC Capital Markets’ contribution to RBC’s actions on climate
Leverage digital and data to deliver innovative solutions	Expanded Aiden ® , RBC Capital Markets’ AI solution, to drive productivity benefits in Equity Research and select businesses Leveraged alternative data sets to provide differentiated research and insights to our clients, resulting in record publications and increased readership	Scale digital products and generative AI solutions globally across businesses Continue to advance the client digital experience and broaden electronic execution capabilities
Prioritize and align for impact	Reorganized the structure of Global Investment Banking to better align with our clients and drive increased global coordination Launched a refreshed governance framework for productivity and efficiency to strategically focus benefit efforts and address key cost areas Successfully transitioned to a T+1 settlement cycle	Further increase productivity and improve efficiencies through an RBC Capital Markets wide approach Align investments in operational and technological architecture to business priorities
Drive agility and ease of doing business	Simplified our technology infrastructure through consolidation of applications, promotion of platform reuse and retirement of applications that are no longer strategic Progressed delivery of a streamlined, end-to-end client lifecycle management technology system and piloted the new system across select regions and businesses	Further simplify technology infrastructure and automate functional support to improve client and employee experience Continue to modernize the back-office service model to streamline the client experience while amplifying controls and risk management Continue to expand the scope of the client lifecycle management system
Engage, enable and empower our talent	Invested in leadership capabilities through the launch of a people manager training program Invested in talent across internal promotions, external senior hires, and support for internal mobility Strengthened our culture of inclusion and belonging through our Employee Resource Group initiatives which provide access to opportunities for growth and development	Coach and enable our employees to grow and develop skills to thrive Empower teams to deliver value to our clients and shareholders, and drive our strategic ambitions Develop leaders who create the right conditions for a high-performance culture to unlock the best of RBC Foster inclusive access to development opportunities and further strengthen our culture of belonging

56 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Financial performance

2024 vs. 2023

Net income increased $434 million or 10% from last year, mainly due to higher revenue in Corporate & Investment Banking and lower PCL. These factors were partially offset by higher taxes reflecting favourable tax adjustments in the prior year and higher compensation.

Total revenue increased $961 million or 9%, mainly due to higher debt origination across all regions. Higher M&A activity across most regions, the impact of foreign exchange translation and lower residual funding and capital costs also contributed to the increase. These factors were partially offset by lower fixed income trading revenue across most regions. Equity trading revenue in Canada was also lower primarily due to the elimination of the availability of the dividend received deduction for certain Canadian taxable corporate dividends.

PCL decreased $137 million or 24%, mainly due to lower provisions on impaired loans, resulting in a decrease of 7 bps in the PCL on impaired loans ratio. Provisions on impaired loans in the current year were largely driven by the real estate and related sector. Lower provisions on performing loans also contributed to the decrease, largely due to favourable changes to our macroeconomic forecast, partially offset by unfavourable changes in credit quality.

Non-interest

expense increased $507 million or 8%, mainly due to higher compensation on increased results, the impact of foreign exchange translation, ongoing technology investments and higher legal provisions.

Business line review

Corporate & Investment Banking

Corporate & Investment Banking comprises our corporate lending, municipal finance, loan syndication, debt and equity origination, M&A advisory services and transaction banking services. For debt and equity origination, revenue is allocated between Corporate & Investment Banking and Global Markets based on the contribution of each group in accordance with an established agreement. Effective the third quarter of 2024, we moved the majority of our debt origination business from Global Markets to Corporate & Investment Banking. Comparative amounts have been revised from those previously presented.

Financial performance

Corporate & Investment Banking revenue of $6,399 million increased $806 million or 14% from last year.

Investment banking revenue increased $462 million or 20%, mainly due to higher M&A activity across most regions and higher debt origination across all regions.

Lending and other revenue increased $344 million or 10%, mainly due to higher volumes in securitization financing and lending, improved margins in our transaction banking business and the impact of foreign exchange translation.


Selected highlights		Table 34


(Millions of Canadian dollars)	2024 (1)		2023
Total revenue (2), (3)	$	6,399	$	5,593
Breakdown of total revenue (2)
Investment banking (3)		2,745		2,283
Lending and other (4)		3,654		3,310
Other information
Average assets		129,000		125,000
Average loans and acceptances, net		121,000		117,000

(1)

(2)

The teb adjustment for the year ended October 31, 2024 was $265 million (October 31, 2023 – $135 million). For further discussion, refer to the How we measure and report our business segments section.

(3)

Effective the third quarter of 2024, we moved the majority of our debt origination business from Global Markets to Corporate & Investment Banking. Comparative amounts have been revised from those previously presented.

(4)

Comprises our corporate lending, client securitization, and global credit businesses.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 59

Global Markets

Global Markets comprises our sales and trading businesses including fixed income, foreign exchange, commodities and equities, as well as our repo and secured financing products. As mentioned above, effective the third quarter of 2024, we moved the majority of our debt origination business from Global Markets to Corporate & Investment Banking. Comparative amounts have been revised from those previously presented.

Financial performance

Global Markets revenue of $5,879 million increased $84 million or 1% from last year.

Revenue in our Fixed income, currencies and commodities business remained relatively flat, as higher debt origination primarily in North America was offset by lower fixed income trading revenue across all regions.

Revenue in our Equities business decreased $99 million or 8%, primarily due to lower equity trading revenue in Canada.

Revenue in our Treasury services and funding business increased $182 million or 13%, primarily due to higher fixed income trading revenue across most regions.


Selected highlights		Table 35


(Millions of Canadian dollars)	2024 (1)		2023
Total revenue (2), (3)	$	5,879	$	5,795
Breakdown of total revenue (2)
Fixed income, currencies and commodities (3)		3,118		3,117
Equities		1,210		1,309
Treasury services and funding (4)		1,551		1,369
Other information
Average assets		995,000		968,000

(1)

(2)

The teb adjustment for the year ended October 31, 2024 was $29 million (October 31, 2023 – $424 million). For further discussion, refer to the How we measure and report our business segments section.

(3)

(4)

Comprises our secured funding businesses for internal businesses and external clients.

Other

Other includes our legacy portfolios, which mainly consists of U.S. commercial mortgage-backed securities (MBS), bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) derivative contracts and structured rates in Asia.

Financial performance

Other revenue improved $71 million or 22% from last year, primarily reflecting lower residual funding and capital costs.

Corporate Support

Corporate Support consists of Technology & Operations, which provides the technological and operational foundation required to effectively deliver products and services to our clients, Functions, which includes our finance, human resources, risk management, internal audit and other functional groups, as well as our Corporate Treasury function. Reported results for Corporate Support mainly reflect enterprise level activities which are not allocated to business segments. For further details, refer to the How we measure and report our business segments section.


Corporate Support		Table 36


(Millions of Canadian dollars)	2024			2023
Net interest income (loss) (1)	$	1,292		$	1,181
Non-interest income (loss) (1), (2)		(1,534	)		(1,442	)
Total revenue (1), (2)		(242	)		(261	)
PCL		–			–
Non-interest expense (2)		1,640			668
Income (loss) before income taxes (1)		(1,882	)		(929	)
Income taxes (recoveries) (1)		(659	)		(160	)
Net income (loss)	$	(1,223	)	$	(769	)

(1)

Teb adjusted.

(2)

Revenue for the year ended October 31, 2024, included gains of $499 million (October 31, 2023 – gains of $111 million) on economic hedges of our U.S. Wealth Management (including City National) share-based compensation plans, and

non-interest

expense included $473 million (October 31, 2023 – $109 million) of share-based compensation expense driven by changes in the fair value of liabilities relating to our U.S. Wealth Management (including City National) share-based compensation plans.

60 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Due to the nature of activities and consolidation adjustments reported in this segment, we believe that a comparative period analysis is not relevant.

Total revenue and Income taxes (recoveries) in Corporate Support include the deduction of the teb adjustment related to

gross-up

of income from the U.S. tax credit investment business and income from Canadian taxable corporate dividends received on or before December 31, 2023 that are recorded in Capital Markets. For further details on the elimination of the availability of the dividend received deduction for Canadian taxable corporate dividends after December 31, 2023, refer to the Legal and regulatory environment risk section.

The teb amount for the year ended October 31, 2024 was $294 million and was $559 million last year.

The following identifies the material items, other than the teb impacts noted previously, affecting the reported results in each year.

2024

Net loss was $1,223 million, primarily due to the after-tax impact of the HSBC Canada transaction and integration costs of $759 million, which is a specified item. Unallocated costs also contributed to the net loss.

2023

Net loss was $769 million, primarily due to the impact of the CRD and other tax related adjustments of $1,050 million, as well as the

after-tax

impact of the HSBC Canada transaction and integration costs of $302 million, both of which are specified items. These factors were partially offset by a specified item relating to certain deferred tax adjustments of $578 million. In addition, the net loss includes an unfavourable impact from residual unallocated items offset by a favourable impact from

tax-related

items.

For further details on specified items, refer to the Key performance and

non-GAAP

measures section.

Quarterly financial information

Fourth quarter performance

Q4 2024 vs. Q4 2023

Fourth quarter net income of $4,222 million was up $283 million or 7%. Diluted EPS of $2.91 was up $0.15 or 5% and ROE of 14.3% was down 60 bps. Our CET1 ratio of 13.2% was down 130 bps from a year ago. The inclusion of HSBC Canada net income contributed $265 million to total net income. The remaining increase of $18 million was driven by higher earnings in Wealth Management, Personal Banking and Insurance. This was largely offset by Corporate Support, which reflected the impact of the specified item relating to certain deferred tax adjustments in the prior year.

Total revenue increased $2,389 million or 19%. The inclusion of HSBC Canada revenue contributed $743 million to total revenue.

Net interest income increased $1,129 million or 17%, of which $607 million reflects the inclusion of HSBC Canada net interest income. The remaining increase of $522 million or 8% was mainly due to average volume growth and higher spreads in both Personal Banking and Commercial Banking.

Non-interest

income increased $1,260 million or 21%, of which $136 million reflects the inclusion of HSBC Canada non-interest income. The remaining increase of $1,124 million or 18% was mainly due to higher fee-based client assets reflecting market appreciation and net sales in Wealth Management, as well as changes in the fair value of the hedges related to our U.S. share-based compensation plans, which was largely offset in Non-interest expense. The impact of economic hedges in Corporate Support and higher average mutual fund balances driving higher distribution fees in Personal Banking also contributed to the increase. The prior period reflected the impact of the specified item relating to impairment losses on our interest in an associated company and a favourable impact from prior period tax-related items.

Total PCL of $840 million increased $120 million or 17%, mainly reflecting higher provisions in Commercial Banking and Personal Banking, partially offset by releases of provisions in the current quarter in Wealth Management as compared to provisions taken in the prior year and lower provisions in Capital Markets. The PCL on loans ratio of 35 bps increased 1 bp.

Non-interest

expense increased $960 million or 12%, of which $306 million reflects the inclusion of HSBC Canada non-interest expense. The remaining increase of $654 million or 8% was primarily attributable to higher variable compensation costs commensurate with increased revenue, the change in fair value of our U.S. share-based compensation plans, which was largely offset in Other revenue, as well as ongoing technology investments.

Income tax expense increased $1,026 million, primarily due to the impact of certain deferred tax adjustments in the prior period, which was treated as a specified item, and higher income before income taxes. The effective income tax rate of 19.0% increased 1,980 bps from last year, primarily due to the impact of certain prior period deferred tax adjustments as noted above and the net impact of tax adjustments.

Q4 2024 vs. Q3 2024

Net income of $4,222 million was down $264 million or 6% compared to last quarter, primarily due to higher PCL. The impact of legal provisions in the current period and lower fixed income trading in Europe and Canada, both in Capital Markets, as well as ongoing technology investments also contributed to the decrease. These factors were partially offset by higher spreads, mainly in Personal Banking, as well as lower taxes, primarily in Capital Markets.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 61

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 37


	2024											2023 (2)

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except per share and percentage amounts)		Q4 (3)			Q3 (3)			Q2 (3)		Q1			Q4			Q3			Q2			Q1
Personal Banking (4)	$	4,658		$	4,490		$	4,163	$	4,031		$	4,009		$	3,898		$	3,711		$	3,853
Commercial Banking (4)		2,077			2,036			1,656		1,613			1,565			1,511			1,433			1,523
Wealth Management (4)		5,186			4,964			4,789		4,687			4,332			4,556			4,548			4,725
Insurance		278			285			298		363			248			336			272			154
Capital Markets (5)		2,903			3,004			3,154		2,951			2,564			2,679			2,662			3,146
Corporate Support (5)		(28	)		(148	)		94		(160	)		(33	)		(3	)		(181	)		(44	)
Total revenue		15,074			14,631			14,154		13,485			12,685			12,977			12,445			13,357
PCL		840			659			920		813			720			616			600			532
Non-interest expense		9,019			8,599			8,308		8,324			8,059			7,765			7,400			7,589
Income before income taxes		5,215			5,373			4,926		4,348			3,906			4,596			4,445			5,236
Income taxes		993			887			976		766			(33	)		736			765			2,103
Net income	$	4,222		$	4,486		$	3,950	$	3,582		$	3,939		$	3,860		$	3,680		$	3,133
EPS – basic	$	2.92		$	3.09		$	2.75	$	2.50		$	2.77		$	2.73		$	2.60		$	2.23
– diluted		2.91			3.09			2.74		2.50			2.76			2.73			2.60			2.23
Effective income tax rate		19.0%			16.5%			19.8%		17.6%			(0.8)%			16.0%			17.2%			40.2%
Period average US$ equivalent of C$1.00	$	0.733		$	0.730		$	0.734	$	0.745		$	0.732		$	0.750		$	0.737		$	0.745

(1)

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

(2)

(3)

(4)

Effective the fourth quarter of 2024, the Personal & Commercial Banking segment became two standalone business segments: Personal Banking and Commercial Banking. With this change, RBC Direct Investing moved from the previous Personal & Commercial Banking segment to the Wealth Management segment. Amounts have been revised from those previously presented to conform to our new basis of segment presentation. For further details, refer to the About Royal Bank of Canada section.

(5)

Teb adjusted. For further discussion, refer to the How we measure and report our business segments section.

Seasonality

Seasonal factors may impact our results in certain quarters. The first quarter has historically been 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 and fourth quarters include the summer months which generally results in lower client activity and may negatively impact the results of our Capital Markets trading business.

Trend analysis

Earnings over the period have been impacted by the factors noted below.

Personal Banking revenue has benefitted from volume growth in loans and deposits over the period. NIM has been favourably impacted by the higher interest rate environment, partially offset by competitive pricing pressures. HSBC Canada revenue has been included since the transaction closed on March 28, 2024.

Commercial Banking revenue has benefitted from volume growth in loans and deposits over the period. HSBC Canada revenue has been included since the transaction closed on March 28, 2024.

Wealth Management revenue has generally benefitted from growth in average

fee-based

client assets, which was impacted by market conditions. On July 3, 2023, we completed the sale of the European asset servicing activities of RBC Investor Services and its associated Malaysian centre of excellence. The fourth quarter of 2023 reflected impairment losses on our interest in an associated company.

As part of our adoption of IFRS 17, effective November 1, 2023, fluctuations in Insurance revenue are reflective of market conditions and insurance experience, while new business gains are deferred through CSM.

Capital Markets revenue is influenced, to a large extent, by market conditions that impact client activity. While investment banking fee pools were muted in 2023, we saw an increase in activity beginning the second quarter of 2024, during which we also improved market share across all major products. Sales & trading activity increased in 2023 and carried strong momentum into 2024.

PCL is comprised of provisions taken on performing assets and provisions taken on impaired assets. PCL on performing assets fluctuated over the period as it is impacted by changes in credit quality, macroeconomic conditions and exposures. Provisions on performing assets over the period have generally been reflective of unfavourable changes in credit quality. During the early part of the period, there were unfavourable changes in our macroeconomic forecast. Starting in 2024, we have seen improvements in our macroeconomic forecast. The second quarter of 2024 includes initial PCL on performing loans purchased in the HSBC Canada transaction. PCL on impaired assets was low during the early part of the period, but has generally trended upwards over the remainder of the period.

Non-interest

expense has been impacted by fluctuations in variable compensation over the period, commensurate with fluctuations in revenue and earnings. Changes in the fair value of our U.S. share-based compensation plans, which are largely offset in revenue, have also contributed to fluctuations over the period and are impacted by market conditions. While we continue to focus on efficiency management activities, expenses over the period also reflect investments in staff and technology.

62 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Beginning in fiscal 2023, expenses have also included HSBC Canada transaction and integration costs. HSBC Canada

non-interest

expenses have been included since the transaction closed on March 28, 2024.

Our effective income tax rate has fluctuated over the period, mostly due to varying levels of tax adjustments and changes in earnings mix. The first quarter of 2023 reflects the impact of the CRD and other tax related adjustments. The fourth quarter of 2023 reflects the recognition of deferred tax assets relating to realized losses in City National associated with the intercompany sale of certain debt securities.

Financial condition

Condensed balance sheets


		Table 38


As at October 31 (Millions of Canadian dollars)	2024			2023 (1)
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	56,723		$	61,989
Interest-bearing deposits with banks		66,020			71,086
Securities, net of applicable allowance (2)		439,918			409,730
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed		350,803			340,191
Loans
Retail		626,978			569,951
Wholesale		360,439			287,826
Allowance for loan losses		(6,037	)		(5,004	)
Other – Derivatives		150,612			142,450
– Other		126,126			128,312
Total assets	$	2,171,582		$	2,006,531
Liabilities
Deposits	$	1,409,531		$	1,231,687
Other – Derivatives		163,763			142,629
– Other		457,550			505,682
Subordinated debentures		13,546			11,386
Total liabilities		2,044,390			1,891,384
Equity attributable to shareholders		127,089			115,048
Non-controlling interests		103			99
Total equity		127,192			115,147
Total liabilities and equity	$	2,171,582		$	2,006,531

(1)

(2)

Securities are comprised of trading and investment securities.

2024 vs. 2023

Total assets increased $165 billion or 8% from October 31, 2023. Foreign exchange translation decreased total assets by $

billion

Cash and due from banks decreased $5 billion or 8%, largely due to lower deposits with central banks reflecting short-term cash management activities.

Interest-bearing deposits with banks decreased $5 billion or 7%, mainly due to lower deposits with central banks reflecting short-term cash management activities.

Securities, net of applicable allowance, increased $30 billion or 7%, largely due to higher equity trading securities reflecting favourable market conditions, as well as the impact of the HSBC Canada transaction. These factors were partially offset by lower Canadian government debt securities primarily reflecting liquidity management activities.

Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements (reverse repos) and securities borrowed increased $11 billion or 3%, mainly due to liquidity management activities.

Loans (net of Allowance for loan losses) increased $129 billion or 15%, primarily due to the impact of the HSBC Canada transaction and growth in wholesale loans, including the impact from the cessation of Bankers’ Acceptance-based lending as part of interest rate benchmark reform. For further details on interest rate benchmark reform refer to the Legal and regulatory environment risk section.

Derivative assets increased $8 billion or 6%, mainly attributable to higher fair values on foreign exchange and equity contracts partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange translation and lower fair values on interest rate contracts.

Other assets decreased $2 billion or 2%, largely due to lower customers’ liability under acceptances from the cessation of Bankers’ Acceptance-based lending as noted above, partially offset by higher goodwill and intangible assets from the impact of the HSBC Canada transaction.

Total liabilities increased $153 billion or 8%. Foreign exchange translation decreased total liabilities by $30 billion.

Deposits increased $178 billion or 14%, primarily due to the impact of the HSBC Canada transaction, higher personal and business deposits driven by increased client activity and investment preferences, as well as an increase in the issuance of

long-term

notes for funding requirements.

Derivative liabilities increased $21 billion or 15%, mainly attributable to higher fair values on foreign exchange and equity contracts, partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange translation and lower fair values on interest rate contracts.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 63

Other liabilities decreased $48 billion or 10%, primarily due to lower obligations related to repurchase agreements (repos) reflecting decreased funding requirements, as well as lower acceptances from the cessation of Bankers’ Acceptance-based lending as noted above.

Subordinated debentures increased by $2 billion or 19%, reflecting new issuances, net of redemptions.

Total equity increased $12 billion or 10%, reflecting earnings, net of dividends, and the net issuance of common shares, limited recourse capital notes and preferred shares.

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 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 and residential and commercial mortgage loans primarily to diversify our funding sources, enhance our liquidity position and for capital purposes. We also securitize residential and commercial mortgage loans as part of our 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 2024, we derecognized $122 million (October 31, 2023 – $nil) of mortgages securitized through the NHA MBS program. For further details, refer to Note 7 and Note 8 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

We also periodically securitize commercial mortgage loans 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 risks and rewards of ownership of the securitized assets. During the year ended October 31, 2024, we did not securitize any commercial mortgages (October 31, 2023 – $nil). Our continuing involvement with the transferred assets is limited to servicing certain of the underlying commercial mortgages sold. As at October 31, 2024, there was $1 billion of commercial mortgages outstanding that we continue to service related to these securitization activities (October 31, 2023 – $2 billion).

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 our clients’ 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 data 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 8 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Multi-seller conduits

We administer multi-seller conduits which are used primarily for the securitization of our clients’ financial assets. Our clients primarily use our 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 and risk-adjusted return.

We provide services such as transaction structuring, administration, backstop liquidity facilities and credit enhancements to the multi-seller conduits. Revenue for all such services amounted to $437 million during the year (October 31, 2023 – $387 million).

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.

64 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis


Liquidity and credit enhancement facilities		Table 39


	2024						2023
As at October 31 (Millions of Canadian dollars)	Notional of committed amounts (1)		Allocable notional amounts		Maximum exposure to loss (2)		Notional of committed amounts (1)		Allocable notional amounts		Maximum exposure to loss (2)
Backstop liquidity facilities	$	56,511	$	53,011	$	53,247	$	54,713	$	51,469	$ 51,469
Credit enhancement facilities (3)		3,500		3,500		3,500		3,244		3,244	3,244
Total	$	60,011	$	56,511	$	56,747	$	57,957	$	54,713	$ 54,713

(1)

Based on total committed financing limit.

(2)

Not presented in the table above are derivative assets with a fair value of $32 million (October 31, 2023 – $2 million) which are a component of our total maximum exposure to loss from our interests in the multi-seller conduits. Refer to Note 8 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for more details.

(3)

Includes $18 million (October 31, 2023 – $18 million) of Financial standby letters of credit.

As at October 31, 2024, the notional amount of backstop liquidity facilities we provide increased $1,798 million or 3% from last year, primarily due to an increase in outstanding securitized assets of the multi-seller conduits. The notional amount of credit enhancement facilities we provide increased $256 million or 8% from last year, primarily due to an increase in the amount required by the conduits.


Maximum exposure to loss by asset type		Table 40


	2024						2023
As at October 31 (Millions of dollars)	US$		C$		Total C$		US$		C$		Total C$
Outstanding securitized assets
Auto and truck loans and leases	$	12,882	$	4,478	$	22,409	$	11,197	$	3,874	$	19,402
Consumer loans		4,931		–		6,864		4,170		–		5,783
Credit cards		3,180		510		4,937		4,226		510		6,371
Dealer floor plan receivables		1,063		683		2,163		1,075		592		2,083
Equipment receivables		1,639		236		2,517		2,086		965		3,858
Fleet finance receivables		2,227		255		3,355		1,835		190		2,735
Commercial loans		701		592		1,567		542		530		1,282
Residential mortgages		–		2,295		2,295		–		1,785		1,785
Student loans		1,789		142		2,632		2,312		141		3,348
Trade receivables		3,132		–		4,359		2,954		–		4,097
Transportation finance		2,512		153		3,649		2,752		153		3,969
Total	$	34,056	$	9,344	$	56,747	$	33,149	$	8,740	$	54,713
Canadian equivalent	$	47,403	$	9,344	$	56,747	$	45,973	$	8,740	$	54,713

Our overall exposure increased $2 billion or 4% compared to last year, primarily due to an increase in the outstanding securitized assets of the multi-seller conduits. All of the multi-seller conduits transactions were internally rated A or above. All transactions funded by the unconsolidated multi-seller conduits are internally rated using a rating system as outlined in the internal ratings map in the credit risk section.

Multiple independent debt rating agencies review all of the transactions in the multi-seller conduits. Transactions financed in the U.S. multi-seller conduits are reviewed by Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s‡), Standard & Poor’s (S&P‡) and Fitch Ratings (Fitch‡). Transactions in two of the Canadian multi-seller conduits are reviewed by DBRS Morningstar (DBRS‡) and Moody’s while one of the Canadian multi-seller conduits is also reviewed by S&P. 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, 2024, the total asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP) issued by the conduits amounted to $37 billion, flat from last year. The rating agencies that rate the ABCP rated 100% (October 31, 2023 – 100%) of the total amount issued within the top ratings category.

Structured finance

We provide liquidity facilities to certain municipal bond tender option bond trusts in which we have an interest but do not consolidate because the residual certificates issued by the tender option bond trusts are held by third parties. As at October 31, 2024, our maximum exposure to loss from these unconsolidated municipal bond tender option bond trusts was $3 billion (October 31, 2023 – $3 billion).

We provide senior warehouse financing to unaffiliated structured entities that are established by third parties to acquire loans and issue term collateralized loan obligations (CLO). Subordinated financing is provided during the warehouse phase by either the collateral manager or third-party investors. Subordinated financing serves as the first loss tranche which absorbs losses prior to ourselves as the senior lender. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the term CLO is used to fully repay the senior warehouse financing that we provide. As at October 31, 2024, our maximum exposure to loss associated with the outstanding senior warehouse financing facilities was $704 million (October 31, 2023 – $796 million). The decrease in our maximum exposure to loss from last year was driven by the repayment of existing financing facilities partially offset by the addition of new financing facilities.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 65

We provide senior financing to unaffiliated structured entities that are established by third parties to acquire loans. Subordinated financing is provided by either the collateral manager or third-party investors. Subordinated financing serves as the first loss tranche which absorb losses prior to ourselves as the senior lender. These facilities tend to be longer in term than the CLO warehouse facilities and benefit from credit enhancement designed to cover a multiple of historical losses. As at October 31, 2024, our maximum exposure to loss associated with the outstanding senior financing facilities was $8 billion (October 31, 2023 – $6 billion). The increase in our maximum exposure to loss from last year was driven by the addition of new financing facilities partially offset by the repayment of existing financing facilities.

Non-RBC

managed investment funds

We invest in hedge funds primarily to provide clients with desired exposures to reference funds. As we make investments in the reference funds, exposures to the funds are simultaneously transferred to clients through derivative transactions. Our maximum exposure to loss in the reference funds is limited to our investments in the funds. As at October 31, 2024, our maximum exposure to loss was $3 billion (October 31, 2023 – $2 billion). The increase in our maximum exposure to loss from last year was driven by an increase in our holding of third-party investment funds and market appreciation.

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, 2024, our maximum exposure to loss on these funds was $948 million (October 31, 2023 – $632 million). The increase in our maximum exposure to loss from last year was largely driven by an increase in our holding of third-party investment funds.

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, 2024, our maximum exposure to loss in these entities was $21 billion (October 31, 2023 – $15 billion). The increase in our maximum exposure to loss compared to last year reflects an increase in client activity with third-party securitization vehicles. Interest and

non-interest

income earned in respect of these investments was $698 million (October 31, 2023 – $528 million).

Other

Other unconsolidated structured entities include managed investment funds, arrangements to pass credit risk to third parties, credit investment products and tax credit funds. Refer to Note 8 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for more details regarding our other unconsolidated structured entities.

Guarantees, retail and commercial commitments

We provide our clients with guarantees and commitments 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, 2024 amounted to $551 billion compared to $496 billion last year. The increase compared to last year was primarily driven by growth in sponsored member guarantees, other commitments to extend credit and performance guarantees. Refer to Liquidity and funding risk section and Note 23 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for details regarding our guarantees and commitments.

Risk management

We are in the business of managing the risks inherent to the financial services industry as we aim to create maximum value for our shareholders, clients, employees and communities. The ability to manage risk is a core competency of the bank, and is supported by our risk-aware culture and risk management approach. Our view of risks is dynamic, and reflects the pace of change in the financial services industry.

Top and emerging risks

An important component of our risk management approach is to seek to ensure that top and emerging risks, as they evolve, are identified, managed and incorporated into our existing risk management assessment, measurement, monitoring and escalation processes and addressed in our risk frameworks and policies. These practices are intended to ensure a forward-looking risk assessment is maintained by management in the course of business development and as part of the execution of ongoing risk oversight responsibilities. Top and emerging risks are discussed by senior management and the Board on a regular basis.

We have developed supplementary internal guidance to support enterprise-wide identification and assessment of all material risks, including those that are not readily apparent. Top and emerging risks encompass those that could materially impact our financial results, financial and operational resilience, reputation, business model or strategy, as well as those that may materially impact us as the risks evolve. The following represents our top and emerging risks:

66 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis


Top & emerging risks		Description
Business and economic conditions		Our financial results are affected to varying degrees by the general business and economic conditions in the geographic regions in which we operate. These conditions may include factors such as: economic growth or contraction trends; consumer saving and spending habits; consumer and corporate borrowing and repayment patterns; unemployment rates; the differing economic trajectories among nations across the globe; global tensions and geopolitical uncertainty and conflicts; the level of business investment and overall business sentiment; trade policy developments; the emergence of a new outbreak of a pandemic or other health crisis; the level of government spending, as well as fiscal and monetary policy; the level of activity and volatility of the financial markets; disruptions to energy and other commodity markets; competitiveness; supply chain challenges and labour shortages; the evolution of inflationary pressures; and possible stagflation or deflation. Moreover, interest rate changes and actions taken by central banks to manage inflation, deflation or the broader economy have implications for us. Our financial results are sensitive to changes in interest rates, as described in the Government fiscal, monetary and other policies section. For example, a slowdown in economic growth or an economic downturn could adversely impact employment rates and household incomes, consumer spending, housing prices, corporate earnings and business investment, and could adversely affect our business, including, but not limited to, the demand for our loan and other products, and result in lower earnings and higher credit losses. In addition to risks arising from monetary policy uncertainty (e.g., the pace and magnitude of monetary easing), risks are also emerging around how governments manage elevated debt burdens and how they may introduce new support measures provided to deal with emerging economic challenges. This may include, for example, changes to tax policy to address fiscal capacity concerns and to balance budgets in the future. There are also emerging risks related to wealth and income inequality, as well as changing demographics and immigration, which could impact the labour market, the housing market, inflation, demand and consumer trends, and potentially have broader societal and government policy implications.
Canadian housing and household indebtedness		Canadian housing and household indebtedness risks remain heightened given the current interest rate environment and affordability challenges. Concerns around the ability of Canadian households to meet debt obligations could escalate if interest rates remain elevated for longer, if there is a resurgence in inflation, or if the job market deteriorates significantly, potentially resulting in, among other things, higher credit losses or reduced housing market activity. Moreover, slowing economic growth could further adversely impact housing market activity and housing prices, which could push loan-to-value (LTV) ratios higher and further increase credit losses. While interest rates have started to decline, a slowdown in the real estate rental market, challenging affordability conditions, an increase in condominium supply, and elevated borrowing and construction costs, may have an adverse impact on future real estate investment and demand. The combination of multiple challenges, including but not limited to elevated home prices, high debt levels, an increasingly high cost of living, a rising unemployment rate and government policy uncertainty (e.g., immigration policy), may make key Canadian housing markets particularly vulnerable to a potential economic shock or financial instability.
Information technology, cyber and third-party risks		Information technology (IT) risk, cyber risks and third-party risk remain top risks, not only for the financial services sector, but for other industries worldwide. Geopolitical tensions have increased the risk of nation state actors attacking critical infrastructure, including banks and critical third parties. We continue to be subject to the heightened inherent risk of cyberattacks, data breaches, cyber extortion and similar compromises, due to: (i) the size, scale and global nature of our operations; (ii) our heavy reliance on the internet to conduct day-to-day business activities; (iii) our intricate technological infrastructure; and (iv) our reliance on third-party service providers. Our potential exposure to these risks increases as we continue to partner with third-party service providers and adopt new business models and technologies (e.g., cloud computing, software-as-a-service (SAAS), generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and machine learning). Threat actors gravitate towards vulnerabilities in an ecosystem, and the weakest link in the supply chain can be a supplier or third-party service provider that may not have sufficiently robust controls. Other key drivers of third-party risk include global economic pressures related to inflation, and concentration of suppliers and fourth parties (i.e. suppliers of our third-party providers) within the broader supply chain. Third-party providers critical to our operations are actively monitored for impacts on their ability to deliver services to us, including impacts resulting from fourth parties. Ransomware threats continue to grow in sophistication and be used to launch major supply chain attacks. Resulting implications could include business interruptions, client service disruptions, financial loss, theft of intellectual property and confidential information, litigation, enhanced regulatory attention and penalties, as well as reputational damage. Furthermore, the adoption of emerging technologies, such as cloud computing, AI, including GenAI, and robotics, call for continued focus and investment to manage risks effectively. For more details on how we are managing these risks, refer to the Operational risk section.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 67


Top & emerging risks		Description
Geopolitical uncertainty		Tensions remain elevated between China and the U.S. and its allies over a number of issues including trade, technology, human rights, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. Moreover, these tensions produce additional vulnerabilities to the Canadian economy given the country’s trading relationships with the U.S. and China, Canada’s two largest trading partners. Tensions among China and its neighbours over territorial claims, and the prospect of even closer relations between China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, add further global and economic uncertainty. Additionally, continued weakening in the Chinese economy, driven by real estate sector decline and consumer demand related challenges, may be exported globally and negatively impact global economic growth. The lead-up to the U.S. elections saw elevated levels of political polarization and threats of violence. The uncertainty produced by the elections could impact RBC’s business and operations, as well as generate broader economic and market impacts. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and other regions, such as the Korean Peninsula, continue to add to economic and market uncertainties. In particular, Middle East tensions may further destabilize global security, supply chains, markets and economic growth, along with key commodity markets. In addition, an uncertain geopolitical or economic environment could lead to further increases in polarization, social unrest or terrorism, each of which could have direct or indirect impacts to the bank. In 2024, the Russia-Ukraine conflict continued to produce turmoil in the geopolitical landscape, with ongoing impacts to the global economy and markets. Domestic disturbances in Russia may also signal weakening internal stability. This, along with Ukraine’s incursions into Russia, could portend growing tail risks associated with Russia-West tensions. The duration and path of the conflict remain uncertain and could continue to exacerbate global tensions, energy and other commodity shortages, supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures, weakening sentiment and growth prospects, market volatility, cyberattacks, and the proliferation of sanctions and trade measures. In particular, Europe continues to face uncertainty given its military and trade relationships with impacted regions and its weakening economic prospects. More broadly, the future of global trade remains uncertain, as countries look to decrease reliance on the global supply chain and nations with differing values. Increased global polarization, protectionist measures, including protectionist trade policies and the imposition of tariffs, and economic nationalism could reshape global alliances and financial systems as the supply of critical goods of economic and national importance (e.g., energy, critical minerals, semiconductors) remains one of the top priorities of governments. Furthermore, a volatile geopolitical environment could generate an increase in espionage and foreign interference activities that indirectly or directly impact the financial services sector. We will continue to monitor these developments and others, and will assess the implications they have on us.
Environmental and social risk		We, like other organizations, are subject to increased regulatory requirements and stakeholder expectations to address environmental and social risks. Environmental and social risks are unique and transverse in nature and may impact our principal risks in different ways and to varying degrees, including but not limited to strategic, operational, credit, reputation and compliance risks. For details on how we are managing environmental and social risk, refer to the Overview of other risks – Environmental and Social risk section, and the Legal and regulatory environment risk section.
Digital disruption and innovation		As the demand for digital banking services grows, the need to meet the rapidly evolving needs of clients and compete with traditional and non-traditional competitors has increased our strategic and reputation risks. Additional risks continue to emerge as demographic trends, evolving client expectations, the increased power to analyze data and the emergence of disruptors are creating competitive pressures across a number of sectors. Moreover, established technology companies, new competitors and regulatory changes continue to foster new business models that could challenge traditional banks and financial products. Finally, while the adoption of new technologies, such as AI (including GenAI) and machine learning, presents opportunities for us, it is resulting or could result in new and complex strategic, operational, regulatory, compliance and reputation risks that would need to be managed effectively.
Privacy and data related risks		The protection and responsible use of Personal Information (PI) are critical to maintaining our clients’ trust. PI is information entrusted to RBC that identifies an individual or can be reasonably used to identify an individual and can relate to current, former and prospective clients, employees and contractors. In addition, the management and governance of our data also remains a top risk given the high value attributed to our data for the insights it can generate for clients and communities. Resulting implications from failing to manage data and privacy risks could include financial loss, theft of intellectual property and/or confidential information, litigation, enhanced regulatory attention and penalties, and reputational damage. Effective privacy and information management practices continue to grow in importance, as demonstrated by the continued development of complex regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Privacy and data related risks have also heightened as a result of the evolving threat landscape and associated data breach risks. For details on how we are managing these risks, refer to the Operational risk section.

68 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis


Top & emerging risks		Description
Regulatory changes		The ongoing introduction of new or revised regulations requires enhanced focus across the organization on meeting additional regulatory requirements across the multiple jurisdictions in which we operate. Financial and other reforms that have been implemented or are being implemented across multiple jurisdictions, such as digital, data and technology reforms, cyber security and anti-money laundering regulations, interest rate benchmark and payments reform, as well as privacy, tax reforms, climate, sustainability and consumer protection regulatory initiatives, continue to impact our operations and strategies. For more details, refer to the Overview of other risks – Legal and regulatory environment risk section.
Culture and conduct risks		Our Purpose, values and risk principles are key dimensions of our culture. We demonstrate our culture through our conduct – the behaviours, decisions and actions of the organization and our employees. Culture and conduct risks are considered top risks for the financial services industry due to the impact that our choices, behaviours, and overall risk governance can have on outcomes for our clients and other stakeholders. We embed client considerations into our decision-making processes and continue to focus on the fair treatment of clients which also aligns with regulatory direction. We seek to be responsive to evolving employee needs while expecting employees to always act with integrity. Regulators continue to focus on conduct risks, and heightened expectations generally from regulators could lead to investigations, remediation requirements, higher compliance costs and enforcement actions and fines, and potential criminal prosecutions or imposition of sanctions, which may involve prohibitions or restrictions on some of our activities. While we take steps to continue to strengthen our conduct practices, and prevent and detect risk outcomes which could potentially harm clients, employees or the integrity of the markets, such outcomes may not always be prevented or detected. Additionally, RBC continues to focus efforts on enhancing and fostering a strong risk culture. A strong risk culture reinforces risk-aware mindsets, competencies and behaviours by promoting responsible risk-taking decisions across the bank. For more details, refer to the Culture and conduct risk section.

Overview

As a global financial institution with a diversified business model, we actively manage a variety of risks to help protect and enable our businesses by following these risk management principles:

Risk management principles

•

Effectively balance risk and reward to enable sustainable growth.

•

Collectively share the responsibility for risk management.

•

Undertake only risks we understand and make thoughtful and future-focused risk decisions, taking environmental and social considerations into account.

•

Always uphold our Purpose and vision, and consistently abide by our values and Code of Conduct to maintain our reputation and the trust of our clients, colleagues and communities.

•

Maintain a healthy and robust control environment to protect our stakeholders.

•

Use judgment and common sense.

•

Always be operationally prepared and financially resilient for a potential crisis.

The dynamic nature of the financial services industry, and technological innovation, necessitate that our processes, tools, and practices are continuously improving and responding to the changing landscape and emerging risks. We seek to accomplish this through an effective and evolving risk management approach. All risk-taking activities and exposures are within the Board-approved risk appetite, corresponding constraints and risk limits. We seek to ensure that our business activities and transactions provide an appropriate balance of return for the risks assumed and the costs incurred. Our organizational design and governance processes are structured with the intent of maintaining the independence of Group Risk Management (GRM) and Regulatory Compliance from the businesses and functions they support.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 69

Risk appetite


Effective risk management helps protect us from unacceptable losses or undesirable outcomes with respect to our earnings volatility, concentration, capital adequacy or other Principal Risks while supporting and enabling our overall business strategy. It requires the clear articulation of our risk appetite, which is the amount and type of risk that we are able and willing to accept in the pursuit of our business objectives. Risk appetite reflects our self-imposed upper bound to risk-taking, set at levels inside of regulatory limits and constraints, and influences our risk management philosophy, Code of Conduct, business practices and resource allocation. It provides clear boundaries and sets an overall tone for balancing risk-reward trade-offs intended to ensure the long-term viability of the organization. Our risk appetite is integrated into our strategic, financial, and capital planning processes, as well as ongoing business decision-making processes and is reviewed and approved annually by the Board. Our Enterprise Risk Appetite Framework (ERAF) outlines the foundational aspects of our approach to risk appetite, articulates our quantitative and qualitative risk appetite statements and their supporting measures and associated constraints, which can be applied at the enterprise, business segment, business unit and legal entity level, and describes our requirements and expectations to embed effective risk appetite practices throughout the organization.

Risk appetite statements

Quantitative statements

Qualitative statements

• Manage earnings volatility and exposure to future losses under normal and stressed conditions.

• Avoid excessive concentrations of risk.

• Ensure capital adequacy and sound management of liquidity and funding risk.

• Ensure sound management of operational and regulatory compliance risk.

• Maintain strong credit ratings and a risk profile in the top half of our peer group.

• Always uphold our Purpose and vision and consistently abide by our values and Code of Conduct to maintain our reputation and the trust of our clients, colleagues and communities.

• Undertake only risks we understand. Make thoughtful and future-focused risk decisions, taking environmental and social considerations into account.

• Effectively balance risk and reward to enable sustainable growth.

• Maintain a healthy and robust control environment to protect our stakeholders.

• Always be operationally prepared and financially resilient for a potential crisis.

The allocation of our risk appetite across the bank is supported by the establishment of delegated authorities or risk limits. These delegated authorities or risk limits represent the maximum level of risk permitted for a line of business, portfolio, individual or group and are used to govern ongoing operations. Risk posture, the anticipated shift in risk profile as a result of changes in objectives, strategies and external factors, is used to provide insights on key areas that may require management attention to better seek to ensure strategies are able to be executed successfully within our risk appetite.

Risk measurement

Quantifying risk is a key component of our enterprise-wide risk and capital management processes. Risk measurement and planning processes are integrated across the enterprise, especially in regards to forward-looking projections and analyses, including but not limited to, stress testing, recovery and resolution planning, and credit provisioning.

Certain risks, such as credit, market, liquidity and insurance risks, can be more easily quantified than others, such as operational, reputation, strategic or compliance risks. For the risks that are more difficult to quantify, greater emphasis is placed on qualitative risk factors and assessment of activities to gauge the overall level of risk. In addition, judgmental risk measures and techniques such as stress testing, and scenario and sensitivity analyses can be used to assess and measure risks, and we are continuously evolving our risk measures and techniques to manage our risks. Our primary methods for measuring risk include:

•

Quantifying expected loss: losses that are statistically expected to occur as a result of conducting business in a given time period;

•

Quantifying unexpected loss: an estimate of the deviation of actual earnings from expected earnings, over a specified time horizon;

•

Stress testing: evaluates, from a forward-looking perspective, the potential effects of a set of specified changes in risk factors, corresponding to exceptional but plausible adverse economic and financial market events. RBC’s stress testing programs are performed at different levels of the organization (enterprise-wide, subsidiary-level and risk-level) to allow relevant risk profiles and concentrations to be reflected in scenario design, analysis and decision-making; and

•

Back-testing: the realized values are compared to the parameter estimates that are currently used in an effort to ensure the parameters remain appropriate for regulatory and economic capital calculations.

72 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Stress testing

Stress testing is an important component of our risk management framework. Stress testing results are used for:

•

Assessing the viability of long-term business plans and strategies;

•

Monitoring our risk profile relative to our 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, as well as our financial position;

•

Enhancing our understanding of available mitigating actions in response to potential adverse events; and

•

Assessing the adequacy of our capital and liquidity levels.

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 Board, Group Risk Committee (GRC) 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 limits. The results are also incorporated into our Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP) and capital plan analyses.

We evaluate a number of enterprise-wide stress scenarios over a multi-year horizon, featuring a range of severities. Our Board reviews the recommended scenarios developed after a thorough risk identification 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, Economics and our business segments. Generally, our stress testing scenarios evaluate global recessions, equity market changes, elevated debt levels, changes in interest rates, real estate price corrections, and shocks to credit spreads and commodity markets, among other factors. During our fiscal 2024 stress testing exercises, we addressed several top and emerging risks including but not limited to geopolitical tensions, changing interest rates, cyber threats and climate risks with a focus on the impacts of these risks on revenue, losses, net income, liquidity and capital projections.

Ongoing stress testing and scenario analyses within specific risk types, such as market risk (including Interest Rate Risk in the Banking Book (IRRBB)), liquidity 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, we 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 market conditions or to stress a particular portfolio in greater depth. Reverse stress tests aim to reverse-engineer scenarios that might lead to a particular severe outcome, such as bank

non-viability,

and are used in resolution & recovery planning and to improve our understanding of risk/return boundaries.

In addition to internal stress tests, we participate in a number of regulatory stress testing exercises, on a periodic basis, across several jurisdictions.

Model governance and validation

Models are used for many purposes including, but not limited to, the valuation of financial products, the identification, measurement and management of different types of risk, stress testing, assessing capital adequacy, informing business and risk decisions, measuring compliance with internal limits, meeting financial reporting and regulatory requirements, and issuing public disclosures.

Model risk is the risk of adverse financial and/or reputational consequences to the enterprise arising from the use or misuse of a model at any stage throughout its life cycle, and is managed through our model risk governance and oversight structure. The governance and oversight structure, which is implemented through our three lines of defence governance model, is founded on the basis that model risk management is a shared responsibility across the three lines spanning all stages of the model’s life cycle.

Prior to being used, models are subject to independent validation and approval by our enterprise model risk management function, a team of modelling professionals with reporting lines independent of those of the model owners, developers and users. The validation seeks to ensure that models are sound and capable of fulfilling their intended use. In addition to independently validating models prior to use, our enterprise model risk management function provides controls that span the life-cycle of a model, including model change management procedures, requirements for ongoing monitoring, and annual assessments in an effort to ensure each model continues to serve its intended purpose.

AI based applications are subject to enhanced model governance and validation requirements and are assessed in conjunction with other relevant risk functions. Controls for predominant AI risks, including fairness and explainability, are subject to Risk Committee oversight and approval. Model risk reports including AI matters are reviewed periodically by the Board.

Risk control

Our enterprise-wide risk management approach is supported by a comprehensive set of risk controls that are defined in our ERMF. The ERMF serves as the foundation for our approach to risk management and promotes RBC’s risk management principles, approach and governance. It further sets the expectations for the development and communication of policies, the establishment of formal independent risk review and approval processes; and the establishment of risk appetite, delegated risk approval authorities and risk limits. Enterprise-wide control programs are an important risk control mechanism that seek to establish sufficient risk diversification and risk/return optimization. The ERMF is further reinforced and supported by a number of additional Board-approved risk frameworks and various policies. Together, our risk frameworks and supporting policies provide direction and insight on how respective risks are identified, assessed, measured, managed, mitigated, monitored and reported. The enterprise-wide policies are considered our minimum requirements, articulating the parameters within which business groups and employees must operate.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 73

Risk appetite, risk approval authorities and risk limits

Risk Appetite is the amount and type of risk that we are able and willing to accept in the pursuit of our business objectives. It reflects our self-imposed upper bound to risk taking and influences our risk management philosophy, conduct, operating style and resource allocation. It is generally set at a level providing a risk absorption buffer to our risk capacity and allows for recovery during periods of heightened exposure or stress. Risk Appetite is supported by Risk Approval Authorities delegated by the Board to senior management which provide thresholds for escalation of exposures and transactions to the Risk Committee of the Board for review and approval. The allocation of Risk Appetite and Board Delegated Authorities may be supported by the establishment of management delegated authorities and/or risk limits as well as risk approval authorities delegated to the Chief Risk Officer and/or the Chief Credit Officer of applicable RBC Subsidiaries. These represent the maximum level of risk permitted for a line of business, portfolio, individual or other groups. These authorities and limits are used to implement risk management strategies and govern ongoing operations. Excesses to risk approval authorities and risk limits can act as early warning indicators for risk appetite constraints allowing for timely management attention. Senior management can delegate some or all of their authorities onwards to others in the organization. The delegated authorities enable the approval of single name, geographic and industry sectors, and product and portfolio exposures within defined parameters and limits. They are also used to manage concentration risk, establish underwriting and inventory limits for trading and investment banking activities and set market risk tolerances.

Risk review and approval processes

Risk review and approval processes provide an important control mechanism and 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 the Enterprise Risk Appetite Framework and the delegated risk authorities and risk limits are based on the following categories: credit (including borrower, country, regional, and sector risks), market, underwriting and distribution, liquidity and insurance risks. Requirements for the review and approval of risks related to projects and initiatives, new products and services, and transaction specific risks are set out in enterprise-level risk policies and procedures.

Risk monitoring and reporting

Enterprise and business segment level risk monitoring and internal reporting are critical components of our enterprise risk management program and support the ability of senior management and the Board to effectively perform their risk management and oversight responsibilities. The ongoing monitoring of our risk profile, and the organization’s risk exposure against our risk appetite, enables proactive risk management and oversight. It seeks to ensure that our businesses operate within established and approved risk appetite; detect areas where business activity or growth may be constrained in the future; identify situations where risk-taking may be overly conservative or aggressive; enable senior management to assess the impact of stress and unanticipated events; and inform the development and implementation of risk mitigation strategies in order to operate within risk appetite. At each meeting of the Risk Committee of the Board, the CRO provides a risk update that has been reviewed by senior management, and which includes, among others, top and emerging risks, industry trends or other notable items. On a quarterly basis, we provide our Enterprise Risk Report to senior management and the Risk Committee of the Board which includes, among others, top and emerging risks, risk profile relative to our risk appetite, portfolio quality metrics and a range of risks we face along with an analysis of the related issues, key trends and, when required, management actions. On an annual

74 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

basis, we provide a benchmarking review to the Board which compares our performance to peers across a variety of risk metrics and includes a composite risk scorecard which provides an objective measure of our ranking relative to the peer group. In addition to our regular risk monitoring, other risk-specific presentations are provided to, and discussed with, senior management and the Board on top and emerging risks or changes in our risk profile. In addition, we publish external reports on risk matters to comply with regulatory requirements.

Risk controls monitoring and issue management

The monitoring and testing of internal controls is an important part of our risk management approach. Our robust governance structure is outlined within the Enterprise Operational Risk Management Framework and supporting policies. We seek to establish a consistent, principles based approach to the development, identification and management of internal controls as well as clearly defined roles and responsibilities.

Issue

management is a risk management capability that facilitates the identification, rationalization and management of issues. These are defined as risk exposures resulting from the i) absence of controls, or ii) deficiencies in control design or operating effectiveness. Effective issue management practices enable us to consistently identify and assess such issues for severity, design remediation actions, and to track the progress of remediation plans through completion. An enterprise issue management program is in place to outline a standardized set of parameters for issue management, including a universal definition of issues, sources, scope, taxonomies and severity of ratings of issues. Our approach to the issue management program is tailored to individual issue sources across the three lines of defence and to specific needs of each business segment and functional unit, including local governance processes, roles and responsibilities and regulatory expectations.

Escalation of risks and event issues

We actively monitor and manage risks inherent to our activities and consequently maintain processes and controls to manage those activities. However, there may be times when processes and/or controls do not work as expected leading to risk events, or new risks arise that were not anticipated. Timely escalation of risks or events allows for appropriate awareness and action (where required) by senior management, relevant committees and the Board, supporting adherence with regulatory expectations. All three lines of defence have monitoring and reporting processes in place that are intended to enable effective communication and escalation of risks and events.

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 marked tables represent an integral part of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Principal

isks

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of loss associated with an obligor’s potential inability or unwillingness to fulfill its contractual obligations on a timely basis and may arise directly from the risk of default of a primary obligor (e.g., issuer, debtor, counterparty, borrower or policyholder), indirectly from a secondary obligor (e.g., guarantor or reinsurer), and/or through

off-balance

sheet exposures, contingent credit risk, associated credit risk and/or transactional risk. Credit risk includes counterparty credit risk arising from both trading and

non-trading

activities. Exposure to credit risk occurs any time funds are extended, committed or invested through an actual or implied contractual agreement.

The responsibility for managing credit risk is shared broadly following the three lines of defence governance model. The allocation of the Board approved credit risk appetite is supported by the establishment of risk approval authorities and risk limits, delegated by the Board to the President & CEO and CRO. Credit transactions in excess of these authorities must be approved by the Risk Committee of the Board. To facilitate

day-to-day

business activities, the CRO has been empowered to further delegate credit risk approval authorities to individuals within GRM, the business segments and functional units, as deemed necessary.

We balance our risk and return by setting the following objectives for the management of credit risk:

•

Ensuring credit quality is not compromised for growth;

•

Managing credit risks in transactions, relationships and portfolios;

•

Avoiding excessive concentrations in correlated credit risks;

•

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;

•

Detecting and preventing inappropriate credit risk through effective systems and controls;

•

Applying consistent credit risk exposure measurements;

•

Ongoing credit risk monitoring and administration;

•

Transferring credit risk to third parties where appropriate through approved credit risk mitigation techniques (e.g., sale, hedging, insurance, securitization); and

•

Avoiding activities that are inconsistent with our values, Code of Conduct or policies.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual

Rep

ort 2024 75

Table of Contents

The Enterprise Credit Risk Management Framework (ECRMF) provides an overview of our approach to the management of Credit Risk including principles, methodologies, systems, roles and responsibilities, reports and controls. Additional supporting policies exist that are designed to provide further clarification of roles and responsibilities, acceptable practices, limits and key controls within the enterprise.

Credit risk measurement

We quantify credit risk at both the individual obligor and portfolio levels to manage expected credit losses and minimize unexpected losses to limit earnings volatility and ensure we are adequately capitalized.

We employ a variety of risk measurement methodologies to measure and quantify credit risk for our wholesale and retail credit portfolios. The wholesale portfolio is comprised of businesses, sovereigns, public sector entities, banks and other financial institutions, as well as certain HNW individuals. The retail portfolio is comprised of residential mortgages, personal loans, credit cards and small business loans. Our credit risk rating systems are designed to assess and quantify the risk inherent in credit activities in an accurate and consistent manner. The resulting ratings and scores are then used for both client- and transaction-level risk decision-making and as key inputs for our risk measurement and capital calculations.

Measurement of economic and regulatory capital

Economic capital, which is our internal quantification of risks, is used for limit setting. It is also used for internal capital adequacy and allocation of capital to the Insurance segment. Our methodology for allocating capital to our business segments, other than Insurance, is based on regulatory requirements. For further details, refer to the Capital management section.

In measuring credit risk to determine regulatory capital, two principal approaches are available: the Internal Ratings Based (IRB) Approach and the Standardized Approach as per OSFI’s CAR guideline. The IRB Approach allows both a full model-based approach referred to as the Advanced Internal Ratings Based

(A-IRB)

Approach and a more supervisory-based approach known as the Foundation Internal Ratings Based Approach

(F-IRB).

The Standardized Approach applies primarily to Wealth Management, including our City National wholesale portfolio, our Caribbean banking operations and certain

non-mortgage

retail portfolios acquired through the HSBC Canada transaction, and is based on risk weights prescribed by OSFI that are used to calculate RWA for credit risk exposure.

The A-IRB Approach, which applies to most of our retail and wholesale credit risk exposures (excluding

F-IRB

exposures discussed below), utilizes three key parameters which form the basis of our credit risk measures for both regulatory and economic capital:

•

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 following a default.

These parameters are determined based primarily on historical experience from internal credit risk rating systems in accordance with supervisory standards.

PD is estimated based on a

long-run

average of default rates for a specific rating grade or for a particular pool of exposure. The PD assigned to a default grade(s) or pools, consistent with the definition of default, is 100%.

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 current utilization of approved limit. As with LGD, rates are estimated to reflect an economic downturn, with added conservatism to reflect data and statistical uncertainties identified in the modelling process.

Each credit facility is assigned an LGD rate that is largely driven by factors that impact the extent of losses anticipated in the event the obligor defaults. These factors mainly include seniority of debt, collateral and the industry sector in which the obligor operates. Estimated LGD rates draw primarily on internal loss experiences. Where we have limited internal loss data, we also refer to appropriate external data to supplement the estimation process. 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 statistical uncertainties identified in the estimation process.

Estimates of PD, LGD and EAD are reviewed on an annual basis and updates are then validated by an independent validation team within the bank. In addition, quarterly monitoring and back-testing is performed by the estimation team. These ratings and risk measurements are used to determine our expected losses as well as economic and regulatory capital, setting of risk limits, portfolio management and product pricing.

The

F-IRB

Approach is a prescribed regulatory approach that must be used to determine RWA related to our exposures to all banks and large corporates defined as having total consolidated revenues in excess of $750 million annually. The

F-IRB

Approach uses the same PD parameter as the

A-IRB

Approach but requires the use of supervisory-prescribed EAD and LGD parameters.

Financial and regulatory measurement distinctions

Expected loss models are used for both regulatory capital and accounting purposes. Under both models, expected losses are calculated as the product of PD, LGD and EAD. However, there are certain key differences under current Basel and IFRS reporting frameworks which could lead to significantly different expected loss estimates, including:

•

Basel PDs are based on

long-run

averages over an entire economic cycle. IFRS PDs are based on current conditions, adjusted for estimates of future conditions that will impact PD under probability-weighted macroeconomic scenarios.

•

Basel PDs consider the probability of default over the next 12 months. IFRS PDs consider the probability of default over the next 12 months only for instruments in stage 1. Expected credit losses for instruments in stage 2 are calculated using lifetime PDs.

•

Basel LGDs are based on severe but plausible downturn economic conditions. IFRS LGDs are based on current conditions, adjusted for estimates of future conditions that will impact LGD under probability-weighted macroeconomic scenarios.

For further details, refer to the Critical accounting policies and estimates section.

76 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Table of Contents

Gross credit risk exposure

Gross credit risk is categorized as i) lending-related and other credit risk or ii) trading-related credit risk, and is calculated based on the Basel III framework. Under this method, EAD for all lending-related and other credit transactions and trading-related repo-style transactions is calculated before taking into account any collateral and is inclusive of an estimate of potential future changes to that credit exposure. EAD for derivatives is calculated inclusive of collateral in accordance with regulatory guidelines.

Lending-related and other credit risk includes:

•

Loans and acceptances outstanding, undrawn commitments, and other exposures, including contingent liabilities such as letters of credit and guarantees, debt securities carried at FVOCI or amortized cost 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 risk 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 collateral into account.

•

Derivative amounts which represent the credit equivalent amount, as defined by OSFI as the replacement cost plus an

add-on

amount for potential future credit exposure, scaled by a regulatory factor. For further details on replacement cost and credit equivalent amounts, refer to Note 9 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Credit risk assessment

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 calibrated against it. The BRR differentiates the riskiness of an obligor 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 through fundamental credit analysis, as well as data-driven modelling. The determination of the PD associated with each BRR relies primarily on internal default history since 2006. PD estimates are designed to be a

long-run

average of our experience across the economic cycle in accordance with regulatory guidelines.

Our rating system is designed to stratify obligors into 22 grades. The following table aligns the relative rankings of our

22-grade

internal risk ratings with the external ratings used by S&P and Moody’s.


Internal ratings map*		Table 41

Ratings

PD Bands

Business and Bank

Sovereign

BRR

S&P

Moody’s

Description

0.0000% – 0.0500%

0.0000% – 0.0150%

AAA

Aaa

Investment Grade

0.0000% – 0.0500%

0.0151% – 0.0250%

AA+

Aa1

0.0000% – 0.0500%

0.0251% – 0.0350%

Aa2

0.0000% – 0.0500%

0.0351% – 0.0450%

AA-

Aa3

0.0000% – 0.0550%

0.0451% – 0.0550%

2+H

A+

0.0551% – 0.0650%

2+M

0.0651% – 0.0750%

2+L

A-

0.0751% – 0.0850%

BBB+

Baa1

0.0851% – 0.1030%

BBB

Baa2

0.1031% – 0.1775%

BBB-

Baa3

0.1776% – 0.3470%

2-H

BB+

Ba1

Non-investment

Grade

0.3471% – 0.6460%

2-M

Ba2

0.6461% – 1.0620%

2-L

BB-

Ba3

1.0621% – 1.5520%

3+H

B+

1.5521% – 2.2165%

3+M

2.2166% – 4.5070%

3+L

B-

4.5071% – 7.1660%

CCC+

Caa1

7.1661% – 13.1760%

CCC

Caa2

13.1761% – 24.9670%

CCC-

Caa3

24.9671% – 99.9990%

100%

Impaired

100%

This table represents an integral part of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Counterparty credit risk

Counterparty credit risk is the risk that a party with whom we have entered into a financial or

non-financial

contract will fail to fulfill its contractual agreement and default on its obligation. It incorporates not only the contract’s current value, but also considers how that value can move as market conditions change. Counterparty credit risk usually arises from trading-related derivative and repo-style transactions. Derivative transactions include forwards, futures, swaps and options, and can have underlying references that are either financial (e.g., interest rate, foreign exchange, credit, or equity) or

non-financial

(e.g., precious metal or other commodities). For further details on our derivative instruments and credit risk mitigation, refer to Note 9 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 77

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Trading counterparty credit activities are undertaken in a manner consistent with the relevant requirements under enterprise Credit, Market, and Model risk management frameworks and with approval in accordance with the appropriate delegated authorities.

The primary risk mitigation techniques for trading counterparty credit risk are

close-out

netting and collateralization.

Close-out

netting considers the net value of contractual obligations between counterparties in a default situation, thereby reducing overall credit exposure. Collateralization is when a borrower pledges assets as security, which provides recourse to the lender in the event of default. The policies that we maintain in relation to the recognition of risk mitigation from these techniques incorporate such considerations as:

•

The use of standardized agreements such as the International Swaps and Derivatives Association Master Agreement and Credit Support Annex;

•

Generally restricting eligible collateral to high quality liquid assets, primarily cash and highly-rated government securities, subject to appropriate haircuts; and

•

The use of initial margin and variation margin arrangements in accordance with regulatory requirements and internal risk standards.

Similarly, for securities finance and repurchase trading activity we mitigate counterparty credit risk via the use of standardized securities finance agreements, and by taking collateral generally in the form of eligible liquid securities.

We also mitigate counterparty credit risk through the use of central counterparties (CCPs). These highly-regulated entities intermediate trades between participating bilateral counterparties and mitigate credit risk through the use of initial and variation margin and the ability to net offsetting trades amongst participants. The specific structure and capitalization, including contingent capital arrangements, of individual CCPs are analyzed as part of assigning an internal counterparty credit risk rating and determining appropriate counterparty credit risk limits.

Wrong-way

risk

Wrong-way

risk is the risk that exposure to a counterparty is adversely correlated with the credit quality of that counterparty. There are two types of

wrong-way

risk:

•

Specific

wrong-way

risk, which exists when our exposure to a particular counterparty is positively correlated with the PD of the counterparty due to the nature of our transactions with them (e.g., loans collateralized by shares or debt issued by the counterparty or a related party). Specific

wrong-way

risk

over-the-counter

(OTC) derivative trades are done on an exception basis only, and are permitted only when explicitly

pre-approved

by GRM. Factors considered in reviewing such trades include the credit quality of the counterparty, the nature of the asset(s) underlying the derivative and the existence of credit mitigation.

•

General

wrong-way

risk, which exists when there is a positive correlation between the PD of the counterparties and general macroeconomic or market factors. General wrong way risk can arise in various circumstances, depending on the transaction, collateral type, and the nature of the counterparty. We monitor general

wrong-way

counterparty credit risk using a variety of metrics including stress scenarios, correlation analysis, and investment strategy concentration.

Retail credit risk

Credit scoring is the primary risk rating system for assessing obligor and transaction risk for retail exposures. Scoring models use internal and external data to assess and score borrowers, predict future performance and manage limits for existing loans and collection activities. Credit scores are one of the factors employed in the acquisition of new clients and management of existing clients. The credit score of the borrower is used to assess credit risk for each independent acquisition or account management action, leading to an automated decision or guidance for an adjudicator. Credit scoring improves credit decision quality, adjudication timeframes and consistency in the credit decision process and facilitates risk-based pricing. We seek to continuously improve our credit scoring and analytic capabilities by exploring client behavioural data and advanced analytical techniques to make sound credit decisions.

To arrive at a retail risk rating, borrower scores are categorized and associated with PDs for further grouping into risk rating categories. The following table maps PD bands to various summarized risk levels for retail exposures:


Internal ratings map*		Table 42

PD bands		Description
0.050% – 3.965%		Low risk
3.966% – 7.428%		Medium risk
7.429% – 99.99%		High risk
100%		Impaired/Default

This table represents an integral part of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Credit risk mitigation

We seek to reduce our exposure to credit risk through a variety of means, including the structuring of transactions and the use of collateral.

Structuring of transactions

Specific credit policies and procedures set out the requirements for structuring transactions. Risk mitigants include the use of guarantees, collateral, seniority, LTV requirements and covenants. Product-specific guidelines set out appropriate product structuring as well as client and guarantor criteria.

Collateral

When we advance credit, we often require obligors to pledge collateral as security. 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 set out in our credit risk management policies.

78 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

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The types of collateral we use to secure credit or trading facilities within the bank are varied. For example, our securities financing and collateralized OTC derivatives activities are primarily secured by cash and highly-rated liquid government and agency securities. Wholesale lending to business clients is often secured by pledges of the assets of the business, such as accounts receivable, inventory, operating assets and commercial real estate. In Personal Banking, Commercial Banking and Wealth Management, 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 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 mortgage

por

tfolio and perform stress testing, based on a combination of increasing unemployment, rising interest rates and a downturn in real estate markets.

•

We seek to be in compliance with regulatory requirements that govern residential mortgage underwriting practices, including LTV parameters and property valuation requirements.

There were no significant changes regarding our risk management policies on collateral or to the quality of the collateral held during the period.

Credit risk approval

The Board, GE, GRC and other senior management committees work together to ensure the ECRMF and supporting policies, processes and procedures exist to manage credit risk and approve related credit risk limits. Reports are provided to the Board, the GRC, and senior executives to keep them informed of our risk profile, including significant credit risk issues, shifts in exposures and trending information, to ensure appropriate and timely actions can be taken where necessary. Our enterprise-wide credit risk policies set out the minimum requirements for the prudent management of credit risk in a variety of borrower, transactional and portfolio management contexts.

Transaction approval

Credit transactions are governed by our RBC Enterprise Policy on Risk Limits and Risk Approval Authorities that captures the authorities and risk limits delegated to management as well as the credit rules policy, which outlines the minimum standards for managing credit risk at the individual client relationship and/or transaction level. The credit rules policy is further supported by business and/or product-specific policies and guidelines as appropriate. Where a transaction exceeds senior management’s authorities, the approval of the Risk Committee of the Board is required.

Product approval

Proposals for credit products and services are comprehensively reviewed and approved under a product risk assessment process and are subject to product and suitability risk approval authorities which increase as the level of risk increases. New and amended products must be reviewed relative to all risk drivers, including credit risk. All existing products must be reviewed on a regular basis following a risk-based assessment approach.

Credit risk limits

•

The allocation of risk appetite and Board delegated authorities are supported by the establishment of risk limits which take both regulatory constraints and internal risk management judgment into account. Risk limits are established at the following levels: single name limits, regional, country and industrial sector limits (notional and economic capital), regulatory large exposure limits, product and portfolio limits, and underwriting and distribution risk limits. These limits apply across all businesses, portfolios, transactions and products.

•

We actively manage credit exposures and limits to ensure alignment with our risk appetite, to maintain our target business mix and to ensure that there is no undue concentration risk.

•

Concentration risk is defined as the risk arising from large exposures that are highly correlated such that the obligors’ ability to meet contractual obligations could be similarly affected by changes in economic, political or other risk drivers.

•

Credit concentration limits are reviewed on a regular basis after considering business, economic, financial and regulatory environments.

Credit risk administration

Loan forbearance

In our overall management of borrower relationships, economic, legal or other reasons may necessitate forbearance to certain clients with respect to the original terms and conditions of their loans. We have specialized groups and formalized policies that direct the management of high risk, delinquent or defaulted borrowers. We strive to identify borrowers in financial difficulty early and modify their loan terms to minimize losses and assist clients in need. A forbearance agreement may be entered into with the borrower where we will forbear from enforcing on security in exchange for concessions made by the borrower or additional security provided by the borrower. In these circumstances, a borrower may be granted concessions that would not otherwise be considered. Examples of such concessions to retail borrowers may include rate reduction, payment deferral and term extensions. Concessions to wholesale borrowers may include payment deferral or amendment, 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, our policy and the client’s willingness and capacity to meet the new or modified loan terms.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 79

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Credit risk exposure by portfolio, sector and geography

The following table presents our credit risk exposures under the Basel regulatory defined classes and reflects EAD. The classification of our sectors aligns with our view of credit risk by industry.


Credit risk exposure by portfolio, sector and geography		Table 43



	As at

	October 31 2024												October 31 2023
	Credit risk (1), (2)						Counterparty credit risk (5)						Credit risk (1), (2)						Counterparty credit risk (5)
	On-balance sheet amount		Off-balance sheet amount (3)				Repo-style transactions		Derivatives		Total exposure		On-balance sheet amount		Off-balance sheet amount (3)				Repo-style transactions		Derivatives		Total exposure
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	On-balance sheet amount		Undrawn		Other (4)		Repo-style transactions		Derivatives		Total exposure		On-balance sheet amount		Undrawn		Other (4)		Repo-style transactions		Derivatives		Total exposure
Retail
Residential secured (6)	$	498,014	$	124,743	$	–	$	–	$	–	$	622,757	$	451,610	$	114,612	$	–	$	–	$	–	$	566,222
Qualifying revolving (7)		33,571		95,776		–		–		–		129,347		36,091		110,473		–		–		–		146,564
Other retail		53,257		21,530		162		–		–		74,949		48,162		20,804		136		–		–		69,102
Total retail	$	584,842	$	242,049	$	162	$	–	$	–	$	827,053	$	535,863	$	245,889	$	136	$	–	$	–	$	781,888
Wholesale
Agriculture	$	13,257	$	3,241	$	77	$	–	$	210	$	16,785	$	11,316	$	2,792	$	46	$	–	$	117	$	14,271
Automotive		14,424		9,605		639		–		1,454		26,122		11,568		8,586		680		–		1,148		21,982
Banking		87,601		3,187		2,967		91,791		32,949		218,495		82,319		3,060		2,267		101,736		41,300		230,682
Consumer discretionary		24,516		11,719		918		–		1,242		38,395		18,348		9,132		650		–		1,030		29,160
Consumer staples		10,094		8,631		795		–		1,907		21,427		8,680		6,996		546		–		2,070		18,292
Oil and gas		6,365		8,688		2,002		–		2,052		19,107		6,498		8,373		1,614		–		3,134		19,619
Financial services		51,313		23,405		4,103		73,020		29,958		181,799		48,589		24,140		4,818		83,692		22,611		183,850
Financing products		3,945		1,235		2,388		604		1,684		9,856		3,988		1,265		1,447		472		1,079		8,251
Forest products		2,225		1,589		387		–		84		4,285		1,485		1,004		313		–		67		2,869
Governments		283,893		7,891		2,149		13,334		7,933		315,200		270,382		6,960		1,482		10,736		5,692		295,252
Industrial products		15,526		12,463		940		–		1,052		29,981		11,251		9,898		623		–		811		22,583
Information technology		6,353		7,892		251		42		976		15,514		5,252		6,942		357		118		704		13,373
Investments		30,015		7,151		786		103		99		38,154		25,921		4,608		701		–		383		31,613
Mining and metals		2,821		3,950		1,684		–		427		8,882		2,144		3,548		1,044		–		391		7,127
Public works and infrastructure		2,871		2,329		1,383		–		300		6,883		2,613		1,534		529		–		156		4,832
Real estate and related		115,332		26,197		2,209		83		1,115		144,936		102,235		20,406		1,592		–		850		125,083
Other services		35,980		15,870		3,461		–		1,236		56,547		30,617		14,203		2,598		–		741		48,159
Telecommunication and media		7,814		7,210		159		–		2,874		18,057		8,597		6,529		132		–		2,794		18,052
Transportation		10,517		7,235		1,533		–		2,470		21,755		8,461		5,925		1,009		–		2,408		17,803
Utilities		14,652		21,110		5,993		–		5,451		47,206		14,495		20,389		6,367		–		4,638		45,889
Other sectors		11,119		2,578		1,887		227		24,520		40,331		8,698		2,773		1,193		88		20,084		32,836
Total wholesale	$	750,633	$	193,176	$	36,711	$	179,204	$	119,993	$	1,279,717	$	683,457	$	169,063	$	30,008	$	196,842	$	112,208	$	1,191,578
Total exposure (1)	$	1,335,475	$	435,225	$	36,873	$	179,204	$	119,993	$	2,106,770	$	1,219,320	$	414,952	$	30,144	$	196,842	$	112,208	$	1,973,466
By geography (8)
Canada	$	845,343	$	320,434	$	15,533	$	72,852	$	51,427	$	1,305,589	$	729,131	$	306,474	$	10,676	$	80,664	$	42,123	$	1,169,068
U.S.		360,803		84,633		15,277		56,415		22,201		539,329		358,605		79,256		13,459		62,966		24,878		539,164
Europe		55,936		21,879		3,432		31,987		31,555		144,789		58,496		21,987		3,467		27,637		31,749		143,336
Other International		73,393		8,279		2,631		17,950		14,810		117,063		73,088		7,235		2,542		25,575		13,458		121,898
Total exposure (1)	$	1,335,475	$	435,225	$	36,873	$	179,204	$	119,993	$	2,106,770	$	1,219,320	$	414,952	$	30,144	$	196,842	$	112,208	$	1,973,466

(1)

Excludes securitization, banking book equities and other assets not subject to the standardized or IRB approach.

(2)

EAD for standardized exposures are reported net of allowance for impaired assets and EAD for IRB exposures are reported gross of all ACL and partial write-offs as per regulatory definitions.

(3)

EAD for undrawn credit commitments and other

off-balance

sheet amounts are reported after the application of credit conversion factors.

(4)

Includes other

off-balance

sheet exposures such as letters of credit and guarantees.

(5)

Counterparty credit risk EAD reflects exposure amounts after netting. Collateral is included in EAD for repo-style transactions to the extent allowed by regulatory guidelines. Exchange traded derivatives are included in Other sectors.

(6)

Includes residential mortgages and home equity lines of credit.

(7)

Includes credit cards, unsecured lines of credit and overdraft protection products.

(8)

Geographic profile is based on country of residence of the borrower.

2024 vs. 2023

Total credit risk exposure increased $133 billion or 7% from last year, mainly due to the impact of the HSBC Canada transaction in the second quarter of 2024.

80 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Table of Contents

Residential mortgages and home equity lines of credit (insured vs. uninsured)

(1)

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 45



	As at October 31, 2024
(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)	Residential mortgages										Home equity lines of credit (2)
(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)	Insured (3)				Uninsured				Total		Total
Region (4)
Canada
Atlantic provinces	$	8,692	43	%	$	11,688	57	%	$	20,380	$	1,704
Quebec		11,781	25			35,129	75			46,910		3,346
Ontario		32,011	14			189,638	86			221,649		18,173
Alberta		18,804	43			24,459	57			43,263		4,448
Saskatchewan and Manitoba		8,549	41			12,258	59			20,807		1,718
B.C. and territories		12,607	14			75,575	86			88,182		8,061
Total Canada (5)		92,444	21			348,747	79			441,191		37,450
U.S.		–	–			33,092	100			33,092		2,144
Other International		–	–			3,261	100			3,261		1,421
Total International		–	–			36,353	100			36,353		3,565
Total	$	92,444	19	%	$	385,100	81	%	$	477,544	$	41,015



	As at October 31, 2023
(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)	Residential mortgages										Home equity lines of credit (2)
(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)	Insured (3)				Uninsured				Total		Total
Region (4)
Canada
Atlantic provinces	$	8,474	44	%	$	10,765	56	%	$	19,239	$	1,630
Quebec		11,831	27			31,741	73			43,572		3,111
Ontario		30,359	15			168,264	85			198,623		16,558
Alberta		18,840	45			22,596	55			41,436		4,403
Saskatchewan and Manitoba		8,546	42			11,803	58			20,349		1,749
B.C. and territories		11,911	16			62,475	84			74,386		7,048
Total Canada (5)		89,961	23			307,644	77			397,605		34,499
U.S.		–	–			33,683	100			33,683		2,090
Other International		–	–			3,213	100			3,213		1,538
Total International		–	–			36,896	100			36,896		3,628
Total	$	89,961	21	%	$	344,540	79	%	$	434,501	$	38,127

(1)

Disclosure is provided in accordance with the requirements of OSFI’s Guideline

B-20

(Residential Mortgage Underwriting Practices and Procedures).

(2)

Includes $40,998 million and $17 million of uninsured and insured home equity lines of credit, respectively (October 31, 2023 – $38,108 million and $19 million, respectively), reported within the personal loan category. The amounts in the U.S. and Other International include term loans collateralized by residential properties.

(3)

Insured residential mortgages are mortgages whereby our exposure to default is mitigated by insurance through the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation or other private mortgage default insurers.

(4)

Region is based upon the address of the property mortgaged. The Atlantic provinces are comprised of Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and B.C. and territories are comprised of British Columbia, Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon.

(5)

Total consolidated residential mortgages in Canada of $441 billion (October 31, 2023 – $398 billion) includes $12 billion (October 31, 2023 – $12 billion) of mortgages with commercial clients in Commercial Banking, of which $9 billion (October 31, 2023 – $9 billion) are insured mortgages, and $18 billion (October 31, 2023 – $18 billion) of residential mortgages in Capital Markets, of which $18 billion (October 31, 2023 – $18 billion) are held for securitization purposes. All of the residential mortgages held for securitization purposes are insured (October 31, 2023 – all insured).

82 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Residential mortgages portfolio by amortization period

(1)

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 46



	As at
	October 31 2024						October 31 2023

	Canada (2)		U.S. and other International		Total		Canada		U.S. and other International		Total
Amortization period
≤ 25 years		62%		31%		60%		57%		26%		55%
> 25 years ≤ 30 years		28		69		30		20		74		24
> 30 years ≤ 35 years		10		–		10		1		–		1
> 35 years		–		–		–		22		–		20
Total		100%		100%		100%		100%		100%		100%

(1)

Disclosure is provided in accordance with the requirements of OSFI’s Guideline

B-20

(Residential Mortgage Underwriting Practices and Procedures).

(2)

Our policy is to originate mortgages with amortization periods of 30 years or less. Amortization periods greater than 30 years reflect the impact of increases in interest rates on our variable rate mortgage portfolios. For these loans, the amortization period resets to the original amortization schedule upon renewal. We do not originate mortgage products with a structure that would result in negative amortization, as payments on variable rate mortgages automatically increase to ensure accrued interest is covered.

Average loan-to-value (LTV) ratios

(1)

The following table provides a summary of our average LTV ratios for newly originated and acquired uninsured residential mortgages and RBC Homeline Plan

products by geographic region, as well as the respective LTV ratios for our total Canadian Banking residential mortgage portfolio outstanding.


Average LTV ratios		Table 47



	For the year ended
	October 31 2024				October 31 2023
	Uninsured				Uninsured

	Residential mortgages (2)		RBC Homeline Plan ® products (3)		Residential mortgages (2)		RBC Homeline Plan ® products (3)
Average of newly originated and acquired for the period, by region (4)
Atlantic provinces		68%		68%		71%		71%
Quebec		64		67		70		70
Ontario		63		60		70		64
Alberta		66		67		72		71
Saskatchewan and Manitoba		69		70		73		73
B.C. and territories		51		60		68		63
U.S.		72		n.m.		74		n.m.
Other International		70		n.m.		69		n.m.
Average of newly originated and acquired for the period (5), (6), (7)		60%		61%		70%		66%
Total Canadian Banking residential mortgages portfolio (8)		56%		47%		55%		47%

(1)

Disclosure is provided in accordance with the requirements of OSFI’s Guideline

B-20

(Residential Mortgage Underwriting Practices and Procedures).

(2)

Residential mortgages exclude residential mortgages within the RBC Homeline Plan products.

(3)

RBC Homeline Plan products are comprised of both residential mortgages and home equity lines of credit.

(4)

(5)

The average LTV ratio for newly originated and acquired uninsured residential mortgages and RBC Homeline Plan products is calculated on a weighted basis by mortgage amounts at origination.

(6)

For newly originated mortgages and RBC Homeline Plan products, LTV is calculated based on the total facility amount for the residential mortgage and RBC Homeline Plan product divided by the value of the related residential property.

(7)

Includes the HSBC Canada portfolio acquired in the second quarter of 2024, impacting the year ended October 31, 2024. Excluding the acquired HSBC Canada portfolio, the average of newly originated and acquired residential mortgages and RBC Homeline Plan products for the year ended October 31, 2024 was 70% and 65%, respectively.

(8)

Weighted by mortgage balances and adjusted for property values based on the Teranet – National Bank

House Price Index

‡.

n.m.

not meaningful

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 83

Credit quality performance

The following credit quality performance tables and analysis provide information on loans, which represents loans, acceptances and commitments, and other financial assets.


Gross impaired loans (GIL)		Table 48



	As at and for the year ended
(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)	October 31 2024			October 31 2023
Personal Banking (1), (2)	$	1,652		$	1,050
Commercial Banking (1), (2)		2,372			855
Wealth Management		508			514
Capital Markets		1,335			1,285
Total GIL	$	5,867		$	3,704
Impaired loans, beginning balance	$	3,704		$	2,199
Classified as impaired during the period (new impaired) (2)		6,272			3,959
Net repayments (2)		(848	)		(622	)
Amounts written off		(2,521	)		(1,572	)
Other (3)		(740	)		(260	)
Impaired loans, balance at end of period	$	5,867		$	3,704
GIL as a % of related loans and acceptances
Total GIL as a % of related loans and acceptances		0.59%			0.42%
Personal Banking (1), (2)		0.31%			0.22%
Personal Banking – Canada		0.26%			0.16%
Commercial Banking (1), (2)		1.29%			0.64%
Wealth Management (1)		0.42%			0.43%
Capital Markets		0.88%			0.89%

(1)

Amounts have been revised from those previously presented to conform to our new basis of segment presentation. For further details, refer to the About Royal Bank of Canada section.

(2)

Certain GIL movements for Personal Banking – Canada retail and wholesale portfolios are generally allocated to new impaired, as Net repayments and certain Other movements are not reasonably determinable. Certain GIL movements for Caribbean Banking retail and wholesale portfolios are generally allocated to Net repayments and new impaired, as Net repayments and certain Other movements are not reasonably determinable.

(3)

Includes return to performing status during the period, recoveries of loans and advances previously written off, sold, amounts related to foreclosed properties held as investment properties and interests in joint ventures for certain

co-lending

arrangements, foreign exchange translation and other movements.

2024 vs. 2023

Total GIL increased $2,163 million or 58% from last year and the total GIL ratio of 59 bps increased 17 bps, mainly due to higher impaired loans in Commercial Banking and Personal Banking.

GIL in Personal Banking increased $602 million or 57%, mainly due to higher impaired loans in our Canadian residential mortgages portfolio.

GIL in Commercial Banking increased $1,517 million, mainly due to higher impaired loans in a few sectors, including the real estate and related and automotive sectors.

GIL in Capital Markets increased $50 million or 4%, mainly due to higher impaired loans in the financing products sector, partially offset by lower impaired loans in the real estate and related sector. The reduction in the real estate and related sector includes $485 million in foreclosed properties which are accounted for as investment properties and interests in joint ventures for certain co-lending arrangements.


Allowance for credit losses		Table 49



	As at
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	October 31 2024		October 31 2023
Personal Banking (1)	$	3,273	$	2,780
Commercial Banking (1)		1,626		938
Wealth Management		466		618
Capital Markets		986		1,012
Corporate Support and other (1)		1		–
ACL on loans		6,352		5,348
ACL on other financial assets (2)		12		18
Total ACL	$	6,364	$	5,366
ACL on loans is comprised of:
Retail	$	3,011	$	2,591
Wholesale		1,825		1,609
ACL on performing loans	$	4,836	$	4,200
ACL on impaired loans		1,516		1,148

(1)

Amounts have been revised from those previously presented to conform to our new basis of segment presentation. For further details, refer to the About Royal Bank of Canada section.

(2)

ACL on other financial assets mainly represents allowances on debt securities measured at FVOCI and amortized cost, accounts receivable and financial guarantees.

84 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

2024 vs. 2023

Total ACL increased $998 million or 19% from last year, primarily reflecting an increase of $1,004 million in ACL on loans.

ACL on performing loans increased $636 million or 15%, mainly due to unfavourable changes in credit quality and the initial allowances on the performing loans purchased in the HSBC Canada transaction, partially offset by favourable changes to our macroeconomic forecast.

ACL on impaired loans increased $368 million or 32%, mainly due to higher ACL in Commercial Banking and Personal Banking, partially offset by lower ACL in Capital Markets.

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 include the following:

Positions whose revaluation gains and losses are reported in revenue, which includes:

Changes in the fair value of instruments classified or designated as FVTPL, and

Hedge ineffectiveness.

CET1 capital, which includes:

All of the above, plus

Changes in the fair value of FVOCI securities where revaluation gains and losses are reported as OCI,

Changes in the Canadian dollar value of investments in foreign subsidiaries, net of hedges, due to foreign exchange translation, and

Changes in the fair value of employee benefit plan deficits.

CET1 ratio, which includes:

All of the above, plus

Changes in RWA resulting from changes in traded market risk factors, and

Changes in the Canadian dollar value of RWA due to foreign exchange translation.

The economic value of the Bank, which includes:

Points 1 and 2 above, plus

Changes in the economic value of other

non-trading

positions, net interest income, and fee based income, as a result of changes in market risk factors.

Market risk controls – FVTPL positions, including trading portfolios

As an element of the ERAF, the Board approves our overall market risk appetite. The Market and Counterparty Credit Risk function within GRM is responsible for creating and managing the controls and governance procedures that are designed to 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 stress tests 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 less material positions that are not actively traded which are updated on at least a monthly basis.

Trading VaR captures potential loss for our trading portfolio that excludes the impacts of

non-trading

FVTPL positions such as loan underwriting commitments. Total VaR captures potential loss for all positions classified as FVTPL.

VaR is a statistical estimate based on historical market data and should be interpreted with knowledge of its limitations, which include the following:

•

VaR will not be predictive of future losses if the realized market movements differ significantly from the historical periods used to compute it.

•

VaR projects potential losses over a

one-day

holding period and does not project potential losses for risk positions held over longer time periods.

•

VaR is measured using positions at close of business and does not include the impact of trading and hedging activity over the course of a day.

We validate our VaR measures through a variety of means – including subjecting the models to vetting and validation by a group of independent model developers and by back-testing the VaR against daily

marked-to-market

revenue to identify and examine events in which actual outcomes in trading revenue exceed the VaR projections.

Stress tests

– Our market risk stress testing program is used to identify and control risk due to large changes in market prices and rates. We conduct stress testing daily on positions that are

marked-to-market.

The stress tests simulate both historical and hypothetical events which are severe and long-term in duration. Historical scenarios are taken from actual market events and range in duration up to 90 days. Examples include the

COVID-19

Pandemic of 2020, Global Financial Crisis of 2008 and the Taper Tantrum of 2013. Hypothetical scenarios are designed to be forward-looking at potential future market stresses, and are designed to be severe but plausible. We are constantly evaluating and refining these scenarios as market conditions change. Stress results are calculated assuming an instantaneous revaluation of our positions with no management action.

Trading portfolios are comprised of trading instruments in accordance with OSFI’s Capital Adequacy Requirements (CAR) Guideline. Trading involves market-making, positioning and arbitrage activities conducted primarily within our Global Markets business in the Capital Markets segment.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 85

Table of Contents

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


Market risk measures*		Table 50


	October 31, 2024										October 31, 2023
				For the year ended										For the year ended

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	As at			Average			High		Low		As at			Average			High		Low
Equity	$	23		$	14		$	26	$	6	$	10		$	11		$	26	$	6
Foreign exchange		6			5			10		2		4			3			25		2
Commodities		11			6			11		4		5			5			8		4
Interest rate (1)		23			30			44		19		38			32			49		20
Credit specific (2)		8			8			9		7		7			5			8		4
Diversification (3)		(37	)		(34	)		n.m.		n.m.		(35	)		(31	)		n.m.		n.m.
Trading VaR	$	34		$	29		$	41	$	20	$	29		$	25		$	36	$	16
Total VaR	$	34		$	70		$	138	$	26	$	121		$	51		$	127	$	27

This table represents an integral part of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

(1)

General credit spread risk and funding spread risk associated with uncollateralized derivatives are included under interest rate VaR.

(2)

Credit specific risk captures issuer-specific credit spread volatility.

(3)

Trading VaR is less than the sum of the individual risk factor VaR results due to risk factor diversification.

n.m.

not meaningful

2024 vs. 2023

Average Trading VaR of $29 million increased $4 million from last year, primarily driven by exposure changes in our securities financing portfolio.

Average total VaR of $70 million increased $19 million from a year ago, primarily driven by the impact of management of closing capital volatility related to the HSBC Canada transaction, partially offset by a reduced impact relating to our loan underwriting commitments.

The following chart displays a bar graph of our daily trading revenue and a line graph of our daily market risk Trading VaR. We incurred no net trading losses in 2024.

(1)

Trading revenue (teb) in the chart above excludes the impact of loan underwriting commitments.

86 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Table of Contents

The following chart displays the distribution of daily trading revenue in 2024 and 2023 with no net trading losses in 2024 as noted above and one day of net trading losses in 2023. The largest reported trading revenue was $44 million with an average daily revenue of $17 million.

(1)

Trading revenue (teb) amounts in the chart above exclude the impact of loan underwriting commitments and structured entities.

Market risk measures for assets and liabilities of RBC Insurance

We offer a range of insurance products to clients and hold investments to meet future obligations to policyholders. The investments which support actuarial liabilities are predominantly fixed income assets measured at FVTPL. Consequently, changes in the fair values of these assets are largely offset by changes in the discount rates used in the measurement of insurance and reinsurance contract assets and liabilities, and the impacts of both are reflected in Insurance investment result in the Consolidated Statements of Income. As at October 31, 2024, we held assets in support of $20 billion of insurance contract liabilities net of insurance contract assets and reinsurance contracts held balances (October 31, 2023 – $17 billion).

Market risk controls – Interest Rate Risk in the Banking Book (IRRBB)

positions

IRRBB arises primarily from traditional customer-originated banking products such as deposits and loans, and includes related hedges and interest rate risk from securities held for liquidity management purposes. Factors contributing to IRRBB include mismatches between asset and liability repricing dates, relative changes in asset and liability rates in response to market rate scenarios, and other product features affecting the expected timing of cash flows, such as options to

pre-pay

loans or redeem term deposits prior to contractual maturity. IRRBB sensitivities are regularly measured and reported, and subject to limits and controls with independent oversight from GRM.

The Board approves the risk appetite for IRRBB, and the Asset Liability Committee (ALCO) and GRM provide ongoing governance through IRRBB risk policies, limits, operating standards and other controls. IRRBB reports are reviewed regularly by GRM, ALCO, the GRC, the Risk Committee of the Board and the Board.

IRRBB measurement

To monitor and control IRRBB, we assess two primary metrics, Net Interest Income (NII) risk and Economic Value of Equity (EVE) risk, under a range of market shocks, scenarios, and time horizons. Market scenarios include currency-specific parallel and

non-parallel

yield curve changes, interest rate volatility shocks, and interest rate scenarios prescribed by regulators.

In measuring NII risk, detailed banking book balance sheets and income statements are dynamically simulated to estimate the impact of market stress scenarios on projected NII. Assets, liabilities and

off-balance

sheet positions are simulated over various time horizons. The simulations incorporate maturities, renewals, and new originations along with prepayment and redemption behaviour. Product pricing and volumes are forecasted based on past experience to determine response expectations under a given market shock scenario. EVE risk captures the market value sensitivity to changes in rates. In measuring EVE risk, deterministic (single-scenario) and stochastic (multiple-scenario) valuation techniques are applied to spot position data. NII and EVE risks are measured for a range of market risk stress scenarios which include extreme but plausible changes in market rates and volatilities. IRRBB measures assume continuation of existing hedge strategies.

Management of NII and EVE risk is complementary and supports our efforts to generate a sustainable high-quality NII stream. NII and EVE risks for specific units are measured daily, weekly or monthly depending on materiality, complexity and hedge strategy.

A number of assumptions affecting cash flows, product

re-pricing

and the administration of rates underlie the models used to measure NII and EVE risk. The key assumptions pertain to the projected funding date of mortgage rate commitments, fixed-rate loan prepayment behaviour, term deposit redemption behaviour, and the term and rate profile of

non-maturity

deposits. All assumptions are derived empirically based on historical client behaviour and product pricing with consideration of possible forward-looking changes. All models and assumptions used to measure IRRBB are subject to independent oversight by GRM.

Market risk measures – IRRBB Sensitivities

The following table shows the potential

before-tax

impact of an immediate and sustained 100 bps increase or decrease in interest rates on projected EVE and

12-month

NII, assuming no subsequent hedging. Interest rate risk measures are based on current on and

off-balance

sheet positions which can change over time in response to business activity and management actions.

IRRBB positions include the impact of derivatives in hedge accounting relationships, FVOCI securities used for interest rate risk management and economic hedges.

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Market risk – IRRBB measures*		Table 51


	October 31 2024																		October 31 2023
	EVE risk									NII risk (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Canadian dollar impact			U.S. dollar impact			Total			Canadian dollar impact			U.S. dollar impact			Total			EVE risk			NII risk (1)
Before-tax impact of:
100 bps increase in rates	$	(1,775	)	$	(301	)	$	(2,076	)	$	264		$	136		$	400		$	(1,552	)	$	651
100 bps decrease in rates		1,705			(42	)		1,663			(315	)		(187	)		(502	)		1,353			(751	)

This table represents an integral part of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

(1)

Represents the

12-month

NII exposure to an instantaneous and sustained shift in interest rates.

As at October 31, 2024, an immediate and sustained

-100

bps shock would have had a negative impact to our NII of $502 million, down from $751 million last year, and an immediate and sustained +100 bps shock would have had a negative impact to our EVE of $2,076 million, up from $1,552 million last year. The change in NII sensitivity reflects a change in product mix and the change in EVE sensitivity can be attributed to net growth in fixed rate assets including growth in book capital. During 2024, NII and EVE risks remained within approved limits.

Market risk measures for other material

non-trading

portfolios

Investment securities carried at FVOCI

We held $156 billion of investment securities carried at FVOCI as at October 31, 2024, compared to $128 billion at the end of the prior year. We hold debt securities carried at FVOCI primarily as investments, as well as to manage liquidity risk and hedge interest rate risk in our

non-trading

banking balance sheet. As at October 31, 2024, our portfolio of investment securities carried at FVOCI is interest rate sensitive and would impact OCI by a

pre-tax

change in value of $5 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

change in value of $31 million, as measured by the change in value for a one basis point widening of credit spreads. The value of the investment securities carried at FVOCI included in our IRRBB measures as at October 31, 2024 was $152 billion. Our investment securities carried at FVOCI also include equity exposures of $1 billion as at October 31, 2024, compared to $1 billion at the end of the prior 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 operations in the U.S. and other activities conducted in U.S. dollars. Our other significant exposure is to the British pound due to our activities conducted internationally in this currency. A strengthening or weakening of the Canadian dollar compared to the U.S. dollar and British pound 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 unhedged 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.

Derivatives related to

non-trading

activity

Derivatives are also used to hedge market risk exposure unrelated to our trading activity. Hedge accounting is elected where applicable. These derivatives are included in our IRRBB measures and other internal

non-trading

market risk measures. We use interest rate swaps to manage our IRRBB, funding and investment activities. Interest rate swaps are also used to hedge changes in the fair value of certain fixed-rate instruments. 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.

For further details on the application of hedge accounting and the use of derivatives for hedging activities, refer to Notes 2 and 9 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Linkage of market risk to selected balance sheet items

The following tables provide 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 52


	As at October 31, 2024
				Market risk measure

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Balance sheet amount			Traded risk (1)		Non-traded risk (2)			Non-traded risk primary risk sensitivity
Assets subject to market risk
Cash and due from banks	$	56,723		$	–	$	56,723		Interest rate
Interest-bearing deposits with banks		66,020			3		66,017		Interest rate
Securities
Trading		183,300			161,031		22,269		Interest rate, credit spread
Investment, net of applicable allowance		256,618			–		256,618		Interest rate, credit spread, equity
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed		350,803			299,032		51,771		Interest rate
Loans
Retail		626,978			–		626,978		Interest rate
Wholesale		360,439			3,152		357,287		Interest rate
Allowance for loan losses		(6,037	)		–		(6,037	)	Interest rate
Other
Derivatives		150,612			147,017		3,595		Interest rate, foreign exchange
Other assets		115,133			47,936		67,197		Interest rate
Assets not subject to market risk (3)		10,993
Total assets	$	2,171,582		$	658,171	$	1,502,418
Liabilities subject to market risk
Deposits	$	1,409,531		$	63,706	$	1,345,825		Interest rate
Other
Obligations related to securities sold short		35,286			34,985		301
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned		305,321			280,386		24,935		Interest rate
Derivatives		163,763			157,587		6,176		Interest rate, foreign exchange
Other liabilities		94,666			39,802		54,864		Interest rate
Subordinated debentures		13,546			–		13,546		Interest rate
Liabilities not subject to market risk (4)		22,277
Total liabilities	$	2,044,390		$	576,466	$	1,445,647
Total equity		127,192
Total liabilities and equity	$	2,171,582

(1)

Traded risk includes positions that are classified or designated as FVTPL and positions whose revaluation gains and losses are reported in revenue within our trading portfolios. Market risk measures of VaR and stress tests are used as risk controls for traded risk.

(2)

Non-traded

risk includes positions used in the management of IRRBB and other

non-trading

portfolios. Other material

non-trading

portfolios include positions from RBC Insurance

and investment securities, net of applicable allowance, not included in IRRBB.

(3)

Assets not subject to market risk include physical and other assets.

(4)

Liabilities not subject to market risk include payroll related and other liabilities.

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	As at October 31, 2023 (1)

				Market risk measure

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Balance sheet amount			Traded risk (2)		Non-traded risk (3)			Non-traded risk primary risk sensitivity
Assets subject to market risk
Cash and due from banks	$	61,989		$	–	$	61,989			Interest rate
Interest-bearing deposits with banks		71,086			1		71,085			Interest rate
Securities
Trading		190,151			171,483		18,668			Interest rate, credit spread
Investment, net of applicable allowance		219,579			–		219,579			Interest rate, credit spread, equity
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed		340,191			304,672		35,519			Interest rate
Loans
Retail		569,951			–		569,951			Interest rate
Wholesale		287,826			3,134		284,692			Interest rate
Allowance for loan losses		(5,004	)		–		(5,004	)		Interest rate
Other
Derivatives		142,450			139,011		3,439			Interest rate, foreign exchange
Other assets (4)		112,477			37,664		74,813			Interest rate
Assets not subject to market risk (4), (5)		15,835
Total assets	$	2,006,531		$	655,965	$	1,334,731
Liabilities subject to market risk
Deposits	$	1,231,687		$	51,025	$	1,180,662			Interest rate
Other
Obligations related to securities sold short		33,651			33,555		96
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned		335,238			312,551		22,687			Interest rate
Derivatives		142,629			130,094		12,535			Interest rate, foreign exchange
Other liabilities (4)		116,445			41,778		74,667			Interest rate
Subordinated debentures		11,386			–		11,386			Interest rate
Liabilities not subject to market risk (4), (6)		20,348
Total liabilities	$	1,891,384		$	569,003	$	1,302,033
Total equity		115,147
Total liabilities and equity	$	2,006,531

(1)

(2)

(3)

Non-traded

risk includes positions used in the management of IRRBB and other

non-trading

portfolios. Other material

non-trading

portfolios include positions from RBC Insurance

and investment securities, net of applicable allowance, not included in IRRBB.

(4)

Amounts have been revised from those previously presented to align with the definition of trading risk in accordance with OSFI’s CAR Guidelines.

(5)

Assets not subject to market risk include physical and other assets.

(6)

Liabilities not subject to market risk include 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. Liquidity risk arises from mismatches in the timing and value of

on-balance

sheet and

off-balance

sheet cash flows.

Governance of liquidity risk

Our liquidity risk management activities are conducted in accordance with internal frameworks and policies, including the Enterprise Risk Management Framework (ERMF), the Enterprise Risk Appetite Framework (ERAF), the Enterprise Liquidity Risk Management Framework (LRMF), the Enterprise Liquidity Risk Policy, and the Enterprise Pledging Policy. Collectively, our frameworks and policies establish liquidity and funding management requirements appropriate for the execution of our strategy and ensuring liquidity risk remains within our risk appetite.

Liquidity risk objectives, policies and risk appetite are reviewed regularly, and updated to reflect changes in industry practice and relevant regulatory guidance. Enterprise policies are supported by subsidiary, operational, desk and product-level policies and standards that specify risk control elements, such as parameters, methodologies, limits and authorities governing the measurement and management of liquidity. Management practices, parameters, models and methodologies are also subject to regular review, and are updated to reflect market conditions and business mix. Stress testing is employed to assess the robustness of the control framework and inform liquidity contingency plans.

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Responsibilities for liquidity risk oversight and management

The Board, the Risk Committee of the Board, the Group Risk committee (GRC), the Asset Liability Committee (ALCO), and the Policy Review Committee (PRC) are accountable for the identification, assessment, control, monitoring and oversight of liquidity risk. The GRC, PRC and/or the ALCO review liquidity reporting and policies prior to review by the Board or its committees.

•

The Board, the Risk Committee of the Board, the GRC and the ALCO regularly review information on our consolidated liquidity position;

•

The PRC approves the Liquidity Risk Policy, which establishes minimum risk control elements in accordance with the Board-approved risk appetite and the LRMF, and the Pledging Policy, which outlines the requirements and authorities for the management of our pledging activities;

•

The ALCO annually approves the Enterprise Liquidity Contingency Plan (ELCP) and provides strategic direction and oversight to Corporate Treasury, other functions, and business segments on the management of liquidity and funding.

In addition to our committee oversight framework, liquidity risk management activities are subject to the three lines of defence governance model. Corporate Treasury, the first line of defence for the management of liquidity risk, is subject to independent second line challenge and oversight by GRM. RBC Internal Audit is the third line of defence. The three lines of defence are independent of the business whose activities generate liquidity risks.

Liquidity risk mitigation strategies and techniques

Our liquidity management policies and practices are designed to ensure the soundness of our liquidity position. Our liquidity profile is structured to ensure that we have sufficient liquidity to satisfy current and prospective commitments in both normal and stressed conditions. For this purpose, we employ the following liquidity risk mitigation strategies and techniques:

•

Maintaining a sufficient buffer of cash, central bank reserves, and unencumbered marketable securities, supported by a demonstrated capacity to monetize these securities during stress;

•

Access to a broad range of funding sources, including a stable base of core client deposits and a diversified wholesale funding mix;

•

Access to central bank funding facilities in Canada and the U.S., and select other jurisdictions in which we operate;

•

Timely and granular risk measurement and reporting to control and monitor liquidity sources and uses, and inform liquidity risk management decisions;

•

A comprehensive program for liquidity stress testing and crisis management;

•

Governance of pledging activity through limits and designated liquid asset buffers to address potential increased pledging activity;

•

Achieving an appropriate balance between the level of exposure allowed under our risk appetite and the cost of risk mitigation;

•

Transparent liquidity transfer pricing and cost allocation mechanisms to align risk management with business strategies; and

•

three-lines-of-defence

governance model providing effective oversight and challenge of liquidity risk strategies, metrics, assumptions, and controls.

Our dedicated liquid asset portfolios are managed and controlled in accordance with internal policies and are subject to minimum asset quality and other relevant requirements (e.g., term to maturity, diversification, and eligibility for central bank advances). These securities, along with other unencumbered liquid assets held for trading or other activities, contribute to our liquidity reserve, as reflected in the liquidity disclosures below.

Risk tolerance

Our liquidity risk appetite is reviewed at a minimum annually by ALCO, GRC, and the Risk Committee of the Board before it is recommended for approval to the Board. Risk appetite, a key element of our enterprise risk management framework, is defined as the amount and type of risk that RBC is able and willing to take in pursuit of its business objectives.

Risk measurement and internal liquidity reporting

We maintain robust liquidity risk measurement capabilities to support timely and frequent reporting of information for the management of our liquidity position and oversight of risk. This reporting, which includes internal and regulatory metrics, is used to monitor adherence with our risk appetite and limits, and position relative to regulatory minimums. Regulatory metrics used to manage and control liquidity risk include OSFI’s Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR), Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR) and Net Cumulative Cash Flow (NCCF). The specificity with which we measure and manage liquidity allows us to make ongoing informed assessments of the demands and mobility of liquidity, considering currency requirements, access to foreign exchange markets and commitments, and expectations under local regulations.

Internal assessments of liquidity risk include application of scenario-specific assumptions against our assets and liabilities, and various

off-balance

sheet commitments and obligations to project cash flows over varying time horizons and degrees of stress. For example, certain government bonds could be quickly and easily converted to cash without significant loss of value. In contrast, lower-rated securities may not be deemed appropriate sources of liquidity in times of stress, or may incur higher potential monetization costs. While relationship-based deposits contractually can be withdrawn immediately, in practice, these balances can be relatively stable sources of funding depending on several factors, such as the nature of the client and their intended use. Assumptions and methodologies informing our assessment of liquidity risk are periodically reviewed and validated to ensure alignment with our operating environment, expected economic and market conditions, rating agency preferences, regulatory requirements and generally accepted industry practices.

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To manage liquidity risk within our liquidity risk appetite, we set limits on various metrics over a range of time horizons, jurisdictions and currencies. We also consider various levels of stress conditions in our development of appropriate contingency, recovery and resolution plans. Our liquidity risk measurement and control activities cover multiple areas:

Structural (longer-term) liquidity risk

We use both internal and regulatory metrics to manage and control the structural alignment between long-term illiquid assets, the availability of core relationship deposits and longer-term funding. Conversely, we aim to align the use of shorter-term wholesale funding with assets of equivalent liquidity-generating potential.

Tactical (shorter-term) liquidity risk

To address potential immediate cash flow risks during periods of stress, we use short-term net cash flow limits to control risk at the material unit, subsidiary and currency levels. Net cash flow positions are determined by applying internally-derived risk assumptions and parameters to known and anticipated cash flows for all material unencumbered assets, liabilities and

off-balance

sheet activities. Additional product-level controls and limits are employed to manage concentration risk and perceived market capacity limitations for more sensitive liquidity sources and uses. We also control tactical liquidity by adhering to relevant regulatory standards, such as LCR.

Stress testing

Our comprehensive stress testing program informs internal assessments of the sufficiency of liquid assets, and whether they are adequately

pre-positioned

and accessible to meet stressed liquidity needs. Our stress tests, which include elements of scenario and sensitivity analyses, measure our prospective exposure to systemic and

RBC-specific

events over periods of time. Different degrees of severity are considered for each type of crisis with some scenarios reflecting multiple downgrades to our credit ratings.

Contingency liquidity risk management and funding plans

Contingency liquidity risk planning assesses the impact of sudden stress on our liquidity risk position and identifies a range of potential mitigating actions and plans. Corporate Treasury maintains the Enterprise Liquidity Contingency Plan (ELCP) and regional liquidity contingency plans (LCPs) that identify potential sources of stress and guide our responses to liquidity crises. Potential sources of stress are calibrated based on relevant historical experience and resulting contingent funding needs, including those from draws on committed credit and liquidity lines, demands for increased collateral and deposit

run-offs.

The ELCP also identifies alternative liquidity sources and considerations for their use.

Additionally, under the leadership of Corporate Treasury, enterprise and regional Liquidity Crisis Teams (LCTs) each meet regularly to assess our liquidity status, review, and approve the LCPs and during times of stress, provide linkages to the front line and other functions to support effective and coordinated crisis management and oversight. Enterprise and local LCTs include members from key business segments, GRM, Finance, Operations, and Communications. The liquidity status assessment and monitoring process informs management, the Board and regulatory agencies of our assessment of internal and external events and their potential implications on liquidity risk.

Liquidity reserve and asset encumbrance

The following tables provide summaries of our liquidity reserve and asset encumbrance. To varying degrees, unencumbered assets represent a ready source of funding. Unencumbered assets are the difference between total and encumbered assets from both

on-

and

off-balance

sheet sources. 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 regional capital adequacy requirements and to maintain continuous access to payment and settlement systems); (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. As per our liquidity management framework and practice, encumbered assets are not considered a source of liquidity.

Liquidity reserve

Our liquidity reserve consists only of available unencumbered liquid assets. Although unused wholesale funding capacity could be another potential source of liquidity, it is excluded in the determination of the liquidity reserve.

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Liquidity reserve		Table 53


	As at October 31, 2024

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Bank-owned liquid assets		Securities received as collateral from securities financing and derivative transactions		Total liquid assets		Encumbered liquid assets		Unencumbered liquid assets
Cash and deposits with banks	$	122,743	$	–	$	122,743	$	3,269	$	119,474
Securities issued or guaranteed by sovereigns, central banks or multilateral development banks (1)		323,826		385,479		709,305		426,552		282,753
Other securities		165,875		126,205		292,080		163,635		128,445
Other liquid assets (2)		37,601		–		37,601		31,583		6,018
Total liquid assets	$	650,045	$	511,684	$	1,161,729	$	625,039	$	536,690


	As at October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Bank-owned liquid assets		Securities received as collateral from securities financing and derivative transactions		Total liquid assets		Encumbered liquid assets		Unencumbered liquid assets
Cash and deposits with banks (3)	$	135,353	$	–	$	135,353	$	3,329	$	132,024
Securities issued or guaranteed by sovereigns, central banks or multilateral development banks (1)		325,002		363,377		688,379		425,109		263,270
Other securities		130,209		118,651		248,860		153,700		95,160
Other liquid assets (2)		31,706		–		31,706		28,953		2,753
Total liquid assets	$	622,270	$	482,028	$	1,104,298	$	611,091	$	493,207


	As at

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	October 31 2024		October 31 2023
Royal Bank of Canada	$	243,915	$	210,191
Foreign branches		69,723		79,947
Subsidiaries		223,052		203,069
Total unencumbered liquid assets	$	536,690	$	493,207

(1)

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).

(2)

Encumbered liquid assets amount represents cash collateral and margin deposit amounts pledged related to OTC and exchange-traded derivative transactions.

(3)

Includes balances that were classified as held for sale and presented in Other assets. For further details, refer to Note 6 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

The liquidity reserve is typically most affected by routine flows of retail and commercial client banking activities, where liquid asset portfolios reflect changes in deposit and loan balances, as well as business strategies and client flows related to the activities in Capital Markets. Corporate Treasury also affects liquidity reserves through the management of funding issuances, which could result in timing differences between when debt is issued and funds are deployed into business activities.

2024 vs. 2023

Total unencumbered liquid assets increased $43 billion or 9% from last year, mainly due to an increase in both securities received under reverse repurchase agreements and on-balance sheet securities reflecting growth in deposits, partially offset by a decrease in cash and deposits with banks.

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Asset encumbrance

The table below provides a summary of our

on-

and

off-balance

sheet amounts for cash, securities and other assets, distinguishing between those that are encumbered, and those available for sale or use as collateral in secured funding transactions. Other assets, such as mortgages and credit card receivables, can also be monetized, albeit over longer timeframes than those required for marketable securities. As at October 31, 2024, our unencumbered assets available as collateral comprised 25% of total assets (October 31, 2023 – 24%).


Asset encumbrance		Table 54



	As at

	October 31 2024												October 31 2023

	Encumbered				Unencumbered								Encumbered				Unencumbered

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Pledged as collateral		Other (1)		Available as collateral (2)		Other (3)			Total			Pledged as collateral		Other (1)		Available as collateral (2)		Other (3)			Total
Cash and deposits with banks (4)	$	–	$	3,269	$	119,474	$	–		$	122,743		$	–	$	3,329	$	132,024	$	–		$	135,353
Securities
Trading		86,124		–		105,489		2,488			194,101			99,990		–		100,517		2,252			202,759
Investment, net of applicable allowance		19,668		–		236,950		–			256,618			7,752		–		211,827		–			219,579
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed (5)		508,862		31,156		30,767		1,084			571,869			495,233		27,343		6,876		1,862			531,314
Loans
Retail
Mortgage securities		27,927		–		29,523		–			57,450			26,365		–		28,079		–			54,444
Mortgage loans		71,307		–		40,851		307,936			420,094			69,802		–		37,313		272,942			380,057
Non-mortgage loans		6,343		–		–		143,091			149,434			6,775		–		–		128,675			135,450
Wholesale		–		–		25,250		335,189			360,439			–		–		10,056		278,052			288,108
Allowance for loan losses		–		–		–		(6,037	)		(6,037	)		–		–		–		(5,004	)		(5,004	)
Other
Derivatives		–		–		–		150,612			150,612			–		–		–		142,450			142,450
Others (6) (7)		31,583		–		6,018		88,525			126,126			28,953		–		2,753		92,507			124,213
Total assets	$	751,814	$	34,425	$	594,322	$	1,022,888		$	2,403,449		$	734,870	$	30,672	$	529,445	$	913,736		$	2,208,723

(1)

Includes assets restricted from use to generate secured funding due to legal or other constraints.

(2)

Represents assets that are immediately available for use as collateral, including NHA MBS, our unencumbered mortgage loans that qualify as eligible collateral at FHLB, as well as loans that qualify as eligible collateral for discount window facility available to us and lodged at the FRBNY.

(3)

Other unencumbered assets are not subject to any restrictions on their use to secure funding or as collateral but would not be considered immediately available.

(4)

Includes balances that were classified as held for sale and presented in Other assets. For further details, refer to Note 6 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

(5)

Includes bank-owned liquid assets and securities received as collateral from

off-balance

sheet securities financing, derivative transactions, and margin lending. Includes $31 billion (October 31, 2023 – $27 billion) of collateral received through reverse repurchase transactions that cannot be rehypothecated in its current legal form.

(6)

(7)

The Pledged as collateral amount represents cash collateral and margin deposit amounts pledged related to OTC and exchange-traded derivative transactions.

2024 vs. 2023

Total unencumbered assets available as collateral have increased $65 billion from last year, mainly due to an increase in both on-balance sheet securities and securities received under reverse repurchase agreements, as well as higher available loan balances eligible as collateral at FHLB. These factors were partially offset by a decrease in cash and deposits with banks.

Funding

Funding strategy

Maintaining a diversified funding base is a key strategy for managing our liquidity risk profile.

Core funding, comprising capital, longer-term wholesale liabilities and a diversified pool of personal as well as the stable portion of our commercial and institutional deposits, is the foundation of our structural liquidity position.

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 continuously evaluate opportunities to expand into new markets and untapped investor segments since diversification expands our wholesale funding flexibility, minimizes funding concentration and dependency and generally reduces financing costs.

We regularly assess our funding concentration and have implemented limits on certain funding sources to support diversification of our funding base.

Deposit and funding profile

As at October 31, 2024, relationship-based deposits, which are the primary source of funding for retail and commercial lending, were $977 billion or 55% of our total funding (October 31, 2023 – $844 billion or 52%). The remaining portion is comprised of short- and long-term wholesale funding.

Funding for highly liquid assets consists primarily of short-term wholesale funding that reflects the monetization period of those assets. Long-term wholesale funding is used mostly to fund less liquid wholesale assets and to support liquid asset buffers.

94 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Table of Contents

Senior long-term debt issued by the bank on or after September 23, 2018, that has an original term greater than 400 days and is marketable, subject to certain exceptions, is subject to the Canadian Bank Recapitalization

(Bail-in)

regime. Under the

Bail-in

regime, in circumstances when the Superintendent of Financial Institutions has determined that a bank may no longer be viable, the Governor in Council may, upon a recommendation of the Minister of Finance that he or she is of the opinion that it is in the public interest to do so, grant an order directing the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) to convert all or a portion of certain shares and liabilities of that bank into common shares. As at October 31, 2024, the notional value of issued and outstanding long-term debt subject to conversion under the

Bail-in

regime was $111 billion (October 31, 2023 – $106 billion).

For further details on our wholesale funding, refer to the Composition of wholesale funding tables below.

Long-term debt issuance

During 2024, we continued to experience favourable unsecured wholesale funding access and pricing. We issued, either directly or through our subsidiaries, unsecured long-term funding of $38 billion in various currencies and markets.

We use residential mortgage and credit card securitization programs as a source of funding and for liquidity and asset/liability management purposes. Our total secured long-term funding includes outstanding MBS sold, covered bonds that are collateralized with residential mortgages and securities backed by credit card receivables.

For further details, refer to the

Off-balance

sheet arrangements section.


Long-term funding sources* (1)		Table 55



	As at
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	October 31 2024		October 31 2023
Unsecured long-term funding	$	150,682	$	139,882
Secured long-term funding		83,353		74,720
Subordinated debentures		13,714		12,038
	$	247,749	$	226,640

This table represents an integral part of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

(1)

Based on original term to maturity greater than 1 year.

The following table summarizes our registered programs and their authorized limits by geography.


Programs by geography		Table 56


Canada	U.S.	Europe/Asia
• Canadian Shelf Program – $25 billion	• U.S. Shelf Program – US$75 billion	• European Debt Issuance Program – US$75 billion

		• Global Covered Bond Program – € 75 billion

		• Japanese Issuance Programs – ¥1 trillion

We also raise long-term funding using Canadian Senior Notes, 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).

As presented in the following charts, our current long-term debt profile is well-diversified by both currency and product.




(1) Includes unsecured and secured long-term funding and subordinated debentures with an original term to maturity greater than 1 year		(1) Includes unsecured and secured long-term funding and subordinated debentures with an original term to maturity greater than 1 year (2) Mortgage-backed securities and Canada Mortgage Bonds

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 95

Table of Contents

The following table shows the composition of our wholesale funding based on remaining term to maturity:


Composition of wholesale funding (1)		Table 57


	As at October 31, 2024

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Less than 1 month		1 to 3 months		3 to 6 months		6 to 12 months		Less than 1 year sub-total		1 year to 2 years		2 years and greater		Total
Deposits from banks (2)	$	7,248	$	118	$	120	$	1,025	$	8,511	$	–	$	–	$	8,511
Certificates of deposit and commercial paper (3), (4)		8,377		10,413		16,882		37,702		73,374		139		–		73,513
Asset-backed commercial paper (5)		4,140		3,951		7,167		2,286		17,544		–		–		17,544
Senior unsecured medium-term notes (4), (6)		5,436		7,786		7,253		12,750		33,225		20,453		57,351		111,029
Senior unsecured structured notes (7)		1,249		1,846		4,668		3,263		11,026		3,540		19,851		34,417
Mortgage securitization		41		509		1,296		946		2,792		2,143		11,949		16,884
Covered bonds/asset-backed securities (8)		–		2,243		1,514		7,451		11,208		19,017		36,245		66,470
Subordinated liabilities		–		–		–		–		–		2,088		11,626		13,714
Other (4), (9)		5,121		311		1,082		1,460		7,974		16,992		160		25,126
Total	$	31,612	$	27,177	$	39,982	$	66,883	$	165,654	$	64,372	$	137,182	$	367,208
Of which:
– Secured	$	9,252	$	6,788	$	9,977	$	10,683	$	36,700	$	21,160	$	48,194	$	106,054
– Unsecured		22,360		20,389		30,005		56,200		128,954		43,212		88,988		261,154



	As at October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Less than 1 month		1 to 3 months		3 to 6 months		6 to 12 months		Less than 1 year sub-total		1 year to 2 years		2 years and greater		Total
Deposits from banks (2)	$	4,606	$	460	$	319	$	355	$	5,740	$	–	$	–	$	5,740
Certificates of deposit and commercial paper (3), (4)		11,558		8,231		12,575		28,202		60,566		69		–		60,635
Asset-backed commercial paper (5)		4,533		3,829		6,354		2,155		16,871		–		–		16,871
Senior unsecured medium-term notes (4), (6)		1,118		6,311		733		18,828		26,990		22,790		54,070		103,850
Senior unsecured structured notes (7)		1,343		1,898		2,081		3,343		8,665		5,495		15,744		29,904
Mortgage securitization		–		530		375		1,484		2,389		2,225		9,607		14,221
Covered bonds/asset-backed securities (8)		–		3,236		–		1,685		4,921		10,844		44,733		60,498
Subordinated liabilities		–		–		–		1,500		1,500		2,748		7,791		12,039
Other (4), (9)		6,415		3,887		976		1,289		12,567		14,058		90		26,715
Total	$	29,573	$	28,382	$	23,413	$	58,841	$	140,209	$	58,229	$	132,035	$	330,473
Of which:
– Secured	$	10,861	$	10,124	$	7,483	$	5,324	$	33,792	$	13,069	$	54,340	$	101,201
– Unsecured		18,712		18,258		15,930		53,517		106,417		45,160		77,695		229,272

(1)

Excludes bankers’ acceptances and repos.

(2)

Excludes deposits associated with services we provide to banks (e.g., custody, cash management).

(3)

Includes bearer deposit notes (unsecured).

(4)

In the first quarter of 2024, we changed our presentation to include bearer deposit notes (unsecured) within Certificates of deposit and commercial paper and to include floating rate notes (unsecured) within Senior unsecured medium-term notes to better align with how we view our composition of wholesale funding. These amounts were previously included in Other. Prior period amounts have been revised from those previously presented to conform to the presentation adopted in the current period.

(5)

Only includes consolidated liabilities, including our collateralized commercial paper program.

(6)

Includes deposit notes and floating rate notes (unsecured).

(7)

Includes notes where the payout is tied to movements in foreign exchange, commodities and equities.

(8)

Includes covered bonds collateralized with residential mortgages and securities backed by credit card receivables.

(9)

Includes tender option bonds (secured) of $5,157 million (October 31, 2023 – $5,104 million), other long-term structured deposits (unsecured) of $19,777 million (October 31, 2023 – $16,896 million), FHLB advances (secured) of $nil (October 31, 2023 – $4,507 million), and wholesale guaranteed interest certificates of $192 million (October 31, 2023 – $208 million).

96 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Table of Contents

Credit ratings

Our ability to access unsecured funding markets and to engage in certain collateralized business activities on a cost-effective basis are largely dependent on maintaining competitive credit ratings. Credit ratings and outlooks provided by rating agencies reflect their views and methodologies. Ratings are subject to change, based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, our financial strength, competitive position, liquidity and other factors not completely within our control.

The following table presents our major credit ratings:


Credit ratings (1)		Table 58


	As at December 3, 2024

	Short-term debt	Legacy senior long-term debt (2)	Senior long-term debt (3)	Outlook
Moody’s (4)	P-1	Aa1	A1		stable
Standard & Poor’s (5)	A-1+	AA-	A		stable
Fitch Ratings (6)	F1+	AA	AA-		stable
DBRS (7)	R-1 (high)	AA (high)	AA		stable

(1)

Credit ratings are not recommendations to purchase, sell or hold a financial obligation in as much 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.

(2)

Includes senior long-term debt issued prior to September 23, 2018 and senior long-term debt issued on or after September 23, 2018 which is excluded from the

Bail-in

regime.

(3)

Includes senior long-term debt issued on or after September 23, 2018 which is subject to conversion under the

Bail-in

regime.

(4)

On October 8, 2024, Moody’s affirmed our ratings with stable outlook.

(5)

On June 25, 2024, Standard & Poor’s affirmed our ratings with a stable outlook.

(6)

On June 11, 2024, Fitch Ratings affirmed our ratings with a stable outlook.

(7)

On May 10, 2024, DBRS affirmed our ratings with a stable outlook.

Additional contractual obligations for rating downgrades

We are required to deliver collateral to certain counterparties in the event of a downgrade from our current credit rating. The following table shows the additional collateral obligations required at the reporting date in the event of a

one-,

two-

or three-notch downgrade. 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 due to 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.

There is no outstanding senior debt issued in the market that contains rating triggers that would lead to early prepayment of principal.


Additional contractual obligations for rating downgrades			Table 59



	As at
	October 31 2024						October 31 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	One-notch downgrade		Two-notch downgrade		Three-notch downgrade		One-notch downgrade		Two-notch downgrade		Three-notch downgrade
Contractual derivatives funding or margin requirements	$	232	$	100	$	199	$	217	$	138	$	199
Other contractual funding or margin requirements (1)		41		63		16		41		57		42

(1)

Includes GICs issued by our municipal markets business out of New York.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 97

Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR)

The LCR is a Basel III metric that measures the sufficiency of high-quality liquid assets (HQLA) available to meet liquidity needs over a

30-day

period in an acute stress scenario. The BCBS and OSFI regulatory minimum coverage level for LCR is 100%.

OSFI requires Canadian banks to disclose the LCR using the standard Basel disclosure template and calculated using the average of daily LCR positions during the quarter.


Liquidity coverage ratio common disclosure template (1)		Table 60


	For the three months ended
	October 31 2024
(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)	Total unweighted value (average) (2)		Total weighted value (average)
High-quality liquid assets
Total high-quality liquid assets (HQLA)			$	399,835
Cash outflows
Retail deposits and deposits from small business customers, of which:	$	404,173	$	40,302
Stable deposits (3)		129,256		3,878
Less stable deposits		274,917		36,424
Unsecured wholesale funding, of which:		446,275		202,996
Operational deposits (all counterparties) and deposits in networks of cooperative banks (4)		171,270		40,319
Non-operational deposits		256,251		143,923
Unsecured debt		18,754		18,754
Secured wholesale funding				40,340
Additional requirements, of which:		399,537		85,096
Outflows related to derivative exposures and other collateral requirements		70,102		20,616
Outflows related to loss of funding on debt products		11,723		11,723
Credit and liquidity facilities		317,712		52,757
Other contractual funding obligations (5)		24,866		24,866
Other contingent funding obligations (6)		810,866		14,496
Total cash outflows			$	408,096
Cash inflows
Secured lending (e.g., reverse repos)	$	298,783	$	53,693
Inflows from fully performing exposures		19,009		11,269
Other cash inflows		29,693		29,693
Total cash inflows			$	94,655
			Total adjusted value
Total HQLA			$	399,835
Total net cash outflows				313,441
Liquidity coverage ratio				128%
	July 31 2024
(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)			Total adjusted value
Total HQLA			$	389,190
Total net cash outflows				308,325
Liquidity coverage ratio				126%

(1)

The LCR is calculated in accordance with OSFI’s LAR guideline, which, in turn, reflects liquidity-related requirements issued by the BCBS. The LCR for the quarter ended October 31, 2024 is calculated as an average of 63 daily positions.

(2)

With the exception of other contingent funding obligations, unweighted inflow and outflow amounts are items maturing or callable in 30 days or less. Other contingent funding obligations also include debt securities with remaining maturity greater than 30 days.

(3)

As defined by the 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.

(4)

Operational deposits from customers other than retail and small and

medium-sized

enterprises, 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.

(5)

Other contractual funding obligations primarily include outflows from unsettled securities trades and outflows from obligations related to securities sold short.

(6)

Other contingent funding obligations include outflows related to other

off-balance

sheet facilities that carry low LCR runoff factors (0% – 5%).

98 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis


Net Stable Funding Ratio common disclosure template (1)		Table 61


	As at October 31, 2024
	Unweighted value by residual maturity (2)								Weighted value
(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)	No maturity		< 6 months		6 months to < 1 year		≥ 1 year		Weighted value
Available Stable Funding (ASF) Item
Capital:	$	128,613	$	–	$	–	$	12,535	$	141,148
Regulatory Capital		128,613		–		–		12,535		141,148
Other Capital Instruments		–		–		–		–		–
Retail deposits and deposits from small business customers:		339,625		132,676		63,135		68,039		549,519
Stable deposits (3)		99,281		54,888		32,284		29,534		206,665
Less stable deposits		240,344		77,788		30,851		38,505		342,854
Wholesale funding:		331,656		442,583		76,397		162,005		395,947
Operational deposits (4)		180,797		–		–		–		90,399
Other wholesale funding		150,859		442,583		76,397		162,005		305,548
Liabilities with matching interdependent assets (5)		–		2,701		1,535		22,638		–
Other liabilities:		51,315		242,015						16,606
NSFR derivative liabilities				26,474
All other liabilities and equity not included in the above categories		51,315		198,205		1,460		15,876		16,606
Total ASF									$	1,103,220
Required Stable Funding (RSF) Item

Total NSFR high-quality liquid assets (HQLA)									$	45,224
Deposits held at other financial institutions for operational purposes		–		1,555		–		–		777
Performing loans and securities:		296,363		337,673		126,892		522,122		784,047
Performing loans to financial institutions secured by Level 1 HQLA		–		104,289		10,795		50		10,947
Performing loans to financial institutions secured by non-Level 1 HQLA and unsecured performing loans to financial institutions		12,573		123,014		31,267		18,510		61,307
Performing loans to non-financial corporate clients, loans to retail and small business customers, and loans to sovereigns, central banks and PSEs, of which:		193,510		60,080		32,355		167,384		352,660
With a risk weight of less than or equal to 35% under the Basel II standardized approach for credit risk		–		597		496		5,310		3,998
Performing residential mortgages, of which:		39,992		46,526		51,112		312,269		293,801
With a risk weight of less than or equal to 35% under the Basel II standardized approach for credit risk		39,992		46,487		51,081		311,134		292,802
Securities that are not in default and do not qualify as HQLA, including exchange-traded equities		50,288		3,764		1,363		23,909		65,332
Assets with matching interdependent liabilities (5)		–		2,701		1,535		22,638		–
Other assets:		6,018		336,495						102,008
Physical traded commodities, including gold		6,018								5,115
Assets posted as initial margin for derivative contracts and contributions to default funds of CCPs				26,422						22,459
NSFR derivative assets				29,983						3,509
NSFR derivative liabilities before deduction of variation margin posted				58,204						2,910
All other assets not included in the above categories		–		156,486		14		65,386		68,015

Off-balance sheet items				876,651						33,928
Total RSF									$	965,984
Net Stable Funding Ratio (%)										114%


	As at July 31, 2024
(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)		Weighted value
Total ASF		$	1,077,002
Total RSF			941,437
Net Stable Funding Ratio (%)			114%

(1)

The NSFR is calculated in accordance with OSFI’s Liquidity Adequacy Requirements (LAR) guideline, which, in turn, reflects liquidity-related requirements issued by the BCBS.

(2)

Totals for the following rows encompass the residual maturity categories of less than 6 months, 6 months to less than 1 year, and greater than or equal to 1 year in accordance with the requirements of the common disclosure template prescribed by OSFI: Other liabilities, NSFR derivative liabilities, Other assets, Assets posted as initial margin for derivative contracts and contributions to default funds of CCPs, NSFR derivative assets, NSFR derivative liabilities before deduction of variation margin posted, and

Off-balance

sheet items.

(3)

(4)

Operational deposits from customers other than retail and small and

medium-sized

(5)

Interdependent assets and liabilities represent National Housing Act Mortgage-Backed Securities (NHA MBS) liabilities, including liabilities arising from transactions involving the Canada Mortgage Bond program and their corresponding encumbered mortgages.

100 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Available stable funding is comprised primarily of a diversified pool of personal and commercial deposits, capital, and long-term wholesale liabilities. Required stable funding is driven mainly by the bank’s mortgage and loan portfolio, secured loans to financial institutions and to a lesser extent by other less liquid assets. NSFR does not reflect any unused market funding capacity that we believe would be available.

Volume and composition of available stable funding is actively managed to optimize our structural funding position and meet NSFR objectives. Our NSFR is managed in accordance with our comprehensive LRMF.

Q4 2024 vs. Q3 2024

The NSFR as at October 31, 2024 was 114%, which translates into a surplus of approximately $137 billion, compared to 114% and a surplus of approximately $136 billion in the prior quarter. NSFR remained relatively stable from the previous quarter as the increase in deposits and stable funding was offset by higher funding requirements for securities, securities financing transactions and loans.

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) and maturity profiles of assets and liabilities of insurance contracts and reinsurance contracts held at their carrying value based on the estimated timing of when the settlement of the amounts are expected to occur at the balance sheet date.

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 and internal liquidity reporting section.


Contractual maturities of financial assets, financial liabilities and off-balance sheet items		Table 62


	As at October 31, 2024

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	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
Assets
Cash and deposits with banks	$	120,584	$	6	$	–	$	–	$	–	$	–	$	–	$	–	$	2,153	$	122,743
Securities
Trading (1)		80,203		148		380		22		34		229		707		11,903		89,674		183,300
Investment, net of applicable allowance		5,974		7,588		6,782		12,445		9,746		51,674		67,730		93,451		1,228		256,618
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed (2)		170,052		65,837		57,921		15,720		20,727		181		–		–		20,365		350,803
Loans, net of applicable allowance		40,647		32,131		45,916		52,365		50,309		287,726		288,217		79,694		104,375		981,380
Other
Customers’ liability under acceptances		22		2		–		–		–		–		11		–		–		35
Derivatives		13,657		19,365		9,293		6,548		5,797		17,376		31,389		47,187		–		150,612
Other financial assets		42,579		4,573		2,168		423		671		175		732		1,829		4,229		57,379
Total financial assets		473,718		129,650		122,460		87,523		87,284		357,361		388,786		234,064		222,024		2,102,870
Other non-financial assets		11,393		2,158		1,450		259		233		1,941		3,122		9,501		38,655		68,712
Total assets	$	485,111	$	131,808	$	123,910	$	87,782	$	87,517	$	359,302	$	391,908	$	243,565	$	260,679	$	2,171,582
Liabilities and equity
Deposits (3)
Unsecured borrowing	$	122,083	$	72,933	$	83,574	$	84,252	$	77,207	$	55,196	$	85,458	$	44,264	$	668,975	$	1,293,942
Secured borrowing		4,437		6,000		9,513		3,939		1,956		7,447		14,969		9,050		–		57,311
Covered bonds		–		2,245		1,498		4,019		2,230		17,134		27,207		3,945		–		58,278
Other
Acceptances		22		2		–		–		–		–		11		–		–		35
Obligations related to securities sold short		35,286		–		–		–		–		–		–		–		–		35,286
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned (2)		221,377		38,828		14,726		7,586		2		466		–		–		22,336		305,321
Derivatives		13,153		23,372		12,176		11,160		8,025		18,305		32,865		44,707		–		163,763
Other financial liabilities		40,922		3,332		2,917		2,060		2,024		1,073		2,393		16,788		1,293		72,802
Subordinated debentures		–		–		–		–		–		2,025		–		11,521		–		13,546
Total financial liabilities		437,280		146,712		124,404		113,016		91,444		101,646		162,903		130,275		692,604		2,000,284
Other non-financial liabilities		1,501		5,769		452		231		198		1,664		1,821		21,425		11,045		44,106
Equity		–		–		–		–		–		–		–		–		127,192		127,192
Total liabilities and equity	$	438,781	$	152,481	$	124,856	$	113,247	$	91,642	$	103,310	$	164,724	$	151,700	$	830,841	$	2,171,582
Off-balance sheet items
Financial guarantees	$	917	$	2,929	$	4,485	$	3,818	$	4,368	$	1,563	$	7,140	$	1,977	$	25	$	27,222
Commitments to extend credit		7,317		9,060		15,891		17,305		20,109		63,200		217,555		25,580		2,950		378,967
Other credit-related commitments		51,645		1,600		2,360		2,927		2,534		460		1,299		113		81,379		144,317
Other commitments		7		12		19		20		19		70		179		260		926		1,512
Total off-balance sheet items	$	59,886	$	13,601	$	22,755	$	24,070	$	27,030	$	65,293	$	226,173	$	27,930	$	85,280	$	552,018

(1)

With the exception of debt securities within the Insurance segment, trading debt securities classified as FVTPL have been included in the less than 1 month category as there is no expectation to hold these assets to their contractual maturity.

(2)

Open reverse repo and repo contracts, which have no set maturity date and are typically short-term, have been included in the with no specific maturity category.

(3)

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 for our operations and liquidity needs, as explained in the preceding Deposit and funding profile section.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 101


	As at October 31, 2023 (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	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
Assets
Cash and deposits with banks	$	130,121	$	8	$	–	$	–		$	–		$	–	$	–	$	–	$	2,946		$	133,075
Securities
Trading (2)		117,373		56		103		26			46			99		127		8,997		63,324			190,151
Investment, net of applicable allowance		5,090		6,436		3,890		5,547			8,678			41,734		66,047		81,337		820			219,579
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed (3)		146,722		71,346		60,468		20,475			16,889			3,754		–		–		20,537			340,191
Loans, net of applicable allowance		30,889		23,026		31,442		37,978			41,285			201,479		320,082		77,460		89,132			852,773
Other
Customers’ liability under acceptances		16,493		5,247		–		–			–			–		5		–		(50	)		21,695
Derivatives		10,074		13,655		9,292		6,955			6,173			18,905		33,260		44,136		–			142,450
Other financial assets		41,115		2,803		3,205		212			588			191		279		2,513		3,170			54,076
Total financial assets		497,877		122,577		108,400		71,193			73,659			266,162		419,800		214,443		179,879			1,953,990
Other non-financial assets		5,651		666		1,765		190			2,550			1,976		2,422		8,615		28,706			52,541
Total assets	$	503,528	$	123,243	$	110,165	$	71,383		$	76,209		$	268,138	$	422,222	$	223,058	$	208,585		$	2,006,531
Liabilities and equity
Deposits (4)
Unsecured borrowing	$	109,666	$	59,128	$	62,531	$	76,957		$	66,846		$	59,845	$	77,782	$	27,314	$	588,165		$	1,128,234
Secured borrowing		4,992		6,044		7,337		4,100			1,489			6,965		13,616		8,706		–			53,249
Covered bonds		–		2,543		–		–			1,687			9,422		31,847		4,705		–			50,204
Other
Acceptances		16,493		5,247		–		–			–			–		5		–		–			21,745
Obligations related to securities sold short		33,651		–		–		–			–			–		–		–		–			33,651
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned (3)		254,955		37,121		19,509		(6	)		(1	)		279		–		–		23,381			335,238
Derivatives		9,716		16,359		9,311		6,346			5,974			19,290		32,400		43,233		–			142,629
Other financial liabilities		43,397		5,295		3,028		1,382			1,673			959		2,253		14,402		3,945			76,334
Subordinated debentures		–		–		–		–			–			–		1,937		9,449		–			11,386
Total financial liabilities		472,870		131,737		101,716		88,779			77,668			96,760		159,840		107,809		615,491			1,852,670
Other non-financial liabilities		1,856		6,422		221		216			150			1,048		2,009		17,228		9,564			38,714
Equity		–		–		–		–			–			–		–		–		115,147			115,147
Total liabilities and equity	$	474,726	$	138,159	$	101,937	$	88,995		$	77,818		$	97,808	$	161,849	$	125,037	$	740,202		$	2,006,531
Off-balance sheet items
Financial guarantees	$	544	$	2,013	$	3,528	$	3,691		$	4,716		$	784	$	7,314	$	701	$	23		$	23,314
Commitments to extend credit		7,086		8,338		14,774		14,447			18,361			58,978		205,504		23,181		5,524			356,193
Other credit-related commitments		14,799		1,173		1,563		1,858			1,659			169		435		49		95,099			116,804
Other commitments		91		10		15		15			15			55		128		178		985			1,492
Total off-balance sheet items	$	22,520	$	11,534	$	19,880	$	20,011		$	24,751		$	59,986	$	213,381	$	24,109	$	101,631		$	497,803

(1)

(2)

(3)

Open reverse repo and repo contracts, which have no set maturity date and are typically short-term, have been included in the with no specific maturity category.

(4)

102 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

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. Disclosed amounts 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 incorporates only cash flows relating to payments on maturity and do not recognize premiums, discounts or

mark-to-market

adjustments recognized in the instruments’ carrying values 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 based on the earliest date they can be called.


Contractual maturities of financial liabilities and off-balance sheet items – undiscounted basis*		Table 63


	As at October 31, 2024
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	On demand		Within 1 year		1 year to 2 years		2 years to 5 years		5 years and greater		Total
Financial liabilities
Deposits (1)	$	585,524	$	560,583	$	79,909	$	127,421	$	58,193	$	1,411,630
Other
Acceptances		–		24		–		11		–		35
Obligations related to securities sold short		–		35,326		–		–		–		35,326
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned		22,336		282,478		466		–		–		305,280
Other liabilities		563		51,192		382		731		15,011		67,879
Lease liabilities		–		709		631		1,566		1,767		4,673
Subordinated debentures		–		–		2,026		–		11,530		13,556
		608,423		930,312		83,414		129,729		86,501		1,838,379
Off-balance sheet items
Financial guarantees (2)	$	25,553	$	1,485	$	10	$	174	$	–	$	27,222
Other commitments (3)		–		77		70		179		260		586
Commitments to extend credit (2)		3,081		121,652		54,443		190,073		9,718		378,967
		28,634		123,214		54,523		190,426		9,978		406,775
Total financial liabilities and off-balance sheet items	$	637,057	$	1,053,526	$	137,937	$	320,155	$	96,479	$	2,245,154

	As at October 31, 2023
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	On demand		Within 1 year		1 year to 2 years		2 years to 5 years		5 years and greater		Total
Financial liabilities
Deposits (1)	$	510,868	$	482,738	$	74,465	$	124,906	$	42,920	$	1,235,897
Other
Acceptances		–		21,740		–		5		–		21,745
Obligations related to securities sold short		–		33,741		–		–		–		33,741
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned		23,381		311,154		279		–		–		334,814
Other liabilities		608		54,844		284		657		12,463		68,856
Lease liabilities		–		653		621		1,519		1,971		4,764
Subordinated debentures		–		–		–		1,939		9,457		11,396
		534,857		904,870		75,649		129,026		66,811		1,711,213
Off-balance sheet items
Financial guarantees (2)	$	23,308	$	2	$	4	$	–	$	–	$	23,314
Other commitments (3)		–		61		55		128		178		422
Commitments to extend credit (2)		5,617		114,495		48,848		178,048		9,185		356,193
		28,925		114,558		48,907		178,176		9,363		379,929
Total financial liabilities and off-balance sheet items	$	563,782	$	1,019,428	$	124,556	$	307,202	$	76,174	$	2,091,142

This table represents an integral part of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

(1)

(2)

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 and internal liquidity reporting section.

(3)

Includes commitments related to short-term and

low-dollar

value leases, leases not yet commenced, and lease payments related to

non-recoverable

tax.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 103

Table of Contents

Insurance risk

Insurance risk refers to the potential financial loss that may arise where the amount, timing and/or frequency of benefit and/or premium 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. Our main insurance

sub-risks

are: morbidity, mortality, longevity, policyholder behaviour (lapse) and travel risk. In addition, we are subject to expense risk, which is the exposure to the variability in future expenses that are expected to be incurred in servicing insurance contracts.

Our Insurance Risk Management Framework provides an overview of our processes and tools for identifying, assessing, managing, mitigating and reporting on the insurance risks that face the organization. These are also supported by our robust three lines of defence governance structure, which is consistent with our Enterprise Risk Management Framework.

Operational risk

Operational risk is the risk of loss or harm resulting from people, inadequate or failed internal processes, controls and systems or from external events. Operational risk is inherent in all of our activities and third-party activities and failure to manage operational risk can result in direct or indirect financial loss, reputational impact or regulatory scrutiny and proceedings in the various jurisdictions where we operate.

Our management of operational risk follows the three lines of defence governance model, encompassing the organizational roles and responsibilities for a coordinated enterprise-wide approach. For further details on the structure and organization of our operational risk management and control function, refer to the Risk management – Enterprise risk management section.

Operational risk framework

We have an Enterprise Operational Risk Framework which sets out the processes to identify, assess, monitor, measure, report and communicate on operational risk. The processes are established through the following:

•

Risk identification and assessment tools, including the collection and analysis of risk event data, help risk owners understand and proactively manage operational risk exposures. Risk assessments are intended to ensure alignment between risk exposures and efforts to manage them. Management uses outputs of these tools to make informed risk decisions.

•

Risk monitoring tools alert management to changes in the operational risk profile. When paired with escalation and monitoring triggers, risk monitoring tools can identify risk trends, warn management of risk levels that approach or exceed defined limits, as well as prompt actions and mitigation plans to be undertaken.

•

Risk capital measurement is designed to provide credible estimation of potential risk exposure, including surfacing risk vulnerabilities, and informs strategic and capital planning decisions, which are ultimately intended to ensure that the bank is sufficiently resilient to withstand operational risk losses both in normal times and under stress situations.

•

Risk reporting and communication processes seek to ensure that relevant operational risk information is made available to management in a timely manner to support risk-informed business decisions.

Conclusions from our operational risk programs enable learning based on what has occurred, insights into whether it could happen elsewhere in the organization, and what controls we need to amend or implement. These conclusions support the articulation of our operational risk appetite and are used to inform the overall level of operational risk exposure which thereby defines our operational risk profile. This profile includes significant operational risk exposures, potential new and emerging exposures and trends, and overall conclusions on the control environment and risk outlook.

We consider the potential risks and rewards of our decisions to strike a 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. We proactively identify and investigate corporate insurance opportunities to mitigate and reduce potential future impacts of operational risk.

Management reports have been implemented at various levels to support proactive management of operational risk and transparency of risk exposures. These reports are provided to senior management on a regular basis and provide detail on the main drivers of the risk status and trend for each of our business segments and the bank 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 at the Operational Risk Committee (comprised of executives across the business and risk management) and presented to GRC and the Risk Committee of the Board.

Our operations expose us to many different operational 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.

104 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

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Operational risk		Management strategy
Information technology and cybersecurity risk		Information technology risk is the risk associated with the use, ownership, operation and adoption of information systems that can result in business interruptions, client service disruptions and loss of confidential information causing financial loss, reputational damage, and regulatory fines and penalties. We maintain a risk driven program to address the risks following our operational risk framework supported by a global team of technology risk management experts. Cybersecurity risk is the risk to the business associated with cyberattacks initiated to disrupt or disable our operations or to expose or damage data. We have a dedicated team of technology and cybersecurity professionals that manage a comprehensive program to help protect the organization against breaches and other incidents by ensuring appropriate security and operational controls are in place. We continue to strengthen our cyber-control framework and to improve our resilience and cybersecurity capabilities including 24-hour monitoring, cyber intelligence analysis of internal and external threats, and alerting of potentially suspicious security events and incidents. Throughout the year, we continued to invest in our cybersecurity program. In addition, scenario-based testing, assessments and simulations were conducted to test our resiliency strategy.
Information management and privacy risk		Information management risk is the risk of failing to manage information appropriately through its lifecycle due to inadequate processes, controls and technology resulting in legal and regulatory consequences, reputational damage and/or financial loss. We have made investments in the Enterprise Chief Data Office (CDO) and functional and regional data management and data governance units to promote awareness of and effectively manage information management risk. Managing information management risk is fundamental to become a data-driven organization that uses data effectively and efficiently to improve client experience and decision-making. Privacy risk is defined as the risk of improper creation or collection, use, disclosure, retention or destruction of PI, including the failure to safeguard PI against unauthorized access. PI is information entrusted to RBC that identifies an individual or can be reasonably used to identity an individual. PI can relate to current, former and prospective clients, employees and contractors. The collection, use and sharing of data, as well as the management and governance of data, are increasingly important as we continue to invest in digital solutions and innovation, as well as expanding our business activities, which is also reflected through regulatory developments relating to data privacy. GRM partners with cross-functional teams to develop and implement enterprise-wide standards and practices that describe how data is obtained, used, protected, managed and governed.
Money laundering and terrorist financing risk		Money laundering and terrorist financing risk is the risk that our products, services and delivery channels are misused to facilitate the laundering of proceeds of crime, financing of terrorist activity, bribery, corruption and other activities that may violate applicable economic sanctions (collectively know as “Financial Crimes”). We maintain an enterprise-wide program designed to deter, detect and report suspected money laundering and terrorist financing or suspicious activities across our organization, while seeking to ensure compliance with the laws and regulations of the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Our Enterprise Financial Crimes program is dedicated to the continuous development and maintenance of robust policies, guidelines, training, risk-assessment tools and models to enable our employees to manage evolving money laundering and terrorist financing risks, economic sanctions and regulatory expectations. The Enterprise Financial Crimes program is regularly evaluated in an effort to ensure it remains current and aligned with industry standards, best practices and all applicable laws, regulations and guidance. Risks of non-compliance can include enforcement actions (which may involve substantial fines or limitations on our business activities), criminal prosecutions and reputational damage.
Third-party risk		Third-party risk is the risk of failure to effectively manage third parties which may expose us to service disruptions, regulatory action, financial loss, litigation or reputational damage. We have a risk-based, enterprise-wide program designed to provide oversight for third-party relationships, ensure compliance with global regulatory expectations, and enable effective responses to events that can cause service disruptions, financial loss or various other risks that could impact us. Our approach to third-party risk mitigation is outlined in policies and standards that establish the requirements for identifying and managing risks throughout the engagement with a third-party (including risks resultant from supplier concentration and through fourth parties across the supply chain). Third-party providers critical to our operations are actively monitored for their ability to deliver services to us, including impacts resultant from suppliers of our third-party providers (i.e. fourth parties).
Business continuity risk		Business continuity risk is the risk of being unable to maintain, continue or restore essential business operations during and/or after an event that prevents us from conducting business in the normal course. Exposure to disruptive operational events interrupts the continuity of our business operations and could negatively impact our financial results, reputation, client outcomes and/or result in harm to our employees. These operational events could result from the impact of severe weather, outbreak of a pandemic or other health crisis, failed processes, technology failures or cyber threats. Our risk-based enterprise-wide business continuity management program considers multiple scenarios to address the consequences of a disruption and its effects on the availability of our people, processes, facilities, technology and third-party arrangements. Our approach to, and requirements for, business continuity management are outlined in policies and standards embedded across the organization and the related risks are regularly measured, monitored, reported and integrated into our operational risk management and control framework.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 105

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Operational risk capital

Requirements for operational risk capital are determined in accordance with OSFI’s CAR guidelines using the Basel III Standardized Approach (SA) for operational risk. The SA methodology is a formula-based calculation where a Business Indicator Component (BIC) is multiplied by an Internal Loss Multiplier (ILM) to determine operational risk capital. The BIC is a financial statement-based proxy for operational risk that reflects a three-year average of specified components of net income multiplied by a set of supervisory provided coefficients. The ILM is a scaling factor that is based on our

10-year

historical operational loss average relative to the BIC. Operational risk losses are recorded in our operational risk management system, and robust processes exist to support high quality internal loss data. For further details on operational risk capital, refer to the Capital management section.

Operational risk loss events

As at October 31, 2024, our operational risk losses remain within our risk appetite. For further details on our contingencies, including litigation, refer to Notes 23 and 24 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Culture and conduct risk

Our values set the foundation of our organizational culture and translate into desired behaviours as articulated in our Code of Conduct and leadership model. We define conduct as the manifestation of culture through the behaviours, judgment, decisions, actions and inactions of the organization and its employees. Our organizational direction establishes the expectation of good conduct outcomes as the operating norm for the organization, all employees and third-party service providers operating on our behalf to drive fair outcomes for our stakeholders, including our clients, our employees, the financial markets we operate in and our reputation. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of conduct to build the trust of our clients, colleagues and communities. The desired outcomes from effective culture and conduct practices align with our purpose and values and support our risk appetite statements.

Risk culture is a subset of our overall culture that influences how, individually and collectively, we take and manage risks. Our risk culture helps us identify and understand risks, openly discuss risks and act on the organization’s current and perceived future risks. Our risk culture practices are grounded in our risk management and human resource practices and protocols. When combined with the elements of effective leadership and values, these practices provide a base from which the resulting risk culture and conduct outcomes can be assessed and monitored, and practices can be sustained and/or further enhanced.

Our Board-approved Enterprise Culture and Conduct Risks Framework provides organizational direction and describes our approach to a set of related topics applicable to all risk categories such as fair outcomes for clients and other stakeholders, and our culture, including accountability and risk culture, conduct risk, sales conduct, client practices and misconduct.

On a regular basis, management communicates behavioural expectations to our employees with an emphasis on conduct and values. Our leadership model also supports and encourages effective challenge between the businesses and control functions. These behavioural expectations are supported by tools and resources which are designed to help employees live our values, report misconduct and raise concerns, including those that might have ethical implications. We are committed to fostering an environment where employees feel safe to speak up without retaliation. Employees have the ability to report matters through a global anonymous Conduct Hotline. In addition, our Code of Conduct outlines an employee’s responsibility to be truthful, respect others and comply with laws, regulations and our policies. Anyone who breaches or fails to report an actual or possible breach of the Code of Conduct is subject to corrective or disciplinary action. This can range from reprimands and impacts on performance ratings and compensation, to termination of employment relationships with the organization. As well, Internal Audit conducts select behavioural science reviews to better understand and enhance employee attitudes and behaviours as they relate to risk management.

106 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

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Compliance risk

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 large complex financial institutions, such as ourselves, and are often the result of inadequate or failed internal processes, controls, people or systems. We currently are, and may be at any given time, subject to a number of legal and regulatory proceedings and subject to numerous governmental and regulatory examinations, investigations and other inquiries.

Laws and regulations are in place to protect the financial and other interests of our clients, shareholders and the public. As a large-scale global financial institution, we are subject to numerous laws and extensive and evolving regulation by governmental agencies, supervisory authorities and self-regulatory organizations in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Europe and other jurisdictions in which we operate. Such regulation continues to become increasingly extensive and complex. In addition, regulatory scrutiny and expectations in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Europe and other jurisdictions for large financial institutions with respect to, among other things, governance, risk management practices and controls, and conduct, as well as the enforcement of regulatory compliance matters, has intensified. Failure to comply with these regulatory requirements and expectations or to resolve any identified deficiencies could result in increased regulatory oversight and restrictions. Resolution of such matters can also result in the payment of substantial penalties, agreements with respect to future operation of our business, actions with respect to relevant personnel, admission of wrongdoing, and guilty pleas with respect to criminal charges, which in turn prohibit us from conducting certain types of business absent regulatory relief, receipt of which cannot be assured.

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 scrutiny, examinations and proceedings, 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. The global scope of our operations also means that a single issue may give rise to overlapping regulatory investigations, regulatory proceedings and or civil litigation claims in different jurisdictions. RBC can be subject to such proceedings due to alleged violations of law or, if determined by regulators, allegedly inadequate policies, procedures, controls or remediation of deficiencies. 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. In addition, the severity of the remedies sought in legal and regulatory proceedings to which RBC is subject have increased. Further, there is no assurance that we always will be, or be deemed to be, in compliance with laws, regulations or regulatory policies or expectations. Accordingly, it is possible that we could receive a judicial or regulatory enforcement judgment or decision that results in significant fines, damages, penalties, and other costs or injunctions, criminal convictions, or loss of licenses or registrations that would damage our reputation, and negatively impact our earnings and ability to conduct some of our businesses. We are also 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.

Our Regulatory Compliance Management Framework outlines how we 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 includes the regulatory risks associated with financial crimes (which include, but are not limited to, money laundering, terrorist financing, bribery, corruption, and violations of economic sanctions), privacy, market conduct, consumer protection and business conduct, as well as prudential and other generally applicable

non-financial

requirements. Specific compliance policies, procedures and supporting frameworks have been developed to seek to manage regulatory compliance risk.

Strategic risk

Strategic risk is the risk to earnings, capital or liquidity arising from adverse or suboptimal strategic business decisions, improper implementation or execution of strategic initiatives, or inadequate responses to changes in the external operating environment by the bank or a particular business unit. To help protect us from unacceptable losses or undesirable outcomes, risk appetite is integrated into our strategic, financial and capital planning processes. Risk appetite enables discussions as part of strategic decision making and is a key consideration for RBC’s planning cycle.

Responsibility for selecting and successfully implementing business strategies is mandated to the individual heads of each business segment. Oversight of strategic risk is the responsibility of the heads of the business segments and their operating committees, the Enterprise Strategy & Transformation group, the GE and the Board. The Enterprise Strategy & Transformation 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.

Our annual business portfolio review and project approval request processes help to identify and mitigate strategic risk by seeking to ensure that strategies for new initiatives, lines of business, and the enterprise as a whole align with our risk appetite and risk posture. GRM provides oversight of strategic risk by providing independent reviews of these processes, establishing enterprise risk frameworks, and independently monitoring and reporting on the level of risk established against our risk appetite metrics in accordance with the three lines of defence governance model.

For details on the key strategic priorities for our business segments, refer to the Business segment results section.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 107

Reputation risk

Reputation risk is the risk of an adverse impact on stakeholders’ perception of RBC due to i) perceived or actual misalignment between stakeholder perceptions of RBC and the actions or inactions of the bank, its employees or individuals or groups affiliated with RBC (e.g. stakeholder perceptions of our role as a good corporate citizen), ii) negative or shifting public sentiment on existing, evolving or emerging industry or global issues, or iii) negative outcomes relating to any risk inherent to the financial services industry, including ineffective management of these risks, or situations beyond our control such as external events or systemic risks. A strong and trustworthy reputation will generally strengthen our market position, reduce the cost of capital, increase shareholder value, attract and retain top talent and help us weather a crisis. Conversely, damage to our reputation can result in reduced share price and market capitalization, loss of strategic flexibility, inability to enter or expand into markets, loss of client loyalty and business, or regulatory fines and penalties. The sources of reputation risk are widespread. Reputation risk is a transverse risk which can manifest as an outcome of other risk types including but not limited to credit, regulatory, legal, operational, and environmental and social risks. We can also experience reputation risk from a failure to maintain an effective control environment, exhibit good conduct and maintain appropriate cultural practices.

Managing our reputation risk is an integral part of our organizational culture and our overall enterprise risk management approach, as well as a priority for employees and our Board. Our Board-approved Enterprise Reputation Risk Management Framework provides an overview of our approach to identify, assess, manage, monitor and report on reputation risk. This framework outlines governance authorities, roles and responsibilities, and controls and mechanisms to manage our reputation risk, including our culture of integrity, compliance with our Code of Conduct and operating within our risk appetite.

Our governance of reputation risk aims to be holistic and provides an integrated view of potential reputation issues across the organization. This governance structure is designed to ensure that ownership and accountability for reputation risk are understood across the enterprise, both proactive and reactive reputation risk decisions are escalated to senior management for review and evaluation, and reporting on reputation risk is comprehensive and integrated.

Overview of other risks

In addition to the risks described in the risk sections, there are other risk factors, described below, which may affect our businesses and financial results. The following discussion is not exhaustive as other factors could also adversely affect our results.

Legal and regulatory environment risk

Legal and regulatory environment risk is the risk that new or modified laws and regulations, and the interpretation or application of laws and regulations, will negatively impact the way in which we operate, both in Canada and in the other jurisdictions in which we conduct business. The full impact of some of these changes 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 provides a high-level summary of some of the key regulatory changes that have potential to increase or decrease our costs, impact our profitability and increase the complexity of our operations.

Global uncertainty

In October 2024, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected global growth of 3.2% for calendar 2024, unchanged from its July forecast. The IMF projected global growth for calendar 2025 is also projected to be 3.2%. Amidst global disinflation, significant uncertainty continues to pose risks to the global economic outlook, driven by: challenges in monetary policy normalization, including persistent inflation in the services sector offsetting disinflation in other sectors; potential financial market instability or faster-than-anticipated deceleration in growth resulting from the persistence of inflation and elevated interest rates, along with their associated impact on consumer and business confidence; potential restrictive fiscal policies in response to high government debt; deepening economic concerns in China, particularly in the real estate sector, that could have an impact on global growth; growing geopolitical tensions, such as those between Russia and Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East, and those between China and Taiwan and the West; the recent U.S. election, which could result in changes in economic, trade and foreign policy; escalating trade tensions and increased social unrest; extreme weather-related events; and cyclical imbalances in the global economy. Our diversified business model, as well as our product and geographic diversification, continue to help mitigate the risks posed by global uncertainty.

Environment and social-related legal and regulatory activity

Applicable environmental and social-related laws, regulations, frameworks, and guidance continue to rapidly evolve. As such, new or heightened requirements could result in increased regulatory, compliance or other costs or higher capital requirements, and may subject us to different and potentially conflicting requirements in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. We continue to monitor the development of applicable laws and regulations in this area, including but not limited to the evolution of sustainability disclosure requirements, sustainability due diligence requirements, and climate risk management requirements for financial institutions.

In Canada, OSFI released its final Guideline

B-15

– Climate Risk Management on March 7, 2023, which sets out expectations for the management and disclosure of climate-related risks for federally regulated financial institutions (FRFIs) and aims to support FRFIs in developing greater resilience to, and management of, these risks. On March 20, 2024, OSFI released an updated guideline that includes additional climate-related disclosure requirements aligned with IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures issued by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), and will be effective in at least three phases, beginning for fiscal 2024, with annual disclosures required to be made publicly available no later than 180 days after fiscal

year-end.

Additional disclosure expectations will be effective for fiscal 2025, with the effective date for a further phase of expectations still to be determined by OSFI. OSFI intends to review and amend the guideline as practices and standards evolve, and we continue to monitor any further developments in this area. We have assessed the fiscal 2024 expectations and do not anticipate any issues meeting the first phase of expectations by the effective date. We are currently assessing the impact of the later phases of the guideline and have initiated work to meet the requirements by the effective dates.

108 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

In the U.S., the SEC issued climate-related disclosure rules on March 6, 2024, which exempt many Canadian registrants including us. The SEC has since stayed the rules pending judicial review of legal challenges of the rules. We continue to monitor developments in this area. In addition, various states in the U.S. have enacted or proposed statutes or regulations addressing environmental and/or social matters, including climate disclosure laws and laws that address the consideration of environmental and/or social factors in state investments or contracting or in financial institutions’ provision of services. As environmental and social issues become more politicized, statutes or regulations in certain states may be interpreted to prohibit governmental entities, such as public pension funds and issuers of municipal bonds, from doing business with certain financial institutions, and political pressure may be placed upon governmental entities to not do business with certain financial institutions, based on the financial institutions’ perceived positions on certain environmental and/or social matters. We continue to monitor developments in this area and assess their impacts on our businesses.

Internationally, the ISSB issued its inaugural standards on June 26, 2023, being IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosures of Sustainability-related Financial Information and IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures (collectively, the ISSB Standards). IFRS S1 sets out general reporting requirements for disclosing sustainability-related financial information. IFRS S2 requires an entity to disclose information about climate-related risks and opportunities and the impact on an entity’s financial position, performance, cash flows, strategy and business model. The applicability of the standards and the effective date for Canadian reporting issuers is subject to adoption by Canadian regulators, and we continue to monitor developments, including from the Canadian Securities Administrators.

In addition, the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requires reporting under the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). The ESRS, which were adopted by the European Commission on July 31, 2023, set out the requirements for companies to report on sustainability-related impacts, opportunities and risks. We anticipate that we will be subject to reporting obligations under the CSRD from fiscal 2029 at the consolidated level, and are currently assessing the impact of these requirements.

We continue to monitor the development of applicable anti-greenwashing laws and regulations as well as climate-related litigation and regulatory enforcement actions related to greenwashing, including certain recent amendments to the Competition Act (Canada) which came into force on June 20, 2024, and which introduced new and uncertain substantiation standards for environmental claims. These provisions are in addition to the

pre-existing

provisions of the Competition Act (Canada) that prohibit the making of claims that are materially false or misleading. We continue to assess the impacts of these laws, regulations and actions on our litigation and regulatory compliance risks. “Greenwashing” generally refers to the practice of conveying false or misleading information about an organization’s products or services or operations to suggest that the organization is doing more to protect the environment than it is.

Interest Rate Benchmark Reform

As part of the interest rate benchmark reform, the publication of all remaining Canadian Dollar Offered Rate (CDOR) settings ceased on June 28, 2024. Relatedly, we have ceased Bankers’ Acceptance-based lending. As at October 31, 2024, and consistent with our transition plan, our exposure to financial instruments referencing CDOR and interest rates substantially similar to CDOR is no longer material to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Government of Canada 2023 and 2024 budgets

The Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023 (the FESIA), introduced as Bill

C-59

and tabled by the Government of Canada, received Royal Assent and was enacted on June 20, 2024. The FESIA implements a variety of tax measures including: subject to certain exceptions, eliminating availability of the dividend received deduction in respect of dividends received by financial institutions after December 31, 2023 on shares of corporations resident in Canada, where such shares are

mark-to-market

property or tracking property for tax purposes; and a new 2% tax applicable to certain publicly listed corporations on net share buybacks in excess of $1 million occurring on or after January 1, 2024. The 2024 impact from the enactment of the legislation was not material.

The Budget Implementation Act, 2024, No. 1 (the BIA), introduced as Bill

C-69

and tabled by the Government of Canada, received Royal Assent and was enacted on June 20, 2024. The BIA included the Global Minimum Tax Act (the GMTA) which implemented into Canadian law certain measures relating to the Organisation for Economic

Co-operation

and Development’s

two-pillar

plan to combat tax base erosion and profit shifting, including a 15% global minimum corporate tax on certain multinational enterprises (Pillar Two). A number of other countries in which RBC operates have also enacted Pillar Two legislation. The GMTA and corresponding foreign Pillar Two legislation will be effective for our fiscal year beginning November 1, 2024. Had Pillar Two legislation in all relevant jurisdictions applied to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2024, RBC’s effective tax rate would have increased by an estimated 1% to 2%. For further details, refer to Note 21 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

For further details on regulatory capital and related requirements, refer to the risk and Capital management sections of this 2024 Annual Report.

Competitive risk

Competitive risk is the risk of an inability to build or maintain a sustainable competitive advantage in a given market or markets and includes the potential for loss of market share due to competitors offering superior products and services. Competitive risk can arise from within or outside the financial sector, from traditional or

non-traditional

competitors, domestically or globally. There is intense competition for clients among financial services companies. Client loyalty and retention can be influenced by several factors, including new technology used or services offered by our competitors, relative service levels and prices, product and service attributes, reputation, actions taken by our competitors, and adherence with competition and anti-trust laws. Other companies, such as insurance companies and

non-financial

companies, as well as new technological applications, are increasingly offering services traditionally provided by banks. This competition could also reduce our revenue which could adversely affect our results.

We identify and assess competitive risks as part of our overall risk management process. Our products and services are regularly benchmarked against existing and potential competitors. In addition, we regularly conduct risk reviews of our products, services, mergers and acquisitions strategy, and we seek to ensure adherence to competition and anti-trust laws. Our annual strategy-setting process also plays an integral role in managing competitive risk.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 109

Systemic risk

Syste

mic risk is considered a macroeconomic driver because it can significantly impact the stability of the financial system and the broader economy. 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 due to an unforeseen event causing a substantive shock to the financial system with the likelihood of material damage to the economy, and which would result in financial, reputation, legal or other risks for us.

Systemic risk can lead to increased vulnerabilities as experienced during the 2008 global financial crisis and the

COVID-19

pandemic. In 2023, U.S. regional bank failures highlighted the potential vulnerability of the financial system to systemic risks, particularly given tightening financial regulations and technology-driven increases in transaction velocity. Our ability to mitigate systemic risk when undertaking business activities is limited, other than through collaborative mechanisms between key industry participants, and, as appropriate, the public sector and regulators 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 model, portfolios, products, activities and funding sources help mitigate the potential impacts from systemic risk. Our established risk limits also seek to ensure our portfolio is diversified, and concentration risk is reduced and remains within our risk appetite.

Stress testing involves consideration of the simultaneous movements in several risk factors. Stress testing seeks to ensure our business strategies and capital planning are robust by measuring the potential impacts of credit, market, liquidity and operational risks, under adverse economic conditions. Our enterprise-wide stress testing program evaluates the potential effects of a set of specified changes in risk factors, corresponding to exceptional but 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 Enterprise risk management section.

Our financial results are affected by the 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. Given the importance of our Canadian and U.S. operations, an economic downturn may largely affect our personal and business lending activities and may result in higher provisions for credit losses. Deterioration and uncertainty in global capital markets could result in continued high volatility that would impact results in Capital Markets. In Wealth Management, weaker market conditions could lead to lower average

fee-based

client assets and transaction volumes. In addition, worsening financial and credit market conditions may adversely affect our 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 Wealth Management.

Government fiscal, monetary and other policies

Our financial results are also sensitive to changes in interest rates. Although major central banks in Canada, the U.S., the EU and the U.K. started cutting interest rates in 2024, interest rates remain elevated and changes may impact the economy with a lagged effect. While higher interest rates may be a potential benefit to our NIM, elevated interest rates generally result in higher funding costs and may adversely impact household balance sheets by causing credit deterioration, hence negatively impacting our financial results. Conversely, lower interest rates generally lead to spread compression across many of our businesses, resulting in an unfavourable impact on NIM. If elevated interest rates are coupled with persistent inflation, this could increase market volatility, reduce asset values, and adversely impact household and corporate balance sheets. This could lead to credit deterioration and impact our financial results, particularly in our Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, Wealth Management and Capital Markets businesses. If central banks move forward with a well-timed cycle of gradual interest rate decreases, this can promote economic stimulation and drive higher volumes for our businesses.

Our businesses and earnings are affected by monetary policies that are adopted by the BoC, the Fed in the U.S., the ECB in the European Union (EU), the BoE in the U.K. and monetary authorities in other jurisdictions in which we operate. In addition, our businesses and earnings may be affected by the fiscal policies of the governments of Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Europe and such other jurisdictions, which may include protectionist trade policies and the imposition of tariffs. Such policies can have positive or adverse affects on our clients and counterparties in Canada, the U.S. and internationally, which may decrease or 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 us are complex and wide-ranging. As a result, we seek to 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 reputation and our relationship with clients, shareholders and regulators.

Our approach to taxation is grounded in principles which are reflected in our Code of Conduct, is governed by our Enterprise Tax Risk Management Policy, and incorporates the fundamentals of our risk drivers. Oversight of our tax policy and the management of tax risk is the responsibility of the GE, the CFO and the Senior Vice President, Taxation. We discuss our tax strategy with the Audit Committee annually and provide updates on our tax position on a regular basis.

Our tax strategy is designed to provide transparency and support our business strategy, and is aligned with our corporate vision and values. We seek to maximize shareholder value by structuring our businesses in a

tax-efficient

manner while considering reputation risk by being in compliance with all laws and regulations. Our policy requires 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 all intercompany transactions are conducted in accordance with applicable transfer pricing requirements;

•

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.

110 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

With respect to assessing the needs of our clients, we consider a number of factors including the purpose of the transactions. 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 transactions.

We operate in 29 countries worldwide. Our activities in these countries are subject to both Canadian and international tax legislation and other regulations, and are fully disclosed to the relevant tax authorities. The Taxation group and GRM both regularly review the activities of all entities in an effort to ensure compliance with tax requirements and other regulations.

Given that we operate globally, complex tax legislation and accounting principles have resulted 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. When this occurs, we are committed to an open and transparent dialogue with the tax authorities to facilitate a quick assessment and prompt resolution of the issues where possible. 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 2024, total income and other tax expense, including income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Changes in Equity, to various levels of governments globally totalled $5 billion (2023 – $5 billion). In Canada, total income and other tax expense for the year ended October 31, 2024 to various levels of government totalled $4 billion (2023 – $4 billion).

For further details on income and other tax expense, refer to the Financial performance section.

Environmental and social risk

Environmental and social (E&S) risk is the potential for an E&S issue associated with us, a client, transaction, product, supplier or activity, to have a negative impact on us, including our financial position, operations, legal and regulatory compliance, or reputation. It refers to the risk that we face as a result of the manner in which we, a supplier or a client manages E&S issues or relationships with stakeholders and communities. Because different stakeholders and communities may have divergent views on E&S issues, any actual or perceived action or inaction by us in the management of an E&S issue may be perceived negatively by at least some stakeholders and, as a result, may increase our E&S risks.

E&S issues include, but are not limited to, climate change, site contamination, waste management, land and resource use, biodiversity, water quality and availability, environmental regulation, human rights (including, but not limited to social and racial inequality and Indigenous Peoples’ rights), diversity and inclusion, and community engagement.

E&S risks are unique and transverse in nature and may impact our principal risks in different ways and to varying degrees, including but not limited to strategic, operational, credit, reputation, and compliance risks. See the Climate risk section below for additional information specific to climate risk.

Governance

The Board oversees our enterprise approach to and management of E&S risks and how we conduct our business to meet high standards of E&S responsibility. The Board also approves any updates to our enterprise climate strategy which sets out our strategic priorities, commitments and actions. Committees of the Board have oversight of E&S risks that are specific to their respective responsibilities, with the Governance Committee playing a specific oversight and coordination role over ESG matters, including over certain of our

ESG-related

disclosures. For further details on risk governance, refer to the Enterprise risk management – Risk governance section.

Roles and responsibilities related to E&S risk management are governed by the Enterprise Risk Management Framework and the three lines of defence governance model. Business segments and functional areas are responsible for incorporating E&S risk management requirements within their own operations, while GRM is responsible for defining E&S risk management requirements, including establishing policies, and performing effective oversight in relation to E&S risk.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 111

Risk management

We seek to integrate E&S risk considerations into our risk management approach. We manage E&S risk by leveraging existing policies and processes which govern our principal risks. Our Enterprise Policy on Environmental and Social Risk (E&S Risk Policy)

supports these policies and processes by outlining our principles for E&S risk management and setting out standards for how E&S risks arising from our activities are identified, assessed, measured, managed, mitigated, monitored and reported.

As a signatory to the Equator Principles (EP) framework, we also have a procedure that outlines our governance for managing E&S risks related to certain project finance-related transactions. We also have policy guidelines

in place for sensitive sectors and activities, which address our financing activities to clients and projects operating in the coal-fired power generation and coal mining sectors, the Arctic ecosystem, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites.

We continue to evolve our approach to E&S risk by leveraging existing risk management capabilities, and building new capabilities where required, including for purposes of incorporating regulatory guidance, industry best practices and improved data analytics to identify, assess, measure, manage, monitor and report on potential E&S impacts on clients, portfolios, and our operations. We recognize that the integration and maturity of our E&S risk management capabilities will continue to evolve, and that achieving a mature level of E&S risk management will be iterative and take time.

Climate risk

Climate risk is the risk related to the global transition to a

net-zero

economy (transition risk) and the physical impacts of climate change (physical risk), which includes both chronic (longer-term) risks (e.g., rising sea levels and increases in average temperatures) and acute (event driven) risks (e.g., wildfires and floods). Both we and our clients may be exposed to climate-related transition risk, including through emerging regulatory and legal requirements, changing business and consumer sentiment towards products and services, technological developments, and changes in stakeholder expectations. Additionally, we and our clients may be vulnerable to climate-related physical risk through disruptions to operations and services.

We continue to make progress in our climate risk management capabilities by integrating climate risk considerations in our risk management processes. We are taking steps to leverage scenario analysis as a tool to provide forward-looking assessments of climate risks and opportunities impacting our business model and strategy. In an effort to ensure that the bank is adequately capitalized against unexpected events resulting from climate change, we integrate select climate risk scenario considerations, which includes physical and transition climate related risk, into our existing Enterprise-Wide Stress Testing program to measure its impact across various portfolios and risk types (e.g., credit risk and operational risk). We continue to advance our understanding of how climate risks can be included in scenario analysis in the future in line with the evolving strategic and regulatory importance of climate scenario analysis.

Our continued development of our climate risk measurement capabilities is expected to inform the enhancements to our climate risk management practices and advance the integration of climate risks into our policies and procedures.

Human rights and codes of conduct

Our approach to identifying, assessing, managing and mitigating social issues such as human rights issues, is set out in our E&S Risk Policy, and is supported by additional policies and position statements that reflect our approach to managing our businesses in a responsible manner.

RBC is committed to respecting human rights, including those of any clients, employees, third parties we conduct business with or who may be affected by our business activities – either directly or indirectly – and to taking the actions set out in RBC’s Human Rights Position Statement (Statement) to meet the responsibility of businesses like ours to respect human rights as set out in the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Our Statement is adopted at the highest levels of our organization and is published on our website.

Our Statement Regarding Modern Slavery is published annually and sets out the steps we take to prevent and reduce the risk that modern slavery is used in our business and in our supply chains.

Our Code of Conduct establishes standards of desired behaviour that apply to all directors, employees, and contract workers of the bank and its subsidiaries. In addition, our principles-based Supplier Code of Conduct articulates our expectations with respect to a supplier’s business integrity, responsible business practices and responsible treatment of individuals and the environment.

The E&S Risk Policy is not inclusive of the activities of, and assets under management by, RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM). RBC GAM has developed its own policy with respect to these matters. RBC GAM includes, but is not limited to, the following wholly owned indirect subsidiaries of the Bank: RBC Global Asset Management Inc. (including Phillips, Hager & North Investment Management), RBC Global Asset Management (U.S.) Inc., RBC Global Asset Management (UK) Limited, RBC Global Asset Management (Asia) Limited and BlueBay Asset Management LLP.

See RBC’s Policy Guidelines for Sensitive Sectors and Activities which address our lending activities.

112 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Framework and commitments

We are a participant or signatory to various industry principles and initiatives that are designed to help mitigate E&S risk within our business activities or advance responsible business practices, including but not limited to the following:

•

RBC is a member of the

Net-Zero

Banking Alliance (NZBA), which is a global

industry-led

initiative to accelerate and support efforts to address climate change by aligning member banks’ lending and investment portfolios with

net-zero

emissions by 2050

. As a member of the NZBA, we made a commitment to setting and disclosing interim emissions reduction targets for key high-emitting sectors to which we lend. In October 2022, we published our initial interim emission reduction targets in our lending activities for the oil and gas, power generation and automotive sectors

•

RBC is a member of the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF), which is an

industry-led

partnership to facilitate transparency and enable financial institutions to assess and disclose greenhouse gas emissions of loans and investments.

•

RBC is a signatory to the Equator Principles (EP), which is a benchmark for determining, assessing and managing E&S risks for project finance. We report annually on projects assessed according to the EP framework.

•

RBC GAM and Brewin Dolphin Holdings Limited are signatories to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI) and report on their responsible investment activities to the UN PRI.

We may be exposed to legal, regulatory or reputation risk for participating in these frameworks, making these or other

E&S-related

commitments or not fully implementing these frameworks or meeting these or other

E&S-related

commitments, goals or targets, either as a result of our own actions or due to external factors, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations expressed in such commitments, goals and targets. More specifically, our ability to achieve our E&S-related commitments, goals and targets, including those discussed above, will depend on the collective efforts and actions across a wide range of stakeholders outside of our control, and there can be no assurance that they will be achieved

. In addition, our E&S-related commitments, goals and targets are aspirational and may need to be changed or recalibrated as data improves and as climate science, transition pathways and market practices regarding standards, methodologies, metrics and measurements evolve, which may result in us withdrawing from or modifying our membership in certain frameworks, principles and initiatives. Finally, RBC provides financing to support the growth of low-carbon energy, while also providing financing to meet current energy needs, including traditional sources of energy such as oil and gas. RBC is focused on playing our role in helping our clients in the transition to a net-zero economy, including supporting clients in high-emitting,

hard-to-abate

sectors in their efforts to decarbonize.

Legal and regulatory developments

Applicable environmental and social-related laws, regulations, frameworks, and guidance continue to rapidly evolve. As such, new or heightened requirements could result in increased regulatory, compliance or other costs or higher capital requirements, and may subject us to different and potentially conflicting requirements in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. As regulatory requirements evolve, we will continue to monitor such developments and update our risk management practices and disclosures as necessary. See the Legal and regulatory environment risk section for further details.

Our NZBA commitments to achieving net-zero emissions in our lending by 2050 and to our initial 2030 interim emissions reduction targets for lending in three key sectors (oil and gas, power generation and automotive) are not inclusive of the activities of, and the assets under management by, RBC GAM and RBC Wealth Management (RBC WM). RBC WM includes, but is not limited to, the following affiliates: (a) RBC Dominion Securities Inc. (Member–Canadian Investor Protection Fund), RBC Direct Investing Inc. (Member–Canadian Investor Protection Fund), Royal Mutual Funds Inc., RBC Wealth Management Financial Services Inc., Royal Trust Corporation of Canada and The Royal Trust Company, which are separate but affiliated subsidiaries of us; and (b) Brewin Dolphin Holdings PLC and its subsidiaries.

External factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations expressed in such commitments, goals and targets include the need for more and better climate data and standardization of climate-related measurement methodologies, our ability to gather and verify data, our ability to successfully implement various initiatives throughout our enterprise under expected time frames, the risk that eligible transactions or related initiatives will not be completed within any specified period or at all or with the results or outcome as originally expected or anticipated by us, our ability to track transactions and report on them in connection with our performance against our E&S-related commitments, the compliance of various third parties with our policies and procedures and their commitment to us, the need for active and continuing participation and action of various stakeholders, technological advancements, the evolution of consumer behaviour, varying decarbonization efforts across economies, the need for thoughtful climate policies around the world, the challenges of balancing emission reduction targets with an orderly, just and inclusive transition and geopolitical factors that impact global energy needs, the legal and regulatory environment, and regulatory compliance considerations. Our E&S-related commitments, goals and targets are aspirational and may need to be changed or recalibrated as data improve and as climate science, transition pathways and market practices regarding standards, methodologies, metrics and measurements evolve.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 113

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 to provide support for our business segments and clients. We also aim to generate optimal returns for our shareholders, while protecting depositors and creditors.

Capital management framework

Our capital management framework establishes policies and processes for defining, measuring, raising and investing all forms of capital in a coordinated and consistent manner. It sets our overall approach to capital management, including guiding principles and roles and responsibilities relating to capital adequacy and transactions, dividends, solo capital, and management of RWA, leverage ratio exposures, TLAC capital and TLAC leverage ratios. We manage and monitor capital from several perspectives, including regulatory capital, solo capital and TLAC.

Our capital planning process is dynamic and 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. This process considers our business operating plans, enterprise-wide stress testing and ICAAP, regulatory capital changes and supervisory requirements, 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, the 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.

Our enterprise-wide stress testing and annual ICAAP processes provide key inputs for capital planning, including setting 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 adverse events. ICAAP assesses capital adequacy and requirements covering all material risks, with a cushion for plausible contingencies. In accordance with OSFI guidelines, major components of our ICAAP process include comprehensive risk assessment, stress testing, capital assessment and planning, 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 regulatory targets. The results of our enterprise-wide stress testing and ICAAP processes are incorporated into the OSFI Capital Buffers, Domestic Systemically Important Banks

(D-SIB)/Globally

Systemically Important Banks

(G-SIB)

surcharge, and Domestic Stability Buffer (DSB), with a view to ensure that 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 OSFI’s regulatory targets to reflect our risk appetite, our forecasts of potential negative downturns and to maintain our capital strength for forthcoming regulatory and accounting changes, peer comparatives, rating agencies sensitivities, future acquisitions and solo capital level.

The Board is responsible for the 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 approved limits and guidelines. The Audit and Risk Committees jointly approve the ICAAP process.

Basel III

Our consolidated regulatory capital requirements are determined by OSFI’s Capital Adequacy Requirements (CAR) guidelines, which are based on the minimum Basel III capital ratio requirements adopted by the BCBS.

Under Basel III, banks select from two main approaches, the Standardized Approach (SA) or the IRB Approach, to calculate their minimum regulatory capital required to support credit, market and operational risks. We apply the IRB approach to credit risk to determine minimum regulatory capital requirements for the majority of our portfolios, including most of the exposures acquired from the HSBC Canada transaction. Certain credit risk portfolios are subject to SA, primarily in Wealth Management including our City National wholesale portfolio, our Caribbean Banking operations and certain

non-mortgage

retail portfolios acquired through the HSBC Canada transaction. For consolidated regulatory reporting of market risk capital and operational risk capital, we use the revised SA based on OSFI rules as further noted below.

114 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

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 thirteen indicators used in the annual

G-SIB

assessment methodology, with the goal of enhancing the transparency of the relative scale of banks’ potential global systemic importance and data quality. The FSB publishes an updated list of

G-SIBs

annually. On November 26, 2024, we were

re-designated

as a

G-SIB

by the FSB. This designation requires us to maintain a higher loss absorbency requirement (common equity as a percentage of RWA) of 1% consistent with the

D-SIB

requirement. In addition to the Basel III targets, OSFI established a Domestic Stability Buffer (DSB) applicable to all Canadian

D-SIBs

to further ensure the financial stability of the Canadian financial system. The current OSFI requirement for the DSB is set at 3.5% of total RWA as reaffirmed by OSFI on June 18, 2024.

Under OSFI’s TLAC guideline,

D-SIBs

are required to maintain a risk-based TLAC ratio, which builds on the risk-based capital ratios described in the CAR guideline, and a TLAC leverage ratio, which builds on the leverage ratio described in OSFI’s LR guideline. The TLAC requirement is intended to address the sufficiency of a

D-SIB’s

loss absorbing capacity in supporting its recapitalization in the event of its failure. TLAC is defined as the aggregate of Tier 1 capital, Tier 2 capital and external TLAC instruments, which allow conversion in whole or in part into common shares under the CDIC Act and meet all of the eligibility criteria under the TLAC guideline.

In Q2 2023, we implemented OSFI’s first phase of the adoption of the final BCBS Basel III reforms consisting of revised capital, leverage and disclosure guidelines. The second phase of OSFI’s implementation of the final BCBS Basel III reforms relating to the revised credit valuation adjustment (CVA) and market risk chapters of the CAR guideline came into effect in Q1 2024. The adoption of the revised CVA and market risk rules reflects adoption of a revised SA framework for CVA and a revised SA for market risk, as well as the discontinuation of our existing internal models-based approach used for market risk RWA determination. The revised Pillar 3 disclosure requirements effective upon adoption of these revised rules were reflected in our Q1 2024 standalone Pillar 3 Report with further additional updated disclosure requirements reflected in our Q4 2024 Pillar 3 Report. In addition, as prescribed by the CAR guidelines, effective Q1 2024 our regulatory capital floor transitioned to a new regulatory capital floor of 67.5% of RWA for fiscal 2024 from 65% of RWA in fiscal 2023. On July 5, 2024, OSFI announced a

one-year

delay to the increase in the capital floor factor, maintaining the current 67.5% of RWA (as calculated using only SA for credit, market and operational risk) factor throughout 2024 and 2025, and delaying the 70% factor implementation from 2025 to 2026, and the 72.5% factor implementation from 2026 to 2027.

The following table provides a summary of OSFI’s current regulatory target ratios under Basel III and Pillar 2 requirements. We are in compliance with all current capital, leverage and TLAC requirements imposed by OSFI:


Basel III – OSFI regulatory targets		Table 64



Basel III capital, leverage and TLAC ratios	OSFI regulatory target requirements for large banks under Basel III										Domestic Stability Buffer (3)		Minimum including Capital Buffers, D-SIB/G-SIB surcharge and Domestic Stability Buffer as at October 31, 2024 (4)		RBC capital, leverage and TLAC ratios as at October 31, 2024
Basel III capital, leverage and TLAC ratios	Minimum		Capital Buffers		Minimum including Capital Buffers		D-SIB/G-SIB surcharge (1)		Minimum including Capital Buffers and D-SIB/G-SIB surcharge (1), (2)		Domestic Stability Buffer (3)
Common Equity Tier 1		4.5%		2.6%		7.1%		1.0%		8.1%		3.5%		11.6%		13.2%
Tier 1 capital		6.0%		2.6%		8.6%		1.0%		9.6%		3.5%		13.1%		14.6%
Total capital		8.0%		2.6%		10.6%		1.0%		11.6%		3.5%		15.1%		16.4%
Leverage ratio		3.0%		n.a.		3.0%		0.5%		3.5%		n.a.		3.5%		4.2%
TLAC ratio		21.6%		n.a.		21.6%		n.a.		21.6%		3.5%		25.1%		29.3%
TLAC leverage ratio		7.25%		n.a.		7.25%		n.a.		7.25%		n.a.		7.25%		8.4%

(1)

A capital surcharge, equal to the higher of our

D-SIB

surcharge and the BCBS’s

G-SIB

surcharge, is applicable to risk-weighted capital. For leverage ratio, only 50% of our

D-SIB

surcharge for capital is the required surcharge.

(2)

The capital buffers include the capital conservation buffer of 2.5% and the countercyclical capital buffer (CCyB) as prescribed by OSFI. The CCyB, calculated in accordance with OSFI’s CAR guidelines, was 0.08% as at October 31, 2024 (October 31, 2023 – 0.06%).

(3)

The DSB can range from 0% to 4% of total RWA and is currently set at 3.5%.

(4)

Minimum target requirements reflect CCyB requirements as at October 31, 2024 which are subject to change based on exposures held at the reporting date.

n.a.

not applicable

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 115

2024 vs. 2023

(1)

Represents rounded figures.

(2)

Includes capital deductions for goodwill and intangible assets of (139) bps, initial PCL on the purchased performing loans of (2) bps and RWA resulting from the HSBC Canada transaction of (99) bps.

(3)

Represents net internal capital generation of $9 billion or 151 bps consisting of Net income available to shareholders excluding the impact of specified items, less common and preferred share dividends and distributions on other equity instruments.

(4)

Excludes specified items for transaction and integration costs relating to the HSBC Canada transaction and the management of closing capital volatility related to the HSBC Canada transaction.

(5)

For further details about the Dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP), refer to Note 19 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

(6)

Excludes the impact of the HSBC Canada transaction.

(7)

Includes an unfavourable impact from the adoption of IFRS 17 of 13 bps, partially offset by a favourable impact of 11 bps from the second phase of OSFI’s adoption of the Basel III reforms discussed above.

(8)

Includes the impact of the specified items noted above.

Our CET1 ratio was 13.2%, down 130 bps from last year, primarily reflecting the impact of the HSBC Canada transaction and RWA growth (excluding FX), partially offset by net internal capital generation and share issuances under the DRIP.

Our Tier 1 capital ratio of 14.6% was down 110 bps, mainly reflecting the factors noted under the CET1 ratio, partially offset by the net issuance of preferred shares and limited recourse capital notes (LRCNs).

Our Total capital ratio of 16.4% was down 120 bps, mainly reflecting the factors noted above under the Tier 1 capital ratio, partially offset by the net issuance of subordinated debentures.

Our Leverage ratio of 4.2% was down 10 bps, primarily due to the impact of the HSBC Canada transaction and higher business-driven growth in leverage exposures. These factors were partially offset by net internal capital generation and share issuances under the DRIP and the net issuance of preferred shares and LRCNs.

Leverage exposures increased by $165 billion, driven by the $116 billion impact of the HSBC Canada transaction, as well as business growth primarily in wholesale and retail lending.

Our TLAC ratio of 29.3% was down 170 bps, reflecting the factors noted above under the Total capital ratio, partially offset by a favourable impact from a net increase in eligible external TLAC instruments.

Our TLAC leverage ratio of 8.4% was down 10 bps, reflecting the factors noted above in the Leverage ratio, partially offset by a favourable impact from a net increase in eligible external TLAC instruments.

External TLAC instruments include long-term debt subject to conversion under the

Bail-in

regime. For further details, refer to Deposit and funding profile in the Liquidity and funding risk section.

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, a minimum capital floor requirement must be maintained as prescribed under OSFI’s CAR guidelines which is currently set to 67.5% of RWA as calculated under current Basel III standardized credit risk and market risk approaches as defined in the CAR guidelines. If the capital requirement is less than the required threshold, a floor adjustment to RWA must be applied to the reported RWA as prescribed by OSFI’s CAR guidelines.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 119


Total capital risk-weighted assets		Table 67


	2024														2023
			Average of risk- weights (2)		Risk-weighted assets All-in Basis
As at October 31 (Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)	Exposure (1)		Average of risk- weights (2)		Standardized approach		Advanced approach (A-IRB)		Foundation approach (F-IRB)		Other		Total		Total
Credit risk
Lending-related and other
Residential mortgages	$	622,788		8%	$	4,396	$	47,532	$	–	$	–	$	51,928	$	44,864
Other retail (personal, credit cards and small business treated as retail)		204,317		31%		7,245		55,434		–		–		62,679		61,714
Business (corporate, commercial, medium-sized enterprises and non-bank financial institutions)		560,902		50%		67,873		123,905		90,817		–		282,595		238,565
Sovereign (government)		368,089		4%		2,568		11,548		–		–		14,116		14,018
Bank		45,522		42%		10,558		–		8,673		–		19,231		14,339
Total lending-related and other	$	1,801,618		24%	$	92,640	$	238,419	$	99,490	$	–	$	430,549	$	373,500
Trading-related
Repo-style transactions	$	1,316,003		1%	$	264	$	322	$	7,821	$	121	$	8,528	$	7,792
Derivatives – including CVA		139,874		26%		1,044		2,405		14,438		18,817		36,704		32,995
Total trading-related	$	1,455,877		3%	$	1,308	$	2,727	$	22,259	$	18,938	$	45,232	$	40,787
Total lending-related and other and trading-related	$	3,257,495		15%	$	93,948	$	241,146	$	121,749	$	18,938	$	475,781	$	414,287
Bank book equities		6,118		197%		12,079		–		–		–		12,079		10,074
Securitization exposures		76,219		20%		6,356		8,825		–		–		15,181		11,510
Other assets		34,310		133%		n.a.		n.a.		n.a.		45,768		45,768		39,971
Total credit risk	$	3,374,142		16%	$	112,383	$	249,971	$	121,749	$	64,706	$	548,809	$	475,842
Market risk (3)
Interest rate					$	1,956							$	1,956
Equity						3,656								3,656
Foreign exchange						2,787								2,787
Commodities						1,787								1,787
Credit						8,374								8,374
Default risk charge						10,898								10,898
Other (4)						4,472								4,472
Total market risk					$	33,930							$	33,930	$	40,498
Operational risk					$	89,543							$	89,543	$	79,883
Total risk-weighted assets	$	3,374,142			$	235,856	$	249,971	$	121,749	$	64,706	$	672,282	$	596,223

(1)

Total exposure represents exposure at default (EAD) which is the expected gross exposure upon the default of an obligor. This amount excludes any allowance against impaired loans or partial write-offs and does not reflect the impact of credit risk mitigation.

(2)

Represents the average of counterparty risk weights within a particular category.

(3)

Balances as at October 31, 2024 reflect our adoption of the revised market risk framework that came into effect on November 1, 2023 as part of OSFI’s implementation of the Basel III reforms.

(4)

Represents the market risk RWA for the residual risk add-on charge under the standardized approach and the capital surcharge for movements between the trading book and banking book.

n.a.

not applicable

2024 vs. 2023

Total RWA was up $76 billion from last year, driven by the $44 billion impact of the HSBC Canada transaction, which was primarily reflected in credit and operational risk. Business growth primarily reflected in retail and commercial lending in Canada, and in operational risk as well as the impact of net credit migration also contributed to the increase. These factors were partially offset by the net impact of regulatory updates. In our CET1 ratio, the impact of foreign exchange translation on RWA is largely mitigated with economic hedges.

120 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Selected capital management activity


Selected capital management activity				Table 68


	For the year ended October 31, 2024

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except number of shares)	Issuance or redemption date		Number of shares (000s)			Amount
Tier 1 capital
Common shares activity
Issued in connection with share-based compensation plans (1)				1,746		$	168
Issued under the DRIP (2)				11,850			1,460
Purchased for cancellation (2)				(889	)		(13	)
Redemption of preferred shares, Series C-2 (2)		November 7, 2023		(15	)		(23	)
Issuance of preferred shares, Series BU (2), (3)		January 25, 2024		750			750
Issuance of LRCNs Series 4 (2), (3), (4)		April 24, 2024		1,000			1,370
Redemption of preferred shares, Series AZ (2), (3)		May 24, 2024		(20,000	)		(500	)
Issuance of preferred shares, Series BW (2), (3)		July 24, 2024		600			600
Redemption of preferred shares, Series BB (2), (3)		August 24, 2024		(20,000	)		(500	)

Tier 2 capital
Issuance of April 3, 2034 subordinated debentures (3), (5)		April 2, 2024				$	2,000
Redemption of July 25, 2029 subordinated debentures (3), (5)		July 25, 2024					(1,500	)
Issuance of August 8, 2034 subordinated debentures (3), (5)		July 29, 2024					1,250

(1)

Amounts include cash received for stock options exercised during the period and fair value adjustments to stock options.

(2)

For further details, refer to Note 19 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

(3)

Non-Viability

Contingent Capital (NVCC) instruments.

(4)

For the LRCNs, the number of shares represents the number of notes issued.

(5)

For further details, refer to Note 18 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

We determine the amount and timing of purchases under the NCIB, subject to prior consultation with OSFI. Purchases may be made through the TSX, the NYSE and other designated exchanges and alternative Canadian trading systems. The price paid for repurchased shares is the prevailing market price at the time of acquisition.

On November 7, 2023, we redeemed all 15 thousand of our issued and outstanding

Non-Cumulative

First Preferred Shares Series

C-2

at a redemption price of US$1,000 per share. Concurrently, we redeemed all 615 thousand Series

C-2

depositary shares, each of which represents a

one-fortieth

interest in a Series

C-2

share.

On January 25, 2024, we issued 750 thousand

Non-Cumulative

5-Year

Fixed Rate Reset First Preferred Shares Series BU (NVCC) to certain institutional investors at a price of $1,000 per share.

On April 2, 2024, we issued $2,000 million of NVCC subordinated debentures. The notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.096% per annum until April 3, 2029, and at the Daily Compounded Canadian Overnight Repo Rate Average plus 1.56% thereafter until their maturity on April 3, 2034.

On April 24, 2024, we issued US$1,000 million of LRCN Series 4 at a price of US$1,000 per note. The LRCN Series 4 bear interest at a fixed rate of 7.5% per annum until May 2, 2029. Thereafter, the interest rate on the LRCN Series 4 will reset every five years at a rate per annum equal to the prevailing

5-Year

U.S. Treasury Rate plus 2.887% until their maturity on May 2, 2084.

On May 24, 2024, we redeemed all 20 million of our issued and outstanding

Non-Cumulative

5-Year

Rate Reset First Preferred Shares Series AZ at a redemption price of $25 per share.

On July 24, 2024, we issued 600 thousand

Non-Cumulative

5-Year

Fixed Rate Reset First Preferred Shares Series BW (NVCC) to certain institutional investors at a price of $1,000 per share.

On July 25, 2024, we redeemed all $1,500 million of our outstanding NVCC 2.74% subordinated debentures due July 25, 2029 for 100% of their principal amount plus accrued interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.

On July 29, 2024, we issued $1,250 million of NVCC subordinated debentures. The notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.829% per annum until August 8, 2029, and at the Daily Compounded Canadian Overnight Repo Rate Average plus 1.55% thereafter until their maturity on August 8, 2034.

On August 24, 2024, we redeemed all 20 million of our issued and outstanding

Non-Cumulative

5-Year

Rate Reset First Preferred Shares Series BB at a redemption price of $25 per share.

On November 1, 2024, we issued US$1,000 million of LRCN Series 5 at a price of US$1,000 per note. The LRCN Series 5 bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.350% per annum until November 24, 2034. Thereafter, the interest rate on the LRCN Series 5 will reset every five years at a rate per annum equal to the prevailing 5-Year U.S. Treasury Rate plus 2.257% until their maturity on November 24, 2084.

On November 5, 2024, we also announced our intention to redeem all outstanding NVCC 2.88% subordinated debentures due on December 23, 2029 for 100% of their principal amount plus accrued interest to, but excluding, the redemption date, on December 23, 2024.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 121

Dividends

Our common share dividend policy reflects our earnings outlook, payout ratio objective and the need to maintain adequate levels of capital to support business plans. In 2024, our dividend payout ratio was 50%. Common share dividends paid during the year were $8 billion.


Selected share data (1)								Table 69


	2024								2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and as otherwise noted)	Number of shares (000s)			Amount			Dividends declared per share		Number of shares (000s)			Amount			Dividends declared per share
Common shares issued		1,415,080		$	21,013		$	5.60		1,402,373		$	19,398		$	5.34
Treasury shares – common shares (2)		(576	)		(61	)				(1,862	)		(231	)
Common shares outstanding		1,414,504		$	20,952					1,400,511		$	19,167
Stock options and awards
Outstanding		7,375								7,793
Exercisable		3,212								3,830
Available for grant		2,291								3,693
First preferred shares issued
Non-cumulative Series AZ (3), (4), (5)		–		$	–		$	0.69		20,000		$	500		$	0.93
Non-cumulative Series BB (3), (4), (6)		–			–			0.68		20,000			500			0.91
Non-cumulative Series BD (3), (4)		24,000			600			0.80		24,000			600			0.80
Non-cumulative Series BF (3), (4)		12,000			300			0.75		12,000			300			0.75
Non-cumulative Series BH (4)		6,000			150			1.23		6,000			150			1.23
Non-cumulative Series BI (4)		6,000			150			1.23		6,000			150			1.23
Non-cumulative Series BO (3), (4)		14,000			350			1.40		14,000			350			1.20
Non-cumulative Series BT (3), (4), (7)		750			750			4.20%		750			750			4.20%
Non-cumulative Series BU (3), (4), (7)		750			750			7.408%		–			–			–
Non-cumulative Series BW (3), (4), (7)		600			600			6.698%		–			–			–
Non-cumulative Series C-2 (8)		–			–		US$	–		15			23		US$	67.50
Other equity instruments issued
Limited recourse capital notes Series 1 (3), (4), (9), (10)		1,750			1,750			4.50%		1,750			1,750			4.50%
Limited recourse capital notes Series 2 (3), (4), (9), (10)		1,250			1,250			4.00%		1,250			1,250			4.00%
Limited recourse capital notes Series 3 (3), (4), (9), (10)		1,000			1,000			3.65%		1,000			1,000			3.65%
Limited recourse capital notes Series 4 (3), (4), (9), (10)		1,000			1,370			7.50%		–			–			–
Preferred shares and other equity instruments issued		69,100		$	9,020					106,765		$	7,323
Treasury instruments – preferred shares and other equity instruments (2)		13			11					(9	)		(9	)
Preferred shares and other equity instruments outstanding		69,113		$	9,031					106,756		$	7,314
Dividends on common shares				$	7,916							$	7,443
Dividends on preferred shares and distributions on other equity instruments (11)					322								236

(1)

For further details about our capital management activity, refer to Note 19 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

(2)

Positive amounts represent a short position and negative amounts represent a long position.

(3)

Dividend rate will reset every five years.

(4)

NVCC instruments.

(5)

On May 24, 2024, we redeemed all 20 million of our issued and outstanding Non-Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset First Preferred Shares Series AZ at a redemption price of $25 per share.

(6)

On August 24, 2024, we redeemed all 20 million of our issued and outstanding Non-Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset First Preferred Shares Series BB at a redemption price of $25 per share.

(7)

The dividends declared per share represent the per annum dividend rate applicable to the shares issued as at the reporting date.

(8)

Represents 615,400 depositary shares relating to preferred shares Series

C-2.

Each depositary share represents

one-fortieth

interest in a share of Series

C-2.

On November 7, 2023, we redeemed all 15 thousand of our issued and outstanding

Non-Cumulative

First Preferred Shares Series

C-2

at a redemption price of US$1,000 per share. Concurrently, we redeemed all 615 thousand Series

C-2

depositary shares, each of which represents a

one-fortieth

interest in a Series

C-2

share.

(9)

For LRCN Series, the number of shares represent the number of notes issued and the dividends declared per share represent the annual interest rate percentage applicable to the notes issued as at the reporting date.

(10)

In connection with the issuance of LRCN Series 1, on July 28, 2020, we issued $1,750 million of First Preferred Shares Series BQ (Series BQ); in connection with the issuance of LRCN Series 2, on November 2, 2020, we issued $1,250 million of First Preferred Shares Series BR (Series BR); in connection with the issuance of LRCN Series 3, on June 8, 2021, we issued $1,000 million of First Preferred Shares Series BS (Series BS); and in connection with the issuance of LRCN Series 4 on April 24, 2024, we issued US$1,000 million of First Preferred Shares Series BV (Series BV). The Series BQ, BR and BS preferred shares were issued at a price of $1,000 per share and the Series BV preferred shares were issued at a price of US$1,000 per share. The Series BQ, BR, BS and BV preferred shares were issued to a consolidated trust to be held as trust assets in connection with the LRCN series. For further details, refer to Note 19 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

(11)

Excludes distributions to

non-controlling

interests.

122 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Many of the other securitization exposures

(non-ABCP)

carry external ratings and we use the external ratings-based approach, otherwise will follow the SA, 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 is responsible 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.

Regulatory developments

On November 1, 2023, we adopted OSFI’s Parental Stand-Alone (Solo) Total Loss Absorbing Capacity (TLAC) Framework for

D-SIBs,

which establishes a risk-based measure intended to ensure a non-viable D-SIB has sufficient loss absorbing capacity on a stand-alone, legal entity basis to support its resolution. D-SIBs must maintain a minimum Solo TLAC ratio of 21.5%, and we are compliant with the requirements set out in this new framework.

Accounting and control matters

Critical accounting policies and estimates

Application of critical accounting policies, judgments, estimates and assumptions

Our material accounting policies are described in Note 2 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain of these policies and related estimates are recognized as critical because they require us to make particularly subjective or complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and 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, ACL, goodwill and other intangible assets, employee benefits, consolidation of structured entities, derecognition of financial assets, application of the effective interest method, provisions, insurance and reinsurance contracts, 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 material accounting policies, judgments, estimates and assumptions.

Changes in accounting policies

During the first quarter of 2024, we adopted IFRS 17

Insurance Contracts

(IFRS 17), replacing IFRS 4

Insurance Contracts

(IFRS 4). Our updated critical accounting policies and estimates for insurance and reinsurance contracts are described below. We have applied IFRS 17 retrospectively and restated comparative period results beginning November 1, 2022. Adjustments to the carrying amounts of insurance and reinsurance contracts at the transition date of November 1, 2022 were recognized in Retained earnings. The comparative period information for insurance and reinsurance contracts prior to November 1, 2022 is presented in accordance with our previous accounting policies.

As permitted by the transition provisions of IFRS 17, we reclassified certain financial assets between fair value classification categories at the date of initial application of IFRS 17. The reclassifications resulted in no adjustments to the carrying amounts of financial assets as at November 1, 2023. Retained earnings and Other components of equity as at November 1, 2023 were adjusted as a result with no net impact to total equity. As permitted, we elected not to restate comparative period results for these changes and accordingly, comparative period information for the impacted financial assets prior to November 1, 2023 is presented in accordance with our previous classifications.

Refer to Note 2 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for details of these changes.

Fair value of financial instruments

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 factors that market participants would consider in setting a price, including commonly accepted valuation approaches.

We give priority to third-party pricing services and valuation techniques with 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, other pricing service values and, when available, 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 the use of models.

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 include 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 fair value hierarchy for disclosure purposes is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the measurement of fair value.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 125

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. 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.

Valuation adjustments may be subjective as they require significant judgment in the input selection, such as implied PD and recovery rate, and are intended to arrive at a fair value that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the financial instrument. The ultimate realized price for a transaction may differ from its recorded fair value estimated using management judgment.

For further information on the fair value of financial instruments, refer to Notes 2 and 3 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Allowance for credit losses

Off-balance

sheet items subject to impairment assessment include financial guarantees and undrawn loan commitments.

We measure the ACL on each balance sheet date according to a three-stage expected credit loss impairment model:

•

Performing financial assets

•

Stage 1 – From initial recognition of a financial asset to the date on which the asset has experienced a significant increase in credit risk relative to its initial recognition, a loss allowance is recognized equal to the credit losses expected to result from defaults occurring over the 12 months following the reporting date.

•

Stage 2 – Following a significant increase in credit risk relative to the initial recognition of the financial asset, a loss allowance is recognized equal to the credit losses expected over the remaining lifetime of the asset.

•

Impaired financial assets

•

Stage 3 – When a financial asset is considered to be credit-impaired, a loss allowance is recognized equal to credit losses expected over the remaining lifetime of the asset. Interest income is calculated based on the carrying amount of the asset, net of the loss allowance, rather than on its gross carrying amount.

The ACL is a discounted probability-weighted estimate of the cash shortfalls expected to result from defaults over the relevant time horizon. For loan commitments, credit loss estimates consider the portion of the commitment that is expected to be drawn over the relevant time period. For financial guarantees, credit loss estimates are based on the expected payments required under the guarantee contract. For finance lease receivables, credit loss estimates are based on cash flows consistent with the cash flows used in measuring the lease receivable.

The ACL represents an unbiased estimate of expected credit losses on our financial assets as at the balance sheet date. Judgment is required in making assumptions and estimations when calculating the ACL, including movements between the three stages, the inclusion of forward looking information and the application of expert credit judgment. The underlying assumptions and estimates may result in changes to the provisions from period to period that significantly affect our results of operations.

For further information on ACL, refer to Notes 2, 4 and 5 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

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.

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 future cash flows 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.

We assess for indicators of impairment of our other intangible assets 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. 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.

For further details, refer to Notes 2 and 11 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

126 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

mploy

ee 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. Discount rates are determined using a yield curve based on spot rates from high quality corporate bonds. All other assumptions are determined by us 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 16 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Consolidation of structured entities

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 as the agent of a third party or parties. 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 determining whether we control an entity, specifically, 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 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.

For further details, refer to Note 8 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Derecognition of financial assets

We periodically enter into transactions in which we transfer financial assets such as loans or MBS to structured entities or trusts that issue securities to investors. We derecognize 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 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 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 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, to our mortgage fund 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 those 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. For further information on derecognition of financial assets, refer to Notes 2 and 7 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Application of the effective interest method

Interest income and interest expense are generally recognized 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 other items.

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.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 127

Insurance and reinsurance contracts

For insurance and reinsurance contracts measured using the general measurement method or variable fee approach, the carrying amount of a group of contracts is measured as the sum of the fulfilment cash flows and CSM. The fulfilment cash flows consist of the present value of future cash flows and a risk adjustment for

non-financial

risk, discounted using the current rates as at the reporting date determined using the discount rate methodologies below. The estimates of future cash flows consider probability-weighted scenarios and include all future cash flows that are within the contract boundary. The risk adjustment for

non-financial

risk is estimated using the margin approach and represents the compensation that we require for bearing the uncertainty about the amount and timing of cash flows that arise from

non-financial

risk as the insurance contract is fulfilled. The measurement of the group of contracts requires the use of judgment in setting methodologies and assumptions for morbidity, mortality, longevity, policy lapses and other policyholder behaviour, discount rates, policy dividends, and directly attributable expenses, including acquisition expenses allocated using a systematic and rational method. Changes to the underlying assumptions and estimates may have a significant effect on

Non-interest

income – Insurance service result and Insurance investment result.

Discount rates used reflect the time value of money and are based on the characteristics of the insurance and reinsurance contracts. Cash flows that vary based on the returns on underlying items are discounted at rates reflecting that variability. For cash flows that do not vary based on the returns on underlying items, we predominantly apply the

top-down

approach in determining discount rates. Under this approach, the discount rates for the observable periods are determined using yield curves implied from a reference portfolio of assets adjusted to eliminate factors (market and credit risk of the financial assets) that are not relevant to the insurance contracts. For unobservable periods, the discount rates are interpolated using the last observable point and the ultimate discount rate that is composed of a risk-free rate and illiquidity premium. For a selected portfolio, the

bottom-up

approach is applied in determining the discount rate, which uses a risk-free rate plus an illiquidity premium to reflect the characteristics of the contracts. Management judgment is required in estimating the market and credit risk factors and illiquidity premiums in determining the discount rates.

For insurance contracts, the CSM represents the unearned profit (net inflows) for providing insurance coverage. For reinsurance contracts held, the CSM represents the net cost or net gain of purchasing reinsurance. The CSM for insurance and reinsurance contacts are released into income based on coverage units, which represent the quantity of service (insurance coverage as well as investment-return and investment-related services) provided by a group of contracts and are determined by considering the quantity of benefits provided under each contract and the expected coverage duration.

Refer to Note 2 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

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 judgment is applied in interpreting the relevant tax laws, in assessing the probability of acceptance of our tax positions by the relevant tax authorities and in estimating the expected timing and amount of the provision for current and deferred income taxes. 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, 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.

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 21 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Future changes in accounting policy and disclosure

Amendments to the Classification and Measurement of Financial Instruments

In May 2024, the IASB issued

Amendments to the Classification and Measurement of Financial Instruments

which amends IFRS 9

Financial Instruments

and IFRS 7

Financial Instruments: Disclosures

(the Amendments). The Amendments clarify classification guidance for financial assets with environmental, social and governance-linked features and introduce additional related disclosure requirements. The Amendments will be effective for us on November 1, 2026. We are currently assessing the impact of adopting the Amendments on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

IFRS 18 Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements (IFRS 18)

In April 2024, the IASB issued IFRS 18, which sets out requirements for the presentation and disclosure of information in the financial statements. IFRS 18 will replace IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements and accompanies limited amendments to other standards which will be effective upon the adoption of the new standard. The standard introduces new defined subtotals to be presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income, disclosure of management-defined performance measures and requirements for grouping of information. This standard will be effective for us on November 1, 2027. We are currently assessing the impact of adopting this standard on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

128 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Controls and procedures

Disclosure con

trols an

d 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 Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

As of October 31, 2024, management evaluated, under the supervision of and with the participation of the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined under rules adopted by the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the U.S. SEC. Based on that evaluation, the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of October 31, 2024.

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 IFRS. 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.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the year ended October 31, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. While we implemented and modified certain internal controls over financial reporting as a result of the HSBC Canada transaction and the November 1, 2023 adoption of the IFRS 17 standard, these changes did not have a material impact on 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 25 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

Supplementary information


Selected annual information		Table 70


(Millions of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)	2024		2023 (1)		2022 (1)
Total revenue	$	57,344	$	51,464	$	48,985
Net income attributable to:
Shareholders		16,230		14,605		15,794
Non-controlling interest		10		7		13
	$	16,240	$	14,612	$	15,807
Basic earnings per share	$	11.27	$	10.33	$	11.08
Diluted earnings per share		11.25		10.32		11.06
Dividends declared per common shares		5.60		5.34		4.96
Total assets	$	2,171,582	$	2,006,531	$	1,917,219
Deposits		1,409,531		1,231,687		1,208,814

(1)

Effective November 1, 2023, we adopted IFRS 17

Insurance Contracts

retrospectively and restated the period ended October 31, 2023. Results for the period ended October 31, 2022 are reported in accordance with IFRS 4

Insurance Contracts

in this 2024 Annual Report. Refer to Note 2 of our 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on these changes.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 129

Net interest income on average assets and liabilities

Table 71



	Average balances				Interest				Average rate

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except for percentage amounts)	2024		2023 (1)		2024		2023 (1)		2024		2023 (1)
Assets
Deposits with other banks
Canada	$	13,170	$	13,607	$	1,468	$	1,698		11.15%		12.48%
U.S.		74,409		88,774		3,906		3,963		5.25		4.46
Other International		7,527		15,402		748		1,191		9.94		7.73
		95,106		117,783		6,122		6,852		6.44		5.82
Securities
Trading		176,632		154,741		7,927		7,465		4.49		4.82
Investment, net of applicable allowance		226,256		180,174		9,741		7,047		4.31		3.91
		402,888		334,915		17,668		14,512		4.39		4.33
Asset purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed		396,552		383,246		27,121		22,164		6.84		5.78
Loans (2)
Canada
Retail		541,468		502,459		29,663		23,862		5.48		4.75
Wholesale		165,911		120,047		12,295		8,878		7.41		7.40
		707,379		622,506		41,958		32,740		5.93		5.26
U.S.		159,046		158,443		8,362		6,891		5.26		4.35
Other International		51,263		50,782		3,720		3,832		7.26		7.55
		917,688		831,731		54,040		43,463		5.89		5.23
Total interest-earning assets		1,812,234		1,667,675		104,951		86,991		5.79		5.22
Non-interest-bearing deposits with other banks		60,220		71,959		–		–		–		–
Customers’ liability under acceptances		9,094		19,912		–		–		–		–
Other assets		226,909		244,880		–		–		–		–
Total assets	$	2,108,457	$	2,004,426	$	104,951	$	86,991		4.98%		4.34%
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Deposits (3)
Canada	$	892,275	$	770,309	$	36,999	$	27,627		4.15%		3.59%
U.S.		155,928		153,838		6,377		5,383		4.09		3.50
Other International		83,069		93,658		3,880		3,669		4.67		3.92
		1,131,272		1,017,805		47,256		36,679		4.18		3.60
Obligations related to securities sold short		35,826		36,365		2,766		2,933		7.72		8.07
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned		374,099		352,282		25,479		20,433		6.81		5.80
Subordinated debentures		12,641		11,036		775		666		6.13		6.03
Other interest-bearing liabilities		25,166		37,639		722		1,151		2.87		3.06
Total interest-bearing liabilities		1,579,004		1,455,127		76,998		61,862		4.88		4.25
Non-interest-bearing deposits		185,758		193,815		–		–		–		–
Acceptances		9,138		19,954		–		–		–		–
Other liabilities		215,342		227,143		–		–		–		–
Total liabilities	$	1,989,242	$	1,896,039	$	76,998	$	61,862		3.87%		3.26%
Equity	$	119,215	$	108,387		n.a.		n.a.		n.a.		n.a.
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,108,457	$	2,004,426	$	76,998	$	61,862		3.65%		3.09%
Net interest income and margin	$	2,108,457	$	2,004,426	$	27,953	$	25,129		1.33%		1.25%
Net interest income and margin (average earning assets, net) (4)
Canada	$	1,088,773	$	970,243	$	22,281	$	18,752		2.05%		1.93%
U.S.		526,059		497,556		4,268		5,065		0.81		1.02
Other International		197,401		208,221		1,404		1,312		0.71		0.63
Total	$	1,812,233	$	1,676,020	$	27,953	$	25,129		1.54%		1.50%

(1)

(2)

Interest income includes loan fees of $1,165 million (2023 – $1,149 million; 2022 – $1,033 million).

(3)

Deposits include personal chequing and savings deposits with average balances of $254 billion (2023 – $250 billion; 2022 – $279 billion), interest expense of $3,580 million (2023 – $2,840 million; 2022 – $712 million) and average rates of 1.41% (2023 – 1.14%; 2022 – 0.26%). Deposits also include term deposits with average balances of $701 billion (2023 – $624 billion; 2022 – $500 billion), interest expense of $31,520 million (2023 – $24,260 million; 2022 – $7,323 million) and average rates of 4.50% (2023 – 3.89%; 2022 – 1.46%).

(4)

Geographic classification for selected assets and liabilities is based on the domicile of the booking point of the subject assets and liabilities.

n.a.

not applicable

130 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Glossary

Adjusted Results and Measures

We believe that providing adjusted results as well as certain measures and ratios enhances comparability with prior periods and enables readers to better assess trends in the underlying businesses. For further details, including a reconciliation, refer to the Key performance and

non-GAAP

measures section.

•

Adjusted effective income tax rate

– calculated as effective income tax rate excluding the impact of specified items and amortization of acquisition-related intangibles.

•

Adjusted income before income taxes

– calculated as income before income taxes excluding the impact of specified items and amortization of acquisition-related intangibles.

•

Adjusted income taxes

– calculated as income taxes excluding the impact of specified items and amortization of acquisition-related intangibles.

•

Adjusted net income

– calculated as net income excluding the impact of specified items and amortization of acquisition-related intangibles.

•

Adjusted net income available to common shareholders

– calculated as net income available to common shareholders excluding the impact of specified items and amortization of acquisition-related intangibles.

•

Adjusted

non-interest

expense

– calculated as

non-interest

expense excluding the impact of specified items and amortization of acquisition-related intangibles.

•

Adjusted total revenue

– calculated as total revenue excluding the impact of specified items.

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 (ACL)

The amount deemed adequate by management to absorb expected credit losses as at the balance sheet date. The allowance is established for all financial assets subject to impairment assessment, including certain loans, debt securities, customers’ liability under acceptances, financial guarantees, and undrawn loan commitments. The allowance is changed by the amount of provision for credit losses recorded, which is charged to income, and decreased by the amount of write-offs net of recoveries in the period.

ACL on loans ratio

ACL on loans ratio is calculated as ACL on loans as a percentage of total loans and acceptances.

Asset-backed securities (ABS)

Securities created through the securitization of a pool of assets, for example auto loans or credit card loans.

Assets under administration (AUA)

Assets administered by us, which are beneficially owned by clients, 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, 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.

Attributed capital

Attributed capital to our business segments is based on the Basel III regulatory capital and leverage requirements other than for our insurance segment for which we attribute capital based only on economic capital.

Auction rate securities (ARS)

Debt securities whose interest rates are regularly reset through an auction process.

Average earning assets, net

Average earning assets include interest-bearing deposits with other banks, securities, net of applicable allowance, assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed, loans, net of allowance, cash collateral and margin deposits. Insurance assets, and all other assets not specified are excluded. The averages are based on the daily balances for the period.

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. The CET1 capital is calculated in accordance with OSFI’s CAR guideline. For more details, refer to the Capital management section.

Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio

A risk-based capital measure calculated as CET1 capital divided by risk-weighted assets. The CET1 ratio is calculated in accordance with OSFI’s CAR guideline.

Contractual service margin (CSM)

Covered bonds

Full recourse

on-balance

sheet obligations issued by banks and credit institutions that are 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.

Dividend yield

Dividends per common share divided by the average of the high and low share price in the relevant period.

Earnings per share (EPS), basic

Calculated as net income available to common shareholders divided by the average number of shares outstanding. Adjusted EPS, basic is calculated in the same manner, using adjusted net income available to common shareholders.

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. Adjusted EPS, diluted is calculated in the same manner, using adjusted net income available to common shareholders.

Efficiency ratio

Non-interest

expense as a percentage of total revenue. Adjusted efficiency ratio is calculated in the same manner, using adjusted

non-interest

expense and adjusted total revenue.

Expected credit losses

The difference between the contractual cash flows due to us in accordance with the relevant contractual terms and the cash flows that we expect to receive, discounted to the balance sheet date.

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.

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.

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.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 137

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)

HQLA are cash or assets that can be converted into cash quickly through sales (or by being pledged as collateral) with no significant loss of value.

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.

Insurance contracts

Insurance investment result

Calculated as Net investment income from the Insurance segment, Insurance finance income (expense) from insurance contracts and Reinsurance finance income (expense) from reinsurance contracts held.

Insurance service result

Calculated as Insurance revenue less Insurance service expense from insurance contracts and Net income (expense) from reinsurance contracts held.

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

IFRS are principles-based standards, interpretations and the framework adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board.

Leverage ratio

A Basel III regulatory measure, the ratio divides Tier 1 capital by the leverage exposure measure. The leverage ratio is a

non-risk

based measure and is calculated in accordance with OSFI’s LR guideline.

Leverage ratio exposure

The leverage ratio exposure is calculated in accordance with OSFI’s LR guideline and is defined as the sum of total assets plus

off-balance

sheet items after certain adjustments.

Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR)

The LCR is a Basel III standard that aims to ensure that an institution has an adequate stock of unencumbered HQLA that consists of cash or assets that can be converted into cash at little or no loss of value in private markets, to meet its liquidity needs for a 30 calendar day liquidity stress scenario. The LCR is calculated in accordance with OSFI’s LAR guideline.

Loan-to-value

(LTV) ratio

Calculated based on the total facility amount for the residential mortgage and RBC Homeline Plan 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 (NIM) on average earning assets, net

Calculated as net interest income divided by average earning assets, net.

Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR)

The NSFR is a Basel III standard that requires institutions to maintain a stable funding profile defined as available amount of stable funding (ASF) in relation to the composition of their assets and

off-balance

sheet activities defined as required amount of stable funding (RSF). The ratio should be at least equal to 100% on an ongoing basis. The NSFR is calculated in accordance with OSFI’s LAR guideline.

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, commitments to extend credit, securities lending, documentary and commercial letters of credit, sponsor member guarantees, 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.

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 provisions on performing and impaired financial assets.

PCL on loans ratio

PCL on loans ratio is calculated using PCL on loans as a percentage of average net loans and acceptances.

RBC Homeline Plan products

This is comprised of residential mortgages and secured personal loans whereby the borrower pledges real estate as collateral.

Reinsurance contracts held

Contracts under which we transfer significant insurance risk to a reinsurer that compensates us for claims relating to underlying insurance contracts issued by us and are accounted for separately from the underlying insurance contracts to which they relate.

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.

Return on common equity (ROE)

Net income available to common shareholders, expressed as a percentage of average common equity. ROE is based on actual balances of average common equity before rounding. Adjusted ROE is calculated in the same manner, using adjusted net income available to common shareholders.

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 OSFI’s CAR guideline. For more details, refer to the Capital management section.

Securities lending

Transactions in which the owner of securities agrees to lend it under the terms of a prearranged contract to a borrower for a fee. Collateral for the loan consists of either high quality securities or cash and collateral value must be at least equal to the market value of the loaned securities. Borrowers pay a negotiated fee for loans collateralized by securities, whereas for cash collateral lenders pay borrowers interest at a negotiated rate and reinvest the cash collateral to earn a return. An intermediary such as a bank often acts as agent lender for the owner of the security in return for a share of the revenue earned by the owner from lending securities. Most often, agent lenders indemnify the owner against the risk of the borrower’s failure to redeliver the loaned securities – counterparty credit risk if a borrower defaults and market risk if the value of the

non-cash

collateral declines. The agent lender does not indemnify against the investment risk of

re-investing

cash collateral which is borne by the owner.

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.

Securitization

The process by which various financial assets are packaged into newly issued securities backed by these assets.

Standardized Approach (SA) for credit risk

Risk weights prescribed by OSFI are used to calculate RWA for the credit risk exposures. Credit assessments by OSFI-recognized external credit rating agencies of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLP; Moody’s Investors Service; Fitch Ratings, Inc.; DBRS and Kroll Bond Rating Agency, Inc. are used to risk-weight our Sovereign and Bank exposures based on the standards and guidelines issued by OSFI.

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.

138 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

EDTF recommendations index

We aim to present transparent, high-quality risk disclosures by providing disclosures in this 2024 Annual Report and Supplementary Financial Information package (SFI), and Pillar 3 Report, in accordance with recommendations from the FSB’s Enhanced Disclosure Task Force (EDTF). Information within the SFI and Pillar 3 Report is not and should not be considered incorporated by reference into this 2024 Annual Report.

The following index summarizes our disclosure by EDTF recommendation:


			Location of disclosure

Type of Risk	Recommendation	Disclosure	Annual Report page	SFI page
General	1	Table of contents for EDTF risk disclosure	140	1
	2	Define risk terminology and measures	69-75, 137-139	–
	3	Top and emerging risks	66-69	–
	4	New regulatory ratios	114-120	–
Risk governance, risk management and business model	5	Risk management organization	69-75	–
	6	Risk culture	69-75	–
	7	Risk in the context of our business activities	124	–
	8	Stress testing	73, 85	–
Capital adequacy and risk-weighted assets (RWA)	9	Minimum Basel III capital ratios and Domestic systemically important bank surcharge	114-120	–
	10	Composition of capital and reconciliation of the accounting balance sheet to the regulatory balance sheet	–	*
	11	Flow statement of the movements in regulatory capital	–	19
	12	Capital strategic planning	114-120	–
	13	RWA by business segments	–	20
	14	Analysis of capital requirement, and related measurement model information	75-79	*
	15	RWA credit risk and related risk measurements	–	*
	16	Movement of RWA by risk type	–	20
	17	Basel back-testing	72, 75-77	31
Liquidity	18	Quantitative and qualitative analysis of our liquidity reserve	92-93, 98-99	–
Funding	19	Encumbered and unencumbered assets by balance sheet category, and contractual obligations for rating downgrades	94, 97	–
	20	Maturity analysis of consolidated total assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet commitments analyzed by remaining contractual maturity at the balance sheet date	101-102	–
	21	Sources of funding and funding strategy	94-96	–
Market risk	22	Relationship between the market risk measures for trading and non-trading portfolios and the balance sheet	89-90	–
	23	Decomposition of market risk factors	85-90	–
	24	Market risk validation and back-testing	85	–
	25	Primary risk management techniques beyond reported risk measures and parameters	85-88	–
Credit risk	26	Bank’s credit risk profile	75-85, 187-194	21-31*
		Quantitative summary of aggregate credit risk exposures that reconciles to the balance sheet	131-136	*
	27	Policies for identifying impaired loans	77-79, 126, 157-160	–
	28	Reconciliation of the opening and closing balances of impaired loans and impairment allowances during the year	–	23, 28
	29	Quantification of gross notional exposure for OTC derivatives or exchange-traded derivatives	80	32
	30	Credit risk mitigation, including collateral held for all sources of credit risk	78-79	*
Other	31	Other risk types	104-113	–
Other	32	Publicly known risk events	108-109, 236-237	–

These disclosure requirements are satisfied or partially satisfied by disclosures provided in our Pillar 3 Report for the quarter ended October 31, 2024 and for the year ended October 31, 2023.

140 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Index for Enhanced Disclosure Task Force recommendations

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.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm appointed by our shareholders upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee and Board, has performed an independent audit of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) as stated in their Independent Auditor’s Report and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, respectively. 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

Katherine Gibson

Chief Financial Officer

Toronto, December 3, 2024

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 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 International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. 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 Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2024, 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, 2024, internal control over financial reporting was effective based on the criteria established in the

Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013).

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2024, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, as stated in their Report of Independent

Registered Public Accounting Firm, which appears herein.

David I. McKay

President and Chief Executive Officer

Katherine Gibson

Chief Financial Officer

Toronto, December 3, 2024

142 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Royal Bank of Canada

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Royal Bank of Canada and its subsidiaries (together, the Bank) as of October 31, 2024 and 2023, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the years then ended, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the consolidated financial statements). We also have audited the Bank’s internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2024, based on criteria established in

Internal Control – Integrated Framework

(2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Bank as of October 31, 2024 and 2023, and its financial performance and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Also in our opinion, the Bank maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2024, based on criteria established in

Internal Control – Integrated Framework

(2013) issued by the COSO.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Bank has changed its method of accounting for insurance contracts in 2024.

Basis for Opinions

The Bank’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, 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 opinions on the Bank’s consolidated financial statements and on the Bank’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Bank in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

An entity’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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. An entity’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the entity; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the entity are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the entity; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the entity’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans Categorized as Stage 1 and Stage 2 (Stage 1 and Stage 2 ACL)

As described in Notes 2 and 5 to the consolidated financial statements, the Bank’s allowance for credit losses on loans was $6,352 million as of October 31, 2024 and represents management’s estimate of expected credit losses on loans as of the balance sheet date, of which a significant portion relates to loans categorized as Stage 1 and Stage 2. Performing loans are categorized as

146 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

Stage 1 from initial recognition to the date on which the loan has experienced a significant increase in credit risk relative to its initial recognition. Performing loans transfer into Stage 2 following a significant increase in credit risk relative to the initial recognition. Loans are categorized as Stage 3 when considered to be credit-impaired. As disclosed by management, the measurement of expected credit losses on loans is a complex calculation that involves a significant number of interrelated inputs and assumptions such as borrower risk ratings, forward-looking macroeconomic conditions, scenario design and the weight assigned to each scenario. The probability of default, loss given default and exposure at default inputs are modelled based on the macroeconomic variables that are most closely correlated with credit losses. Management’s estimation of expected credit losses on loans categorized as Stage 1 and Stage 2 considers five distinct future macroeconomic scenarios, each of which includes a forecast of relevant macroeconomic variables, designed to capture a wide range of possible outcomes and which are probability-weighted according to management’s expectation of the relative likelihood of the range of outcomes that each scenario represents at the reporting date. Significant management judgment is required in making assumptions and estimations when calculating the Stage 1 and Stage 2 ACL.

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the Stage 1 and Stage 2 ACL is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment required by management when estimating the Stage 1 and Stage 2 ACL; (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment and subjectivity in performing procedures related to management’s assumptions for (a) designing future macroeconomic scenarios, (b) forecasting certain macroeconomic variables, (c) probability-weighting scenarios, and (d) assigning borrower risk ratings; (iii) the significant audit effort necessary to evaluate audit evidence as the estimation of the Stage 1 and Stage 2 ACL is a complex calculation that involves a large volume of data, interrelated inputs and assumptions, some of which are model-based; and (iv) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the estimation of the Stage 1 and Stage 2 ACL, including controls over (i) the probability of default, loss given default and exposure at default models; (ii) the design of future macroeconomic scenarios, the forecasting of certain macroeconomic variables, and the probability-weighting of these scenarios; (iii) the assignment of borrower risk ratings; and (iv) the completeness and accuracy of certain data inputs underlying the Stage 1 and Stage 2 ACL calculation. These procedures also included, among others, testing management’s process for estimating the Stage 1 and Stage 2 ACL. This consisted of (i) testing the completeness and accuracy of certain underlying data used in the estimation of the Stage 1 and Stage 2 ACL; and (ii) with the assistance of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge, evaluating (a) the appropriateness of the probability of default, loss given default and exposure at default models used in the estimation of the Stage 1 and Stage 2 ACL, and (b) the reasonableness of significant inputs and assumptions used in the estimation of the Stage 1 and Stage 2 ACL related to (1) the design of future macroeconomic scenarios, (2) certain forecasted macroeconomic variables, (3) the

probability-weights

assigned to these scenarios, and (4) the assignment of borrower risk ratings for samples of loans.

Uncertain Tax Positions

As described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Bank is subject to income tax laws in various jurisdictions where it operates and the complex tax laws are potentially subject to different interpretations by management and the relevant taxation authorities. As disclosed by management, significant judgment is required in the interpretation of the relevant tax laws, and in assessing the probability of acceptance of the Bank’s tax positions to determine tax provisions, which includes management’s estimate of uncertain tax positions that are under audit or appeal by the relevant taxation authorities. Management performs a review on a quarterly basis to incorporate its assessment based on information available, but additional liability and income tax expense could result based on the acceptance of the Bank’s tax positions by the relevant taxation authorities. In some cases, as described in Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements, the Bank has received reassessments denying the tax deductibility of dividends from certain transactions including those with Tax Indifferent Investors.

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to uncertain tax positions is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment required by management, including a high degree of estimation uncertainty, when (a) interpreting the relevant tax laws, and (b) assessing the probability of acceptance of the Bank’s tax positions, which includes management’s estimate of uncertain tax positions that are under audit or appeal by the relevant taxation authorities; (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment and subjectivity in evaluating the uncertain tax positions; and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the evaluation of uncertain tax positions and the impact on tax provisions. These procedures also included, among others, testing management’s process for (i) assessing the probability of acceptance of the Bank’s tax positions; and (ii) estimating provisions relating to uncertain tax positions, if applicable, which reflects management’s estimate of uncertain tax positions that are under audit or appeal by the relevant taxation authorities. This consisted of (i) reviewing correspondence with relevant taxation authorities; (ii) evaluating the appropriateness of the methods used; (iii) testing the completeness and accuracy of underlying data used in the estimate; (iv) making inquiries of the Bank’s internal and external legal counsel; and (v) evaluating, with the assistance of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge, the application of relevant tax laws, the reasonableness of management’s assessment of whether it is probable that the relevant taxation authorities will accept the Bank’s tax positions, and evidence used by management.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants

Toronto, Canada

December 3, 2024

We have served as the Bank’s auditor since 2016.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 14

Table of Contents

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity


	For the year ended October 31, 2024
																Other components of equity
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Preferred shares and other equity instruments			Common shares			Treasury – preferred shares and other equity instruments			Treasury – common shares			Retained earnings			FVOCI securities and loans			Foreign currency translation		Cash flow hedges			Total other components of equity		Equity attributable to shareholders			Non-controlling interests			Total equity
Balance at beginning of period	$	7,323		$	19,398		$	(9	)	$	(231	)	$	81,715		$	(2,516	)	$	6,612	$	2,756		$	6,852	$	115,048		$	99		$	115,147
Transition adjustment (Note 2)		–			–			–			–			(656	)		656			–		–			656		–			–			–
Restated balance at beginning of period	$	7,323		$	19,398		$	(9	)	$	(231	)	$	81,059		$	(1,860	)	$	6,612	$	2,756		$	7,508	$	115,048		$	99		$	115,147
Changes in equity
Issues of share capital and other equity instruments		2,720			1,628			–			–			(18	)		–			–		–			–		4,330			–			4,330
Common shares purchased for cancellation		–			(13	)		–			–			(127	)		–			–		–			–		(140	)		–			(140	)
Redemption of preferred shares and other equity instruments		(1,023	)		–			–			–			2			–			–		–			–		(1,021	)		–			(1,021	)
Sales of treasury shares and other equity instruments		–			–			1,245			5,472			–			–			–		–			–		6,717			–			6,717
Purchases of treasury shares and other equity instruments		–			–			(1,225	)		(5,302	)		–			–			–		–			–		(6,527	)		–			(6,527	)
Share-based compensation awards		–			–			–			–			69			–			–		–			–		69			–			69
Dividends on common shares		–			–			–			–			(7,916	)		–			–		–			–		(7,916	)		–			(7,916	)
Dividends on preferred shares and distributions on other equity instruments		–			–			–			–			(322	)		–			–		–			–		(322	)		(6	)		(328	)
Other		–			–			–			–			24			–			–		–			–		24			–			24
Net income		–			–			–			–			16,230			–			–		–			–		16,230			10			16,240
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes		–			–			–			–			(393	)		963			516		(489	)		990		597			–			597
Balance at end of period	$	9,020		$	21,013		$	11		$	(61	)	$	88,608		$	(897	)	$	7,128	$	2,267		$	8,498	$	127,089		$	103		$	127,192


	For the year ended October 31, 2023 (Restated – Note 2)
																Other components of equity
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Preferred shares and other equity instruments			Common shares			Treasury – preferred shares and other equity instruments			Treasury – common shares			Retained earnings			FVOCI securities and loans			Foreign currency translation		Cash flow hedges			Total other components of equity		Equity attributable to shareholders			Non-controlling interests			Total equity
Balance at beginning of period	$	7,323		$	17,318		$	(5	)	$	(334	)	$	78,037		$	(2,357	)	$	5,688	$	2,394		$	5,725	$	108,064		$	111		$	108,175
Transition adjustment (Note 2)		–			–			–			–			(2,359	)		–			–		–			–		(2,359	)		–			(2,359	)
Restated balance at beginning of period	$	7,323		$	17,318		$	(5	)	$	(334	)	$	75,678		$	(2,357	)	$	5,688	$	2,394		$	5,725	$	105,705		$	111		$	105,816
Changes in equity
Issues of share capital and other equity instruments		–			2,080			–			–			1			–			–		–			–		2,081			–			2,081
Common shares purchased for cancellation		–			–			–			–			–			–			–		–			–		–			–			–
Redemption of preferred shares and other equity instruments		–			–			–			–			–			–			–		–			–		–			–			–
Sales of treasury shares and other equity instruments		–			–			515			3,659			–			–			–		–			–		4,174			–			4,174
Purchases of treasury shares and other equity instruments		–			–			(519	)		(3,556	)		–			–			–		–			–		(4,075	)		–			(4,075	)
Share-based compensation awards		–			–			–			–			4			–			–		–			–		4			–			4
Dividends on common shares		–			–			–			–			(7,443	)		–			–		–			–		(7,443	)		–			(7,443	)
Dividends on preferred shares and distributions on other equity instruments		–			–			–			–			(236	)		–			–		–			–		(236	)		(21	)		(257	)
Other		–			–			–			–			(18	)		–			–		–			–		(18	)		–			(18	)
Net income		–			–			–			–			14,605			–			–		–			–		14,605			7			14,612
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes		–			–			–			–			(876	)		(159	)		924		362			1,127		251			2			253
Restated balance at end of period	$	7,323		$	19,398		$	(9	)	$	(231	)	$	81,715		$	(2,516	)	$	6,612	$	2,756		$	6,852	$	115,048		$	99		$	115,147

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 1

Table of Contents

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


	For the year ended
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	October 31 2024			October 31 2023 (Restated – Note 2)

Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$	16,240		$	14,612
Adjustments for non-cash items and others
Provision for credit losses		3,232			2,468
Depreciation		1,364			1,275
Deferred income taxes		(1,529	)		(1,018	)
Amortization and impairment of other intangibles		1,617			1,579
Net changes in investments in joint ventures and associates		16			221
Losses (Gains) on investment securities		(170	)		(193	)
Losses (Gains) on disposition of business		29			(92	)
Adjustments for net changes in operating assets and liabilities
Insurance contract liabilities		3,205			800
Net change in accrued interest receivable and payable		1,674			2,838
Current income taxes		945			(1,008	)
Derivative assets		(4,797	)		11,826
Derivative liabilities		17,593			(10,452	)
Trading securities		8,886			(41,946	)
Loans, net of securitizations		(55,007	)		(34,688	)
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed		(10,168	)		(22,346	)
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned		(35,581	)		61,291
Obligations related to securities sold short		727			(1,860	)
Deposits, net of securitizations		91,596			43,990
Brokers and dealers receivable and payable		(304	)		(2,444	)
Other		(16,429	)		1,226
Net cash from (used in) operating activities		23,139			26,079
Cash flows from investing activities
Change in interest-bearing deposits with banks		5,066			18,743
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investment securities		182,335			156,466
Purchases of investment securities		(193,307	)		(202,456	)
Net acquisitions of premises and equipment and other intangibles		(2,280	)		(2,730	)
Net proceeds from (cash transferred for) dispositions		15			1,712
Cash used in acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(12,716	)		–
Net cash from (used in) investing activities		(20,887	)		(28,265	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance of subordinated debentures		3,250			1,500
Repayment of subordinated debentures		(1,500	)		(170	)
Issue of common shares, net of issuance costs		159			65
Common shares purchased for cancellation		(140	)		–
Issue of preferred shares and other equity instruments, net of issuance costs		2,702			–
Redemption of preferred shares and other equity instruments		(1,021	)		–
Sales of treasury shares and other equity instruments		6,717			4,174
Purchases of treasury shares and other equity instruments		(6,527	)		(4,075	)
Dividends paid on shares and distributions paid on other equity instruments		(6,637	)		(5,549	)
Dividends/distributions paid to non-controlling interests		(6	)		(21	)
Change in short-term borrowings of subsidiaries		(4,507	)		(5,102	)
Repayment of lease liabilities		(636	)		(655	)
Net cash from (used in) financing activities		(8,146	)		(9,833	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and due from banks		628			1,611
Net change in cash and due from banks		(5,266	)		(10,408	)
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period (1)		61,989			72,397
Cash and due from banks at end of period (1)	$	56,723		$	61,989
Cash flows from operating activities include:
Amount of interest paid	$	73,639		$	54,698
Amount of interest received		102,127			81,090
Amount of dividends received		3,502			3,362
Amount of income taxes paid		3,410			4,964

(1)

We are required to maintain balances due to regulatory requirements or contractual restrictions from central banks, other regulatory authorities, and other counterparties. The total balances were $2 billion as at October 31, 2024 (October 31, 2023 – $3 billion; October 31, 2022 – $2 billion).

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

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Note 1 General information

Royal Bank of Canada and its subsidiaries (the Bank) provide diversified financial services including Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, Wealth Management, Insurance and Capital Markets products and services on a global basis. Refer to Note 26 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 as noted. 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 Canada (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 3, 2024, the Board of Directors authorized the Consolidated Financial Statements for issue.

Note 2 Summary of material accounting policies, estimates and judgments

The material 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. The same accounting policies have been applied to all periods presented.

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: determination of fair value of financial instruments, allowance for credit losses, insurance and reinsurance contracts, pensions and other post-employment benefits, income taxes, goodwill and other intangible assets, and provisions. 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	Note 2 Note 8	Goodwill and other intangibles	Note 2 Note 11

Fair value of financial instruments	Note 2 Note 3	Application of the effective interest method	Note 2

Allowance for credit losses	Note 2 Note 4 Note 5	Derecognition of financial assets	Note 2 Note 7

Insurance and reinsurance contracts	Note 2 Note 15	Income taxes	Note 2 Note 21

Employee benefits	Note 2 Note 16	Provisions	Note 2 Note 23 Note 24

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

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 15

Table of Contents

Note 2 Summary of material 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 equity attributable to our shareholders. The net income attributable to

non-controlling

interests is separately disclosed in our Consolidated Statements of Income.

Investments in joint ventures and associates

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 coordinated 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.

Financial Instruments

Classification of financial assets

Financial assets are measured at initial recognition at fair value, and are classified and subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL), fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) or amortized cost based on our business model for managing the financial instruments and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the instrument.

Debt instruments are measured at amortized cost if both of the following conditions are met and the asset is not designated as FVTPL: (a) the asset is held within a business model that is

Held-to-Collect

(HTC) as described below, and (b) the contractual terms of the instrument give rise to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding (SPPI).

Debt instruments are measured at FVOCI if both of the following conditions are met and the asset is not designated as FVTPL: (a) the asset is held within a business model that is

Held-to-Collect-and-Sell

(HTC&S) as described below, and (b) the contractual terms of the instrument give rise, on specified dates, to cash flows that are SPPI.

All other debt instruments are measured at FVTPL.

Equity instruments are measured at FVTPL, unless the asset is not held for trading purposes and we make an irrevocable election to designate the asset as FVOCI. This election is made on an

instrument-by-instrument

basis.

Business model assessment

We determine our business models at the level that best reflects how we manage portfolios of financial assets to achieve our business objectives. Judgment is used in determining our business models, which is supported by relevant, objective evidence including:

•

How the economic activities of our businesses generate benefits, for example through trading revenue, enhancing yields or hedging funding or other costs and how such economic activities are evaluated and reported to key management personnel;

•

The significant risks affecting the performance of our businesses, for example, market risk, credit risk, or other risks as described in the Risk Management section of the MD&A, and the activities undertaken to manage those risks;

•

Historical and future expectations of sales of the loans or securities portfolios managed as part of a business model; and

•

The compensation structures for managers of our businesses, to the extent that these are directly linked to the economic performance of the business model.

Our business models fall into three categories, which are indicative of the key strategies used to generate returns:

•

HTC: The objective of this business model is to hold loans and securities to collect contractual principal and interest cash flows. Sales are incidental to this objective and are expected to be insignificant or infrequent.

•

HTC&S: Both collecting contractual cash flows and sales are integral to achieving the objective of the business model.

•

Other fair value business models: These business models are neither HTC nor HTC&S, and primarily represent business models where assets are

held-for-trading

or managed on a fair value basis.

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

SPPI assessment

Instruments held within a HTC or HTC&S business model are assessed to evaluate if their contractual cash flows are comprised of solely payments of principal and interest. SPPI payments are those which would typically be expected from basic lending arrangements. Principal amounts include par repayments from lending and financing arrangements, and interest primarily relates to basic lending returns, including compensation for credit risk and the time value of money associated with the principal amount outstanding over a period of time. Interest can also include other basic lending risks and costs (for example, liquidity risk, servicing or administrative costs) associated with holding the financial asset for a period of time, and a profit margin.

Where the contractual terms introduce exposure to risk or variability of cash flows that are inconsistent with a basic lending arrangement, the related financial asset is classified and measured at FVTPL.

Securities

Trading securities include all securities that are classified as FVTPL by nature and securities designated as FVTPL. 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 generally recorded in

Non-interest

income – Trading revenue or

Non-interest

income – Other except for amounts relating to the Insurance segment, which are recorded in

Non-interest

income – Insurance investment result. Dividends and interest income accruing on Trading securities are recorded in Interest and dividend income except for amounts relating to the Insurance segment, which are recorded in

Non-interest

income – Insurance investment result. Interest and dividends accrued on securities sold short are recorded in Interest expense.

Investment securities include all securities classified as FVOCI and amortized cost. All investment securities are initially recorded at fair value and subsequently measured according to the respective classification.

Investment securities carried at amortized cost are measured using the effective interest method, and are presented net of any allowance for credit losses, calculated in accordance with our policy for Allowance for credit losses, as described below. Interest income, including the amortization of premiums and discounts on securities measured at amortized cost are recorded in Interest and dividend income. Impairment gains or losses recognized on amortized cost securities are recorded in Provision for credit losses (PCL). When a debt instrument measured at amortized cost is sold, the difference between the sale proceeds and the amortized cost of the security at the time of the sale is recorded as Net gains on investment securities in

Non-interest

income.

Debt securities carried at FVOCI are measured at fair value with unrealized gains and losses arising from changes in fair value included in Other components of equity. Impairment gains and losses are included in PCL and correspondingly reduce the accumulated changes in fair value included in Other components of equity. When a debt instrument measured at FVOCI is sold, the cumulative gain or loss is reclassified from Other components of equity to

Non-interest

income – Net gains on investment securities, or

Non-interest

income – Insurance investment result if relating to the Insurance segment.

Equity securities carried at FVOCI are measured at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are recorded in Other components of equity and not subsequently reclassified to profit or loss when realized. Dividends from FVOCI equity securities are recognized in Interest and dividend income except for amounts relating to the Insurance segment, which are recorded

Non-interest

income – Insurance investment result.

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 measured at FVTPL, and changes in the fair value of securities measured at FVOCI 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 with a reliably measurable fair value can be designated as 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. The fair value option can be used for financial assets if it eliminates or significantly reduces a measurement or recognition inconsistency that would otherwise arise from measuring assets or liabilities, or recognizing related gains and losses on a different basis (an accounting mismatch). The fair value option can be elected for financial liabilities if: (i) the election eliminates an accounting mismatch; (ii) the financial liability is part of a portfolio that is managed on a fair value basis, in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy; 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 FVTPL are recorded at fair value and any unrealized gain or loss arising due to changes in fair value is included in

Non-interest

income – Trading revenue or

Non-interest

income – Other, depending on our business purpose for holding the financial asset.

Financial liabilities designated as FVTPL are recorded at fair value and fair value changes attributable to changes in our own credit risk are recorded in OCI. Own credit risk amounts recognized in OCI will not be reclassified subsequently to net income. The remaining fair value changes not attributable to changes in our own credit risk are recorded in

Non-interest

income – Trading revenue or

Non-interest

income – Other, depending on our business purpose for holding the financial liability, except for amounts relating to the Insurance segment, which are recorded in

Non-interest

income – Insurance investment result. 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 FVTPL is recognized in net income. To make that determination, we assess whether we expect that the effects of changes in the liability’s credit risk will be offset in profit or loss by a change in the fair value of another financial instrument measured at FVTPL. Such an expectation is based on an economic relationship between the characteristics of the liability and the characteristics of the other financial instrument. The determination is made at initial recognition and is not reassessed. To determine the fair value adjustments on our debt instruments designated as 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.

Determination of fair value

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 15

Table of Contents

Note 2 Summary of material accounting policies, estimates and judgments

(continued)

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 the adequacy of governance structures and control processes for the valuation of these instruments.

We have established policies, procedures and controls for valuation methodologies and techniques to ensure that 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, other pricing service values and, when available, actual trade data. Quoted prices for identical instruments from pricing services or brokers are generally not adjusted unless there are issues such as stale prices. If multiple quotes for identical instruments are received, fair value is based on an average of the prices received or the quote from the most reliable vendor, after the outlier prices that fall outside of the pricing range are removed. 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 the use of models. 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 the 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 the fair value of certain portfolios of financial instruments, primarily derivatives, based 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 actual counterparty collateral discount curve and standard overnight index swap (OIS) discounting 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 implied probability of default (PD) and recovery rate, and are intended to arrive at a fair value that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the financial instrument. The ultimate realized price for a transaction may differ from its fair recorded value previously estimated using management judgment.

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 transactions and the effects of credit mitigants such as master netting and collateral agreements. CVA amounts are derived from estimates of exposure at default (EAD), PD, recovery rates on a counterparty basis and market and credit factor correlations. EAD is the value of expected derivative related assets and liabilities at the time of default, estimated through modelling using underlying risk factors. PD is implied from the market prices for credit protection and the credit ratings of the counterparty. When market data is unavailable, it is estimated by incorporating assumptions and adjustments that market participants would use for determining fair value using these inputs. Correlation is the statistical measure of how credit and market factors may move in relation to one another. Correlation is estimated using historical data. CVA is calculated daily and changes are recorded in

Non-interest

income – Trading revenue.

FVA is also calculated to incorporate the 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.

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-market

price to either the bid or offer price.

Some valuation models require parameter calibration from such factors as market observable 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.

cial instrument in the fair value hierarchy for disclosure purposes is based upon the lowest level of i

ut that is significant to t

measur

ent of fair value.

Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

Loans

Loans are debt instruments recognized initially at fair value and are subsequently measured in accordance

with

the Classification of financial assets policy provided above. The majority of our loans are carried at amortized cost using the effective interest method, which represents the gross carrying amount less allowance for credit losses.

Interest on loans is recognized using the effective interest method and recorded in Interest income except for amounts relating to the Insurance segment, which are recorded in

Non-interest

income – Insurance investment. The estimated future cash flows used in this calculation include those determined by the contractual term of the asset and all fees that are considered to be integral to the effective interest rate. Also included in this amount are 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. Future prepayment fees on mortgage loans are not included as part of the effective interest rate at origination. If prepayment fees are received on a renewal of a mortgage loan before maturity, 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.

For loans carried at amortized cost or FVOCI, impairment losses are recognized at each balance sheet date in accordance with the three-stage impairment model outlined below.

Allowance for credit losses

An allowance for credit losses (ACL) is established for all financial assets, except for financial assets classified or designated as FVTPL and equity securities designated as FVOCI, which are not subject to impairment assessment. Assets subject to impairment assessment include loans, debt securities, interest-bearing deposits with banks, customers’ liability under acceptances, accounts and accrued interest receivable, and finance and operating lease receivables. ACL on loans measured at amortized cost is presented in Allowance for loan losses. ACL on debt securities measured at FVOCI is presented in Other components of equity. Other financial assets carried at amortized cost are presented net of ACL on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Off-balance

sheet items subject to impairment assessment include financial guarantees and undrawn loan commitments. ACL on

off-balance

sheet items is separately calculated and included in Other Liabilities – Provisions.

We measure the ACL on each balance sheet date according to a three-stage expected credit loss impairment model:

•

Performing financial assets

•

Impaired financial assets

•

Increases or decreases in the required ACL attributable to model changes and new originations, sales or maturities, and changes in risk, parameters and exposures due to changes in loss expectations or stage transfers are recorded in PCL. Write-offs and recoveries of amounts previously written off are recorded against ACL.

The ACL represents an unbiased estimate of expected credit losses on our financial assets as at the balance sheet date. Judgment is required in making assumptions and estimations when calculating the ACL, including movements between the three stages and the application of forward-looking information. The underlying assumptions and estimates may result in changes to the provisions from period to period that significantly affect our results of operations.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 157

Table of Contents

Note 2 Summary of material accounting policies, estimates and judgments

(continued)

Measurement of expected credit losses

Expected credit losses are based on a range of possible outcomes and consider all available reasonable and supportable information, including internal and external ratings, historical credit loss experience and expectations about future cash flows. The measurement of expected credit losses is based primarily on the product of the instrument’s PD, loss given default (LGD), and EAD discounted to the reporting date. The main difference between Stage 1 and Stage 2 expected credit losses for performing financial assets is the respective calculation horizon. Stage 1 estimates project PD, LGD and

EAD

over a maximum period of 12 months while Stage 2 estimates project PD, LGD and EAD over the remaining lifetime of the instrument.

An expected credit loss estimate is produced for each individual exposure. Relevant parameters are modelled on a collective basis using portfolio segmentation that allows for appropriate incorporation of forward-looking information. To reflect other characteristics that are not already considered through modelling, expert credit judgment is exercised in determining the final expected credit losses.

For a small percentage of our portfolios which lack detailed historical information and/or loss experience, we apply simplified measurement approaches that may differ from what is described above. These approaches have been designed to maximize the available information that is reliable and supportable for each portfolio and may be collective in nature.

Expected credit losses are discounted to the reporting period date using the effective interest rate.

Expected life

For instruments in Stage 2 or Stage 3, loss allowances reflect expected credit losses over the expected remaining lifetime of the instrument. For most instruments, the expected life is limited to the remaining contractual life.

An exemption is provided for certain instruments with the following characteristics: (a) the instrument includes both a loan and undrawn commitment component; (b) we have the contractual ability to demand repayment and cancel the undrawn commitment; and (c) our exposure to credit losses is not limited to the contractual notice period. For products in scope of this exemption, the expected life may exceed the remaining contractual life and is the period over which our exposure to credit losses is not mitigated by our normal credit risk management actions. This period varies by product and risk category and is estimated based on our historical experience with similar exposures and consideration of credit risk management actions taken as part of our regular credit review cycle. Products in scope of this exemption include credit cards, overdraft balances and certain revolving lines of credit. Judgment is required in determining the instruments in scope for this exemption and estimating the appropriate remaining life based on our historical experience and credit risk mitigation practices.

Assessment of significant increase in credit risk

The assessment of significant increase in credit risk requires significant judgment. Movements between Stage 1 and Stage 2 are based on whether an instrument’s credit risk as at the reporting date has increased significantly relative to the date it was initially recognized. For the purposes of this assessment, credit risk is based on an instrument’s lifetime PD, not the losses we expect to incur. The assessment is generally performed at the instrument level.

Our assessment of significant increases in credit risk is performed at least quarterly based on three factors. If any of the following factors indicates that a significant increase in credit risk has occurred, the instrument is moved from Stage 1 to Stage 2:

(1)

We have established thresholds for significant increases in credit risk based on both a percentage and absolute change in lifetime PD relative to initial recognition. For our wholesale portfolio, a decrease in the borrower’s risk rating is also required to determine that credit risk has increased significantly.

(2)

Additional qualitative reviews may be performed, as necessary, to assess the staging results, which may lead to adjustments to better reflect the positions whose credit risk has increased significantly. These reviews are completed at both the individual borrower levels and the portfolio level and may result in an instrument, a portfolio or a portion of a portfolio moving from Stage 1 to Stage 2.

(3)

Instruments which are 30 days past due are generally considered to have experienced a significant increase in credit risk, even if our other metrics do not indicate that a significant increase in credit risk has occurred.

The thresholds for movement between Stage 1 and Stage 2 are symmetrical. After a financial asset has transferred to Stage 2, if its credit risk is no longer considered to have significantly increased relative to its initial recognition, the financial asset will move back to Stage 1.

For certain instruments with low credit risk as at the reporting date, it is presumed that credit risk has not increased significantly relative to initial recognition. Credit risk is considered to be low if the instrument has a low risk of default, and the borrower has the ability to fulfill their contractual obligations both in the near term and in the longer term, including periods of adverse changes in the economic or business environment. Certain interest-bearing deposits with banks, assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements, insurance policy loans, and liquidity facilities extended to our multi-seller conduits have been identified as having low credit risk.

Use of forward-looking information

The measurement of expected credit losses for each stage and the assessment of significant increase in credit risk considers information about past events and current conditions as well as reasonable and supportable projections of future events and economic conditions. The estimation and application of forward-looking information requires significant judgment.

The PD, LGD and EAD inputs used to estimate Stage 1 and Stage 2 credit loss allowances are modelled based on the macroeconomic variables (or changes in macroeconomic variables) that are most closely correlated with credit losses in the relevant portfolio. Each macroeconomic scenario used in our expected credit loss calculation includes a projection of all relevant macroeconomic variables used in our models for a five-year period, subsequently reverting to

long-run

averages. Macroeconomic variables used in our expected credit loss models include, but are not limited to, unemployment rates, gross domestic product growth rates, equity return indices, commodity prices, and Canadian housing prices. Depending on their usage in the models, macroeconomic variables may be projected at a country, province/state or more granular level.

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Our estimation of expected credit losses in Stage 1 and Stage 2 is a discounted probability-weighted estimate that considers a minimum of three future macroeconomic scenarios. Our base case scenario is based on macroeconomic forecasts published by our internal economics group. The published forecasts are developed from models based on historical macroeconomic data, derived from public sources and financial markets. Upside and downside scenarios vary relative to our base case scenario based on reasonably possible alternative macroeconomic conditions. Additional and more severe downside scenarios are designed to capture a broader range of potential credit losses in certain sectors. Scenario design, including the identification of additional downside scenarios, occurs at least on an annual basis and more frequently if conditions warrant.

Scenarios are designed to capture a wide range of possible outcomes and weighted according to our best estimate of the relative likelihood of the range of outcomes that each scenario represents. Scenario weights take into account historical frequency, current trends, and forward-looking conditions and are updated on a quarterly basis. All scenarios considered are applied to all portfolios subject to expected credit losses with the same probabilities.

Our assessment of significant increases in credit risk is based on changes in probability-weighted forward-looking lifetime PDs as at the reporting date, using the same macroeconomic scenarios as the calculation of expected credit losses.

Definition of default

The definition of default used in the measurement of expected credit losses is consistent with the definition of default used for our internal credit risk management purposes. Our definition of default may differ across products and consider both quantitative and qualitative factors, such as the terms of financial covenants and days past due. For retail and wholesale borrowers, except as detailed below, default occurs when the borrower is more than 90 days past due on any material obligation to us, and/or we consider the borrower unlikely to make their payments in full without recourse action on our part, such as taking formal possession of any collateral held. For certain credit card balances, default occurs when payments are 180 days past due. For these balances, the use of a period in excess of 90 days past due is reasonable and supported by observable data on

write-off

and recovery rates experienced on historical credit card portfolios. The definition of default used is applied consistently from period to period and to all financial instruments unless it can be demonstrated that circumstances have changed such that another definition of default is more appropriate.

Credit-impaired financial assets (Stage 3)

Financial assets are assessed for credit-impairment at each balance sheet date and more frequently when circumstances warrant further assessment. Evidence of credit-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.

An asset that is in Stage 3 will move back to Stage 2 when, as at the reporting date, it is no longer considered to be credit-impaired. The asset will transfer back to Stage 1 when its credit risk at the reporting date is no longer considered to have increased significantly from initial recognition, which could occur during the same reporting period as the transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 2.

When a financial asset has been identified as credit-impaired, expected credit losses are measured as the difference between the asset’s gross carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the instrument’s original effective interest rate. For impaired financial assets with drawn and undrawn components, expected credit losses also reflect any credit losses related to the portion of the loan commitment that is expected to be drawn down over the remaining life of the instrument.

When a financial asset is credit-impaired, interest ceases to be recognized on the regular accrual basis, which accrues income based on the gross carrying amount of the asset. Rather, interest income is calculated by applying the original effective interest rate to the amortized cost of the asset, which is the gross carrying amount less the related ACL.

ACL for credit-impaired loans in Stage 3 are established at the borrower level, where losses related to impaired loans are identified on individually significant loans, or collectively assessed and determined through the use of portfolio-based rates, without reference to particular loans.

Individually assessed loans (Stage 3)

When individually significant loans are identified as impaired, we reduce the carrying value of the loans to their estimated realizable value by recording an individually assessed ACL to cover identified credit losses. The individually assessed ACL reflects the expected amount of principal and interest calculated under the terms of the original loan agreement that will not be recovered, and the impact of time delays in collecting principal and/or interest (time value of money). The estimated realizable value for each individually significant loan is the present value of expected future cash flows discounted using the original effective interest rate for each loan. When the amounts and timing of future cash flows cannot be estimated with reasonable reliability, the estimated realizable amount may be determined using observable market prices for comparable loans, the fair value of collateral underlying the loans, and other reasonable and supported methods based on management judgment.

Individually-assessed allowances are established in consideration of a range of possible outcomes, which may include macroeconomic or

non-macroeconomic

scenarios, to the extent relevant to the circumstances of the specific borrower being assessed. Assumptions used in estimating expected future cash flows reflect current and expected future economic conditions and are generally consistent with those used in Stage 1 and Stage 2 measurement.

Significant judgment is required in assessing evidence of credit-impairment and estimation of the amount and timing of future cash flows when determining expected credit losses. Changes in the amount expected to be recovered would have a direct impact on PCL and may result in a change in the ACL.

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Note 2 Summary of material accounting policies, estimates and judgments

(continued)

Collectively assessed loans (Stage 3)

Loans that are collectively assessed 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 collectively-assessed ACL reflects: (i) the expected amount of principal and interest calculated under the terms of the original loan agreement that will not be recovered, and (ii) the impact of time delays in collecting principal and/or interest (time value of money).

The expected principal and interest collection is estimated on a portfolio basis and references historical loss experience of comparable portfolios with similar credit risk characteristics, adjusted for the current environment and expected future conditions. A portfolio specific coverage ratio is applied against the impaired loan balance in determining the collectively-assessed ACL. The time value of money component is calculated by using the discount factors applied to groups of loans sharing common characteristics. The discount factors represent the expected recovery pattern of the comparable group of loans, and reflect the historical experience of these groups adjusted for current and expected future economic conditions and/or industry factors. Significant judgment is required in assessing evidence of credit-impairment and estimation of the amount and timing of future cash flows when determining expected credit losses. Changes in the amount expected to be recovered would have a direct impact on PCL and may result in a change in the ACL.

Write-off

of loans

Loans and the related ACL 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 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 ACL are generally written off when payment is 180 days past due. Personal loans are generally written off at 150 days past due.

Modifications

The original terms of a financial asset may be renegotiated or otherwise modified, resulting in changes to the contractual terms of the financial asset that affect the contractual cash flows. The treatment of such modifications is primarily based on the process undertaken to execute the renegotiation and the nature and extent of the expected changes. In the normal course of business, modifications which are performed for credit reasons, primarily related to troubled debt restructurings, are generally treated as modifications of the original financial asset. Modifications which are performed for other than credit reasons are generally considered to be an expiry of the original cash flows; accordingly, such renegotiations are treated as a derecognition of the original financial asset and recognition of a new financial asset.

If a modification of terms does not result in derecognition of the financial asset, the carrying amount of the financial asset is recalculated as the present value of the renegotiated or modified contractual cash flows, discounted at the original effective interest rate and a gain or loss is recognized. The financial asset continues to be subject to the same assessments for significant increase in credit risk relative to initial recognition and credit-impairment, as described above. A modified financial asset will transfer out of Stage 3 if the conditions that led to it being identified as credit-impaired are no longer present and relate objectively to an event occurring after the original credit-impairment was recognized. A modified financial asset will transfer out of Stage 2 when it no longer satisfies the relative thresholds set to identify significant increases in credit risk, which are based on changes in its lifetime PD, days past due and other qualitative considerations. The financial asset continues to be monitored for significant increases in credit risk and credit-impairment.

If a modification of terms results in derecognition of the original financial asset and recognition of the new financial asset, the new financial asset will generally be recorded in Stage 1, unless it is determined to be credit-impaired at the time of the renegotiation. For the purposes of assessing for significant increases in credit risk, the date of initial recognition for the new financial asset is the date of the modification.

Derivatives

When derivatives are embedded in other financial instruments or host contracts, such combinations are known as hybrid instruments. If the host contract is a financial asset within the scope of IFRS 9

Financial Instruments

(IFRS 9), the classification and measurement criteria are applied to the entire hybrid instrument as described in the Classification of financial assets section of Note 2. If the host contract is a financial liability or an asset that is not within the scope of IFRS 9, embedded derivatives are separately recognized if the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative are not clearly and closely related to the host contract, unless an election has been made to elect the fair value option, as described above. The host contract is accounted for in accordance with the relevant standards. Embedded derivatives are presented on a combined basis with the host contracts.

All derivative instruments are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value, inclusive of valuation adjustments. When derivatives are used in trading activities, the realized and unrealized gains and losses on these derivatives are recognized in

Non-interest

income – Trading revenue. 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. For derivatives used to manage our own exposures where we do not apply hedge accounting, the realized and unrealized gains and losses are primarily recognized in

Non-interest

income – Other.

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Derecognition of financial assets

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 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 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 risks 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.

Interest

Interest is recognized in Interest income and Interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income for all interest-bearing financial instruments except for amounts relating to the Insurance segment, which are recorded in

Non-interest

income – Insurance investment result. 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.

Dividend income

Dividend income is recognized when the right to receive payment is established and is recorded in Dividend income except for amounts relating to the Insurance segment, which are recorded in

Non-interest

income – Insurance investment result. This is the

ex-dividend

date for listed equity securities, and usually the date when shareholders have approved the dividend for unlisted equity securities.

Transaction costs

Transaction costs are expensed as incurred for financial instruments classified or designated as FVTPL. For other financial instruments, transaction costs are capitalized on initial recognition. For financial assets and financial liabilities measured at amortized cost and debt financial assets measured at FVOCI, capitalized transaction costs are amortized through net income over the estimated life of the instrument using the effective interest method.

Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets 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 agreements) and take possession of these securities. 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. Reverse repurchase agreements are treated as collateralized lending transactions. 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 classified or designated as FVTPL and are recorded at fair value. Interest earned on reverse repurchase agreements is included in Interest income, and interest incurred on repurchase agreements is included in Interest expense in our Consolidated Statements of Income while changes in fair value for reverse repurchase agreements and repurchase agreements classified or designated as FVTPL are included in Trading revenue or Other in

Non-interest

income except for amounts relating to the Insurance segment, which are recorded in

Non-interest

income – Insurance investment result.

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Note 2 Summary of material accounting

polic

ies, estimates and judgments

(continued)

Hedge accounting

We have elected to continue to apply the hedge accounting principles under IAS 39 instead of those under IFRS 9.

We use derivatives and

non-derivatives

in our hedging strategies to manage our exposure to interest rate, currency, credit and other market risks. Our hedging strategies include the use of fair value hedges, cash flow hedges and net investment hedges. Derivatives used in hedging relationships are recorded in Other Assets – Derivatives or Other Liabilities – Derivatives on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Foreign currency-denominated liabilities used in net investment hedging relationships are recorded in Deposits – Business and Government and Subordinated debentures on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. 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. We perform effectiveness testing to demonstrate that the relationship has been and is expected to be effective over the remaining term of the hedge. 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 or hedged item is terminated or sold, or the forecast transaction is no longer deemed highly probable. Refer to Note 9 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.

Until the hedging relationships impacted by the Interest rate benchmark reform (the Reform) fully transitioned to alternative benchmark rates (ABRs), our prospective effectiveness testing was based on existing hedged cash flows or hedged risks and any ineffectiveness arising from retrospective testing did not result in a discontinuation of the hedge. Additionally, effectiveness testing is applied separately to hedged items referencing ABRs and hedged items referencing interbank offered rates (IBORs), which include USD London Interbank Offered Rate (USD LIBOR) and Canadian Dollar Offered Rate (CDOR), in accordance with the Phase 2 amendments to IFRS 9

Financial Instruments

, IAS 39

Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement

, IFRS 7

Financial Instruments: Disclosures

, IFRS 4

Insurance contracts

, and IFRS 16

Leases

(the Amendments). Subsequently, when these relationships fully transitioned to ABRs, and provided qualifying criteria were met, we amended the related hedge documentation for the ABR risk, including consequential changes to the description of the hedging instrument(s), the hedged item(s), and the method for assessing hedge effectiveness, without discontinuing the existing 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 – Other. 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 – Other. 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

Non-interest

income – Other over the expected 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. Until the hedging relationships impacted by the Reform fully transitioned to ABRs, we applied hedge accounting to IBOR rates which may not have been contractually specified if that rate was separately identifiable and reliably measurable at the inception of the hedge relationship.

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 and reclassified to profit or loss as the associated hedged forecast transaction occurs, while the ineffective portion is recognized in

Non-interest

income – Other. When hedge accounting is discontinued, the cumulative amounts previously recognized in OCI 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

Non-interest

income – Other 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. Until the hedging relationships impacted by the Reform fully transitioned to ABRs, we treated the highly probable hedged IBORs based cash flows of groups of similar assets or liabilities with similar risk characteristics as unchanged as a result of the Reform. In addition, associated cash flow hedge reserves were not recycled into net income solely due to changes related to the transition from IBORs to ABRs. Subsequently, when some items in the group transitioned to ABRs before other items, the individual hedged items were allocated to subgroups based on the benchmark interest rate being hedged. We tested hedge effectiveness based on the defined subgroups, in accordance with the Amendments, if eligibility requirements were met. If a subgroup failed the eligibility requirements, we would have discontinued hedge accounting prospectively for the hedging relationship in its entirety.

Net investment hedges

In hedging our foreign currency exposure to 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 – Other. 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.

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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 of expected credit losses and (ii) the amount initially recognized less, when appropriate, the cumulative amount of income recognized.

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 reinsurance contracts

Changes in accounting policies

During the first quarter of 2024, we adopted IFRS 17

Insurance Contracts

(IFRS 17), replacing IFRS 4

Insurance Contracts

(IFRS 4). Our updated accounting policies for insurance and reinsurance contracts are described below. We have applied IFRS 17 retrospectively and restated comparative period results beginning November 1, 2022, where applicable. Adjustments to the carrying amounts of insurance and reinsurance contracts at the transition date of November 1, 2022 were recognized in Retained earnings.

As permitted by the transition provisions of IFRS 17, we reclassified certain financial assets between fair value classification categories at the date of initial application of IFRS 17 as described below. The reclassifications resulted in no adjustments to carrying amounts of financial assets as at November 1, 2023. Retained earnings and Other components of equity as at November 1, 2023 were adjusted as a result with no net impact to total equity. We elected not to restate comparative period results for these changes and accordingly, comparative period information for the impacted financial assets prior to November 1, 2023 is presented in accordance with our previous classifications.

Updated accounting policies

Contracts under which we accept significant insurance risk from a policyholder by agreeing to compensate the policyholder if a specified uncertain future event adversely affects the policyholder are insurance contracts, which includes reinsurance contracts issued. Contracts under which we transfer significant insurance risk to a reinsurer that compensates us for claims relating to underlying insurance contracts issued by us are reinsurance contracts held, and are accounted for separately from the underlying insurance contracts to which they relate. Embedded derivatives, investment components and promises to provide

non-insurance

services are separated from the insurance or reinsurance contract provided specific criteria are met. Insurance and reinsurance contracts are aggregated into portfolios that are subject to similar risks and are managed together, and then divided into groups based on the period of issuance and expected profitability. Groups are separately recognized and measured using one of three measurement models depending on the characteristics of the contracts:

•

For insurance contracts with direct participating features (applicable primarily to our segregated fund insurance contracts), the variable fee approach (VFA) is applied.

•

For insurance contracts and reinsurance contracts held with a short duration of one year or less (applicable primarily to our creditor reinsurance contracts issued, group life and health insurance contracts and travel insurance contracts), the premium allocation approach (PAA) is applied.

•

The general measurement method (GMM) is applied to all remaining contracts.

Under the GMM and VFA, the carrying amount of a group of insurance or reinsurance contracts is measured as the sum of the fulfilment cash flows and the contractual service margin (CSM). The carrying amount is also the sum of the liability for remaining coverage and the liability for incurred claims. The liability for remaining coverage comprises the fulfilment cash flows that relate to services that will be provided under the contracts in future periods and any remaining CSM at that date. The liability for incurred claims includes the fulfilment cash flows for incurred claims and expenses that have not yet been paid, including claims that have been incurred but not yet reported. The fulfilment cash flows consist of the present value of future cash flows and a risk adjustment for

non-financial

risk, discounted using the current rates as at the reporting date determined using the discount rate methodology disclosed in Note 15. The estimates of future cash flows consider probability-weighted scenarios and include all future cash flows that are within the contract boundary. The risk adjustment for

non-financial

risk represents the compensation that we require for bearing the uncertainty about the amount and timing of cash flows that arise from

non-financial

risk as the insurance contract is fulfilled and is estimated using the margin approach disclosed in Note 15. The measurement of the groups of contracts requires the use of judgment in setting methodologies and assumptions for morbidity, mortality, longevity, policy lapses and other policyholder behaviour, policy dividends and directly attributable expenses, including acquisition costs allocated using a systematic and rational method. Changes to the underlying assumptions and estimates may have a significant effect on

Non-interest

income – Insurance service result and Insurance investment result. Subsequent changes in fulfilment cash flows related to future services adjust the CSM, unless the group is onerous in which case such changes are recognized in

Non-interest

income – Insurance service result along with changes related to past or current services.

For insurance contracts, the CSM represents the unearned profit (net inflows) for providing insurance coverage. If there is a net outflow at the initial recognition of the group, the group is onerous and the net outflow is recognized in

Non-interest

income – Insurance service result immediately. For reinsurance contracts held, the CSM represents the net cost or net gain of purchasing reinsurance. The CSM for insurance and reinsurance contacts are released into income based on coverage units, which represent the quantity of service (insurance coverage as well as investment-return and investment-related services) provided by a group of contracts and are determined by considering the quantity of benefits provided under each contract and the expected coverage duration. Under the GMM, the CSM is adjusted for interest accretion using the discount rates that were

locked-in

at initial recognition of the groups or the discount rates that were

locked-in

at the transition date for groups where the fair value approach was applied. Under the VFA, the CSM is adjusted for changes in the amount of our share of the fair value of the underlying items, while the changes to the fair value of the underlying items, reflecting changes in the obligation to pay the policyholder, are recognized in

Non-interest

income – Insurance investment result.

Under the PAA, the liability for remaining coverage for each group is measured as the premiums received less insurance revenue recognized for services provided, while the liability for incurred claims is measured as the fulfillment cash flows for incurred claims.

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Note 2 Summary of material accounting policies, estimates and judgments

(continued)

Losses from the recognition of onerous groups of insurance contracts, regardless of the measurement model applied, are recognized in

Non-interest

income – Insurance service result immediately. Any losses recognized relating to future service can be reversed in subsequent periods if the group of contracts is no longer onerous.

The insurance and reinsurance contract balances are remeasured at the end of each reporting period. We have elected to update the accounting estimates made in the previous interim period when remeasuring the insurance and reinsurance contracts in subsequent interim and annual reporting periods.

An insurance or reinsurance contract is derecognized when it is extinguished or modified such that the modification results in a change in the measurement model, a substantially different contract boundary or a change in the scope of the applicable standard for measuring a component of the contract.

Insurance service result comprises Insurance revenue less Insurance service expense and Net income (expense) from reinsurance contracts held.

•

Insurance revenue is recognized as we provide insurance contract services under the groups of insurance contracts. For contracts measured using the PAA, the insurance revenue is generally recognized based on allocating expected premium receipts over the passage of time. For contracts measured using the GMM and VFA, insurance revenue represents the amount of consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for services in the period, which includes expected claims and expenses directly attributable to fulfilling insurance contracts (excluding any investment components), release of the risk adjustment for the period, CSM amortization to reflect services provided in the period, an allocation of premiums that relates to recovering insurance acquisition expenses and experience adjustments for premium receipts relating to current or past services.

•

Insurance service expense arising from insurance contracts includes incurred claims and other directly attributable expenses in the current period (excluding investment components), amortization and impairment losses relating to insurance acquisition cash flows where applicable, changes relating to past or current services and changes in loss components of onerous groups of contracts.

•

Net income (expense) from reinsurance contracts held represents the amounts recovered from the reinsurers less the allocation of premiums paid on reinsurance contracts held.

Insurance investment result comprises Net investment income, Net insurance finance income (expense) and Net reinsurance finance income (expense) from reinsurance contracts held.

•

Net investment income primarily comprises interest and dividend income and net gains (losses) on financial instruments, including segregated fund assets, and derivatives relating to the Insurance segment. Financial assets supporting the Insurance segment are primarily measured at FVTPL and FVOCI.

•

Insurance and reinsurance finance income (expense) represents the net effect of and changes in the time value of money (including the time value of money relating to risk adjustment on

non-financial

risks) and financial risks on insurance contracts and reinsurance contracts held, respectively.

Impact of IFRS 17 transition excluding the impact of reclassifications of financial assets

Upon the adoption of IFRS 17, we applied IFRS 17 retrospectively by adjusting our Consolidated Balance Sheets as at November 1, 2022 and restating the comparative information for the year ended October 31, 2023. The full retrospective approach was applied for all insurance and reinsurance contracts unless it was impracticable to do so. The full retrospective approach was applied to all contracts measured using the PAA and all new contracts issued on and after November 1, 2022 measured using the GMM and VFA as if IFRS 17 had always been applied. Due to data availability and the inability to use hindsight, the fair value approach was applied to contracts issued before November 1, 2022 that were measured under the GMM and VFA. Under the fair value approach, each portfolio comprises only one group, and the CSM was calculated as the difference between the fair value of a group of contracts and the fulfilment cash flows using reasonable and supportable information available at the transition date. To determine the fair value of a group of contracts, the requirements of IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement were applied. The adjusted fulfillment cash flows approach was used to calculate the fair value of groups of insurance contracts at the transition date. This valuation technique adjusts the future cash flows for changes in the cost of capital to reflect what a market participant would require for accepting such contract obligations. Key assumptions involve the weighted average cost of capital, required capital targets and underlying insurance assumptions from a market participant’s perspective. The fulfilment cash flows and discount rates were determined as at the transition using the policies noted above.

164 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

The adoption of IFRS

resulted in a reduction in Retained earnings of $

2.4

billion, net of taxes, as at November

2022

. This is attributable to the establishment of the CSM and other remeasurement changes to insurance and reinsurance contracts and related tax effects. The CSM of all insurance contracts net of reinsurance contracts held as at November

2022

was $

1.8

billion.

The following details the selected balances and totals impacted on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as at November

2022



(Millions of Canadian dollars)	As at November 1, 2022 before transition		Transition adjustments			As at November 1, 2022 after transition
Assets
Segregated fund net assets (1)	$	2,638	$	(2,638	)	$	–
Other
Other assets (2)		80,300		4,261			84,561
Total assets	$	1,917,219	$	1,623		$	1,918,842
Liabilities
Segregated fund net liabilities (3)	$	2,638	$	(2,638	)	$	–
Other
Insurance claims and policy benefit liabilities (4)		11,511		(11,511	)		–
Insurance contract liabilities (4)		–		18,226			18,226
Other liabilities (5)		95,235		(95	)		95,140
Total liabilities	$	1,809,044	$	3,982		$	1,813,026
Total equity		108,175		(2,359	)		105,816
Total liabilities and equity	$	1,917,219	$	1,623		$	1,918,842

(1)

Segregated fund net assets are now presented within Other assets.

(2)

The increase is primarily attributable to the inclusion of segregated fund net assets, the increases in insurance contract assets and reinsurance contracts held assets, and the tax effects of the IFRS 17 transition adjustment.

(3)

Segregated fund insurance contracts are now presented within Insurance contract liabilities.

(4)

Insurance claims and policy benefit liabilities measured under IFRS 4 is replaced with Insurance contract liabilities measured under IFRS 17. The increase in these balances is attributable to presentation changes and remeasurement impacts including the establishment of the CSM for

in-force

contracts at transition.

(5)

Certain liabilities that were previously presented in Other liabilities are now included in the measurement of insurance contracts or reinsurance contracts held.

Impact of reclassifications of financial assets from IFRS 17 transition

As permitted by IFRS 17, we reclassified certain eligible financial assets held in respect of activities that relate to insurance contracts upon the adoption of IFRS 17. The changes were primarily a result of changes to the business models based on facts and circumstances that existed as at November 1, 2023, the date of the initial application of IFRS 17. We have applied these changes retrospectively by adjusting our Consolidated Balance Sheet as at November 1, 2023 with no restatement of comparative information. The following were reclassified as at November 1, 2023:

•

$8.3 billion of securities and $2.0 billion of loans from designated as FVTPL to classified as FVTPL;

•

$0.5 billion of securities and $0.3 billion of loans from designated as FVTPL to classified as FVOCI;

•

$1.7 billion of securities from classified as FVOCI to classified as FVTPL; and

•

$0.3 billion of securities from classified as FVTPL to designated as FVOCI.

The impacts of the reclassifications resulted in an increase in Other components of equity by $656 million, net of taxes, and a decrease in Retained earnings by the same amount, with no net impact to our total equity nor the carrying amounts of those assets.

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 obligation, 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 pension 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 Other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. For plans where there is a net defined benefit asset, the amount is reported as an asset in Other 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 benefit 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 pension plans are expensed when employees have rendered services in exchange for such contributions. Defined contribution pension expense is included in

Non-interest

expense – Human resources.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 165

Table of Contents

Note 2 Summary of material accounting policies, estimates and judgments

(continued)

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 share-based 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 generally 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 expected obligations recognized in equity 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. Compensation expense is recognized in the year the awards are earned by plan participants based on the vesting schedule of the relevant plans, net of estimated forfeitures.

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 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

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 in assessing the probability of acceptance of our tax positions to determine our tax provision, which includes our best estimate of uncertain tax positions that are under audit or appeal by the relevant tax 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 the acceptance of our tax positions 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 on our Consolidated Statements of Income.

The IASB issued amendments to IAS 12

Income Taxes

(IAS 12)

in May 2023 to address the

Pillar Two Model Rules

for

International Tax Reform

, including a global 15

% minimum tax. The

amendments introduced, with immediate effect, a temporary recognition exception in relation to accounting and disclosure for deferred taxes arising from the implementation of the international tax reform, which we have applied.

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 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 cash-generating unit (CGU) with its carrying amount. The recoverable amount of a CGU is the higher of its value in use (VIU) and its fair value less costs of disposal (FVLCD). 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.

166 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

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Significant judgment is involved in estimating the model inputs used to determine the recoverable amount of our CGUs, 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, the Dividend Growth Model and peer analysis.

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 are based on the long-term steady state growth expectations in the countries within which the CGU operates. If the future cash flows 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, with any such 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 related 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 list and relationships – 7 to 20 years.

Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives represent mutual fund management contracts.

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.

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.

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.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 167

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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.

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.

Right-of-use

assets are also included in premises and equipment.

Leasing

At inception of a contract, we assess whether a contract is or contains a lease. A contract is, or contains, a lease if the contract conveys the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from, and direct the use of, an identified asset for a period of time in return for consideration.

When we are the lessee in a lease arrangement, we initially record a

right-of-use

asset and corresponding lease liability, except for short-term leases and leases of

low-value

assets. Short-term leases are leases with a lease term of 12 months or less.

Low-value

assets are unspecialized, common, technologically unsophisticated, widely available and widely used

non-infrastructure

assets. For short-term leases and leases of

low-value

assets, we record the lease payments as an operating expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Where we are reasonably certain to exercise extension and termination options, they are included in the lease term.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted at our incremental borrowing rate. The lease liability is subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, recorded in Interest expense.

The

right-of-use

asset is initially measured based on the initial amount of the lease liability, adjusted for lease payments made on or before the commencement date, initial direct costs incurred, and an estimate of costs to dismantle, remove, or restore the asset, less any lease incentives received. Costs related to dismantling and removing leasehold improvements are capitalized as part of the leasehold improvement asset (rather than the

right-of-use

asset of the lease) when the leasehold improvements are separately capitalized.

The

right-of-use

asset is depreciated to the earlier of the lease term and the useful life, unless ownership will transfer to RBC or we are reasonably certain to exercise a purchase option, in which case the useful life of the

right-of-use

asset is used. We apply IAS 36

Impairment of assets

to determine whether a

right-of-use

asset is impaired and account for any identified impairment loss as described in the premises and equipment accounting policies above.

Provisions

We are required to estimate the results of ongoing legal proceedings, and expenses to be incurred to dispose of capital assets. 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. It may not be possible to predict the resolution of these matters or the timing of their ultimate resolution. Should actual results differ from our expectations, we may incur expenses in excess of the provisions recognized. Where appropriate, we apply judgment in limiting the extent of our provisions-related disclosures as not to prejudice our positions in matters of dispute.

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

Commissions and fees primarily relate to Investment management and custodial fees, Mutual fund revenue, Securities brokerage commissions, Services charges, Underwriting and other advisory fees, Card service revenue and Credit fees, and are recognized based on the applicable service contracts with clients.

Investment management and custodial fees and Mutual fund revenue are generally calculated as a percentage of daily or

period-end

net asset values (NAV) based on the terms of the contract with clients and are received monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually, depending on the terms of the contract. Investment management and custodial fees are generally derived from assets under management (AUM) when our clients solicit the investment capabilities of an investment manager or from assets under administration (AUA) where the investment strategy is directed by the client or a designated third-party manager. Mutual fund revenue is generally derived from the daily NAV of the mutual funds. Investment management and custodial fees and Mutual fund revenue are recognized over time when the service is provided to the client, provided that it is highly probable that a significant reversal in the amount of revenue recognized will not occur.

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Commissions earned on Securities brokerage services and Service charges that are related to the provision of specific transaction-type services are recognized when the service is fulfilled. Where services are provided over time, revenue is recognized as the services are provided.

Underwriting and other advisory fees primarily relate to underwriting of new issuances of debt or equity and various advisory services. Underwriting fees are generally expressed as a percentage of the funds raised through issuance and are recognized when the service has been completed. Advisory fees vary depending on the scope and type of engagement and can be fixed in nature or contingent on a future event. Advisory fees are recognized over the period in which the service is provided and are recognized only to the extent that it is highly probable that a significant reversal in the amount of revenue will not occur.

Card service revenue primarily includes interchange revenue and annual card fees. Interchange revenue is calculated as a fixed percentage of the transaction amount and recognized when the card transaction is settled. Annual card fees are fixed fees and are recognized over a 12 month period.

Credit fees are primarily earned for arranging syndicated loans and making credit available on undrawn facilities. The timing of the recognition of credit fees varies based on the nature of the services provided.

When service fees and other costs are incurred in relation to commissions and fees earned, we record these costs on a gross basis in either

Non-interest

expense – Other or

Non-interest

expense – Human resources based on our assessment of whether we have primary responsibility to fulfill the contract with the client and have discretion in establishing the price for the commissions and fees earned, which may require judgment.

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 and distributions on other equity instruments, any gains (losses) on redemption of preferred shares and other equity instruments 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. For stock options whose exercise price is less than the average market price of our common shares, using the treasury stock method, 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 and other equity instruments

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. For compound instruments comprised of both liability and equity components, the liability component is initially measured at fair value with any residual amount assigned to the equity component.

Future changes in accounting policy and disclosure

Amendments to the Classification and Measurement of Financial Instruments

In May 2024, the IASB issued

Amendments to the Classification and Measurement of Financial Instruments

which amends IFRS 9

Financial Instruments

and IFRS 7

Financial Instruments: Disclosures

IFRS 18 Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements (IFRS 18)

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 169

Table of Contents

Note 2 Summary of material accounting policies, estimates and judgments

(continued)

Updates related to interest rate benchmark reform

To manage our transition to ABRs, we implemented a comprehensive enterprise-wide program and governance structure that addresses the key areas of impact including contract remediation, funding and liquidity planning, risk management, financial reporting and valuation, systems, processes and client education and communication. Our remaining transition activities were focused on two broad streams of work: (i) developing new ABR linked products, and (ii) conversion of existing CDOR based contracts to ABRs.

On June 28, 2024, the publication of all remaining Canadian Dollar Offered Rate (CDOR) settings was ceased and relatedly we have ceased our Bankers’ Acceptance-based lending. Consistent with our transition plan, our exposure to

non-derivative

financial assets,

non-derivative

financial liabilities, derivative notional and undrawn balances of loan commitments referencing CDOR and interest rates substantially similar to CDOR is no longer material to our financial statements (October 31, 2023 – $29.5 billion, $24.7 billion, $2,154.3 billion, and $40.0 billion, respectively).

We continue to manage significant exposures to benchmarks that have no announced plans for cessation or further reform, including the EURO Interbank Offered Rate (EURIBOR) and Australian Bank Bill Swap Rate (BBSW).

Note 3 Fair value of financial instruments

Carrying value and fair value of financial instruments

The following tables provide a comparison of the carrying and fair values for each classification of financial instruments. Embedded derivatives are presented on a combined basis with the host contracts. For measurement purposes, they are carried at fair value when conditions requiring separation are met.


	As at October 31, 2024
	Carrying value and fair value									Carrying value		Fair value

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Financial instruments classified as FVTPL			Financial instruments designated as FVTPL		Financial instruments classified as FVOCI		Financial instruments designated as FVOCI		Financial instruments measured at amortized cost		Financial instruments measured at amortized cost		Total carrying amount		Total fair value
Financial assets
Interest-bearing deposits with banks	$	–		$	53,996	$	–	$	–	$	12,024	$	12,024	$	66,020	$	66,020
Securities
Trading		182,346			954		–		–		–		–		183,300		183,300
Investment, net of applicable allowance		–			–		155,118		1,242		100,258		96,336		256,618		252,696
		182,346			954		155,118		1,242		100,258		96,336		439,918		435,996
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed		284,311			–		–		–		66,492		66,492		350,803		350,803
Loans, net of applicable allowance
Retail		915			–		580		–		622,098		619,320		623,593		620,815
Wholesale		6,177			2,030		1,003		–		348,577		345,561		357,787		354,771
		7,092			2,030		1,583		–		970,675		964,881		981,380		975,586
Other
Derivatives		150,612			–		–		–		–		–		150,612		150,612
Other assets (1)		11,770			–		–		–		50,093		50,093		61,863		61,863
Financial liabilities
Deposits
Personal	$	508		$	33,799					$	487,832	$	490,170	$	522,139	$	524,477
Business and government (2)		191			156,238						683,241		684,748		839,670		841,177
Bank (3)		–			10,530						37,192		37,183		47,722		47,713
		699			200,567						1,208,265		1,212,101		1,409,531		1,413,367
Other
Obligations related to securities sold short		35,286			–						–		–		35,286		35,286
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned		–			270,663						34,658		34,658		305,321		305,321
Derivatives		163,763			–						–		–		163,763		163,763
Other liabilities (4)		(1,407	)		–						69,597		69,850		68,190		68,443
Subordinated debentures		–			–						13,546		13,602		13,546		13,602

170 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

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	As at October 31, 2023 (Restated – Note 2)
	Carrying value and fair value									Carrying value		Fair value

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Financial instruments classified as FVTPL			Financial instruments designated as FVTPL		Financial instruments classified as FVOCI		Financial instruments designated as FVOCI		Financial instruments measured at amortized cost		Financial instruments measured at amortized cost		Total carrying amount		Total fair value
Financial assets
Interest-bearing deposits with banks	$	–		$	60,856	$	–	$	–	$	10,230	$	10,230	$	71,086	$	71,086
Securities
Trading		180,651			9,500		–		–		–		–		190,151		190,151
Investment, net of applicable allowance		–			–		127,624		842		91,113		83,667		219,579		212,133
		180,651			9,500		127,624		842		91,113		83,667		409,730		402,284
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed		285,869			–		–		–		54,322		54,322		340,191		340,191
Loans, net of applicable allowance
Retail		114			362		280		–		566,376		542,480		567,132		543,236
Wholesale		5,629			3,619		597		–		275,796		268,843		285,641		278,688
		5,743			3,981		877		–		842,172		811,323		852,773		821,924
Other
Derivatives		142,450			–		–		–		–		–		142,450		142,450
Other assets (1)		7,579			5		–		–		68,450		68,450		76,034		76,034
Financial liabilities
Deposits
Personal	$	109		$	26,702					$	415,135	$	412,886	$	441,946	$	439,697
Business and government (2)		174			137,454						607,447		605,260		745,075		742,888
Bank (3)		–			11,462						33,204		33,160		44,666		44,622
		283			175,618						1,055,786		1,051,306		1,231,687		1,227,207
Other
Obligations related to securities sold short		33,651			–						–		–		33,651		33,651
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned		–			298,679						36,559		36,559		335,238		335,238
Derivatives		142,629			–						–		–		142,629		142,629
Other liabilities (4)		(937	)		11						92,539		92,441		91,613		91,515
Subordinated debentures		–			–						11,386		11,213		11,386		11,213

(1)

Includes Customers’ liability under acceptances and financial instruments recognized in Other assets.

(2)

Business and government deposits include deposits from regulated deposit-taking institutions other than banks.

(3)

Bank deposits refer to deposits from regulated banks and central banks.

(4)

Includes Acceptances and financial instruments recognized in Other liabilities.

Financial assets designated as fair value through profit or loss

For our financial assets designated as 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. For the year ended October 31, 2024, the change in fair value during the period attributable to changes in credit risk for positions still held was a gain of $45 million and the cumulative change in fair value attributable to changes in credit risk for positions still held was a loss of $9 million. For the year ended October 31, 2023, the change in fair value during the period attributable to changes in credit risk for positions still held was a gain of $360 million and the cumulative change in fair value attributable to changes in credit risk for positions still held was a loss of $102 million. As at October 31, 2024, the extent to which credit derivatives or similar instruments mitigate the maximum exposure to credit risk was $954 million (October 31, 2023 – $692 million).

Financial liabilities designated as fair value through profit or loss

For our financial liabilities designated as FVTPL, we take into account changes in our own credit spread and the expected duration of the in

stru

ment to measure the change in fair value attributable to changes in credit risk.



	As at or for the year ended October 31, 2024 (1)

	Contractual maturity amount		Carrying value		Difference between carrying value and contractual maturity amount			Changes in fair value attributable to changes in credit risk included in OCI for positions still held
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Contractual maturity amount		Carrying value					During the period		Cumulative (2)
Term deposits
Personal	$	33,552	$	33,799	$	247		$	221	$	163
Business and government (3)		162,648		156,238		(6,410	)		1,204		177
Bank (4)		10,520		10,530		10			–		–
		206,720		200,567		(6,153	)		1,425		340
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned		270,625		270,663		38			–		–
Other liabilities		–		–		–			–		–
	$	477,345	$	471,230	$	(6,115)		$	1,425	$	340

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 171

Table of Contents

Note 3 Fair value of financial instruments

(continued)



	As at or for the year ended October 31, 2023 (1)

	Contractual maturity amount		Carrying value		Difference between carrying value and contractual maturity amount			Changes in fair value attributable to changes in credit risk included in OCI for positions still held
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Contractual maturity amount		Carrying value					During the period		Cumulative (2)
Term deposits
Personal	$	27,131	$	26,702	$	(429	)	$	112	$	(57	)
Business and government (3)		147,844		137,454		(10,390	)		683		(1,030	)
Bank (4)		11,485		11,462		(23	)		–		–
		186,460		175,618		(10,842	)		795		(1,087	)
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned		298,734		298,679		(55	)		3		4
Other liabilities		11		11		–			–		–
	$	485,205	$	474,308	$	(10,897)		$	798	$	(1,083)

(1)

million

in changes in fair value attributable to changes in credit risk were recognized in income for the year ended October 31, 2024, and $9

million

in cumulative changes in credit risk were included in income for positions still held

life-to-date

(October 31, 2023 – $29 million and $17 million

respectively).

(2)

The cumulative change is measured from the initial designation of the liabilities as FVTPL. For the year ended October 31, 2024, $15

million

of fair value gains previously

cluded in OCI relate to financial liabilities derecognized during the year (October 31, 2023 – $2 million of fair value gains).

(3)

Business and government term deposits include amounts from regulated deposit-taking institutions other than regulated banks.

(4)

Bank term deposits refer to amounts from regulated banks and central banks.

Net gains (losses) from financial instruments classified and designated as fair value through profit or loss

Financial instruments classified as FVTPL, which includes mainly trading securities, derivatives, trading liabilities, and financial assets and liabilities designated as FVTPL are measured at fair value with realized and unrealized gains and losses recognized in

Non-interest

income.


	For the year ended

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	October 31 2024			October 31 2023
Net gains (losses) (1)
Classified as fair value through profit or loss (2)	$	8,996		$	1,998
Designated as fair value through profit or loss (3)		(5,847	)		1,499
	$	3,149		$	3,497
By product line (1)
Interest rate and credit (4)	$	2,580		$	3,515
Equities		389			(510	)
Foreign exchange and commodities		180			492
	$	3,149		$	3,497

(1)

Excludes net gains from financial instruments classified as FVTPL of $2,251 million (October 31, 2023 – net losses of $107 million for financial instruments

classified or

designated as FVTPL) presented in Insurance investment result in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

(2)

Excludes derivatives designated in a hedging relationship. Refer to Note 9 for net gains (losses) on these derivatives.

(3)

For the year ended October 31, 2024, $5,838 million of net fair value

losses

on financial liabilities designated as FVTPL, other than those attributable to changes in our own credit risk, were included in

Non-interest

income (October 31, 2023 – gains of $1,524 million).

(4)

Includes gains (losses) recognized on cross currency interest rate swaps.

Net interest income from financial instruments

Interest and dividend income arising from financial assets and financial liabilities and the associated costs of funding are reported in Net interest income.


	For the year ended
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	October 31 2024		October 31 2023
Interest and dividend income (1), (2)
Financial instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss	$	35,550	$	31,464
Financial instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income		7,109		5,127
Financial instruments measured at amortized cost		62,292		50,400
		104,951		86,991
Interest expense (1)
Financial instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss	$	34,150	$	28,446
Financial instruments measured at amortized cost		42,848		33,416
		76,998		61,862
Net interest income	$	27,953	$	25,129

(1)

Excludes interest and dividend income of $958 million (October 31, 2023 – $677 million) and interest expense of $120 million (October 31, 2023 – $191 million) presented in Insurance investment result in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

(2)

Includes dividend income for the year ended October 31, 2024 of $3,319 million (October 31, 2023 – $3,215 million), which is presented in Interest and dividend income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

172 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

Fee income arising from financial instruments

For the year ended October 31, 2024, we earned $6,347 million in fees from banking services (October 31, 2023 – $6,112 million). For the year ended October 31, 2024, we also earned $17,467 million in fees from investment management, trust, custodial, underwriting, brokerage and other similar fiduciary services to retail and institutional clients (October 31, 2023 – $15,319 million). These fees are included in

Non-interest

income.

Fair value of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and classified using the fair value hierarchy


	As at
	October 31, 2024														October 31, 2023 (Restated – Note 2)
	Fair value measurements using								Netting adjustments			Fair value			Fair value measurements using							Netting adjustments			Fair value
(Millions of Canadian dollars)		Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Netting adjustments			Fair value				Level 1		Level 2			Level 3	Netting adjustments			Fair value
Financial assets
Interest-bearing deposits with banks	$	–	$	53,996		$	–		$			$	53,996		$	–	$	60,856		$	–	$			$	60,856
Securities
Trading
Debt issued or guaranteed by:
Canadian government (1)
Federal		11,611		2,173			–						13,784			26,675		2,581			–					29,256
Provincial and municipal		–		16,588			–						16,588			–		16,389			–					16,389
U.S. federal, state, municipal and agencies (1), (2)		1,852		29,136			–						30,988			2,249		50,439			–					52,688
Other OECD government (3)		2,481		2,153			–						4,634			2,055		2,577			–					4,632
Mortgage-backed securities (1)		–		3			–						3			–		2			–					2
Asset-backed securities		–		1,434			–						1,434			–		1,245			–					1,245
Corporate debt and other debt		–		26,195			–						26,195			–		22,615			–					22,615
Equities		84,814		2,316			2,544						89,674			58,826		2,232			2,266					63,324
		100,758		79,998			2,544						183,300			89,805		98,080			2,266					190,151
Investment
Debt issued or guaranteed by:
Canadian government (1)
Federal		4,623		8,546			–						13,169			2,731		3,528			–					6,259
Provincial and municipal		–		7,554			–						7,554			–		2,748			–					2,748
U.S. federal, state, municipal and agencies (1)		42		80,224			–						80,266			275		73,020			–					73,295
Other OECD government		2,370		7,786			–						10,156			–		6,192			–					6,192
Mortgage-backed securities (1)		–		2,603			31						2,634			–		2,672			29					2,701
Asset-backed securities		–		9,357			–						9,357			–		8,706			–					8,706
Corporate debt and other debt		–		31,839			143						31,982			–		27,574			149					27,723
Equities		432		304			506						1,242			38		338			466					842
		7,467		148,213			680						156,360			3,044		124,778			644					128,466
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed		–		284,311			–						284,311			–		285,869			–					285,869
Loans		–		8,924			1,781						10,705			–		8,742			1,859					10,601
Other
Derivatives
Interest rate contracts		–		27,719			354						28,073			–		39,243			290					39,533
Foreign exchange contracts		–		98,480			3						98,483			–		89,644			4					89,648
Credit derivatives		–		273			–						273			–		224			–					224
Other contracts		2,553		23,830			21						26,404			2,352		13,927			111					16,390
Valuation adjustments		–		(1,067	)		14						(1,053	)		–		(1,805	)		4					(1,801	)
Total gross derivatives		2,553		149,235			392						152,180			2,352		141,233			409					143,994
Netting adjustments										(1,568	)		(1,568	)									(1,544	)		(1,544	)
Total derivatives													150,612													142,450
Other assets		5,291		6,472			7						11,770			4,152		3,421			11					7,584
	$	116,069	$	731,149		$	5,404		$	(1,568	)	$	851,054		$	99,353	$	722,979		$	5,189	$	(1,544	)	$	825,977
Financial liabilities
Deposits
Personal	$	–	$	33,829		$	478		$			$	34,307		$	–	$	26,428		$	383	$			$	26,811
Business and government		–		156,429			–						156,429			–		137,628			–					137,628
Bank		–		10,530			–						10,530			–		11,462			–					11,462
Other
Obligations related to securities sold short		15,172		20,114			–						35,286			14,391		19,260			–					33,651
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned		–		270,663			–						270,663			–		298,679			–					298,679
Derivatives
Interest rate contracts		–		24,852			847						25,699			–		41,249			952					42,201
Foreign exchange contracts		–		93,164			54						93,218			–		81,750			53					81,803
Credit derivatives		–		218			–						218			–		176			–					176
Other contracts		3,212		42,961			324						46,497			3,119		17,306			549					20,974
Valuation adjustments		–		(297	)		(4	)					(301	)		–		(982	)		1					(981	)
Total gross derivatives		3,212		160,898			1,221						165,331			3,119		139,499			1,555					144,173
Netting adjustments										(1,568	)		(1,568	)									(1,544	)		(1,544	)
Total derivatives													163,763													142,629
Other liabilities		287		(1,694	)		–						(1,407	)		370		(1,296	)		–					(926	)
	$	18,671	$	650,769		$	1,699		$	(1,568	)	$	669,571		$	17,880	$	631,660		$	1,938	$	(1,544	)	$	649,934

(1)

As at October 31, 2024, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities (MBS) included in all fair value levels of trading securities were $17,154

million

and $nil (October 31, 2023 – $14,345 million and $nil), respectively, and in all fair value levels of Investment securities were $27,048

million and $

2,568

million

(October 31, 2023 – $24,365 million and $2,618 million), respectively.

(2)

United States (U.S.).

(3)

Organisation for Economic

Co-operation

and Development (OECD).

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 173

Table of Contents

Note 3 Fair value of financial instruments

(continued)

Fair values of our significant assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis are determined and classified in the fair value hierarchy table using the following valuation techniques and inputs.

Interest-bearing deposits with banks

The majority of our Interest-bearing deposits with banks are designated as FVTPL. These FVTPL deposits are composed of short-dated deposits placed with banks, and are included in Interest-bearing deposits with banks in the fair value hierarchy table. The fair values of these instruments are determined using the discounted cash flow method. The inputs to the valuation models include interest rate swap curves and credit spreads, where applicable. They are classified as Level 2 instruments in the hierarchy as the inputs are observable.

Government bonds (Canadian, U.S. and other OECD governments)

Government bonds are included in Canadian government debt, U.S. federal, state, municipal and agencies debt, Other 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 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. federal, 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, the discounted cash flow method using rate inputs such as benchmark yields (CDOR, Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) 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. federal, state, municipal and agencies debt, and Obligations related to securities sold short in the fair value hierarchy table. Inputs for valuation of ABS and MBS 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.

Equities

Equities consist of listed and unlisted common shares, private equities, mutual funds and hedge funds with certain redemption restrictions and are included in equities and obligations for securities sold short. 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, such as multiples of earnings and the 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.

Loans

Loans include base metal loans, corporate loans, banker acceptances and asset-backed financing loans. Fair values are determined based on market prices, if available, or discounted cash flow method using the following inputs: market interest rates, base metal commodity prices, market based spreads of assets with similar credit ratings and terms to maturity, LGD, expected default frequency implied from credit derivative prices, if available, and relevant pricing information such as contractual rate, origination and maturity dates, redemption price, coupon payment frequency and day count convention. Loans with market prices or observable inputs are classified as Level 2 in the hierarchy and loans with unobservable inputs that have significant impacts on the fair values are 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 typically classified as Level 1 in the hierarchy. OTC derivatives primarily consist of interest rate contracts, foreign exchange contracts, commodity derivatives, equity derivatives and credit derivatives. The exchange-traded or OTC interest rate, foreign exchange and commodity 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. 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.

174 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

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. The fair values of these contracts are determined using valuation techniques such as the 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 certain deposits are designated as FVTPL. These FVTPL deposits include deposits taken from clients, issuances of certificates of deposits and promissory notes, and interest rate and equity linked notes. The fair values of these instruments are determined using the discounted cash flow method and derivative option valuation models. The inputs to the valuation models include benchmark yield curves, credit spreads, interest rates, equity and interest rate volatility, dividends and correlation, where applicable. They are classified as Level 2 or 3 instruments in the hi

era

rchy, depending on the significance of the unobservable credit spreads, volatility, dividend and correlation rates.

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, 2024 (Millions of Canadian dollars, except for prices, percentages and ratios)

Fair value

Range of input values

(1), (2)

Products

Reporting line in the fair value
hierarchy table

Assets

Liabilities

Valuation
techniques

Significant
unobservable
inputs (3)

Low

High

Weighted
average /
Inputs
distribution

Corporate debt and related derivatives

Price-based

Prices

64.67

116.25

92.07

Corporate debt and other debt

–

Discounted cash flows

Credit spread

1.45%

10.90%

6.17%

Loans

1,781

Credit enhancement

11.70%

15.60%

13.00%

Derivative related liabilities

Government debt and municipal bonds

Corporate debt and other debt

143

Discounted cash flows

Yields

6.54%

9.55%

7.54%

Private equities, hedge fund investments and related equity derivatives

Market comparable

EV/EBITDA multiples

3.20X

17.20X

7.94X

Equities

3,050

Price-based

P/E multiples

7.30X

22.60X

11.27X

Derivative related liabilities

–

Discounted cash flows

EV/Rev multiples

0.70X

5.72X

2.59X

Liquidity discounts (4)

10.00%

40.00%

10.40%

Discount rate

8.50%

NAV / prices (5)

n.a.

Interest rate derivatives and interest-rate-linked structured notes (6), (7)

Discounted cash flows

Interest rates

1.89%

4.59%

Even

Derivative related assets

355

Option pricing model

CPI swap rates

1.84%

1.96%

Even

Derivative related liabilities

900

IR-IR

correlations

48.00%

86.00%

Even

FX-IR

correlations

(76.00)%

66.00%

Even

FX-FX

correlations

(74.00)%

61.00%

Even

Equity derivatives and equity-linked structured
notes (6), (7)

Discounted cash flows

Dividend yields

0.00%

10.60%

Lower

Derivative related assets

Option pricing model

Equity

(EQ)-EQ

correlations

6.30%

95.85%

Middle

Deposits

478

EQ-FX

correlations

(77.11)%

50.38%

Middle

Derivative related liabilities

283

EQ volatilities

6.00%

146.87%

Lower

Other (8)

Derivative related assets

Other assets

Mortgage-backed securities

Derivative related liabilities

Total

5,404

1,699

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 175

Table of Contents

Note 3 Fair value of financial instruments

(continued)

As at October 31, 2023 (Millions of Canadian dollars, except for prices, percentages and ratios)

Fair value

Range of input values (1), (2)

Products

Reporting line in the fair value
hierarchy table

Assets

Liabilities

Valuation
techniques

Significant
unobservable
inputs (3)

Low

High

Weighted
average /
Inputs
distribution

Corporate debt and related derivatives

Price-based

Prices

9.88

107.13

87.66

Corporate debt and other debt

–

Discounted cash flows

Credit spread

1.89%

9.96%

5.93%

Loans

1,859

Credit enhancement

11.70%

15.60%

13.00%

Derivative related liabilities

Government debt and municipal bonds

Corporate debt and other debt

149

Discounted cash flows

Yields

7.73%

10.38%

8.60%

Private equities, hedge fund investments and related equity derivatives

Market comparable

EV/EBITDA multiples

4.16X

14.90X

6.93X

Equities

2,732

Price-based

P/E multiples

6.60X

22.60X

8.60X

Derivative related liabilities

–

Discounted cash flows

EV/Rev multiples

1.00X

5.00X

3.00X

Liquidity discounts (4)

10.00%

40.00%

16.91%

Discount rate

8.50%

13.30%

10.70%

NAV / prices (5)

n.a.

Interest rate derivatives and interest-rate-linked structured notes (6), (7)

Discounted cash flows

Interest rates

2.39%

5.18%

High

Derivative related assets

293

Option pricing model

CPI swap rates

1.84%

2.35%

Even

Derivative related liabilities

995

IR-IR

correlations

19.00%

67.00%

Even

FX-IR

correlations

29.00%

56.00%

Even

FX-FX

correlations

68.00%

Even

Equity derivatives and equity-linked structured
notes (6), (7)

Discounted cash flows

Dividend yields

0.14%

10.71%

Lower

Derivative related assets

111

Option pricing model

Equity (EQ)-EQ correlations

32.50%

96.49%

Middle

Deposits

383

EQ-FX

correlations

(83.15)%

38.44%

Middle

Derivative related liabilities

485

EQ volatilities

6.70%

110.72%

Lower

Other (8)

Derivative related assets

Other assets

Mortgage-backed securities

Derivative related liabilities

Total

5,189

1,938

(1)

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.

(2)

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.

(3)

The significant unobservable inputs include the following: (i) Enterprise Value (EV); (ii) Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA); (iii) Price / Earnings (P/E); (iv) Revenue (Rev); (v) Consumer Price Index (CPI); (vi) Interest Rate (IR); (vii) Foreign Exchange (FX); and (viii) Equity (EQ).

(4)

Fair value of securities with liquidity discount inputs totalled $541 million (October 31, 2023 – $483 million).

(5)

NAV of a hedge fund is total fair value of assets less liabilities divided by the number of fund units. 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.

(6)

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.

(7)

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.

(8)

Other primarily includes certain insignificant instruments such as auction rate securities, commodity derivatives, foreign exchange derivatives, contingent considerations, bank-owned life insurance and retractable shares.

n.a.

not applicable

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.

Funding spread

Funding spreads are credit spreads specific to funding or deposit rates. A decrease in funding spreads, on its own, will increase the 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.

176 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

Prepayment rates

A prepayment rate is the rate at which a loan will be repaid in a

dvanc

e 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 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 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 rate 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.

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 the instrument.

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 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 EV/EBITDA multiples, P/E multiples and 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.

Credit Enhancement

Credit enhancement is an input to the valuation of securitized transactions and is the amount of loan loss protection for a senior tranche. Credit enhancement is expressed as a percentage of the transaction sizes. An increase in credit enhancement will cause the credit spread to decrease and the tranche fair value to increase, and vice versa.

Interrelationships between unobservable inputs

Unobservable inputs, including the above discount margin, default rate, prepayment rate, and recovery and loss severity rates, may not be independent of each other. For example, the discount margin can be affected by a change in default rate, prepayment rate, or recovery and loss severity rates. Dis

unt margins will generally decrease when default rates decline or when recovery rates increase.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 177

Table of Contents

Note 3 Fair value of financial instruments

(continued)

Changes in fair value measurement for instruments measured on a recurring basis and categorized in Level 3


	For the year ended October 31, 2024

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Fair value at beginning of period			Gains (losses) included in earnings			Gains (losses) included in OCI (1)		Purchases (issuances)			Settlement (sales) and other (2)			Transfers into Level 3			Transfers out of Level 3			Fair value at end of period			Gains (losses) included in earnings for positions still held
Assets
Securities
Trading
Debt issued or guaranteed by:
U.S. state, municipal and agencies	$	–		$	–		$	–	$	–		$	–		$	–		$	–		$	–		$	–
Asset-backed securities		–			–			–		–			–			–			–			–			–
Corporate debt and other debt		–			–			–		–			–			–			–			–			–
Equities		2,266			(195	)		5		577			(88	)		1			(22	)		2,544			(128	)
		2,266			(195	)		5		577			(88	)		1			(22	)		2,544			(128	)
Investment
Mortgage-backed securities		29			–			2		–			–			–			–			31			n.a.
Corporate debt and other debt		149			–			11		–			(17	)		–			–			143			n.a.
Equities		466			–			35		6			(3	)		2			–			506			n.a.
		644			–			48		6			(20	)		2			–			680			n.a.
Loans		1,859			(25	)		37		513			(445	)		70			(228	)		1,781			63
Other
Net derivative balances (3)
Interest rate contracts		(662	)		46			1		(47	)		145			30			(6	)		(493	)		51
Foreign exchange contracts		(49	)		(15	)		7		14			3			3			(14	)		(51	)		(9	)
Other contracts		(438	)		(139	)		2		(106	)		8			(330	)		700			(303	)		31
Valuation adjustments		3			–			–		(4	)		19			–			–			18			–
Other assets		11			–			–		–			(4	)		–			–			7			–
	$	3,634		$	(328	)	$	100	$	953		$	(382	)	$	(224	)	$	430		$	4,183		$	8
Liabilities
Deposits	$	(383	)	$	(119	)	$	–	$	(583	)	$	165		$	(120	)	$	562		$	(478	)	$	(40	)
	$	(383	)	$	(119	)	$	–	$	(583	)	$	165		$	(120	)	$	562		$	(478	)	$	(40	)

	For the year ended October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Fair value at beginning of period			Gains (losses) included in earnings			Gains (losses) included in OCI (1)		Purchases (issuances)			Settlement (sales) and other (2)			Transfers into Level 3			Transfers out of Level 3			Fair value at end of period			Gains (losses) included in earnings for positions still held
Assets
Securities
Trading
Debt issued or guaranteed by:
U.S. state, municipal and agencies	$	4		$	–		$	–	$	–		$	(4	)	$	–		$	–		$	–		$	–
Asset-backed securities		2			–			–		–			(2	)		–			–			–			–
Corporate debt and other debt		7			–			–		2			(16	)		17			(10	)		–			–
Equities		1,874			(196	)		21		586			(67	)		48			–			2,266			(154	)
		1,887			(196	)		21		588			(89	)		65			(10	)		2,266			(154	)
Investment
Mortgage-backed securities		28			–			–		1			–			–			–			29			n.a.
Corporate debt and other debt		151			–			9		–			(11	)		–			–			149			n.a.
Equities		397			–			70		1			(2	)		–			–			466			n.a.
		576			–			79		2			(13	)		–			–			644			n.a.
Loans		1,692			(95	)		33		1,443			(868	)		30			(376	)		1,859			(44	)
Other
Net derivative balances (3)
Interest rate contracts		(859	)		(63	)		5		(48	)		235			42			26			(662	)		(43	)
Foreign exchange contracts		(132	)		10			10		(14	)		44			–			33			(49	)		8
Other contracts		(785	)		83			4		(143	)		78			(159	)		484			(438	)		152
Valuation adjustments		53			–			–		–			(50	)		–			–			3			–
Other assets		15			–			1		–			(5	)		–			–			11			–
	$	2,447		$	(261	)	$	153	$	1,828		$	(668	)	$	(22	)	$	157		$	3,634		$	(81	)
Liabilities
Deposits	$	(241	)	$	5		$	–	$	(260	)	$	23		$	(134	)	$	224		$	(383	)	$	24
	$	(241	)	$	5		$	–	$	(260	)	$	23		$	(134	)	$	224		$	(383	)	$	24

(1)

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 gains on Investment securities recognized in OCI were $38 million for the year ended October 31, 2024 (October 31, 2023 – gains of $65 million) excluding the translation gains or losses arising on consolidation.

(2)

Other includes amortization of premiums or discounts recognized in net income.

(3)

Net derivatives as at October 31, 2024 included derivative assets of $392

million

(October 31, 2023 – $409 million) and derivative liabilities of $1,221

million

(October 31, 2023 – $1,555 million).

n.a.

not applicable

178 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Fina

ncial S

tatements

Table of Contents

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 Gains (losses) included in earnings for positions still held 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 2 are dependent on whether fair value is obtained on the basis of quoted market prices in active markets (Level 1).

During the year ended October 31, 2024, transfers out of Level 1 to Level 2 included Investment U.S. federal, state, municipal and agencies debt of $1,038 million and Trading U.S. federal, state, municipal and agencies debt of $822 million. During the year ended October 31, 2023, transfers out of Level 1 to Level 2 included Trading U.S. federal, state, municipal and agencies debt of $763 million, Investment U.S. federal, state, municipal and agencies debt of $435 million and Obligations related to securities sold short of $151 million.

During the year

ended October 31, 2024 and October 31, 2023, there were no significant transfers out of Level 2 to Level 1.

Transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 are primarily due to either a change in the market observability for an input, or a change in an unobservable input’s significance to a financial instrument’s fair value.

During the year ended October 31, 2024, transfers out of Level 2 to Level 3 included Other contracts and Deposits due to changes in the significance of unobservable inputs and changes in the market observability of inputs. During the year ended October 31, 2023, transfers out of Level 2 to Level 3 included Other contracts and Deposits due to changes in the significance of unobservable inputs and changes in the market observability of inputs.

During the year ended October 31, 2024, transfers out of Level 3 to Level 2 included Other contracts, Deposits and Loans due to changes in the significance of unobservable inputs and changes in the market observability of inputs. During the year ended October 31, 2023, transfers out of Level 3 to Level 2 included Other contracts, Loans and Deposits due to changes in the market observability of inputs and changes in the significance of unobservable inputs.

Positive and negative fair value movements 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 the valuation of these Level 3 financial instruments.

The following table summarizes the impacts 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 factors cause an offsetting positive and negative fair value movement, (ii) both offsetting instruments are in Level 3, and (iii) exposures are managed and reported on a net basis. With respect to overall sensitivity, it is unlikely in pr

tice that all reasonably possible alternative assumptions would simultaneously be realized.


	As at
	October 31, 2024								October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Level 3 fair value			Positive fair value movement from using reasonably possible alternatives		Negative fair value movement from using reasonably possible alternatives			Level 3 fair value			Positive fair value movement from using reasonably possible alternatives		Negative fair value movement from using reasonably possible alternatives
Securities
Trading
Equities	$	2,544		$	50	$	(46	)	$	2,266		$	50	$	(43	)
Investment
Mortgage-backed securities		31			4		(4	)		29			4		(4	)
Corporate debt and other debt		143			9		(8	)		149			11		(10	)
Equities		506			45		(44	)		466			48		(47	)
Loans		1,781			19		(20	)		1,859			33		(37	)
Derivatives		392			5		(4	)		409			10		(7	)
Other assets		7			–		–			11			–		–
	$	5,404		$	132	$	(126	)	$	5,189		$	156	$	(148	)
Deposits	$	(478	)	$	15	$	(15	)	$	(383	)	$	26	$	(26	)
Derivatives		(1,221	)		54		(57	)		(1,555	)		59		(66	)
	$	(1,699	)	$	69	$	(72	)	$	(1,938	)	$	85	$	(92	)

Sensitivity results

As at October 31, 2024, the effects of applying other reasonably possible alternative assumptions to the Level 3 asset positions would be an increase of $132 million and a reduction of $126 million in fair value, of which $58 million and $56 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 $69 million and an increase of $72 million in fair value.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 179

Table of Contents

Note 3 Fair value of financial instruments

(continued)

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		Sensitivity methodology
Asset-backed securities, corporate debt, government debt, municipal bonds and loans		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 are received, adjusting input parameters such as credit spreads or using high and low vendor prices as reasonably possible alternative assumptions.
Private equities, hedge fund investments and related equity derivatives		Sensitivity of direct private equity investments is determined by (i) adjusting the discount rate by 2% when the 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-multiples-based models are used, or (iii) using an alternative valuation approach. The private equity fund, hedge fund and related equity derivative NAVs are provided by the fund managers, and as a result, there are no other reasonably possible alternative assumptions for these investments.
Interest rate derivatives		Sensitivities of interest rate and cross currency swaps are derived using plus or minus one standard deviation of the inputs, and an amount representing model and parameter uncertainty, where applicable.
Equity derivatives		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.

Fair value for financial instru

ments that are carried at amortized cost and classified using the fair value hierarchy


	As at October 31, 2024
	Fair value approximates carrying value (1)		Fair value may not approximate carrying value
			Fair value measurements using								Total fair value
(Millions of Canadian dollars)			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Total fair value
Interest-bearing deposits with banks	$	12,024	$	–	$	–	$	–	$	–	$	12,024
Amortized cost securities (2)		–		68		96,268		–		96,336		96,336
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed		54,331		–		12,161		–		12,161		66,492
Loans
Retail		79,960		–		533,708		5,652		539,360		619,320
Wholesale		16,022		–		321,684		7,855		329,539		345,561
		95,982		–		855,392		13,507		868,899		964,881
Other assets		49,414		–		412		267		679		50,093
		211,751		68		964,233		13,774		978,075		1,189,826
Deposits
Personal		273,228		–		216,675		267		216,942		490,170
Business and government		443,077		–		241,204		467		241,671		684,748
Bank		23,942		–		13,241		–		13,241		37,183
		740,247		–		471,120		734		471,854		1,212,101
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned		34,658		–		–		–		–		34,658
Other liabilities		51,561		–		1,983		16,306		18,289		69,850
Subordinated debentures		–		–		13,602		–		13,602		13,602
	$	826,466	$	–	$	486,705	$	17,040	$	503,745	$	1,330,211

180 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents


	As at October 31, 2023 (Restated – Note 2)
	Fair value approximates carrying value (1)		Fair value may not approximate carrying value
			Fair value measurements using								Total fair value
(Millions of Canadian dollars)			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Total fair value

Interest-bearing deposits with banks	$	10,230	$	–	$	–	$	–	$	–	$	10,230
Amortized cost securities (2)		–		34		83,633		–		83,667		83,667
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed		39,528		–		14,794		–		14,794		54,322
Loans
Retail		70,606		–		466,962		4,912		471,874		542,480
Wholesale		8,231		–		254,342		6,270		260,612		268,843
		78,837		–		721,304		11,182		732,486		811,323
Other assets		67,313		–		914		223		1,137		68,450
		195,908		34		820,645		11,405		832,084		1,027,992
Deposits
Personal		252,779		–		159,669		438		160,107		412,886
Business and government		385,727		–		218,761		772		219,533		605,260
Bank		16,902		–		16,251		7		16,258		33,160
		655,408		–		394,681		1,217		395,898		1,051,306
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned		36,559		–		–		–		–		36,559
Other liabilities		77,021		–		1,856		13,564		15,420		92,441
Subordinated debentures		–		–		11,213		–		11,213		11,213
	$	768,988	$	–	$	407,750	$	14,781	$	422,531	$	1,191,519

(1)

Certain financial instruments have not been assigned to a level as the carrying amount approximates their fair values.

(2)

Included in Securities – Investment, net of applicable allowance 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.

Amortized cost securities

Fair values of government bonds, corporate bonds, and ABS 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. For ABS, where market prices are not available, the fair value is determined using the discounted cash flow method. The inputs to the valuation model generally include market interest rates, spreads and yields derived from comparable securities, prepayment, and LGD.

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.

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

(LTV) ratios. Fair values of credit card receivables are also calculated based on a discounted cash flow method with portfolio yields, write-offs and monthly payment rates as inputs. The carrying values of short-term and variable rate loans generally ap

pro

ximate their fair values.

Loans – Wholesale

Where market prices are available, wholesale 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, LGD, 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.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 181

Table of Contents

Note 3 Fair value of financial instruments

(continued)

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 demand, notice, and short-term term deposits generally approximate their fair values.

Other assets and Other liabilities

Other assets and Other liabilities include receivables and payables relating to certain commodities. 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.

Subordinated debentures

Fair values of Subordinated debentures are based on market prices, dealer quotes or vendor prices when available. Where prices cannot be observed, fair value is determined using the discounted cash flow method, with applicable inputs such as market interest rates and credit spreads.

182 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

Note 4 Securities

Carrying value of securities


	As at October 31, 2024
	Term to maturity (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	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
Trading (2)
Debt issued or guaranteed by:
Canadian government	$	2,026	$	8,712	$	6,054	$	3,509	$	10,071	$	–	$	30,372
U.S. federal, state, municipal and agencies		2,599		1,423		13,648		4,336		8,982		–		30,988
Other OECD government		710		246		1,578		972		1,128		–		4,634
Mortgage-backed securities		–		–		–		–		3		–		3
Asset-backed securities		289		213		387		406		139		–		1,434
Corporate debt and other debt
Bankers’ acceptances		4		–		–		–		–		–		4
Other (3)		2,026		3,178		8,170		4,200		8,617		–		26,191
Equities												89,674		89,674
		7,654		13,772		29,837		13,423		28,940		89,674		183,300
Fair value through other comprehensive income (2)
Debt issued or guaranteed by:
Canadian government
Federal
Amortized cost		2,068		2,810		7,893		394		–		–		13,165
Fair value		2,068		2,803		7,904		394		–		–		13,169
Yield (4)		3.2%		2.4%		2.9%		2.9%		–		–		2.9%
Provincial and municipal
Amortized cost		154		2,768		3,827		334		480		–		7,563
Fair value		154		2,767		3,833		333		467		–		7,554
Yield (4)		3.6%		2.2%		3.3%		2.7%		4.3%		–		3.0%
U.S. federal, state, municipal and agencies
Amortized cost		1,154		1,198		30,773		33,906		14,601		–		81,632
Fair value		1,182		1,196		30,797		33,831		13,260		–		80,266
Yield (4)		5.6%		2.1%		3.1%		3.9%		3.3%		–		3.5%
Other OECD government
Amortized cost		300		1,510		8,389		–		–		–		10,199
Fair value		300		1,511		8,345		–		–		–		10,156
Yield (4)		1.2%		3.6%		3.5%		–		–		–		3.4%
Mortgage-backed securities
Amortized cost		–		–		–		58		2,588		–		2,646
Fair value		–		–		–		56		2,578		–		2,634
Yield (4)		–		–		–		6.1%		5.9%		–		5.9%
Asset-backed securities
Amortized cost		–		–		–		4,258		5,085		–		9,343
Fair value		–		–		–		4,263		5,094		–		9,357
Yield (4)		–		–		–		6.2%		6.4%		–		6.3%
Corporate debt and other debt
Amortized cost		7,028		2,703		20,830		991		380		–		31,932
Fair value		7,027		2,707		20,858		1,010		380		–		31,982
Yield (4)		3.2%		3.8%		4.0%		5.0%		5.3%		–		3.9%
Equities
Cost												728		728
Fair value (5)												1,242		1,242
Amortized cost		10,704		10,989		71,712		39,941		23,134		728		157,208
Fair value		10,731		10,984		71,737		39,887		21,779		1,242		156,360
Amortized cost (2)
Debt issued or guaranteed by:
Canadian government		216		7,516		17,571		6,160		–		–		31,463
Yield (4)		2.4%		1.7%		3.0%		2.0%		–		–		2.4%
U.S. federal, state, municipal and agencies		2,029		5,659		13,197		4,882		20,221		–		45,988
Yield (4)		2.5%		3.6%		3.4%		3.2%		2.6%		–		3.0%
Other OECD government		61		1,133		5,169		202		–		–		6,565
Yield (4)		0.9%		2.3%		3.2%		3.3%		–		–		3.0%
Asset-backed securities		–		–		2		32		–		–		34
Yield (4)		–		–		0.3%		5.6%		–		–		5.2%
Corporate debt and other debt		526		3,677		11,724		259		22		–		16,208
Yield (4)		2.9%		3.1%		3.6%		3.5%		5.3%		–		3.5%
Amortized cost, net of allowance		2,832		17,985		47,663		11,535		20,243		–		100,258
Fair value		2,826		17,855		47,481		10,701		17,473		–		96,336
Total carrying value of securities	$	21,217	$	42,741	$	149,237	$	64,845	$	70,962	$	90,916	$	439,918

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 183

Table of Contents

Note 4 Securities

(continued)


	As at October 31, 2023
	Term to maturity (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	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
Trading (2)
Debt issued or guaranteed by:
Canadian government	$	9,867	$	17,244	$	8,687	$	2,932	$	6,915	$	–	$	45,645
U.S. federal, state, municipal and agencies		15,507		8,136		15,864		4,375		8,806		–		52,688
Other OECD government		566		1,117		815		1,040		1,094		–		4,632
Mortgage-backed securities		–		–		–		–		2		–		2
Asset-backed securities		452		151		234		307		101		–		1,245
Corporate debt and other debt
Bankers’ acceptances		143		–		–		–		–		–		143
Other (3)		1,207		2,219		6,681		3,656		8,709		–		22,472
Equities												63,324		63,324
		27,742		28,867		32,281		12,310		25,627		63,324		190,151
Fair value through other comprehensive income (2)
Debt issued or guaranteed by:
Canadian government
Federal
Amortized cost		2,479		1,247		1,726		640		517		–		6,609
Fair value		2,479		1,242		1,707		515		316		–		6,259
Yield (4)		4.5%		3.2%		2.6%		1.2%		3.4%		–		3.4%
Provincial and municipal
Amortized cost		469		8		1,159		52		1,708		–		3,396
Fair value		469		8		1,158		52		1,061		–		2,748
Yield (4)		4.9%		3.7%		2.8%		4.5%		4.4%		–		3.8%
U.S. federal, state, municipal and agencies
Amortized cost		846		8,595		33,044		16,355		16,486		–		75,326
Fair value		856		8,572		33,050		16,193		14,624		–		73,295
Yield (4)		7.4%		2.1%		2.7%		4.0%		3.6%		–		3.2%
Other OECD government
Amortized cost		160		1,009		5,030		1		–		–		6,200
Fair value		160		1,009		5,022		1		–		–		6,192
Yield (4)		6.3%		4.0%		3.0%		4.6%		–		–		3.3%
Mortgage-backed securities
Amortized cost		–		–		32		28		2,702		–		2,762
Fair value		–		–		31		25		2,645		–		2,701
Yield (4)		–		–		7.5%		6.7%		6.8%		–		6.8%
Asset-backed securities
Amortized cost		–		–		16		7,542		1,194		–		8,752
Fair value		–		–		17		7,503		1,186		–		8,706
Yield (4)		–		–		6.4%		6.9%		7.0%		–		6.9%
Corporate debt and other debt
Amortized cost		4,928		1,759		18,798		2,248		41		–		27,774
Fair value		4,928		1,755		18,761		2,243		36		–		27,723
Yield (4)		3.9%		4.2%		3.9%		5.4%		4.7%		–		4.1%
Equities
Cost												493		493
Fair value (5)												842		842
Amortized cost		8,882		12,618		59,805		26,866		22,648		493		131,312
Fair value		8,892		12,586		59,746		26,532		19,868		842		128,466
Amortized cost (2)
Debt issued or guaranteed by:
Canadian government		997		1,931		17,448		6,468		–		–		26,844
Yield (4)		2.8%		3.0%		2.1%		2.0%		–		–		2.2%
U.S. federal, state, municipal and agencies		424		1,427		14,536		5,156		23,025		–		44,568
Yield (4)		5.0%		4.1%		3.3%		2.9%		2.5%		–		2.9%
Other OECD government		375		723		4,362		66		–		–		5,526
Yield (4)		2.0%		0.8%		2.9%		1.1%		–		–		2.5%
Asset-backed securities		–		–		424		–		1		–		425
Yield (4)		–		–		4.9%		–		1.4%		–		4.9%
Corporate debt and other debt		838		1,443		11,256		190		23		–		13,750
Yield (4)		2.3%		2.9%		3.4%		3.1%		5.6%		–		3.3%
Amortized cost, net of allowance		2,634		5,524		48,026		11,880		23,049		–		91,113
Fair value		2,627		5,447		46,258		10,276		19,059		–		83,667
Total carrying value of securities	$	39,268	$	46,977	$	140,053	$	50,722	$	68,544	$	64,166	$	409,730

(1)

Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities shown above as borrowers may have the right to extend or prepay obligations with or without penalties.

(2)

Trading securities and FVOCI securities are recorded at fair value. Amortized cost securities, included in Investment securities, are recorded at amortized cost and presented net of allowance for credit losses.

(3)

Primarily composed of corporate debt, supra-national debt, and commercial paper.

(4)

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.

(5)

Certain equity securities that are not

held-for-trading

purposes are designated as FVOCI.

184 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

Unrealized gains and losses on securities at FVOCI

(1), (2)


	As at
	October 31, 2024 (3)									October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Cost/ Amortized cost		Gross unrealized gains		Gross unrealized losses			Fair value		Cost/ Amortized cost		Gross unrealized gains		Gross unrealized losses			Fair value
Debt issued or guaranteed by:
Canadian government
Federal	$	13,165	$	31	$	(27	)	$	13,169	$	6,609	$	1	$	(351	)	$	6,259
Provincial and municipal		7,563		27		(36	)		7,554		3,396		2		(650	)		2,748
U.S. federal, state, municipal and agencies		81,632		333		(1,699	)		80,266		75,326		343		(2,374	)		73,295
Other OECD government		10,199		6		(49	)		10,156		6,200		1		(9	)		6,192
Mortgage-backed securities		2,646		3		(15	)		2,634		2,762		–		(61	)		2,701
Asset-backed securities		9,343		17		(3	)		9,357		8,752		5		(51	)		8,706
Corporate debt and other debt		31,932		101		(51	)		31,982		27,774		44		(95	)		27,723
Equities		728		519		(5	)		1,242		493		357		(8	)		842
	$	157,208	$	1,037	$	(1,885	)	$	156,360	$	131,312	$	753	$	(3,599	)	$	128,466

(1)

Excludes $100,258 million of

held-to-collect

securities as at October 31, 2024 that are carried at amortized cost, net of allowance for credit losses (October 31, 2023 – $91,113 million).

(2)

Gross unrealized gains and losses includes $(35) million of allowance for credit losses on debt securities at FVOCI as at October 31, 2024 (October 31, 2023 – $(33) million) recognized in income and Other components of equity.

(3)

These amounts reflect certain reclassifications made upon the adoption of IFRS 17 as at November 1, 2023 with no restatement of comparative information. Refer to Note 2 for further details.

Allowance for credit losses on investment securities

The following tables reconcile the opening and closing allowance for debt securities at FVOCI and amortized cost by stage. Reconciling items include the following:

•

Transfers between stages, which are presumed to occur before any corresponding remeasurement of the allowance.

•

Purchases, which reflect the allowance related to assets newly recognized during the period, including those assets that were derecognized following a modification of terms.

•

Sales and maturities, which reflect the allowance related to assets derecognized during the period without a credit loss being incurred, including those assets that were derecognized following a modification of terms.

•

Changes in risk, parameters and exposures, which comprise the impact of changes in model inputs or assumptions, including changes in forward-looking macroeconomic conditions; partial repayments; changes in the measurement following a transfer between stages; and unwinding of the time value

discount

due to the passage of time.

Allowance for credit losses – securities at FVOCI

(1)


	For the year ended
	October 31, 2024											October 31, 2023
	Performing					Impaired						Performing						Impaired

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Stage 1			Stage 2		Stage 3 (2)			Total			Stage 1			Stage 2			Stage 3 (2)			Total
Balance at beginning of period	$	4		$	–	$	(37	)	$	(33	)	$	3		$	1		$	(23	)	$	(19	)
Provision for credit losses
Transfers to stage 1		–			–		–			–			1			(1	)		–			–
Transfers to stage 2		–			–		–			–			–			–			–			–
Transfers to stage 3		–			–		–			–			–			–			–			–
Purchases		10			–		–			10			7			–			–			7
Sales and maturities		(4	)		–		–			(4	)		(2	)		–			–			(2	)
Changes in risk, parameters and exposures		(4	)		–		(8	)		(12	)		(5	)		–			(17	)		(22	)
Exchange rate and other		–			–		4			4			–			–			3			3
Balance at end of period	$	6		$	–	$	(41	)	$	(35	)	$	4		$	–		$	(37	)	$	(33	)

(1)

Expected credit losses on debt securities at FVOCI are not separately recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as the related securities are recorded at fair value. The cumulative amount of credit losses recognized in income is presented in Other components of equity.

(2)

Reflects changes in the allowance for purchased credit impaired securities.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 185

Table of Contents

Note 4 Securities

(continued)

Allowance for credit losses – securities at amortized cost


	For the year ended
	October 31, 2024											October 31, 2023
	Performing						Impaired					Performing					Impaired

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Stage 1			Stage 2			Stage 3		Total			Stage 1			Stage 2		Stage 3		Total

Balance at beginning of period	$	8		$	15		$	–	$	23		$	8		$	14	$	–	$	22
Provision for credit losses
Transfers to stage 1		–			–			–		–			–			–		–		–
Transfers to stage 2		–			–			–		–			–			–		–		–
Transfers to stage 3		–			–			–		–			–			–		–		–
Purchases		7			–			–		7			10			–		–		10
Sales and maturities		(2	)		–			–		(2	)		(1	)		–		–		(1	)
Changes in risk, parameters and exposures		(8	)		(6	)		–		(14	)		(9	)		–		–		(9	)
Exchange rate and other		1			(1	)		–		–			–			1		–		1
Balance at end of period	$	6		$	8		$	–	$	14		$	8		$	15	$	–	$	23

Credit risk exposure by internal risk rating

The following table presents the fair value of debt securities at FVOCI and gross carrying amount of securities at amortized cost. Risk ratings are based on internal ratings used in the measurement of expected credit losses, as at the reporting date, as outlined in the internal ratings maps in the Credit risk section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis.


	As at
	October 31, 2024								October 31, 2023
	Performing				Impaired				Performing				Impaired

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Stage 1		Stage 2		Stage 3 (1)		Total		Stage 1		Stage 2		Stage 3 (1)		Total
Investment securities
Securities at FVOCI
Investment grade	$	154,100	$	–	$	–	$	154,100	$	126,732	$	1	$	–	$	126,733
Non-investment grade		875		–		–		875		742		–		–		742
Impaired		–		–		143		143		–		–		149		149
		154,975		–		143		155,118		127,474		1		149		127,624
Items not subject to impairment (2)								1,242								842
							$	156,360							$	128,466
Securities at amortized cost
Investment grade	$	99,224	$	–	$	–	$	99,224	$	89,947	$	–	$	–	$	89,947
Non-investment grade		856		192		–		1,048		990		199		–		1,189
		100,080		192		–		100,272		90,937		199		–		91,136
Allowance for credit losses		6		8		–		14		8		15		–		23
	$	100,074	$	184	$	–	$	100,258	$	90,929	$	184	$	–	$	91,113

(1)

Reflects $143 million of purchased credit impaired securities (October 31, 2023 – $149 million).

(2)

Investment securities at FVOCI not subject to impairment represent equity securities designated as FVOCI.

186 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

Note 5 Loans and allowance for credit losses

Loans by geography and portfolio net of allowance


	As at October 31, 2024

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Canada		United States		Other International		Total		Allowance for loan losses (1)			Total net of allowance
Retail (2)
Residential mortgages	$	441,191	$	33,092	$	3,261	$	477,544	$	(572	)	$	476,972
Personal		86,977		18,148		3,213		108,338		(1,389	)		106,949
Credit cards (3)		24,619		653		293		25,565		(1,164	)		24,401
Small business (4)		15,531		–		–		15,531		(258	)		15,273
Wholesale (2), (5)		189,378		119,231		51,830		360,439		(2,654	)		357,785
Total loans	$	757,696	$	171,124	$	58,597	$	987,417	$	(6,037	)	$	981,380
Undrawn loan commitments – Retail		300,071		5,099		4,100		309,270		(172	)
Undrawn loan commitments – Wholesale		180,687		264,309		88,787		533,783		(139	)

	As at October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Canada		United States		Other International		Total		Allowance for loan losses (1)			Total net of allowance
Retail (2)
Residential mortgages	$	397,605	$	33,683	$	3,213	$	434,501	$	(481	)	$	434,020
Personal		79,705		15,751		3,278		98,734		(1,145	)		97,589
Credit cards (3)		22,140		624		271		23,035		(1,013	)		22,022
Small business (4)		13,681		–		–		13,681		(180	)		13,501
Wholesale (2), (5)		121,762		119,067		46,997		287,826		(2,185	)		285,641
Total loans	$	634,893	$	169,125	$	53,759	$	857,777	$	(5,004	)	$	852,773
Undrawn loan commitments – Retail		277,863		5,054		3,173		286,090		(152	)
Undrawn loan commitments – Wholesale		128,967		247,881		84,633		461,481		(136	)

(1)

Excludes allowance for loans measured at FVOCI of $4 million (October 31, 2023 – $6 million).

(2)

Geographic information is based on residence of the borrower.

(3)

The credit cards business is managed as a single portfolio and includes both consumer and business cards.

(4)

Includes small business exposure managed on a pooled basis.

(5)

Includes small business exposure managed on an individual client basis.

Loans maturity and rate sensitivity


	As at October 31, 2024
	Maturity term (1)									Rate sensitivity

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Under 1 year (2)		1 to 5 years		Over 5 years		Total			Floating		Fixed Rate		Non-rate- sensitive		Total
Retail	$	342,552	$	240,995	$	43,431	$	626,978		$	211,027	$	407,455	$	8,496	$	626,978
Wholesale		302,024		44,977		13,438		360,439			80,385		277,599		2,455		360,439
Total loans	$	644,576	$	285,972	$	56,869	$	987,417		$	291,412	$	685,054	$	10,951	$	987,417
Allowance for loan losses								(6,037	)								(6,037	)
Total loans net of allowance for loan losses	$	644,576	$	285,972	$	50,832	$	981,380		$	291,412	$	685,054	$	4,914	$	981,380

	As at October 31, 2023
	Maturity term (1)									Rate sensitivity

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Under 1 year (2)		1 to 5 years		Over 5 years		Total			Floating		Fixed Rate		Non-rate- sensitive		Total
Retail	$	276,720	$	249,210	$	44,021	$	569,951		$	183,604	$	378,656	$	7,691	$	569,951
Wholesale		236,126		39,358		12,342		287,826			53,655		232,024		2,147		287,826
Total loans	$	512,846	$	288,568	$	56,363	$	857,777		$	237,259	$	610,680	$	9,838	$	857,777
Allowance for loan losses								(5,004	)								(5,004	)
Total loans net of allowance for loan losses							$	852,773								$	852,773

(1)

Generally, based on the earlier of contractual repricing or maturity date.

(2)

Includes variable rate loans that can be repriced at the clients’ discretion without penalty.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 187

Table of Contents

Note 5 Loans and allowance for credit losses

(continued)

Allowance for credit losses


	For the year ended
	October 31, 2024													October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Balance at beginning of period		Provision for credit losses			Net write-offs (1)			Exchange rate and other			Balance at end of period		Balance at beginning of period		Provision for credit losses		Net write-offs (1)			Exchange rate and other			Balance at end of period
Retail
Residential mortgages	$	481	$	114		$	(10	)	$	(13	)	$	572	$	432	$	74	$	(17	)	$	(8	)	$	481
Personal		1,228		877			(616	)		(7	)		1,482		1,043		593		(404	)		(4	)		1,228
Credit cards		1,069		831			(669	)		2			1,233		893		636		(460	)		–			1,069
Small business		194		178			(84	)		(16	)		272		194		43		(39	)		(4	)		194
Wholesale		2,326		1,297			(700	)		(130	)		2,793		1,574		1,145		(293	)		(100	)		2,326
Customers’ liability under acceptances		50		(50	)		–			–			–		45		5		–			–			50
	$	5,348	$	3,247		$	(2,079	)	$	(164	)	$	6,352	$	4,181	$	2,496	$	(1,213	)	$	(116	)	$	5,348
Presented as:
Allowance for loan losses	$	5,004										$	6,037	$	3,753									$	5,004
Other liabilities – Provisions		288											311		378										288
Customers’ liability under acceptances		50											–		45										50
Other components of equity		6											4		5										6

(1)

Loans

written-off

are generally subject to continued collection efforts for a period of time following

write-off.

The contractual amount outstanding on loans

written-off

during the year ended October 31, 2024 that are no longer subject to enforcement activity was $359

million

(October 31, 2023 – $139 million).

The following table reconciles the opening and closing allowance for each major product of loans and commitments as determined by our modelled, scenario-weighted allowance and the application of expert credit judgment as applicable. Reconciling items include the following:

•

Model changes, which generally comprise the impact of significant changes to the quantitative models used to estimate expected credit losses and any staging impacts that may arise.

•

Transfers between stages, which are presumed to occur before any corresponding remeasurements of the allowance.

•

Originations, which reflect the allowance related to assets newly recognized during the period, including those assets that were derecognized following a modification of terms.

•

Maturities, which reflect the allowance related to assets derecognized during the period without a credit loss being incurred, including those assets that were derecognized following a modification of terms.

•

Changes in risk, parameters and exposures, which comprise the impact of changes in model inputs or assumptions, including changes in forward-looking macroeconomic conditions; partial repayments and additional draws on existing facilities; changes in the measurement following a transfer between stages; and unwinding of the time value discount due to the passage of time in Stage 1 and Stage 2.

188 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

Allowance for credit losses – Retail and wholesale loans


	For the year ended
	October 31, 2024												October 31, 2023
	Performing						Impaired						Performing						Impaired

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Stage 1			Stage 2			Stage 3			Total			Stage 1			Stage 2			Stage 3			Total
Residential mortgages
Balance at beginning of period	$	223		$	90		$	168		$	481		$	235		$	65		$	132		$	432
Provision for credit losses
Transfers to stage 1		99			(97	)		(2	)		–			95			(95	)		–			–
Transfers to stage 2		(23	)		36			(13	)		–			(26	)		38			(12	)		–
Transfers to stage 3		(5	)		(42	)		47			–			(2	)		(13	)		15			–
Originations		94			–			–			94			89			–			–			89
Maturities		(19	)		(17	)		–			(36	)		(17	)		(9	)		–			(26	)
Changes in risk, parameters and exposures		(155	)		157			54			56			(152	)		103			60			11
Write-offs		–			–			(23	)		(23	)		–			–			(30	)		(30	)
Recoveries		–			–			13			13			–			–			13			13
Exchange rate and other		1			(1	)		(13	)		(13	)		1			1			(10	)		(8	)
Balance at end of period	$	215		$	126		$	231		$	572		$	223		$	90		$	168		$	481

Personal
Balance at beginning of period	$	280		$	793		$	155		$	1,228		$	285		$	661		$	97		$	1,043
Provision for credit losses
Transfers to stage 1		537			(537	)		–			–			696			(695	)		(1	)		–
Transfers to stage 2		(75	)		78			(3	)		–			(88	)		90			(2	)		–
Transfers to stage 3		(3	)		(130	)		133			–			(1	)		(57	)		58			–
Originations		116			–			–			116			103			–			–			103
Maturities		(51	)		(186	)		–			(237	)		(45	)		(112	)		–			(157	)
Changes in risk, parameters and exposures		(499	)		947			550			998			(671	)		906			412			647
Write-offs		–			–			(745	)		(745	)		–			–			(518	)		(518	)
Recoveries		–			–			129			129			–			–			114			114
Exchange rate and other		–			1			(8	)		(7	)		1			–			(5	)		(4	)
Balance at end of period	$	305		$	966		$	211		$	1,482		$	280		$	793		$	155		$	1,228

Credit cards
Balance at beginning of period	$	203		$	866		$	–		$	1,069		$	177		$	716		$	–		$	893
Provision for credit losses
Transfers to stage 1		559			(559	)		–			–			539			(539	)		–			–
Transfers to stage 2		(111	)		111			–			–			(101	)		101			–			–
Transfers to stage 3		(2	)		(483	)		485			–			(2	)		(394	)		396			–
Originations		25			–			–			25			13			–			–			13
Maturities		(5	)		(48	)		–			(53	)		(6	)		(33	)		–			(39	)
Changes in risk, parameters and exposures		(465	)		1,139			185			859			(417	)		1,015			64			662
Write-offs		–			–			(892	)		(892	)		–			–			(650	)		(650	)
Recoveries		–			–			223			223			–			–			190			190
Exchange rate and other		3			–			(1	)		2			–			–			–			–
Balance at end of period	$	207		$	1,026		$	–		$	1,233		$	203		$	866		$	–		$	1,069

Small business
Balance at beginning of period	$	70		$	66		$	58		$	194		$	73		$	73		$	48		$	194
Provision for credit losses
Transfers to stage 1		35			(35	)		–			–			39			(39	)		–			–
Transfers to stage 2		(20	)		20			–			–			(14	)		14			–			–
Transfers to stage 3		(1	)		(10	)		11			–			(1	)		(10	)		11			–
Originations		43			–			–			43			36			–			–			36
Maturities		(17	)		(21	)		–			(38	)		(18	)		(21	)		–			(39	)
Changes in risk, parameters and exposures		(31	)		65			139			173			(48	)		44			50			46
Write-offs		–			–			(98	)		(98	)		–			–			(50	)		(50	)
Recoveries		–			–			14			14			–			–			11			11
Exchange rate and other		1			1			(18	)		(16	)		3			5			(12	)		(4	)
Balance at end of period	$	80		$	86		$	106		$	272		$	70		$	66		$	58		$	194

Wholesale
Balance at beginning of period	$	774		$	785		$	767		$	2,326		$	597		$	585		$	392		$	1,574
Provision for credit losses
Transfers to stage 1		284			(282	)		(2	)		–			216			(215	)		(1	)		–
Transfers to stage 2		(152	)		159			(7	)		–			(87	)		89			(2	)		–
Transfers to stage 3		(9	)		(77	)		86			–			(10	)		(60	)		70			–
Originations		737			–			–			737			651			–			–			651
Maturities		(438	)		(379	)		–			(817	)		(448	)		(270	)		–			(718	)
Changes in risk, parameters and exposures		(407	)		827			957			1,377			(153	)		647			718			1,212
Write-offs		–			–			(763	)		(763	)		–			–			(324	)		(324	)
Recoveries		–			–			63			63			–			–			31			31
Exchange rate and other		(2	)		5			(133	)		(130	)		8			9			(117	)		(100	)
Balance at end of period	$	787		$	1,038		$	968		$	2,793		$	774		$	785		$	767		$	2,326

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 189

Table of Contents

Note 5 Loans and allowance for credit losses

(continued)

Key inputs and assumptions

The measurement of expected credit losses is a complex calculation that involves a significant number of interrelated inputs and assumptions and the allowance is not sensitive to any one single factor. The key drivers of

changes

in expected credit losses include the following:

•

Changes in the credit quality of the borrower or instrument, primarily reflected in changes in internal risk ratings;

•

Changes in forward-looking macroeconomic conditions, specifically the macroeconomic variables to which our models are calibrated, which are those most closely correlated with credit losses in the relevant portfolio;

•

Changes in scenario design and the weight assigned to each scenario; and

•

Transfers between stages, which can be triggered by changes to any of the above inputs.

To reflect relevant risk factors not captured in our modelled results, we applied expert credit judgment in determining the measurement of our weighted allowance for credit losses. The measurement of expected credit losses, including scenario design and weightings, determining significant increases in credit risk since origination and application of expert credit judgment, is overseen by a senior management committee that includes representation from Finance, Group Risk Management and Economics.

Internal risk ratings

Internal risk ratings are assigned according to the risk management framework outlined under the headings Wholesale credit risk and Retail credit risk of the Credit risk section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis. Changes in internal risk ratings are primarily reflected in the PD parameters, which are estimated based on our historical loss experience at the relevant risk segment or risk rating level, adjusted for forward-looking information.

Scenario design and weightings

Our estimation of expected credit losses in Stage 1 and Stage 2 considers five distinct future macroeconomic scenarios. Scenarios are designed to capture a wide range of possible outcomes and are weighted according to our expectation of the relative likelihood of the range of outcomes that each scenario represents at the reporting date. We weight each scenario to take into account historical frequency, current trends, and forward-looking conditions which will change over time. Scenario weightings take into consideration the extent to which the base case scenario includes both favourable and unfavourable economic expectations, and upside and downside risks to the base scenario materializing in the future. The base case scenario is based on forecasts of the expected rate, value, or yield for each relevant macroeconomic variable. The upside and downside scenarios are set by adjusting our base projections to construct reasonably possible scenarios and weightings that are more optimistic and pessimistic, respectively, than the base case. Two additional downside scenarios capture the

non-linear

nature of potential credit losses across our portfolios. When the economy is at or near equilibrium, the severity of the downside scenario generally reflects an adverse event typical for a business cycle and both the

non-linear

downside scenarios reflect an outcome that is materially more adverse than the downside scenario.

The impact of each of our five scenarios varies across our portfolios given the portfolios have different sensitivities to movements in each macroeconomic variable.

The impact of weighting these multiple scenarios increased our ACL on performing loans, relative to our base scenario, by $945 million as at October 31, 2024 (October 31, 2023 – $868 million).

Forward looking macroeconomic variables

long-run

averages generally within the 2 to 5 year period. Depending on their usage in the models, macroeconomic variables are projected at a country, province/state or more granular level. These include one or more of the variables described below, which differ by portfolio and region.

Our allowance for credit losses reflects our economic outlook as at October 31, 2024. Subsequent changes to this forecast and related estimates will be reflected in our allowance for credit losses in future periods.

Our base scenario reflects rising unemployment rates in the near-term in Canada and the U.S. Central bank policy interest rate cuts are expected to continue as inflation declines. Central bank policy interest rate cuts in Canada are expected to be larger than in other regions due to slower economic growth and higher unemployment rates.

Downside scenarios, including two additional and more severe downside scenarios designed for the real estate and energy sectors, reflect the possibility of a more severe macroeconomic shock beginning in calendar Q1 2025 relative to our base scenario. In these scenarios, conditions are expected to deteriorate from calendar Q4 2024 levels for up to 18 months, followed by a recovery for the remainder of the period. These scenarios assume monetary policy responses that return the economy to a

long-run,

sustainable growth rate within the forecast period.

The upside scenario reflects slightly stronger economic growth than the base scenario, without prompting a further offsetting monetary policy response as compared to our base scenario, followed by a return to a

long-run

sustainable growth rate within the forecast period.

We reduced weight to our downside scenarios relative to October 31, 2023, in

order

to reflect the

reduced

likelihood of recessions as reflected in our downside scenarios.

190 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

The following provides additional detail about our calendar quarter forecasts for certain key macroeconomic variables used in the models to estimate ACL:

•

Unemployment

– In our base forecast, we expect the Canadian unemployment rate to rise to 6.9% in calendar Q4 2024, peaking at 7.0% in calendar Q1 2025, then returning to its long run equilibrium by calendar Q2 2027. The U.S. unemployment rate is expected to rise to 4.2% in calendar Q4 2024, then increase to its long run equilibrium level by calendar Q2 2025.

•

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

– In our base forecast, we expect both Canadian and U.S. GDP to continuously grow in calendar Q4 2024 and thereafter. GDP in calendar Q4 2025 is expected to be 1.4% and 1.3% above Q4 2024 levels in Canada and the U.S., respectively.

•

Canadian housing price

index

– In our base forecast, we expect housing prices to increase by 0.7% over the next 12 months from calendar Q4 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0% for the following 2 to 5 years. The range of annual housing price growth (contraction) in our alternative real estate downside and upside scenarios is (30.0)% to 10.9% over the next 12 months and 4.2% to 9.6% for the following 2 to 5 years. As at October 31, 2023, our base forecast included housing price growth of 1.6% from calendar Q4 2023 for the next 12 months and housing price growth of 5.0% for the following 2 to 5 years.

•

Oil price (West Texas Intermediate in US$)

– In our base forecast, we expect oil prices to average $69 per barrel over the next 12 months from calendar Q4 2024 and $66 per barrel in the following 2 to 5 years. The range of average prices in our alternative downside and upside scenarios is $27 to $89 per barrel for the next 12 months and $42 to $71 per barrel for the following 2 to 5 years. As at October 31, 2023, our base forecast included an average price of $81 per barrel for the next 12 months and $67 per barrel for the following 2 to 5

years

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 191

Table of Contents

Note 5 Loans and allowance for credit losses

(continued)

The primary variables driving credit losses in our retail portfolios are Canadian unemployment rates, Canadian housing price index and Canadian GDP. The Canadian overnight interest rate also impacts our retail portfolios. Our wholesale portfolios are affected by all of the variables discussed above; however, the specific variables differ by sector. Other variables also impact our wholesale portfolios including, but not limited to, Canadian and U.S. 10 year BBB corporate bond credit spreads, Canadian and U.S. 10 year government bond yields, U.S. 10 year BBB corporate bond yield, Canadian consumer confidence index, Canadian and U.S. commercial real estate price indices, U.S. housing price index, and natural gas prices (Henry Hub).

Increases in the following macroeconomic variables will generally correlate with higher expected credit losses: Canadian and U.S. unemployment rates, Canadian overnight interest rates, Canadian and U.S. 10 year BBB corporate bond credit spreads, Canadian and U.S. 10 year government bond yields, and U.S. 10 year BBB corporate bond yield.

Increases in the following macroeconomic variables will generally correlate with lower expected credit losses: Canadian and U.S. housing price indices, Canadian and U.S. GDP, Canadian consumer confidence index, Canadian and U.S. commercial real estate price indices, and oil and natural gas prices.

Transfers between stages

Transfers between Stage 1 and Stage 2 are based on the assessment of significant increases in credit risk relative to initial recognition, as described in Note 2. The impact of moving from 12 months expected credit losses to lifetime expected credit losses, or vice versa, varies by product and is

dependent

on the expected remaining life at the date of the transfer. Stage transfers may result in significant fluctuations in expected credit losses.

The following table illustrates the impact of staging on our ACL by comparing our allowance if all performing loans were in Stage 1 to the actual ACL recorded on these assets.

As at

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

ACL – All performing
loans in Stage 1

Impact of
staging

Stage 1 and 2
ACL

ACL – All performing
loans in Stage 1

Impact of
staging

Stage 1 and 2
ACL

Performing loans

(1)

$ 3,313

$ 1,523

$ 4,836

$ 2,893

$ 1,257

$ 4,150

(1)

Represents loans and commitments in Stage 1 and Stage 2.

192 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

Credit risk exposure by internal risk rating

The following table presents the gross carrying amount of loans measured at amortized cost, and the full contractual amount of undrawn loan commitments subject to the impairment requirements of IFRS 9. Risk ratings are based on internal ratings used in the measurement of expected credit losses as at the reporting date, as outlined in the internal ratings maps for Wholesale and Retail facilities in the Credit risk section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis.


	As at
	October 31, 2024								October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Stage 1		Stage 2		Stage 3 (1), (2)		Total		Stage 1		Stage 2		Stage 3 (1), (2)		Total
Retail
Loans outstanding –Residential mortgages
Low risk	$	388,742	$	1,354	$	–	$	390,096	$	349,001	$	1,630	$	–	$	350,631
Medium risk		18,419		4,479		–		22,898		19,126		1,610		–		20,736
High risk		1,761		6,593		–		8,354		1,582		4,927		–		6,509
Not rated (3)		52,569		1,479		–		54,048		54,247		1,220		–		55,467
Impaired		–		–		1,233		1,233		–		–		682		682
		461,491		13,905		1,233		476,629		423,956		9,387		682		434,025
Items not subject to impairment ( 4 )								915								476
Total							$	477,544							$	434,501
Loans outstanding –Personal
Low risk	$	82,904	$	1,680	$	–	$	84,584	$	75,572	$	1,676	$	–	$	77,248
Medium risk		5,525		3,063		–		8,588		5,587		2,915		–		8,502
High risk		592		2,365		–		2,957		477		2,088		–		2,565
Not rated ( 3 )		11,303		498		–		11,801		9,982		157		–		10,139
Impaired		–		–		408		408		–		–		280		280
Total	$	100,324	$	7,606	$	408	$	108,338	$	91,618	$	6,836	$	280	$	98,734
Loans outstanding – Credit cards
Low risk	$	17,363	$	177	$	–	$	17,540	$	16,331	$	135	$	–	$	16,466
Medium risk		1,999		2,436		–		4,435		1,771		2,132		–		3,903
High risk		75		2,289		–		2,364		41		1,734		–		1,775
Not rated (3)		1,173		53		–		1,226		856		35		–		891
Total	$	20,610	$	4,955	$	–	$	25,565	$	18,999	$	4,036	$	–	$	23,035
Loans outstanding – Small business
Low risk	$	9,428	$	773	$	–	$	10,201	$	8,641	$	920	$	–	$	9,561
Medium risk		2,740		962		–		3,702		2,238		936		–		3,174
High risk		214		1,086		–		1,300		99		592		–		691
Not rated ( 3 )		7		–		–		7		11		–		–		11
Impaired		–		–		321		321		–		–		244		244
Total	$	12,389	$	2,821	$	321	$	15,531	$	10,989	$	2,448	$	244	$	13,681
Undrawn loan commitments –Retail
Low risk	$	284,036	$	592	$	–	$	284,628	$	266,209	$	610	$	–	$	266,819
Medium risk		12,110		381		–		12,491		10,759		298		–		11,057
High risk		746		602		–		1,348		956		434		–		1,390
Not rated ( 3 )		10,715		88		–		10,803		6,686		138		–		6,824
Total	$	307,607	$	1,663	$	–	$	309,270	$	284,610	$	1,480	$	–	$	286,090
Wholesale – Loans outstanding
Investment grade	$	116,549	$	1,471	$	–	$	118,020	$	89,037	$	416	$	–	$	89,453
Non-investment grade		189,889		26,826		–		216,715		156,211		19,210		–		175,421
Not rated ( 3 )		12,871		721		–		13,592		10,968		238		–		11,206
Impaired		–		–		3,905		3,905		–		–		2,498		2,498
		319,309		29,018		3,905		352,232		256,216		19,864		2,498		278,578
Items not subject to impairment ( 4 )								8,207								9,248
Total							$	360,439							$	287,826
Undrawn loan commitments – Wholesale
Investment grade	$	345,236	$	516	$	–	$	345,752	$	312,178	$	186	$	–	$	312,364
Non-investment grade		170,212		14,512		–		184,724		130,994		13,947		–		144,941
Not rated ( 3 )		3,290		17		–		3,307		4,176		–		–		4,176
Total	$	518,738	$	15,045	$	–	$	533,783	$	447,348	$	14,133	$	–	$	461,481

(1)

As at October 31, 2024, 88% of credit-impaired loans were either fully or partially collateralized (October 31, 2023 – 88%). For details on the types of collateral held against credit-impaired assets and our policies on collateral, refer to the Credit risk mitigation section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

(2)

Includes $109 million of purchased credit-impaired loans acquired in the HSBC Canada transaction.

(3)

In certain cases where an internal risk rating is not assigned, we use other approved credit risk assessments or rating methodologies, policies and tools to manage our credit risk.

(4)

Items not subject to impairment are loans held at FVTPL.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 193

Table of Contents

Note 5 Loans and allowance for credit losses

(continued)

Loans past due but not impaired

(1), (2)


	As at
	October 31, 2024						October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	30 to 89 days		90 days and greater		Total		30 to 89 days		90 days and greater		Total
Retail	$	2,542	$	263	$	2,805	$	1,840	$	208	$	2,048
Wholesale		1,454		4		1,458		1,823		49		1,872
	$	3,996	$	267	$	4,263	$	3,663	$	257	$	3,920

(1)

Excludes loans less than

days past due as they are not generally representative of the borrowers’ ability to meet their payment obligations.

(2)

Amounts presented may include loans past due as a result of administrative processes, such as mortgage loans on which payments are restrained pending payout due to sale or refinancing. Past due loans arising from administrative processes are not representative of the borrowers’ ability to meet their payment obligations.

Note 6 Significant acquisition and disposition

Acquisition

HSBC Bank Canada

During the fourth quarter of 2024, we finalized our purchase price allocation and recognized an increase in goodwill of $98 million. Our purchase price allocation assigned $108.1 billion to assets and $99.1 billion to liabilities on the acquisition date. Goodwill of $6.5 billion reflects the expected expense synergies from our Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, Wealth Management and Capital Markets operations, expected growth of the platforms, and the ability to cross-sell products between segments. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes.

The following table presents the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as at the acquisition date. As a result of the finalization of the purchase price allocation, certain amounts have been revised from those previously presented.



(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)
Percentage of shares acquired		100%
Purchase consideration	$	15,488
Fair value of identifiable assets acquired
Cash and due from banks	$	2,772
Securities
Trading		1,110
Investment		21,305
Loans (1)
Retail (2)		35,351
Wholesale		39,282
Derivatives		3,365
Intangible assets (3)		2,342
Other (4)		2,570
Total fair value of identifiable assets acquired	$	108,097
Fair value of identifiable liabilities assumed
Deposits
Personal		42,037
Business and government (2)		44,211
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned		5,664
Derivatives		3,541
Other (5)		3,692
Total fair value of identifiable liabilities assumed	$	99,145
Fair value of identifiable net assets acquired	$	8,952
Goodwill		6,536
Total purchase consideration	$	15,488

(1)

The fair value of loans reflects estimates of incurred and expected future credit losses as at the acquisition date and interest rate premiums or discounts relative to prevailing market rates. As at March 28, 2024, the gross contractual value of the loans was $75,752 million. The estimate of contractual cash flows not expected to be collected was $575 million, of which $135 million related to purchased credit-impaired loans.

(2)

Loans – Retail includes $1.7 billion of Canadian residential mortgages sold with recourse to a mutual fund that do not qualify for derecognition, and Deposits – Business and government includes $1.7 billion of the related secured borrowing liability.

(3)

Intangible assets include $1,972 million of core deposit intangibles and $111 million of customer relationships, which are amortized on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of 7 years, and $259 million of mutual fund management contracts with indefinite useful lives.

(4)

Includes Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed, Customers’ liability under acceptances, and Other assets.

(5)

Includes Acceptances, Obligations related to securities sold short, and Other liabilities.

194 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

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Since the acquisition date, the HSBC Canada transaction contributed revenue of $1,716 million and net income of $453 million to RBC’s consolidated results. The net income of $453 million includes initial PCL on purchased performing financial assets of $200 million ($145 million after-tax).

Assuming we acquired HSBC Canada on November 1, 2023, using the same fair value estimates and not reflecting any potential synergies, we estimate that RBC’s consolidated revenue and net income for the year ended October 31, 2024 would be $58.6 billion and $16.6 billion, respectively.

RBC’s consolidated results include transaction and integration costs of $960 million for the year ended October 31, 2024, recognized in Non-interest expense.

Disposition

Wealth Management

On July 3, 2023, we completed the sale of the European asset servicing activities of RBC Investor Services

and its associated Malaysian centre of excellence to CACEIS, the asset servicing banking group of Crédit Agricole S.A. and Banco Santander, S.A. As a result of the transaction, we recorded a pre-tax gain on disposal of $69 million in Non-Interest income within the Wealth Management segment ($77 million after-tax).

On December 1, 2023, we completed the sale of the RBC Investor Services business in Jersey to CACEIS. On March 25, 2024, we completed the sale of the business of the U.K. branch of RBC Investor Services Trust to CACEIS. The transactions did not have a significant impact on our Consolidated Statements of Income.

Note 7 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 majority of assets transferred under repurchase agreements, securities lending agreements, and in our Canadian residential mortgage securitization transactions do not qualify for derecognition as we continue to be exposed to substantially all of the risks and rewards of the transferred assets, such as prepayment, credit, price, interest rate and foreign exchange risks.

Transferred financial assets not derecognized

Securitization of Canadian residential mortgage loans

We periodically securitize insured single and multi-family 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 and Housing Corporation (CMHC) or a third-party insurer.

We require the borrower to pay for mortgage insurance when the loan amount is greater than 80% of the original appraised value of the property (LTV ratio). For residential mortgage loans securitized under this program with LTV ratios 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 a borrower defaults on a mortgage, 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.

We sell the NHA MBS pools primarily to Canada Housing Trust

(CHT)

, 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 swaps, 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 agreements.

We have determined that certain of the NHA MBS program loans transferred to CHT 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 is recorded in Deposits – Business and government on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

We have determined that certain of the NHA MBS program loan transfers qualify for derecognition as we have transferred substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership. During the year ended October 31, 2024, we transferred

122

million (October 31, 2023 – $

nil

)

of NHA MBS program loans that qualified for derecognition

Canadian residential mortgages sold with recourse

We periodically transfer conventional uninsured mortgages into the RBC Indigo Mortgage Fund in accordance with its investment parameters. We have determined that these mortgages, which are sold with recourse, do not qualify for derecognition. As a result, these transferred mortgages continue to be classified as residential mortgage loans and recognized on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The cash received for these transferred mortgages is treated as a secured borrowing and a corresponding liability is recorded in Deposits – Business and government on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We also provide a liquidity arrangement whereby we will either repurchase or facilitate the sale of mortgages to third parties if deemed necessary to satisfy liquidity requirements of the fund.

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 at a future date and retain substantially all of the risks and rewards associated with the assets. These transferred assets remain on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and are accounted for as collateralized borrowing

transactions

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 195

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Note 7 Derecognition of financial assets

(continued)

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, 2024								October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	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
Carrying amount of transferred assets that do not qualify for derecognition	$	33,101	$	291,543	$	13,778	$	338,422	$	28,312		$	313,558	$	21,680	$	363,550
Carrying amount of associated liabilities		31,522		291,543		13,778		336,843		28,007			313,558		21,680		363,245
Fair value of transferred assets	$	31,760	$	291,543	$	13,778	$	337,081	$	26,472		$	313,558	$	21,680	$	361,710
Fair value of associated liabilities		31,445		291,543		13,778		336,766		26,780			313,558		21,680		362,018
Fair value of net position	$	315	$	–	$	–	$	315	$	(308	)	$	–	$	–	$	(308	)

(1)

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 as well as Canadian residential mortgages transferred into the RBC Indigo Mortgage Fund.

(2)

CMB investors have legal recourse only to the transferred assets, and do not have recourse to our general assets.

(3)

Does not include over-collateralization of assets pledged.

Note 8 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 clients. 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 as described in Note 2. In other cases, we may sponsor or have an interest in such an entity but may 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.

Multi-seller conduits

We generally do not maintain ownership in the multi-seller conduits that we administer and generally do not have rights to, or control of, their assets. However, we issue asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP) through a multi-seller conduit that does not have an expected loss investor with substantive power to direct the significant operating activities of the conduit. This conduit is consolidated because we have exposure to variability of returns from performance in the multi-seller arrangements through providing transaction-specific and program-wide liquidity, credit and loan facilities to the conduit and have decision-making power over the relevant activities. As of October 31, 2024, $1,718 million of financial assets held by the conduit were included in Loans (October 31, 2023 – $1,316 million) and $1,600 million of ABCP issued by the conduit was included in Deposits (October 31, 2023 – $1,194 million) on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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 that co-ownership interest in the underlying pool of credit card receivables. Investors who purchase the term notes have recourse only to that co-ownership interest in the underlying pool of credit card receivables.

We continue to service the credit card receivables and perform an administrative role for the entity. We also retain risk in the underlying pool of credit card receivables 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 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 variability from the performance of the underlying credit card receivables through our retained interest. As at October 31, 2024, $6 billion of notes issued by our credit card securitization vehicle were included in Deposits on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (October 31, 2023 – $7 billion).

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 credit risks of the pledged securities.

196 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

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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, 2024, $

billion of commercial paper issued by the vehicle was included in Deposits on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (October 31, 2023 – $

billion).

Covered bonds

We periodically transfer mortgages to RBC Covered Bond Guarantor Limited Partnership (the Guarantor LP) to support funding activities and asset coverage requirements under our covered bonds program. The Guarantor LP was created to guarantee interest and principal payments under the covered bond program. The covered bonds guaranteed by the 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 the 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 the Guarantor LP, servicer for the underlying mortgages as well as the registered issuer of the covered bonds.

We consolidate the 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, 2024, the total amount of mortgages transferred and outstanding was $107 billion (October 31, 2023 – $100 billion) and $58 billion of covered bonds were recorded as Deposits on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (October 31, 2023 – $50 billion).

Structured finance

We sell taxable and tax-exempt municipal bonds into Tender Option Bond (TOB) structures, which consist of a bond that is credit enhanced by us and purchased by a TOB trust. The TOB trust finances the purchase from us by issuing floating-rate certificates to short-term investors and a residual certificate that is purchased by us. We are the remarketing agent for the floating-rate certificates and provide a liquidity facility to the short-term investors which requires us to purchase any certificates tendered but not successfully remarketed. We credit enhance the bond purchased by the TOB trust with a letter of credit 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 the 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, 2024, $

illion of municipal bonds were included in Securities related to consolidated TOB structures (October 31, 2023 – $5 billion) and a corresponding $5

illion of floating-rate certificates were included in Deposits on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (October 31, 2023 – $5 billion).

We establish structured entities to acquire loans for the purposes of issuing term collateralized loan obligation (CLO) transactions and act as collateral manager. During the warehouse phase, we provide subordinated financing and, for certain term CLO transactions, act as the arranger and placement agent, and may provide senior warehouse financing. Proceeds from the sale of the term CLO are used to repay our warehouse financing. During the term CLO phase, we continue to provide subordinated financing, which serves as the first loss tranche that absorbs losses prior to the senior tranches, and may also directly invest in the other tranches.

We consolidate these CLO structures as we have decision-making power over the relevant activities of the entity, which include the initial selection and subsequent management of the underlying debt portfolio, and when our interests, including direct investment plus collateral management fees, indicate that we are acting as a principal. As at October 31, 2024, $194 million of Cash and due from banks and $2,030 million of Loans related to consolidated CLO structures (October 31, 2023

– $

493

million and $

1,675

million,

respectively) and $1,143 million of Deposits representing the subordinated and senior tranches held by third parties (October 31, 2023

– $

1,706

million) were recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

RBC managed investment funds

We are sponsors and investment managers of mutual and pooled funds, which give 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, 2024, $799 million of Trading securities held in the consolidated funds (October 31, 2023 – $400 million) and $377 million of Other liabilities representing the fund units held by third parties (October 31, 2023 – $331 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.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 197

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Note 8 Structured entities

(continued)

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.


	As at October 31, 2024

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Multi-seller conduits (1)		Structured finance		Non-RBC managed investment funds		Third-party securitization vehicles		Other		Total
On-balance sheet assets
Securities	$	1	$	–	$	2,541	$	–	$	1,384	$	3,926
Loans		236		6,688		–		12,788		1,805		21,517
Derivatives		32		–		–		–		98		130
Other assets		–		–		–		–		455		455
	$	269	$	6,688	$	2,541	$	12,788	$	3,742	$	26,028
On-balance sheet liabilities
Deposits	$	–	$	–	$	–	$	–	$	167	$	167
Derivatives		115		–		3		–		4		122
Other liabilities		–		–		–		–		7		7
	$	115	$	–	$	3	$	–	$	178	$	296
Maximum exposure to loss (2)	$	56,779	$	12,963	$	3,487	$	21,195	$	6,248	$	100,672
Total assets of unconsolidated structured entities	$	55,639	$	45,315	$	459,976	$	119,766	$	798,228	$	1,478,924


	As at October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Multi-seller conduits (1)		Structured finance		Non-RBC managed investment funds		Third-party securitization vehicles		Other		Total
On-balance sheet assets
Securities	$	4	$	–	$	2,411	$	–	$	743	$	3,158
Loans		–		5,790		–		8,451		2,403		16,644
Derivatives		2		–		26		–		91		119
Other assets		–		–		–		–		365		365
	$	6	$	5,790	$	2,437	$	8,451	$	3,602	$	20,286
On-balance sheet liabilities
Deposits	$	–	$	–	$	–	$	–	$	166	$	166
Derivatives		245		–		1		–		–		246
Other liabilities		–		–		–		–		7		7
	$	245	$	–	$	1	$	–	$	173	$	419
Maximum exposure to loss (2)	$	54,715	$	10,580	$	3,068	$	14,863	$	5,595	$	88,821
Total assets of unconsolidated structured entities	$	53,641	$	31,037	$	440,924	$	81,028	$	461,919	$	1,068,549

(1)

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 $37 billion as at October 31, 2024 (October 31, 2023 – $37 billion).

(2)

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 because of the notional amounts of the backstop liquidity and credit enhancement facilities. Refer to Note 23 for further details.

Below is a description of our involvement with each significant class of unconsolidated structured entity.

Multi-seller conduits

We administer multi-seller ABCP conduit programs. Multi-seller conduits primarily purchase financial assets from clients and finance those purchases by issuing ABCP.

In certain multi-seller conduit arrangements, we do not maintain any ownership of the multi-seller conduits that we administer and have no rights to, or control of, its assets. As the administrative agent, we earn a residual fee for providing services such as coordinating funding activities, transaction structuring, documentation, execution and monitoring. The ABCP issued by each multi-seller conduit is in the conduit’s own name with recourse to the financial assets owned by the multi-seller conduit, and is non-recourse to us except through our participation in liquidity and/or credit enhancement facilities.

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 various hedging contracts to facilitate our clients’ securitization of fixed rate and/or foreign currency denominated assets through the conduits. These may take the form of forward contracts, interest rate swaps or cross currency swaps. 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.

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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 designed to cover a multiple of historical losses.

An unrelated third party (expected loss investor) absorbs 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 losses, and management of the ABCP liabilities.

We do not consolidate these multi-seller conduits as we do not control the conduits as noted above.

Structured finance

We participate 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. We provide liquidity facilities for the benefit of floating-rate certificate holders which may be drawn if certificates are tendered but not able to be remarketed. For a portion of these trusts, we also provide a letter of credit for the underlying bonds held in the trust. We do not have decision-making power over the relevant activities of the structures; therefore, we do not consolidate these structures.

We provide senior warehouse financing to unaffiliated structured entities that are established by third parties to acquire loans for the purposes of issuing a term CLO transaction. Subordinated financing is provided during the warehouse phase by either the collateral manager or third-party investors. Subordinated financing serves as the first loss tranche which absorbs losses prior to ourselves as the senior lender. 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.

We provide senior financing to unaffiliated structured entities that are established by third parties to acquire loans. Subordinated financing is provided by either the collateral manager or third-party investors. Subordinated financing serves as the first loss tranche which absorbs losses prior to ourselves as the senior lender. These facilities tend to be longer in term than the CLO warehouse facilities and benefit from credit enhancement generally designed to cover a multiple of historical losses. We do not consolidate these 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 reference funds, and we economically hedge our exposure to these derivatives by investing in those reference funds. We also act as custodian 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 issue unsecured variable-rate preferred shares and invest in portfolios of tax-exempt municipal bonds. Undrawn liquidity commitments expose us to the 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.

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 financial assets from the sponsor. We, as well as other financial institutions, are obligated to provide funding up to our maximum commitment level and are exposed to credit losses on the underlying assets after various credit enhancements. Enhancements 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 designed to cover a multiple of historical losses. We do not consolidate these entities as we do not have decision-making power over the relevant activities, including the entities’ investing and financing activities.

Consolidated Fin

anc

ial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 199

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Note 8 Structured entities

(continued)

Other

Other unconsolidated structured entities include managed investment funds, arrangements to pass credit risk to third parties, credit investment products and tax credit 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 if we exercise our decision-making power as an agent on behalf of other unit holders.

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, historic rehabilitation real estate projects to third parties, new market tax credits or renewable energy tax credits 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 third-party 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.

We also purchase passive interests in renewable energy tax credit entities created and controlled by third parties. We do not consolidate these third-party funds as we do not have decision-making power over the relevant activities and our investments are managed as part of larger portfolios which are held for trading purposes.

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 ABS 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. As at October 31, 2024 and 2023, our investments in these entities were included in Trading and Investment securities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Refer to Note 3 and Note 4 for further details on our Trading and 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, 2024, we did not transfer any commercial mortgages (October 31, 2023 – $nil) to a sponsored securitization vehicle in which we did not have any interests as at the end of the reporting period.

Financial support provided to structured entities

During the years ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, 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 9 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 EAD.

Financial derivatives

Forwards and futures

Forward contracts are 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.

200 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

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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. Certain interest rate swaps are transacted and settled through clearing houses which act as central counterparties. 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.

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 specified price, at or by a predetermined 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. Certain credit default swaps are transacted and settled through clearing houses which act as central counterparties. Credit derivatives include credit default swaps, credit default baskets and total return swaps.

Credit default swaps provide protection against the decline in the 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 amounts based on changes in the value of a referenced asset or group of assets, including any returns such as interest earned on these assets, in exchange for amounts that are based on prevailing market funding rates.

Other derivative products

Other derivative products include stable value derivatives.

Non-financial derivatives

Other contracts also include non-financial derivative products such as 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 client-driven sales and trading activities, and associated market risk hedging. Sales activities include the structuring and marketing of derivative products to clients, enabling them to modify or reduce 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 the active management of derivative transactions 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 product types.

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 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.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 201

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Note 9 Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities

(continued)

Notional amount of derivatives by term to maturity (absolute amounts)

(1)


	As at October 31, 2024
	Term to maturity

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Within 1 year		1 through 5 years		Over 5 years		Total		Trading		Other than Trading
Over-the-counter contracts
Interest rate contracts
Forward rate agreements	$	1,097,367	$	672,436	$	7,017	$	1,776,820	$	1,776,820	$	–
Swaps		6,181,369		8,714,891		5,597,447		20,493,707		19,291,405		1,202,302
Options purchased		206,649		407,730		155,843		770,222		770,181		41
Options written		217,379		384,448		179,408		781,235		781,113		122
Foreign exchange contracts
Forward contracts		2,939,019		136,442		7,465		3,082,926		2,966,914		116,012
Cross currency swaps		23,204		108,912		75,843		207,959		199,481		8,478
Cross currency interest rate swaps		1,298,173		2,544,878		1,380,858		5,223,909		5,168,677		55,232
Options purchased		475,980		75,804		2,015		553,799		553,799		–
Options written		488,878		66,828		983		556,689		556,689		–
Credit derivatives (2)		4,055		135,505		118,732		258,292		257,333		959
Other contracts (3)		389,424		149,475		10,122		549,021		538,604		10,417
Exchange-traded contracts
Interest rate contracts
Futures – long positions		93,985		45,015		56		139,056		139,056		–
Futures – short positions		114,425		64,759		301		179,485		179,244		241
Options purchased		7,075		991		–		8,066		8,066		–
Options written		2,262		14		–		2,276		2,276		–
Foreign exchange contracts
Futures – long positions		1		–		–		1		1		–
Other contracts		367,023		68,132		2,574		437,729		437,729		–
	$	13,906,268	$	13,576,260	$	7,538,664	$	35,021,192	$	33,627,388	$	1,393,804


	As at October 31, 2023
	Term to maturity

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Within 1 year		1 through 5 years		Over 5 years		Total		Trading		Other than Trading
Over-the-counter contracts
Interest rate contracts
Forward rate agreements	$	1,008,978	$	691,397	$	358	$	1,700,733	$	1,700,733	$	–
Swaps		4,220,675		6,651,849		4,418,165		15,290,689		14,169,938		1,120,751
Options purchased		162,845		420,341		166,275		749,461		749,257		204
Options written		144,138		412,239		179,532		735,909		735,562		347
Foreign exchange contracts
Forward contracts		2,336,565		106,069		4,082		2,446,716		2,363,796		82,920
Cross currency swaps		30,098		88,625		74,538		193,261		189,100		4,161
Cross currency interest rate swaps		972,658		2,055,058		1,141,295		4,169,011		4,107,125		61,886
Options purchased		244,721		73,407		2,663		320,791		320,791		–
Options written		254,534		71,039		2,305		327,878		327,878		–
Credit derivatives (2)		11,709		108,637		114,463		234,809		234,066		743
Other contracts (3)		261,528		140,225		13,088		414,841		401,373		13,468
Exchange-traded contracts
Interest rate contracts
Futures – long positions		103,195		24,283		1		127,479		126,879		600
Futures – short positions		99,792		54,817		1		154,610		154,445		165
Options purchased		12,801		3		–		12,804		12,804		–
Options written		11,206		1,468		–		12,674		12,674		–
Foreign exchange contracts
Futures – long positions		124		–		–		124		124		–
Other contracts		571,970		154,677		4,586		731,233		731,233		–
	$	10,447,537	$	11,054,134	$	6,121,352	$	27,623,023	$	26,337,778	$	1,285,245

(1)

The derivative notional amounts are determined using the standardized approach for measuring counterparty credit risk (SA-CCR) in accordance with the Capital Adequacy Requirements (CAR).

(2)

Credit derivatives with a notional value of $1 billion (October 31, 2023 – $1 billion) are economic hedges. Trading credit derivatives comprise protection purchased of $135 billion (October 31, 2023 – $119 billion) and protection sold of $122 billion (October 31, 2023 – $115 billion).

(3)

Other contracts exclude loan underwriting commitments of $3 billion (October 31, 2023 – $2 billion), which are not classified as derivatives under CAR guidelines.

202 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

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Fair value of derivative instruments

(1)


	As at
	October 31, 2024						October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Positive			Negative			Positive			Negative
Held or issued for trading purposes
Interest rate contracts
Forward rate agreements	$	147		$	68		$	76		$	24
Swaps		21,155			16,482			26,320			22,965
Options purchased		5,556			–			11,230			–
Options written		–			6,049			–			11,776
		26,858			22,599			37,626			34,765
Foreign exchange contracts
Forward contracts		26,339			23,758			22,972			22,655
Cross currency swaps		7,316			4,912			7,370			5,815
Cross currency interest rate swaps		60,105			59,733			55,268			46,550
Options purchased		2,407			–			2,623			–
Options written		–			1,800			–			1,790
		96,167			90,203			88,233			76,810
Credit derivatives		270			216			175			176
Other contracts		26,325			46,420			16,319			20,865
		149,620			159,438			142,353			132,616
Held or issued for other-than-trading purposes
Interest rate contracts
Swaps		1,215			3,100			1,907			7,436
		1,215			3,100			1,907			7,436
Foreign exchange contracts
Forward contracts		1,235			682			860			509
Cross currency swaps		207			46			–			–
Cross currency interest rate swaps		874			2,287			555			4,484
		2,316			3,015			1,415			4,993
Credit derivatives		3			2			49			–
Other contracts		79			77			71			109
		3,613			6,194			3,442			12,538
Total gross fair values before:		153,233			165,632			145,795			145,154
Valuation adjustments determined on a pooled basis		(1,053	)		(301	)		(1,801	)		(981	)
Impact of netting agreements that qualify for balance sheet offset		(1,568	)		(1,568	)		(1,544	)		(1,544	)
	$	150,612		$	163,763		$	142,450		$	142,629

(1)

The fair value reflects the impact of characterizing the daily variation margin as settlement of the related derivative fair values as permitted by certain central counterparties.

Fair value of derivative instruments by term to maturity

(1)


	As at
	October 31, 2024								October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Less than 1 year		1 through 5 years		Over 5 years		Total		Less than 1 year		1 through 5 years		Over 5 years		Total
Derivative assets	$	54,660		48,765		47,187	$	150,612	$	46,148		52,165		44,137	$	142,450
Derivative liabilities		67,886		51,170		44,707		163,763		47,707		51,690		43,232		142,629

(1)

The fair value reflects the impact of characterizing the daily variation margin as settlement of the related derivative fair values as permitted by certain central counterparties.

Interest rate benchmark reform

We use interest rate contracts in fair value hedges and cash flow hedges to manage our exposure to interest rate risk from our existing and/or forecast assets and liabilities. We also use foreign denominated deposit liabilities in net investment hedges to manage the foreign exchange risk arising from our investments in foreign operations. The hedging instruments designated to manage these risks referenced IBORs in multiple jurisdictions and were affected by the Reform as the markets transitioned to ABRs as discussed in Note 2.

The notional amounts of our interest rate contracts and total return swaps which referenced IBORs and were affected by the Reform are no longer material to our financial statements (October 31, 2023 – $

115 billion and $1 billion, respectively).

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 203

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Note 9 Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities

(continued)

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, as outlined in the internal ratings maps in the Credit risk section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

Offsetting is a technique that can reduce credit exposure from derivatives and is generally facilitated through the use of master netting agreements and achieved when specific criteria are met in accordance with our accounting policy in Note 2. 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 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 collateralize the current market value of its derivatives positions when the value exceeds a specified threshold amount.

Replacement cost and credit equivalent amounts are determined using SA-CCR in accordance with the OSFI CAR guidelines. The replacement cost represents the total fair value of all outstanding contracts in a gain position after factoring in the master netting agreements and applicable margins. The credit equivalent amount is defined as the replacement cost plus an additional amount for potential future credit exposure, scaled by a regulatory factor. The risk-weighted equivalent is determined by applying appropriate risk-weights to the credit equivalent amount, including those risk weights reflective of model approval under the internal ratings based approach.

Derivative-related credit risk

(1)


	As at
	October 31, 2024						October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Replacement cost		Credit equivalent amount		Risk-weighted equivalent (2), (3)		Replacement cost		Credit equivalent amount		Risk-weighted equivalent (2)
Over-the-counter contracts
Interest rate contracts
Forward rate agreements	$	8	$	231	$	43	$	58	$	94	$	6
Swaps		6,926		17,760		2,747		9,613		24,448		3,721
Options purchased		317		859		135		610		1,547		353
Options written		49		398		104		123		564		152
Foreign exchange contracts
Forward contracts		8,077		33,908		6,693		5,655		27,862		5,611
Swaps		3,915		21,709		2,703		4,261		21,483		4,274
Options purchased		877		2,315		587		841		1,742		383
Options written		117		476		98		95		441		109
Credit derivatives		608		2,336		191		356		1,834		219
Other contracts		1,773		20,981		4,756		1,933		16,002		4,929
Exchange-traded contracts		10,084		19,023		380		7,186		16,191		324
	$	32,751	$	119,996	$	18,437	$	30,731	$	112,208	$	20,081

(1)

The amounts presented are net of master netting agreements in accordance with CAR guidelines.

(2)

The risk-weighted balances are calculated in accordance with CAR guidelines and exclude CVA of $18 billion (October 31, 2023 – $13 billion).

(3)

The amounts presented reflect our adoption of the revised market risk and CVA frameworks that came into effect on November 1, 2023.

204 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

Replacement cost of derivative instruments by risk rating and by counterparty type



	As at October 31, 2024
	Risk rating (1)										Counterparty type (2)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	AAA, AA		A		BBB		BB or lower		Total		Banks		OECD governments		Other		Total
Gross positive fair values	$	31,561	$	77,933	$	25,206	$	18,533	$	153,233	$	75,119	$	24,655	$	53,459	$	153,233
Impact of master netting agreements and applicable margins		18,644		67,995		19,046		14,797		120,482		73,763		24,289		22,430		120,482
Replacement cost (after netting agreements)	$	12,917	$	9,938	$	6,160	$	3,736	$	32,751	$	1,356	$	366	$	31,029	$	32,751


	As at October 31, 2023
	Risk rating (1)										Counterparty type (2)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	AAA, AA		A		BBB		BB or lower		Total		Banks		OECD governments		Other		Total
Gross positive fair values	$	36,224	$	70,010	$	28,956	$	10,605	$	145,795	$	69,841	$	20,268	$	55,686	$	145,795
Impact of master netting agreements and applicable margins		24,025		60,556		22,765		7,718		115,064		68,151		20,237		26,676		115,064
Replacement cost (after netting agreements)	$	12,199	$	9,454	$	6,191	$	2,887	$	30,731	$	1,690	$	31	$	29,010	$	30,731

(1)

Our internal risk ratings of AAA, AA, A and BBB represent investment grade ratings and ratings of BB or lower represent non-investment grade ratings, as outlined in the internal ratings maps in the Credit risk section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

(2)

Counterparty type is defined in accordance with CAR guidelines.

Derivatives in hedging relationships

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. Refer to Note 2 for our policies on hedge accounting including presentation of hedge effectiveness and ineffectiveness amounts.

We assess and measure the effectiveness of a hedging relationship based on the change in the fair value or cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument relative to the change in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk. When cash instruments are designated as hedges of foreign exchange risks, only changes in their value due to foreign exchange risk are included in the assessment and measurement of hedge effectiveness.

Potential sources of ineffectiveness can be attributed to differences between hedging instruments and hedged items:

•

Mismatches in the terms of hedged items and hedging instruments, for example the frequency and timing of when interest rates are reset and frequency of payment.

•

Difference in the discounting factors between the hedged item and the hedging instrument, taking into consideration the different reset frequency of the hedged item and hedging instrument.

•

Hedging derivatives with a non-zero fair value at inception date of the hedging relationship, resulting in mismatch in terms with the hedged item.

Below is a description of our risk management strategy for each risk exposure that we decide to hedge:

Interest rate risk

We use interest rate contracts to manage our exposure to interest rate risk by modifying the repricing characteristics of existing and/or forecasted assets and liabilities, including funding and investment activities. The swaps are designated in either a fair value hedge or a cash flow hedge. Certain swaps were affected by the Reform as the market transitioned from referencing IBORs to ABRs.

For fair value hedges, we use interest rate contracts to manage the fair value movements of our fixed rate instruments due to changes in benchmark interest. The interest rate swaps are entered into on a one-to-one basis to manage the benchmark interest rate risk, and its terms are critically matched to the specified fixed rate instruments.

We also use interest rate swaps in fair value hedges to manage interest rate risk from residential mortgage assets and funding liabilities. Our exposure from this portfolio changes with the origination of new loans, repayments of existing loans and sale of securitized mortgages. Accordingly, we have adopted dynamic hedging for that portfolio, in which the hedge relationship is rebalanced on a more frequent basis, such as on a bi-weekly or on a monthly basis.

For cash flow hedges, we use interest rate contracts to manage the exposure to cash flow variability of our variable rate instruments as a result of changes in benchmark interest rates. The variable rate instruments and forecast transactions that referenced certain IBORs were affected by the Reform. Whilst some of the interest rate swaps are entered into on a one-to-one basis to manage a specific exposure, other interest rate swaps may be entered into for managing interest rate risks of a portfolio of assets and liabilities.

Foreign exchange risk

We manage our exposure to foreign currency risk with cross currency swaps in a cash flow hedge, and foreign exchange forward contracts in a net investment hedge. Certain cash instruments may also be designated in a net investment hedge, where applicable.

For cash flow hedges, we use cross currency swaps and forward contracts to manage the cash flow variability arising from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on our issued foreign denominated fixed rate liabilities and highly probable forecasted transactions. The maturity profile and repayment terms of these swaps are matched to those of our foreign denominated exposures to limit our cash flow volatility from changes in foreign exchange rates.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 205

Table of Contents

Note 9 Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities

(continued)

For net investment hedges, we use a combination of foreign exchange forwards and cash instruments, such as foreign denominated deposit liabilities, to manage our foreign exchange risk arising from our investments in foreign operations. Our most significant exposures include USD, GBP and Euro. When hedging net investments in foreign operations using foreign exchange forwards, only the undiscounted spot element of the foreign exchange forward is designated as the hedging instrument. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument as a result of changes in forward rates and the effects of discounting are not included in the hedging effectiveness assessment. Foreign operations are only hedged to the extent of the principal of the foreign denominated deposit liabilities or notional amount of the derivative; we generally do not expect to incur significant ineffectiveness on hedges of net investments in foreign operations.

Equity price risk

We use total return swaps in cash flow hedges to mitigate the cash flow variability of the expected payment associated with our cash settled share-based compensation plan for certain key employees by exchanging interest payments for indexed RBC share price change and dividend returns.

Credit risk

We predominantly use credit derivatives to economically hedge 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.

Derivative instruments designated in hedging relationships

(1)

The following table presents the fair values of the derivative instruments and the principal amounts of the non-derivative liabilities, categorized by their hedging relationships, as well as derivatives that are not designated in hedging relationships.


	As at
	October 31, 2024								October 31, 2023
	Designated as hedging instruments in hedging relationships						Not designated in a hedging relationship		Designated as hedging instruments in hedging relationships						Not designated in a hedging relationship
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Fair value		Cash flow		Net investment		Not designated in a hedging relationship		Fair value		Cash flow		Net investment		Not designated in a hedging relationship
Assets
Derivative instruments	$	18	$	298	$	4	$	150,292	$	156	$	19	$	13	$	142,262
Liabilities
Derivative instruments		59		27		433		163,244		50		100		409		142,070
Non-derivative instruments		–		–		37,833		n.a.		–		–		25,427		n.a.

(1)

The fair value reflects the impact of characterizing the daily variation margin as settlement of the related derivative fair values as permitted by certain central counterparties.

n.a.

not applicable

The following tables provide the remaining term to maturity analysis of the notional amounts and the weighted average rates of the hedging instruments and their carrying amounts by types of hedging relationships:

Fair value hedges


	As at October 31, 2024
	Notional amounts								Carrying amount (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except average rates)	Within 1 year		1 through 5 years		Over 5 years		Total		Assets		Liabilities
Interest rate risk
Interest rate contracts
Hedge of fixed rate assets	$	11,396	$	68,563	$	38,343	$	118,302	$	10	$	55
Hedge of fixed rate liabilities		32,496		71,668		17,267		121,431		8		4
Weighted average fixed interest rate
Hedge of fixed rate assets		3.8%		3.8%		3.5%		3.7%
Hedge of fixed rate liabilities		2.9%		2.8%		3.1%		2.8%


	As at October 31, 2023
	Notional amounts								Carrying amount (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except average rates)	Within 1 year		1 through 5 years		Over 5 years		Total		Assets		Liabilities
Interest rate risk
Interest rate contracts
Hedge of fixed rate assets	$	8,853	$	62,948	$	21,702	$	93,503	$	156	$	–
Hedge of fixed rate liabilities		23,592		75,130		10,236		108,958		–		50
Weighted average fixed interest rate
Hedge of fixed rate assets		4.3%		3.6%		3.2%		3.6%
Hedge of fixed rate liabilities		2.1%		2.4%		2.6%		2.3%

(1)

The carrying amount reflects the impact of characterizing the daily variation margin as settlement of the related derivative fair values as permitted by certain central counterparties.

206 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

Cash flow hedges


	As at October 31, 2024
	Notional amounts								Carrying amount (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except average rates)	Within 1 year		1 through 5 years		Over 5 years		Total		Assets		Liabilities
Interest rate risk
Interest rate contracts
Hedge of variable rate assets	$	91,698	$	133,684	$	6,831	$	232,213	$	–	$	–
Hedge of variable rate liabilities		46,390		101,339		33,845		181,574		–		–
Weighted average fixed interest rate
Hedge of variable rate assets		4.1%		3.5%		3.5%		3.7%
Hedge of variable rate liabilities		4.1%		3.6%		2.9%		3.6%
Foreign exchange risk
Cross currency swaps
Hedge of fixed rate assets	$	–	$	936	$	–	$	936	$	9	$	21
Hedge of fixed rate liabilities		–		4,163		–		4,163		198		6
Weighted average CAD-EUR exchange rate		n.a.		1.43		n.a.		1.43
Weighted average CAD-USD exchange rate		n.a.		1.34		n.a.		1.34


	As at October 31, 2023
	Notional amounts								Carrying am o unt (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except average rates)	Within 1 year		1 through 5 years		Over 5 years		Total		Assets		Liabilities
Interest rate risk
Interest rate contracts
Hedge of variable rate assets	$	63,927	$	68,470	$	1,097	$	133,494	$	–	$	–
Hedge of variable rate liabilities		16,696		63,527		32,802		113,025		–		–
Weighted average fixed interest rate
Hedge of variable rate assets		4.5%		3.4%		3.7%		4.0%
Hedge of variable rate liabilities		4.9%		3.8%		2.8%		3.7%
Foreign exchange risk
Cross currency swaps
Hedge of fixed rate assets	$	63	$	916	$	–	$	979	$	19	$	14
Weighted average CAD-EUR exchange rate		1.48		1.44		n.a.		1.45
Weighted average CAD-USD exchange rate		n.a.		1.34		n.a.		1.34

(1)

The carrying amount reflects the impact of characterizing the daily variation margin as settlement of the related derivative fair values as permitted by certain central counterparties.

n.a.

not applicable

Net investment hedges


	As at October 31, 2024
	Notional/Principal								Carrying amount

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except average rates)	Within 1 year		1 through 5 years		Over 5 years		Total		Assets		Liabilities
Foreign exchange risk
Foreign currency liabilities	$	4,540	$	27,649	$	6,505	$	38,694		n.a.	$	37,833
Weighted average CAD-USD exchange rate		1.33		1.34		1.34		1.34
Weighted average CAD-EUR exchange rate		n.a.		n.a.		n.a.		n.a.
Weighted average CAD-GBP exchange rate		1.71		1.76		n.a.		1.73
Forward contracts	$	19,926	$	–	$	–	$	19,926	$	4	$	433
Weighted average CAD-USD exchange rate		1.36		n.a.		n.a.		1.36
Weighted average CAD-EUR exchange rate		1.50		n.a.		n.a.		1.50
Weighted average CAD-GBP exchange rate		1.79		n.a.		n.a.		1.79


	As at October 31, 2023
	Notional/Principal								Carrying amount

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except average rates)	Within 1 year		1 through 5 years		Over 5 years		Total		Assets		Liabilities
Foreign exchange risk
Foreign currency liabilities	$	6,061	$	14,653	$	6,413	$	27,127		n.a.	$	25,427
Weighted average CAD-USD exchange rate		1.28		1.29		1.33		1.30
Weighted average CAD-EUR exchange rate		n.a.		n.a.		n.a.		n.a.
Weighted average CAD-GBP exchange rate		n.a.		1.71		n.a.		1.71
Forward contracts	$	18,920	$	–	$	–	$	18,920	$	13	$	409
Weighted average CAD-USD exchange rate		1.36		n.a.		n.a.		1.36
Weighted average CAD-EUR exchange rate		1.45		n.a.		n.a.		1.45
Weighted average CAD-GBP exchange rate		1.68		n.a.		n.a.		1.68

n.a.

not applicable

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 207

Table of Contents

Note 9 Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities

(continued)

The following tables present the details of the hedged items categorized by their hedging relationships:

Fair value hedges – Assets and liabilities designated as hedged items


	As at and for the year ended October 31, 2024
	Carrying amount				Accumulated amount of fair value adjustments on the hedged item included in the carrying amount

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Assets		Liabilities		Assets			Liabilities			Consolidated Balance Sheet items:	Changes in fair values used for calculating hedge ineffectiveness
Interest rate risk
Fixed rate assets (1)	$	114,354	$	–	$	(666	)	$	–		Securities – Investment, net of applicable allowance; Loans – Retail; Loans – Wholesale	$	2,702
Fixed rate liabilities (1)		–		118,116		–			(2,312	)	Deposits – Personal; Deposits – Business and government; Subordinated debentures; Deposits – Bank		(3,963	)


	As at and for the year ended October 31, 2023
	Carrying amount				Accumulated amount of fair value adjustments on the hedged item included in the carrying amount

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Assets		Liabilities		Assets			Liabilities			Consolidated Balance Sheet items:	Changes in fair values used for calculating hedge ineffectiveness
Interest rate risk
Fixed rate assets (1)	$	86,734	$	–	$	(3,911	)	$	–		Securities – Investment, net of applicable allowance; Loans – Retail; Loans – Wholesale	$	(1,445	)
Fixed rate liabilities (1)		–		102,535		–			(6,340	)	Deposits – Business and government; Subordinated debentures; Deposits – Bank		276

(1)

As at October 31, 2024, the accumulated amount of fair value hedge adjustments remaining on our Consolidated Balance Sheets for hedged items that have ceased to be adjusted for hedging gains and losses is a loss of

$238 million for fixed rate assets and a gain of $118 million for fixed rate liabilities (October 31, 2023 – loss of $539 million and gain of $259 million, respectively).

Cash flow and net investment hedges – Assets and liabilities designated as hedged items


	As at and for the year ended October 31, 2024
		Changes in fair values used for calculating hedge ineffectiveness			Cash flow hedge/foreign currency translation reserve
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Consolidated Balance Sheet items:				Continuing hedges			Discontinued hedges
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate risk
Variable rate assets	Securities – Investment, net of applicable allowance; Loans – Retail; Loans – Wholesale;	$	(4,415	)	$	2,645		$	(2,216	)
	Interest bearing deposits with banks; Assets purchased under reverse
	repurchase agreements and securities borrowed
Variable rate liabilities	Deposits – Business and government;		4,437			(1,801	)		4,557
	Deposits – Personal; Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned
Foreign exchange risk
Fixed rate assets	Securities – Investment, net of applicable allowance		7			13			–
Fixed rate liabilities	Deposits – Business and government		(106	)		(52	)		–
Net investment hedges
Foreign exchange risk
Foreign subsidiaries	n.a.		710			(8,005	)		(382	)

208 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

As at and for the year ended October 31, 2023

Consolidated Balance Sheet items:

Changes in fair

values used for
calculating hedge
ineffectiveness

Cash flow hedge/foreign

currency translation reserve

(Millions of Canadian dollars)

Continuing
hedges

Discontinued
hedges

Cash flow hedges

Interest rate risk

Variable rate assets

Securities

– Investment, net of

2,248

(2,115

)

(3,126

)

applicable allowance; Loans – Retail;

Interest bearing deposits with banks;

Assets purchased under reverse

repurchase agreements and securities borrowed

Variable rate liabilities

Deposits

– Business and government;

(2,558

)

3,535

5,607

Deposits – Personal;

Obligations related to assets sold under

repurchase agreements and securities loaned

Foreign exchange risk

Fixed rate assets

Securities

– Investment, net of

applicable allowance

–

Net investment hedges

Foreign exchange risk

Foreign subsidiaries

n.a.

1,513

(7,297

)

(382

)

n.a.

not applicable

Effectiveness of designated hedging relationships


	For the year ended October 31, 2024

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Change in fair value of hedging instrument			Hedge ineffectiveness recognized in income (1)			Changes in the value of the hedging instrument recognized in OCI			Amount reclassified from hedge reserves to income
Fair value hedges
Interest rate risk
Interest rate contracts – fixed rate assets	$	(2,761	)	$	(59	)		n.a.			n.a.
Interest rate contracts – fixed rate liabilities		3,961			(2	)		n.a.			n.a.
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate risk
Interest rate contracts – variable rate assets		4,416			15		$	2,559		$	(3,195	)
Interest rate contracts – variable rate liabilities		(4,325	)		(19	)		(2,600	)		3,872
Foreign exchange risk
Cross currency swap – fixed rate assets		(6	)		–			1			(12	)
Cross currency swap – fixed rate liabilities		107			2			70			122
Net investment hedges
Foreign exchange risk
Foreign currency liabilities		(455	)		–			(455	)		–
Forward contracts		(255	)		–			(254	)		(1	)


	For the year ended October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Change in fair value of hedging instrument			Hedge ineffectiveness recognized in income (1)			Changes in the value of the hedging instrument recognized in OCI			Amount reclassified from hedge reserves to income
Fair value hedges
Interest rate risk
Interest rate contracts – fixed rate assets	$	1,385		$	(60	)		n.a.			n.a.
Interest rate contracts – fixed rate liabilities		(205	)		71			n.a.			n.a.
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate risk
Interest rate contracts – variable rate assets		(2,232	)		7		$	(3,930	)	$	(3,121	)
Interest rate contracts – variable rate liabilities		2,416			(11	)		4,498			3,045
Foreign exchange risk
Cross currency swap – fixed rate assets		(50	)		–			(44	)		(37	)
Net investment hedges
Foreign exchange risk
Foreign currency liabilities		(684	)		–			(684	)		–
Forward contracts		(828	)		–			(828	)		(191	)

(1)	Hedge ineffectiveness recognized in income included losses of $50 million that are excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness and are offset by economic hedges (October 31, 2023 – gains of $3 million).

n.a.	not applicable

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 209

Table of Contents

Note 9 Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities

(continued)

Reconciliation of components of equity

The following table provides a reconciliation by risk category of each component of equity and an analysis of other comprehensive income relating to hedge accounting:


	For the year ended October 31, 2024						For the year ended October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Cash flow hedge reserve			Foreign currency translation reserve			Cash flow hedge reserve			Foreign currency translation reserve
Balance at the beginning of the year	$	2,756		$	6,612		$	2,394		$	5,688
Cash flow hedges
Effective portion of changes in fair value:
Interest rate risk		(40	)					568
Foreign exchange risk		71						(44	)
Equity price risk		413						(119	)
Net amount reclassified to profit or loss:
Ongoing hedges:
Interest rate risk		134						(377	)
Foreign exchange risk		(110	)					37
Equity price risk		(350	)					93
De-designated hedges:
Interest rate risk		(811	)					453
Hedges of net investment in foreign operations
Foreign exchange denominated debt					(455	)					(684	)
Forward foreign exchange contracts					(254	)					(828	)
Foreign currency translation differences for foreign operations					1,018						2,164
Reclassification of losses (gains) on foreign currency translation to income					–						(160	)
Reclassification of losses (gains) on net investment hedging activities to income					1						191
Tax on movements on reserves during the period		204			206			(249	)		241
Balance at the end of the year	$	2,267		$	7,128		$	2,756		$	6,612

Note 10 Premises and equipment


	For the year ended October 31, 2024
	Owned by the Bank (1)																	Right-of-use lease assets

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Land		Buildings			Computer equipment			Furniture, fixtures and other equipment			Leasehold improvements			Work in process			Buildings			Equipment		Total (2)
Cost
Balance at beginning of period	$	140	$	1,251		$	1,283		$	835		$	3,007		$	108		$	5,893		$	317	$	12,834
Additions		103		77			21			11			50			522			526			2		1,312
Acquisition through business combination		–		–			–			13			59			–			226			–		298
Transfers from work in process		–		5			240			132			102			(479	)		–			–		–
Disposals		–		(6	)		(140	)		(82	)		(29	)		–			( 165	)		–		(422	)
Foreign exchange translation		1		2			10			3			19			–			61			–		96
Other		–		(4	)		(3	)		(12	)		(39	)		(22	)		( 109	)		–		(189	)
Balance at end of period	$	244	$	1,325		$	1,411		$	900		$	3,169		$	129		$	6,432		$	319	$	13,929
Accumulated depreciation
Balance at beginning of period	$	–	$	646		$	723		$	550		$	1,863		$	–		$	2,149		$	154	$	6,085
Depreciation		–		59			249			73			279			–			620			84		1,364
Disposals		–		(6	)		(140	)		(82	)		(25	)		–			(54	)		–		(307	)
Foreign exchange translation		–		1			8			2			7			–			21			–		39
Other		–		(6	)		(6	)		11			(52	)		–			(51	)		–		(104	)
Balance at end of period	$	–	$	694		$	834		$	554		$	2,072		$	–		$	2,685		$	238	$	7,077
Net carrying amount at end of period	$	244	$	631		$	577		$	346		$	1,097		$	129		$	3,747		$	81	$	6,852

210 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

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	For the year ended October 31, 2023
	Owned by the Bank (1)																		Right-of-use lease assets

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Land			Buildings			Computer equipment			Furniture, fixtures and other equipment			Leasehold improvements			Work in process			Buildings			Equipment			Total
Cost
Balance at beginning of period	$	141		$	1,261		$	1,169		$	836		$	2,845		$	120		$	5,748		$	299		$	12,419
Additions		–			–			32			12			29			511			385			80			1,049
Acquisition through business combination		–			–			–			–			–			–			–			–			–
Transfers from work in process		–			19			246			62			187			(514	)		–			–			–
Disposals		–			(53	)		(216	)		(96	)		(78	)		(2	)		(331	)		(31	)		(807	)
Foreign exchange translation		1			6			22			9			32			1			103			–			174
Other		(2	)		18			30			12			(8	)		(8	)		(12	)		(31	)		(1	)
Balance at end of period	$	140		$	1,251		$	1,283		$	835		$	3,007		$	108		$	5,893		$	317		$	12,834
Accumulated depreciation
Balance at beginning of period	$	–		$	627		$	640		$	525		$	1,656		$	–		$	1,643		$	114		$	5,205
Depreciation		–			51			247			91			235			–			559			92			1,275
Disposals		–			(50	)		(216	)		(88	)		(70	)		–			(112	)		(31	)		(567	)
Foreign exchange translation		–			3			16			6			16			–			31			–			72
Other		–			15			36			16			26			–			28			(21	)		100
Balance at end of period	$	–		$	646		$	723		$	550		$	1,863		$	–		$	2,149		$	154		$	6,085
Net carrying amount at end of period	$	140		$	605		$	560		$	285		$	1,144		$	108		$	3,744		$	163		$	6,749

(1)	As at October 31, 2024, we had total contractual commitments of $137 million to purchase premises and equipment (October 31, 2023 – $120 million).

(2)

Includes investment properties

with a cost

of $186 million (October 31, 2023 – $nil) which are subject to operating leases and carried at cost less accumulated amortization. The fair value, determined by a combination of internal investment professionals and external independent property appraisers with the relevant professional qualifications and experience, is $188

million (October 31, 2023 – $nil).

Lease payments

Total lease payments for the year ended October 31, 2024 were $1,440

million

of which $

708

million or

49% relates to variable payments and $732

million or

51% relates to fixed payments. Total lease payments for the year ended October 31, 2023 were $1,326 million

of which $655 million or 49% relates to variable payments and $671 million or 51% relates to fixed payments.

Total variable lease payments not included in the measurement of lease liabilities were $697

million for the year ended October 31, 2024 (Oct

er 31, 2023 – $

647 million).

Note 11 Goodwill and other intangible assets

Goodwill



	For the year ended October 31, 2024

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Personal Banking – Canada			Caribbean Banking		Commercial Banking		Canadian Wealth Management		Global Asset Management		U.S. Wealth Management (including City National)		International Wealth Management		Investor Services			Insurance		Capital Markets		Total
Balance at beginning of period	$	1,851		$	1,791	$	793	$	593	$	2,016	$	3,080	$	1,124	$	29		$	112	$	1,205	$	12,594
Acquisitions		3,159			–		3,022		283		72		–		–		–			–		–		6,536
Dispositions		–			–		–		–		–		–		–		–			–		–		–
Currency translations and other		(16	)		7		–		1		76		11		74		–			–		3		156
Balance at end of period	$	4,994		$	1,798	$	3,815	$	877	$	2,164	$	3,091	$	1,198	$	29		$	112	$	1,208	$	19,286



	For the year ended October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Personal Banking – Canada (1)			Caribbean Banking		Commercial Banking (1)		Canadian Wealth Management		Global Asset Management		U.S. Wealth Management (including City National)		International Wealth Management		Investor Services			Insurance		Capital Markets		Total
Balance at beginning of period	$	1,802		$	1,759	$	772	$	589	$	1,928	$	3,027	$	1,042	$	59		$	112	$	1,187	$	12,277
Acquisitions		49			–		21		–		–		–		–		–			–		–		70
Dispositions		–			–		–		–		–		–		–		(30	)		–		–		(30	)
Currency translations and other		–			32		–		4		88		53		82		–			–		18		277
Balance at end of period	$	1,851		$	1,791	$	793	$	593	$	2,016	$	3,080	$	1,124	$	29		$	112	$	1,205	$	12,594

(1)

Amounts have been revised from those previously presented to conform to our new basis of segment presentation. Refer to Note 26 for further details of our business segments.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 211

Table of Contents

Note 11 Goodwill and other intangible assets

(continued)

Effective the fourth quarter of 2024, the Personal & Commercial Banking segment became two standalone business segments: Personal Banking and Commercial Banking. As a result, the previous Canadian Banking CGU became two CGUs: Personal Banking – Canada and Commercial Banking.

Canadian

Banking goodwill was allocated to these new CGUs. Comparative results have been revised to conform to our new basis of segment presentation. Refer to Note 26 for further details of our business segments.

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 VIU, except in circumstances where the carrying amount of a CGU exceeds its VIU. In such cases, the greater of the CGU’s FVLCD and its VIU is the recoverable amount. Our annual impairment test is performed as at August 1.

In our 2024 and 2023 annual impairment tests, the recoverable amount of our Caribbean Banking CGU was based on its FVLCD and the recoverable amounts of all other CGUs tested were based on their VIU.

Value in use

We calculate VIU using a five-year discounted cash flow method, with the exception of our International Wealth Management CGU where cash flow projections covering a seven-year period were used, which more closely aligns with the strategic growth plan resulting from the acquisition of RBC Brewin Dolphin. Future cash flows are based on financial plans agreed by management, 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 cash flow projection 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 long-term steady state growth expectations in 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 VIU 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. The sensitivity of the VIU to key inputs and assumptions used was tested by recalculating the recoverable amount using reasonably possible changes to those parameters. As at August 1, 2024, no reasonably possible change in an individual key input or assumption, as described, would result in a CGU’s carrying amount exceeding its recoverable amount based on VIU.

The terminal growth rates and pre-tax discount rates used in our discounted cash flow models are summarized below.


	As at
	August 1, 2024				August 1, 2023

	Discount rate (1)		Terminal growth rate		Discount rate (1)		Terminal growth rate
Group of cash generating units
Personal Banking – Canada (2)		11.7%		3.0%		11.7%		3.0%
Caribbean Banking		13.7		3.5		12.9		3.5
Commercial Banking (2)		11.7		3.0		11.7		3.0
Canadian Wealth Management		12.5		3.0		12.5		3.0
Global Asset Management		12.4		3.0		12.5		3.0
U.S. Wealth Management (including City National)		12.6		3.0		12.5		3.0
International Wealth Management		12.3		3.0		12.5		3.0
Investor Services		12.5		3.0		12.4		3.0
Insurance		12.5		3.0		12.4		3.0
Capital Markets		12.7		3.0		12.7		3.0

(1)	Pre-tax discount rates are determined implicitly based on post-tax discount rates.

(2)	Represent assumptions relating to the previous Canadian Banking CGU, which became the Personal Banking – Canada and Commercial Banking CGUs effective the fourth quarter of 2024.

Fair value less costs of disposal – Caribbean Banking

We calculated FVLCD 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.

The estimation of FVLCD 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. The sensitivity of the FVLCD to key inputs and assumptions was tested by recalculating the recoverable amount using reasonably possible changes to those parameters. As at August 1, 2024, no reasonably possible change in an individual key input or assumption, as described, would result in the CGU’s carrying amount exceeding its recoverable a

ount.

212 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

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Other intangible assets



	For the year ended October 31, 2024

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Internally generated software			Other software			Core deposit intangibles			Customer list and relationships (1)			In process software			Total
Gross carrying amount
Balance at beginning of period	$	5,595		$	1,097		$	1,658		$	2,456		$	1,527		$	12,333
Additions		31			4			–			9			1,090			1,134
Acquisition through business combination		–			–			1,972			370			–			2,342
Transfers		1,204			42			–			–			(1,246	)		–
Dispositions		(1,204	)		(67	)		–			(9	)		(1	)		(1,281	)
Impairment losses		(37	)		(18	)		–			–			(30	)		(85	)
Currency translations		32			17			7			115			3			174
Other changes		(47	)		(1	)		–			–			14			(34	)
Balance at end of period	$	5,574		$	1,074		$	3,637		$	2,941		$	1,357		$	14,583
Accumulated amortization
Balance at beginning of period	$	(3,596	)	$	(658	)	$	(1,330	)	$	(846	)	$	–		$	(6,430	)
Amortization charge for the year		(986	)		(102	)		(325	)		(136	)		–			(1,549	)
Dispositions		1,204			66			–			7			–			1,277
Impairment losses		12			5			–			–			–			17
Currency translations		(21	)		(7	)		(8	)		(31	)		–			(67	)
Other changes		–			(33	)		–			–			–			(33	)
Balance at end of period	$	(3,387	)	$	(729	)	$	(1,663	)	$	(1,006	)	$	–		$	(6,785	)
Net balance at end of period	$	2,187		$	345		$	1,974		$	1,935		$	1,357		$	7,798


	For the year ended October 31, 2023 (Restated – Note 2)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Internally generated software			Other software			Core deposit intangibles			Customer list and relationships			In process software			Total
Gross carrying amount
Balance at beginning of period	$	5,076		$	908		$	1,630		$	2,472		$	1,535		$	11,621
Additions		81			179			–			–			1,134			1,394
Acquisition through business combination		–			31			–			–			–			31
Transfers		1,067			78			–			–			(1,145	)		–
Dispositions		(509	)		(145	)		–			(160	)		8			(806	)
Impairment losses		(73	)		–			–			(9	)		(5	)		(87	)
Currency translations		68			17			28			144			38			295
Other changes		(115	)		29			–			9			(38	)		(115	)
Balance at end of period	$	5,595		$	1,097		$	1,658		$	2,456		$	1,527		$	12,333
Accumulated amortization
Balance at beginning of period	$	(3,031	)	$	(612	)	$	(1,146	)	$	(749	)	$	–		$	(5,538	)
Amortization charge for the year		(993	)		(146	)		(160	)		(172	)		–			(1,471	)
Dispositions		506			157			–			114			–			777
Impairment losses		(19	)		–			–			–			–			(19	)
Currency translations		(37	)		(13	)		(24	)		(33	)		–			(107	)
Other changes		(22	)		(44	)		–			(6	)		–			(72	)
Balance at end of period	$	(3,596	)	$	(658	)	$	(1,330	)	$	(846	)	$	–		$	(6,430	)
Net balance at end of period	$	1,999		$	439		$	328		$	1,610		$	1,527		$	5,903

(1)	Includes $259 million of mutual fund management contracts with indefinite useful lives in the Global Asset Management CGU acquired in the HSBC Canada transaction.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 213

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Note 12 Joint ventures and associated companies

We do not have any joint ventures or associated companies that are individually material to our financial results.

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.


	Joint ventures				Associated companies
	As at and for the year ended

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	October 31 2024		October 31 2023		October 31 2024			October 31 2023
Carrying amount	$	542	$	215	$	293		$	286
Share of:
Net income (1)	$	64	$	18	$	(41	)	$	5

(1)

Excludes impairment losses recognized on our interests in joint ventures and associated companies. During the year ended October 31, 2024, we recognized impairment losses of $38 million in Non-interest income – Income (loss) from joint ventures and associates with respect to our interest in an associated company in our Wealth Management segment (October 31, 2023 – $242 million).

Note 13 Other assets


	As at

	October 31 2024		October 31 2023
(Millions of Canadian dollars)			(Restated – Note 2)
Accounts receivable and prepaids	$	4,389	$	4,299
Accrued interest receivable		7,904		7,774
Cash collateral		20,475		20,104
Commodity trading receivables		9,834		5,979
Deferred income tax asset		4,328		3,116
Employee benefit assets		3,630		2,826
Held-for-sale assets		–		2,562
Insurance-related assets
Insurance contract assets		588		681
Reinsurance contracts held assets		1,758		1,582
Segregated fund net assets (Note 15)		3,378		2,708
Collateral loans and other		517		529
Investments in joint ventures and associates		835		501
Margin deposits		11,108		8,849
Precious metals		6,018		2,753
Receivable from brokers, dealers and clients		3,343		2,834
Taxes receivable		7,418		8,908
Other		6,632		5,366
	$	92,155	$	81,371

Note 14 Deposits


	As at
	October 31, 2024								October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Demand (1)		Notice (2)		Term (3)		Total		Demand (1)		Notice (2)		Term (3)		Total
Personal	$	205,714	$	62,845	$	253,580	$	522,139	$	186,530	$	57,614	$	197,802	$	441,946
Business and government		369,943		20,157		449,570		839,670		316,200		19,056		409,819		745,075
Bank		9,675		641		37,406		47,722		7,996		769		35,901		44,666
	$	585,332	$	83,643	$	740,556	$	1,409,531	$	510,726	$	77,439	$	643,522	$	1,231,687
Non-interest-bearing (4)
Canada	$	144,712	$	7,164	$	203	$	152,079	$	132,994	$	6,107	$	168	$	139,269
United States		38,520		–		–		38,520		40,646		–		–		40,646
Europe (5)		11		–		–		11		17		–		–		17
Other International		7,758		–		–		7,758		7,265		–		–		7,265
Interest-bearing (4)
Canada		355,221		14,468		594,066		963,755		302,746		14,641		493,347		810,734
United States		28,389		61,087		75,933		165,409		16,210		55,895		78,837		150,942
Europe (5)		5,013		851		53,295		59,159		5,353		726		51,812		57,891
Other International		5,708		73		17,059		22,840		5,495		70		19,358		24,923
	$	585,332	$	83,643	$	740,556	$	1,409,531	$	510,726	$	77,439	$	643,522	$	1,231,687

(1)	Demand deposits are deposits for which we do not have the right to require notice of withdrawal, which include both savings and chequing accounts.

(2)	Notice deposits are deposits for which we can legally require notice of withdrawal. These deposits are primarily savings accounts.

(3)	Term deposits are deposits payable on a fixed date, and include term deposits, guaranteed investment certificates and similar instruments.

(4)

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, 2024, deposits denominated in U.S. dollars, British pounds, Euro and other foreign currencies were $511 billion, $34 billion, $53 billion and $29 billion, respectively (October 31, 2023 – $445 billion, $34 billion, $49 billion and $32 billion, respectively).

(5)	Europe includes the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands.

214 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

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Contractual maturities of term deposits

(1)


	As at
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	October 31 2024		October 31 2023
Within 1 year:
less than 3 months	$	207,698	$	182,373
3 to 6 months		94,585		69,868
6 to 12 months		173,603		151,079
1 to 2 years		79,777		76,232
2 to 3 years		61,175		49,965
3 to 4 years		45,767		36,774
4 to 5 years		20,692		36,506
Over 5 years		57,259		40,725
	$	740,556	$	643,522

(1)	The aggregate amount of term deposits in denominations of one hundred thousand dollars or more is $670 billion (October 31, 2023: $586 billion).

Average deposit balances and average rates of interest


	For the year ended
	October 31, 2024					October 31, 2023
(Millions of Canadian dollars, except for percentage amounts)	Average balances		Average rates			Average balances		Average rates
Canada	$	1,035,064		3.57	%	$	913,669		3.02%
United States		191,257		3.33			196,490		2.74
Europe		58,693		5.26			70,426		4.22
Other International		32,016		2.48			31,035		2.26
	$	1,317,030		3.59	%	$	1,211,620		3.03%

Note 15 Insurance and reinsurance

Our insurance contracts issued include life, health, travel, annuity and segregated fund insurance products provided to individuals and businesses across Canada. Outside Canada, we have reinsurance and retrocession contracts issued with respect to longevity reinsurance, life retrocession and reinsurance for creditor life, disability and critical illness. Reinsurance contracts issued are presented within insurance contract balances on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In the normal course of business, we also enter into reinsurance contracts held to 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. The reinsurance contracts held do not relieve our obligations from the direct insurance contracts issued. We evaluate the financial condition of the reinsurers and monitor our concentrations of credit risks to minimize our exposure to losses from reinsurer insolvency. The carrying amounts of reinsurance contract held assets as disclosed in Note 13 represents

our

maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date.

The insurance and reinsurance contracts are presented on a portfolio basis such that portfolios of contracts that are in an asset position are presented separately from those that are in a liability position.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 215

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Note 15 Insurance and reinsurance

(continued)

Insurance service and insurance investment results

The following table provides the composition of Insurance service result and Insurance investment result for insurance contracts issued and reinsurance contracts held.


	For the year ended

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	October 31 2024			October 31 2023 (1)
Insurance revenue
Amounts recognized for contracts using the GMM and VFA:
Relating to changes in liabilities for remaining coverage:
Expected incurred claims and other insurance services expenses	$	2,970		$	2,688
Release of risk adjustment for non-financial risk and other		191			179
CSM recognized for services provided		255			303
Recovery of insurance acquisition cash flows		81			78
		3,497			3,248
Amounts recognized for contracts using the PAA		1,576			1,422
		5,073			4,670
Insurance service expense (2)
Incurred claims and other expenses		(3,901	)		(3,522	)
Losses on onerous contracts and reversals of such losses (future service)		(246	)		(154	)
Adjustments to liability for incurred claims (past service)		(2	)		5
Amortization of insurance acquisition cash flows		(81	)		(78	)
		(4,230	)		(3,749	)
Net income (expense) from reinsurance contracts held		(66	)		(218	)
Insurance service result	$	777		$	703
Net investment income (3)	$	3,259		$	565
Insurance finance income (expense)
Interest accreted		(126	)		(135	)
Effect of changes in discount rates and other financial assumptions		(1,754	)		259
Effect of changes in fulfilment cash flows at current rates when the corresponding effect through CSM is at locked-in rates		(412	)		(258	)
Changes in fair value of underlying items for contracts using the VFA		(746	)		(107	)
Other		(93	)		(180	)
		(3,131	)		(421	)
Reinsurance finance income (expense)		166			12
Insurance investment result	$	294		$	156
Insurance service and insurance investment results	$	1,071		$	859

(1)	The 2023 amounts may not be fully comparable to the current period as we were not managing our asset and liability portfolios under IFRS 17 and Net investment income was not restated for the reclassifications of certain eligible financial assets. Refer to Note 2 for further details.

(2)	Includes Insurance service expense of $948 million (October 31, 2023 – $840 million) relating to insurance contracts measured using the PAA.

(3)	Refer to Note 3 for amounts of interest, dividend and net gains (losses) from FVTPL financial instruments relating to the Insurance segment .

216 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

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Insurance contracts by remaining coverage and incurred claims

The following table shows the changes in net liabilities for insurance contracts for remaining coverage and incurred claims for short duration insurance contracts measured using the PAA and long duration insurance contracts measured using the GMM and VFA.


	As at or for the year ended
	October 31, 2024									October 31, 2023
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Liabilities for remaining coverage (1)			Liabilities for incurred claims (2)			Total			Liabilities for remaining coverage (1)			Liabilities for incurred claims (2)			Total
Balance at beginning of period:
Insurance contract assets	$	1,531		$	(850	)	$	681		$	1,191		$	(704	)	$	487
Insurance contract liabilities		(17,858	)		(1,168	)		(19,026	)		(17,227	)		(999	)		(18,226	)
Net insurance contract liabilities	$	(16,327	)	$	(2,018	)	$	(18,345	)	$	(16,036	)	$	(1,703	)	$	(17,739	)
Insurance revenue	$	5,073		$	–		$	5,073		$	4,670		$	–		$	4,670
Insurance service expense		(358	)		(3,872	)		(4,230	)		(250	)		(3,499	)		(3,749	)
Insurance finance income (expense)		(2,974	)		(157	)		(3,131	)		(388	)		(33	)		(421	)
Investment components		705			(705	)		–			660			(660	)		–
Cash flows:
Premiums received		(5,940	)		–			(5,940	)		(5,739	)		–			(5,739	)
Claims and other insurance service expenses paid		–			4,388			4,388			–			4,196			4,196
Insurance acquisition cash flows and other		417			–			417			378			–			378
Total cash flows	$	(5,523	)	$	4,388		$	(1,135	)	$	(5,361	)	$	4,196		$	(1,165	)
Other movements		343			(218	)		125			378			(319	)		59
Balance at end of period:
Insurance contract assets	$	1,805		$	(1,217	)	$	588		$	1,531		$	(850	)	$	681
Insurance contract liabilities		(20,866	)		(1,365	)		(22,231	)		(17,858	)		(1,168	)		(19,026	)
Net insurance contract liabilities	$	(19,061	)	$	(2,582	)	$	(21,643	)	$	(16,327	)	$	(2,018	)	$	(18,345	)

(1)	The ending liabilities for remaining coverage include loss component amounts of $366 million (October 31, 2023 – $122 million).

(2)	The ending liabilities for incurred claims are primarily attributable to insurance contracts measured under the PAA.

Insurance contracts by measurement components using the GMM or VFA

The following table shows the changes in the measurement components of net liabilities for insurance contracts measured using the GMM and VFA by estimates of present value of future cash flows, risk adjustment for non-financial risk and CSM.


	As at or for the year ended
	October 31, 2024												October 31, 2023
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Estimates of present value of future cash flows			Risk adjustment for non- financial risk			CSM (1)			Total			Estimates of present value of future cash flows			Risk adjustment for non- financial risk			CSM (1)			Total
Balance at beginning of period:
Insurance contract assets	$	1,591		$	(544	)	$	(565	)	$	482		$	1,370		$	(508	)	$	(428	)	$	434
Insurance contract liabilities		(14,079	)		(1,759	)		(2,195	)		(18,033	)		(13,446	)		(1,726	)		(2,312	)		(17,484	)
Net insurance contract liabilities	$	(12,488	)	$	(2,303	)	$	(2,760	)	$	(17,551	)	$	(12,076	)	$	(2,234	)	$	(2,740	)	$	(17,050	)
Insurance service result	$	33		$	13		$	176		$	222		$	92		$	30		$	217		$	339
Insurance finance expense (income)		(2,504	)		(324	)		(128	)		(2,956	)		127			(55	)		(312	)		(240	)
Cash flows:
Premiums received		(4,443	)		–			–			(4,443	)		(4,128	)		–			–			(4,128	)
Claims and other insurance service expenses paid		3,487			–			–			3,487			3,084			–			–			3,084
Insurance acquisition cash flows and other		373			–			–			373			367			–			–			367
Total cash flows	$	(583	)	$	–		$	–		$	(583	)	$	(677	)	$	–		$	–		$	(677	)
Other movements		91			60			(79	)		72			46			(44	)		75			77
Balance at end of period:
Insurance contract assets	$	1,824		$	(568	)	$	(719	)	$	537		$	1,591		$	(544	)	$	(565	)	$	482
Insurance contract liabilities (2), (3)		(17,275	)		(1,986	)		(2,072	)		(21,333	)		(14,079	)		(1,759	)		(2,195	)		(18,033	)
Net insurance contract liabilities	$	(15,451	)	$	(2,554	)	$	(2,791	)	$	(20,796	)	$	(12,488	)	$	(2,303	)	$	(2,760	)	$	(17,551	)

(1)

The ending balance for CSM includes $2.6 billion (October 31, 2023 – $2.7 billion) relating to groups of insurance contracts initially recognized at transition date using the fair value approach. For the year ended October 31, 2024, CSM from contracts initially recognized was $89 million (October 31, 2023 – $109 million).

(2)

Includes segregated fund insurance contract liabilities of $3,375 million (October 31, 2023 – $2,632 million) measured using the VFA. The fair value of the underlying items for segregated fund insurance contracts amount to $3,378 million (October 31, 2023 – $2,708 million), which are substantially investments in mutual funds.

(3)

Certain comparative amounts have been revised from those previously presented.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 217

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Note 15 Insurance and reinsurance

(continued)

Expected recognition of contractual service margin

The following table presents the expected timing of CSM amortization into Non-interest income – Insurance service result applicable for insurance contracts issued and reinsurance contracts held measured using the GMM and VFA.


	As at
	October 31, 2024															October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)		Within 1 year			1 to 5 year s			5 to 10 years			Thereafter			Total			Within 1 year			1 to 5 year s			5 to 10 years			Thereafter			Total
Insurance contracts issued	$	(243	)	$	(894	)	$	(705	)	$	(949	)	$	(2,791	)	$	(245	)	$	(1,011	)	$	(655	)	$	(849	)	$	(2,760	)
Reinsurance contracts held		66			208			163			217			654			89			192			232			291			804
Total	$	(177	)	$	(686	)	$	(542	)	$	(732	)	$	(2,137	)	$	(156	)	$	(819	)	$	(423	)	$	(558	)	$	(1,956	)

Insurance risk

Insurance risk is the risk of loss due to actual experience emerging differently than that we assumed at the time of underwriting. Our main insurance risks include morbidity, mortality, longevity, policyholder behaviour (lapse) and travel risk. We developed an insurance risk management framework that is designed to identify, assess, manage, mitigate and report the insurance risks associated with our insurance businesses. In addition, we are subject to expense risk, which is the exposure to the variability in future expenses that are expected to be incurred in servicing insurance contracts. Our insurance risks are managed through the implementation of robust policies and controls over product design, pricing, underwriting and claim adjudication as well as reinsurance arrangements. Regular reviews are conducted on valuation models, experience studies for key actuarial assumptions, exposure concentration, retention limits, and expense budgets.

Market risk

We are exposed to market risk, which is the risk that the carrying value or future cash flows of insurance and reinsurance contract balances or financial assets fluctuate because of changes or volatility in market prices. Market risk includes equity, interest rate and spread, foreign currency and inflation risks. Our exposure to market risk is managed through our asset/liability management activities, developed to achieve long-term investment returns in excess of

our

obligations under insurance contracts.

Methods and assumptions

The measurement of insurance and reinsurance contract balances requires various estimates and assumptions. The following summarizes the significant estimates and assumptions used which should be read in conjunction with the accounting policies for insurance and reinsurance contracts disclosed in Note 2.

Estimates of future cash flows

The significant non-financial assumptions used to determine the estimates of future cash flows for insurance and reinsurance contract balances are as follows:

•

Mortality, longevity and morbidity

– Mortality estimates for life insurance contracts are based on standard industry insured mortality tables, adjusted where appropriate to reflect our own experience. Longevity estimates for annuity insurance contracts are developed based on industry longevity experience for pensioners, 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 contracts and are based on a combination of industry and our own experience.

•

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.

•

Expense

– Directly attributable future expense and directly attributable acquisition expense assumptions are derived from internal cost studies and established allocation methodologies, with inflation as a financial assumption reflected in the estimate of future expenses.

Discount rates

Discount rates used to present value future cash flows reflect the time value of money, currency of the cash flows, and the characteristics of the insurance and reinsurance contracts. Cash flows that vary based on the returns on underlying items are discounted at rates reflecting that variability. For cash flows that do not vary based on the returns on underlying items, we predominantly apply the top-down approach in determining the discount rates. Under this approach, the discount rates for the observable periods are determined using yield curves implied from a reference portfolio of assets adjusted to eliminate factors (credit and market risk of the financial assets) that are not relevant to the insurance contracts. For unobservable periods, the discount rates are interpolated using the last observable point and the ultimate discount rate, composed of a risk-free rate and illiquidity premium. For a selected portfolio, the bottom-up approach is applied in determining the discount rate, which uses a risk-free rate plus an illiquidity premium to reflect the characteristics of the contracts. Management jud

ment is required in estimating the market and credit risk factors and illiquidity premiums in determining the discount rates.

218 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

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The following table provides the current discount yields relating to the Canadian dollar that are primarily used to present value cash flows that do not vary based on returns on underlying items for insurance and reinsurance contracts.



	5 year		10 year		20 year		30 year		Ultimate
October 31, 2024		4.2%		5.6%		6.0%		4.2%		4.1%
October 31, 2023		5.6%		6.4%		6.1%		4.8%		4.1%

Risk adjustment

The risk adjustment for non-financial risk represents the compensation that we require for bearing the uncertainty about the amount and timing of cash flows that arises from non-financial risks as we fulfil the insurance contracts. Non-financial risks are insurance risks such as mortality, morbidity, and other risks such as lapse and expense. We used a margin approach to set the risk adjustment by applying a margin to non-financial assumptions and discounting the resulting margin cash flows at the same discount rates used to present value future cash flows. The risk adjustment for insurance and reinsurance contracts corresponds to a confidence level of approximately 85% overall as at October 31, 2024 (October 31, 2023 – 85%). The confidence level represents the probability that the variability in the actual cash flows will be lower than our risk adjustment for non-financial risk.

Sensitivity analysis

The following table demonstrates the effects on net income, total equity and balance sheet CSM of reasonably possible changes in key market and non-financial assumptions in the measurement of our insurance contracts on a net of reinsurance contracts held basis, which do not differ materially from the sensitivities on a gross basis. The impact of changing non-financial assumptions is primarily absorbed in the CSM recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, unless contracts are onerous in which case the effects are reflected in net income. The effects on net income reflect the impact of changes to market assumptions and the impact of changes to the CSM that is released to income for the year. The percentage change in each variable is applied to a range of existing actuarial modelling assumptions to derive the possible impact on net income and total equity, as well as CSM recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The analyses are performed where a single assumption is changed while holding other assumptions constant, which is unlikely to occur in practice. Combining the effects presented in the table may not reflect the total actual effects of changing multiple assumptions at the same time. Actual results can differ materially from these estimates.


	As at and for the year ended
	October 31, 2024						October 31, 2023
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Increase (decrease) to net income and total equity			Increase (decrease) to CSM			Increase (decrease) to net income and total equity			Increase (decrease) to CSM
Market variables:
1% increase in market interest rates (1)	$	3		$	–		$	(85	)	$	–
1% decrease in market interest rates (1)		(2	)		–			104			–
10% increase in equity market values (2)		–			16			–			14
10% decrease in equity market values (2)		–			(18	)		–			(19	)
Non-financial variables:
2% adverse change in life mortality rates		(45	)		(17	)		(40	)		(18	)
2% adverse change in annuitant mortality rates		(1	)		(151	)		(4	)		(135	)
5% adverse change in morbidity rates		(57	)		(179	)		(41	)		(186	)
10% adverse change in lapse rates		(16	)		(334	)		(7	)		(334	)
5% increase in expenses		(5	)		(52	)		(3	)		(49	)

(1)

Interest rate sensitivities assume a parallel shift of 100 basis points across the entire yield curves as at the reporting date with no change to the ultimate risk-free rate. The impacts are net of the changes in fair value of financial assets held in respect of insurance activities. The 2023 amounts are not comparable to the current period as we were not managing our asset and liability portfolios under IFRS 17 and the 2023 amounts were not adjusted to reflect the reclassifications of certain financial assets that came into effect as of November 1, 2023. See Note 2 for further details.

(2)	Equity market value sensitivities assume a 10% change across all equity markets as at the reporting date reflecting the changes in fair value of the underlying financial assets on the insurance contracts measured using the VFA.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 219

Table of Contents

Note 16 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 majority of beneficiaries of the pension plans are located in Canada and other beneficiaries of the pension plans are primarily located in the U.S., the U.K. and the Caribbean. The pension arrangements including investment, plan benefits and funding decisions are governed by local pension committees or trustees, who are legally segregated from the Bank, 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 primary 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 may be 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 principal pension plan, the most recent funding actuarial valuation was completed on January 1, 2023, and the next valuation is required no later than January 1, 2026.

For the year ended October 31, 2024, total contributions to our pension plans (defined benefit and defined contribution plans) and other post-employment benefit plans were $455 million and $91 million (October 31, 2023 – $346 million and $80 million), respectively. For 2025, total contributions to our pension plans and other post-employment benefit plans are expected to be $508 million and $93 million, respectively.

Risks

By their design, the defined benefit pension and other post-employment benefit 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. These risks will reduce over time due to the membership closure of our primary defined benefit pension plans and migration to defined contribution pension plans.

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.


	As at
	October 31, 2024						October 31, 2023
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Defined benefit pension plans			Other post- employment benefit plans			Defined benefit pension plans			Other post- employment benefit plans
Canada
Fair value of plan assets	$	16,421		$	–		$	13,704		$	–
Present value of defined benefit obligation		13,142			1,563			11,142			1,348
Net surplus (deficit)	$	3,279		$	(1,563	)	$	2,562		$	(1,348	)
International
Fair value of plan assets	$	741		$	–		$	664		$	–
Present value of defined benefit obligation		638			76			585			69
Net surplus (deficit)	$	103		$	(76	)	$	79		$	(69	)
Total
Fair value of plan assets	$	17,162		$	–		$	14,368		$	–
Present value of defined benefit obligation		13,780			1,639			11,727			1,417
Total net surplus (deficit)	$	3,382		$	(1,639	)	$	2,641		$	(1,417	)
Effect of asset ceiling		(37	)		–			(9	)		–
Total net surplus (deficit), net of effect of asset ceiling	$	3,345		$	(1,639	)	$	2,632		$	(1,417	)
Amounts recognized in our Consolidated Balance Sheets
Employee benefit assets	$	3,630		$	–		$	2,826		$	–
Employee benefit liabilities		(285	)		(1,639	)		(194	)		(1,417	)
Total net surplus (deficit), net of effect of asset ceiling	$	3,345		$	(1,639	)	$	2,632		$	(1,417	)

220 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

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.


	As at or for the year ended
	October 31, 2024						October 31, 2023
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Defined benefit pension plans (1)			Other post- employment benefit plans			Defined benefit pension plans (1)			Other post- employment benefit plans
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	$	14,368		$	–		$	15,026		$	–
Interest income		818			–			786			–
Remeasurements
Return on plan assets (excluding interest income)		1,991			–			(895	)		–
Change in foreign currency exchange rate		46			–			55			–
Contributions – Employer		29			91			23			80
Contributions – Plan participant		42			24			44			22
Payments		(675	)		(115	)		(645	)		(102	)
Business combinations/Disposals		561			–			(17	)		–
Other		(18	)		–			(9	)		–
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	$	17,162		$	–		$	14,368		$	–
Benefit obligation at beginning of period	$	11,727		$	1,417		$	11,893		$	1,462
Current service costs		188			34			195			33
Past service costs		–			(6	)		–			(2	)
Interest expense		668			81			624			77
Remeasurements
Actuarial losses (gains) from demographic assumptions		(167	)		(60	)		(2	)		(24	)
Actuarial losses (gains) from financial assumptions		1,337			132			(480	)		(46	)
Actuarial losses (gains) from experience adjustments		2			8			70			(1	)
Change in foreign currency exchange rate		37			3			45			1
Contributions – Plan participant		42			24			44			22
Payments		(675	)		(115	)		(645	)		(102	)
Business combinations/Disposals		621			121			(17	)		(3	)
Benefit obligation at end of period	$	13,780		$	1,639		$	11,727		$	1,417
Unfunded obligation	$	83		$	1,639		$	18		$	1,417
Wholly or partly funded obligation		13,697			–			11,709			–
Total benefit obligation	$	13,780		$	1,639		$	11,727		$	1,417

(1)

For pension plans with funding deficits, the benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets as at October 31, 2024 were $929 million and $665 million, respectively (October 31, 2023 – $300 million and $

106

million, respectively).

Pension and other post-employment benefit expense

The following table presents the composition of our pension and other post-employment benefit expense related to our material pension and other post-employment benefit plans worldwide.


	For the year ended
	Pension plans						Other post-employment benefit plans

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	October 31 2024			October 31 2023			October 31 2024			October 31 2023
Current service costs	$	188		$	195		$	34		$	33
Past service costs		–			–			(6	)		(2	)
Net interest expense (income)		(150	)		(162	)		81			77
Remeasurements of other long-term benefits		–			–			3			(1	)
Administrative expense		18			9			–			–
Defined benefit pension expense	$	56		$	42		$	112		$	107
Defined contribution pension expense		426			323			–			–
	$	482		$	365		$	112		$	107

Service costs for the year ended October 31, 2024 totalled $186 million (October 31, 2023 – $193 million) for pension plans in Canada and $2 million (October 31, 2023 – $2 million) for International plans. Net interest expense (income) for the year ended October 31, 2024 totalled $(145) million (October 31, 2023 – $(157) million) for pension plans in Canada and $(5) million (October 31, 2023 – $(5) million) for International plans.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 221

Table of Contents

Note 16 Employee benefits – Pension and other post-employment benefits

(continued)

Pension and other post-employment benefit remeasurements

The following table presents the composition of our remeasurements recorded in OCI related to our material p

ensi

on and other post-

employment

benefit plans worldwide.


	For the year ended
	Defined benefit pension plans						Other post-employment benefit plans

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	October 31 2024			October 31 2023			October 31 2024			October 31 2023
Actuarial (gains) losses:
Changes in demographic assumptions	$	(167	)	$	(2	)	$	(50	)	$	(27	)
Changes in financial assumptions		1,337			(480	)		122			(45	)
Experience adjustments		2			70			5			2
Return on plan assets (excluding interest based on discount rate)		(1,991	)		895			–			–
Change in asset ceiling (excluding interest income)		(4	)		1			–			–
	$	(823	)	$	484		$	77		$	(70	)

Remeasurements recorded in OCI for the year ended October 31, 2024 were gains of $818 million (October 31, 2023 – losses of $440 million) for pension plans in Canada and gains of $5 million (October 31, 2023 – losses of $44 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 plans’ 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 follows an asset/liability framework as investment is conducted with careful consideration of the pension obligation’s sensitivity to interest rates and credit spreads which are key risk factors impacting the obligation’s value. Factors taken into consideration in developing our asset mix include but are not limited to the following:

•

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 correlations, along with liquidity requirements of the plan.

To implement our asset mix policy, we may invest in debt securities, equity securities and alternative investments. Our holdings in certain investments, including common shares, 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 within the plan. To manage our credit risk exposure, where derivative instruments are not centrally cleared, counterparties are required to meet minimum credit ratings and enter into collateral agreements.

Our defined benefit pension plan assets are primarily comprised of debt and equity securities and alternative investments. 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 equity, real estate, private debt and private equity. 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 ended October 31, 2024, the management of defined benefit pension investments focused on increased allocation to risk reducing investments and strategies, improving diversification, while striving to maintain expected investment return. Over time, an increasing allocation to debt

securities

is being used to reduce asset/liability duration mismatch and hence variability of the plan’s funded status due to interest rate movement. Longer maturity debt securities, given their price sensitivity to movements in interest rates, are considered to be a good economic hedge to risk associated with the plan’s liabilities, which are discounted using predominantly long maturity bond interest rates as inputs.

222 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

Asset allocation of defined benefit pension plans

(1), (2)


	As at
	October 31, 2024								October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentages)	Fair value		Percentage of total plan assets			Quoted in active market (3)			Fair value		Percentage of total plan assets			Quoted in active market (3)
Equity securities
Domestic	$	926		5	%		100	%	$	723		5	%		100	%
Foreign		2,306		13			100			1,726		12			100
Debt securities
Domestic government bonds (4)		5,608		33			–			4,343		30			–
Foreign government bonds		145		1			–			128		1			–
Corporate and other bonds		3,788		22			–			3,296		23			–
Alternative investments and other		4,389		26			8			4,152		29			6

	$	17,162		100	%		21	%	$	14,368		100	%		19	%

(1)	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.

(2)	Represents the total plan assets held in our Canadian and International pension plans.

(3)	If our assessment of whether or not an asset was quoted in an active market was based on direct investments, 25% of our total plan assets would be classified as quoted in an active market (October 31, 2023 – 22%).

(4)	Amounts are net of securities sold under repurchase agreements.

As at October 31, 2024, the plan assets include 0.4 million (October 31, 2023 – 0.3 million) of our common shares with a fair value of $66 million (October 31, 2023 – $37 million) and $74 million (October 31, 2023 – $62 million) of our debt securities. For the year ended October 31, 2024, dividends received on our common shares held in the plan assets were $2 million (October 31, 2023 –$3 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)	As at October 31, 2024
	Canada		International		Total
Number of plan participants		70,000		5,889		75,889
Actual benefit payments 2024	$	638	$	37	$	675
Benefits expected to be paid 2025		715		40		755
Benefits expected to be paid 2026		735		40		775
Benefits expected to be paid 2027		755		40		795
Benefits expected to be paid 2028		777		41		818
Benefits expected to be paid 2029		796		43		839
Benefits expected to be paid 2030-2034		4,202		242		4,444
Weighted average duration of defined benefit payments		13.2 years		14.5 years		13.3 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 Canadian AA corporate bond yield curve. The derived curve is based on actual short and mid-maturity corporate AA rates and extrapolated longer term rates. The extrapolated corporate AA rates are derived from observed corporate A, corporate AA and provincial AA yields. 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 a local 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.

Healthcare cost trend rates

Healthcare cost calculations are based on both short and long-term trend assumptions established using the plan’s recent experience as well as market expectations.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 223

Table of Contents

Note 16 Employee benefits – Pension and other post-employment benefits

(continued)

Weighted average assumptions to determine benefit obligation

As at

Defined benefit pension
plans

Other post-employment
benefit plans

October 31

2024

October 31

2023

October 31

2024

October 31

2023

Discount rate

4.8%

5.7%

4.9%

5.8%

Rate of increase in future compensation

3.0%

n.a.

Healthcare cost trend rates

(1)

– Medical

n.a.

3.5%

3.4%

– Dental

n.a.

3.5%

3.1%

(1)	For our other post-employment benefit plans, the assumed trend rates used to measure the expected benefit costs of the defined benefit obligations are also the ultimate trend rates.

n.a.	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 material plans.


	As at
	October 31, 2024								October 31, 2023
	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

(In years)	Male		Female		Male		Female		Male		Female		Male		Female
Country
Canada		23.2		24.4		24.2		25.3		23.9		24.3		24.8		25.2
United Kingdom		22.1		24.4		23.4		25.7		23.5		25.4		24.7		26.8

Sensitivity analysis

Assumptions adopted can have a significant effect on the value of the obligations for defined benefit pension and other post-employment benefit plans and are based on historical experience and market inputs. The increase (decrease) in obligation in the following table has been determined for key assumptions 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 2024.


	Increase (decrease) in obligation

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Defined benefit pension plans			Other post- employment benefit plans
Discount rate
Impact of 100 bps increase in discount rate	$	(1,572	)	$	(178	)
Impact of 100 bps decrease in discount rate		1,941			220
Rate of increase in future compensation
Impact of 50 bps increase in rate of increase in future compensation		35			–
Impact of 50 bps decrease in rate of increase in future compensation		(38	)		–
Mortality rate
Impact of an increase in longevity by one additional year		329			22
Healthcare cost trend rate
Impact of 100 bps increase in healthcare cost trend rate		n.a.			49
Impact of 100 bps decrease in healthcare cost trend rate		n.a.			(41	)

n.a.

not applicable

224 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

Note 17 Other liabilities


	As at
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	October 31 2024		October 31 2023 (Restated – Note 2)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	1,475	$	1,580
Accrued interest payable		13,226		10,936
Cash collateral		19,582		23,365
Commodity liabilities		13,996		11,716
Deferred income		4,149		3,830
Deferred income taxes		542		426
Dividends payable		2,123		1,975
Employee benefit liabilities		1,924		1,611
Held-for-sale liabilities		–		2,560
Insurance-related liabilities		36		194
Lease liabilities		4,673		4,764
Negotiable instruments		1,702		1,684
Payable to brokers, dealers and clients		8,270		8,065
Payroll and related compensation		11,781		9,089
Precious metals certificates		743		775
Provisions		793		644
Short-term borrowings of subsidiaries		–		4,507
Taxes payable		2,398		2,962
Other		7,264		5,339
	$	94,677	$	96,022

Note 18 Subordinated debentures

The debentures are unsecured obligations and are subordinated in right of payment to the claims of

depositors

and certain other creditors. The amounts presented below are net of our own holdings in these debentures, and include the impact of fair value hedges used for managing interest rate risk.


(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage and foreign currency)		Interest rate			Denominated in foreign currency (millions)		As at
Maturity	Earliest par value redemption date	Interest rate			Denominated in foreign currency (millions)		October 31 2024			October 31 2023
January 27, 2026 (1)			4.65%		US$	1,500	$	2,026		$	1,939
July 25, 2029 (1), (2)	July 25, 2024		2.74%					–			1,459
December 23, 2029 (1)	December 23, 2024		2.88%	(3)				1,495			1,442
February 1, 2033 (1)	February 1, 2028		5.01%	(4)				1,461			1,418
June 30, 2030 (1)	June 30, 2025		2.09%	(5)				1,219			1,249
November 3, 2031 (1)	November 3, 2026		2.14%	(6)				1,708			1,637
May 3, 2032 (1)	May 3, 2027		2.94%	(7)				955			919
January 28, 2033 (1)	January 28, 2028		1.67%	(8)				935			868
April 3, 2034 (1)	April 3, 2029		5.10%	(9)				2,020			–
August 8, 2034 (1)	August 8, 2029		4.83%	(10)				1,263			–
October 1, 2083	Any interest payment date			(11)				224			224
November 1, 2083	Any interest payment date			(12)				9			–
June 29, 2085	Any interest payment date			(13)	US$	174		241			241
							$	13,556		$	11,396
Deferred financing costs								(10	)		(10	)
							$	13,546		$	11,386

(1)

The notes include non-viability contingent 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 (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances), 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

multiplying

the par value of the note (including accrued and unpaid interest on such note) by the

multiplier and then dividing the total by the

conversion price.

(2)

On July 25, 2024, we redeemed all $1,500 million of our outstanding 2.74% subordinated debentures due July 25, 2029 for 100% of their principal amount plus interest accrued to, but excluding, the redemption date.

(3)

Interest at stated interest rate until earliest par value redemption date, and thereafter at a rate of 0.89% above the 3-month CDOR

, subject to transition to an ABR due to the interest rate benchmark reform.

(4)

Interest at stated interest rate until earliest par value redemption date, and thereafter at a rate of 2.12% above the Daily Compounded CORRA

(5)

Interest at stated interest rate until earliest par value redemption date, and thereafter at a rate of 1.31% above the 3-month CDOR

, subject to transition to an ABR due to the interest rate benchmark reform.

(6)

Interest at stated interest rate until earliest par value redemption date, and thereafter at a rate of 0.61% above the 3-month CDOR

, subject to transition to an ABR due to the interest rate benchmark reform.

(7)

Interest at stated interest rate until earliest par value redemption date, and thereafter at a rate of 0.76% above the 3-month CDOR

, subject to transition to an ABR due to the interest rate benchmark reform.

(8)

Interest at stated interest rate until earliest par value redemption date, and thereafter at a rate of 0.55% above the 3-month CDOR

, subject to transition to an ABR due to the interest rate benchmark reform.

(9)

Interest at stated interest rate until earliest par value redemption date, and thereafter at a rate of 1.56% above the Daily Compounded

CORRA

(10)

Interest at stated interest rate until earliest par value redemption date, and thereafter at a rate of 1.55% above the Daily Compounded CORRA.

(11)

Interest at a rate of 0.50% plus the average of mid-market quotations for Government of Canada Treasury Bills maturing in or about 30 days from the date of quotation.

(12)

Interest at a rate of 0.75% plus the average of mid-market quotations for Government of Canada Treasury Bills maturing in or about 30 days from the date of quotation.

(13)

Interest at a rate of 0.25% above the U.S. dollar 3-month London Interbank Mean Rate (LIMEAN) under a synthetic methodology, subject to transition to 0.44911% plus compounded SOFR for interest period commencing December 30, 2024 due to the interest rate benchmark reform. 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.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 225

Table of Contents

Note 18 Subordinated debentures

(continued)

All redemptions, cancellations and exchanges of subordinated debentures are subject to the consent and approval of OSFI.

Maturity schedule

The aggregate maturities of subordinated debentures, based on the maturity dates under the terms of issue, are as follows:


	As at

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	October 31 2024
Within 1 year	$	–
1 to 5 years		2,026
5 to 10 years		11,056
Thereafter		474
	$	13,556

Note 19 Equity

Share capital

Authorized share capital

Preferred – An unlimited number of First Preferred Shares and Second Preferred Shares without

minal or

par

value, issuable in series; provided that the maximum aggregate consideration for all First Preferred Shares outstanding at any time may not exceed $30 billion, and for all Second Preferred Shares that

may

be issued may not exceed $5 billion.

Common – An unlimited number of shares without

minal or par value may be issued.

226 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

Outstanding share capital

The following table details our common and preferred shares and other equity instruments out

stan

ding.


	As at and for the year ended
	October 31, 2024								October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except the number of shares and as otherwise noted)	Number of shares (thousands)			Amount			Dividends declared per share		Number of shares (thousands)			Amount			Dividends declared per share
Common shares issued
Balance at beginning of period		1,402,373		$	19,398					1,385,591		$	17,318
Issued in connection with share-based compensation plans (1)		1,746			168					740			68
Issued in connection with dividend reinvestment plan		11,850			1,460					16,042			2,012

Purchased for cancellation (2)		(889	)		(13	)				–			–
Balance at end of period		1,415,080		$	21,013		$	5.60		1,402,373		$	19,398		$	5.34
Treasury – common shares
Balance at beginning of period (3)		(1,862	)	$	(231	)				(2,680	)	$	(334	)

Purchases		(43,995	)		(5,302	)				(30,195	)		(3,556	)
Sales		45,281			5,472					31,013			3,659
Balance at end of period (3)		(576	)	$	(61	)				(1,862	)	$	(231	)
Common shares outstanding		1,414,504		$	20,952					1,400,511		$	19,167
Preferred shares and other equity instruments issued
First preferred (4)
Non-cumulative, fixed rate
Series BH		6,000		$	150		$	1.23		6,000		$	150		$	1.23
Series BI		6,000			150			1.23		6,000			150			1.23
Non-cumulative, 5-Year Rate Reset
Series AZ (5)		–			–			0.69		20,000			500			0.93
Series BB (6)		–			–			0.68		20,000			500			0.91
Series BD		24,000			600			0.80		24,000			600			0.80
Series BF		12,000			300			0.75		12,000			300			0.75
Series BO		14,000			350			1.40		14,000			350			1.20
Series BT		750			750			4.20%		750			750			4.20%
Series BU (7)		750			750			7.408%		–			–			–
Series BW (8)		600			600			6.698%		–			–			–

Non-cumulative, fixed rate/floating rate
Series C-2 (9)		–			–		US$	–		15			23		US$	67.50
Other equity instruments
Limited recourse capital notes (LRCNs) (10)
Series 1 (11)		1,750			1,750			4.50%		1,750			1,750			4.50%
Series 2 (11)		1,250			1,250			4.00%		1,250			1,250			4.00%
Series 3 (11)		1,000			1,000			3.65%		1,000			1,000			3.65%
Series 4 (11)		1,000			1,370			7.50%		–			–			–
		69,100		$	9,020					106,765		$	7,323
Treasury – preferred shares and other equity instruments
Balance at beginning of period (3)		(9	)	$	(9	)				(12	)	$	(5	)

Purchases		(1,921	)		(1,225	)				(1,924	)		(519	)
Sales		1,943			1,245					1,927			515
Balance at end of period (3)		13		$	11					(9	)	$	(9	)
Preferred shares and other equity instruments outstanding		69,113		$	9,031					106,756		$	7,314

(1)

Includes fair value adjustments to stock options of $10 million (October 31, 2023 – $6 million).

(2)

On June 10, 2024, we announced a normal course issuer bid (NCIB) to purchase up to 30 million of our common shares, commencing on June 12, 2024 and continuing until June 11, 2025, or such earlier date as we complete the repurchase of all shares permitted under the bid. During the year ended October 31, 2024, under the NCIB we purchased for cancellation common shares at a total fair value of $140 million (average cost of $157.74 per share), with a book value of $13 million (book value of $14.83 per share). As at October 31, 2023, we did not have an active NCIB. During the year ended October 31, 2023, we did not purchase for cancellation any common shares.

(3)

Positive amounts represent a short position and negative amounts represent a long position.

(4)

First Preferred Shares were issued at $25 per share with the exception of Non-Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset First Preferred Shares Series BT (Series BT), Non-Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset First Preferred Share Series BU (Series BU) and Non-Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset First Preferred Shares Series BW (Series BW) which were issued at $1,000 per share, and Non-Cumulative Fixed Rate/Floating Rate First Preferred Shares Series C-2 (Series C-2) which were issued at US$1,000 per share (equivalent to US$25 per depositary share).

(5)

On May 24, 2024, we redeemed all 20 million of our issued and outstanding Non-Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset First Preferred Shares Series AZ at a redemption price of $25.00 per share.

(6)

On August 24, 2024, we redeemed all 20 million of our issued and outstanding Non-Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset First Preferred Shares Series BB at a redemption price of $25.00 per share.

(7)

On January 25, 2024, we issued 750 thousand Series BU to certain institutional investors, at a price of $1,000 per share, for total gross proceeds of $750 million.

(8)

On July 24, 2024, we issued 600 thousand Series BW to certain institutional investors, at a price of $1,000 per share, for total gross proceeds of $600 million.

(

)

On November 7, 2023, we redeemed all of our issued and outstanding Series C-2 for cash at a redemption price of US$1,000 per share (equivalent to US$25 per depositary share). Concurrently, we redeemed all 615 thousand Series C-2 depositary shares, each of which represents a one-fortieth interest in a C-2 share.

(10)

Each series of LRCNs (LRCN Series) were issued at a $1,000 per note, with the exception of LRCN Series 4 which were issued at US$1,000 per note. The number of shares represent the number of notes issued and the dividends declared per share represent the annual interest rate percentage applicable to the notes issued as at the reporting date.

(11)

In connection with the issuance of LRCN Series 1, we issued $1,750 million of Non-Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset First Preferred Shares Series BQ (Series BQ); in connection with the issuance of LRCN Series 2, we issued $1,250 million of Non-Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset First Preferred Shares Series BR (Series BR); in connection with the issuance of LRCN Series 3, we issued $1,000 million of Non-Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset First Preferred Shares Series BS (Series BS); in connection with the issuance of LRCN Series 4, we issued US$1,000 million of Non-Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset First Preferred Shares Series BV (Series BV). The Series BQ, BR and BS preferred shares were issued at a price of $1,000 per share and the Series BV preferred shares were issued at a price of US$1,000 per share. These preferred shares were issued to a consolidated trust to be held as trust assets in connection with each respective LRCN Series.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 227

Table of Contents

Note 19 Equity

(continued)

Significant terms and conditions of preferred shares and other equity instruments



As at October 31, 2024	Current annual yield		Premium		Current dividend per share (1)		Earliest redemption date (2)		Issue date		Redemption price (2), (3)
Preferred shares
First preferred
Non-cumulative, fixed rate
Series BH (4)		4.90%			$	.306250		November 24, 2020		June 5, 2015	$	26.00
Series BI (4)		4.90%				.306250		November 24, 2020		July 22, 2015		26.00
Non-cumulative, 5-Year Rate Reset (5)
Series BD (4)		3.20%		2.74%		.200000		May 24, 2020		January 30, 2015		25.00
Series BF (4)		3.00%		2.62%		.187500		November 24, 2020		March 13, 2015		25.00
Series BO (4)		5.885%		2.38%		.367813		February 24, 2024		November 2, 2018		25.00
Series BT (4)		4.20%		2.71%		21.000000		January 24, 2027		November 5, 2021		1,000.00
Series BU (4)		7.408%		3.90%		37.040000		January 25, 2029		January 25, 2024		1,000.00
Series BW (4)		6.698%		3.40%		33.490000		October 24, 2029		July 24, 2024		1,000.00
Other equity instruments
Limited recourse capital notes (6)
Series 1 (7)		4.50%		4.137%		n.a.		October 24, 2025		July 28, 2020	$	1,000.00
Series 2 (8)		4.00%		3.617%		n.a.		January 24, 2026		November 2, 2020		1,000.00
Series 3 (9)		3.65%		2.665%		n.a.		October 24, 2026		June 8, 2021		1,000.00
Series 4 (10)		7.50%		2.887%		n.a.		May 2, 2029		April 24, 2024	US$	1,000.00

(1)

With the exception of Series BT, BU and BW, 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. In the case of Series BT, BU and BW, non-cumulative preferential dividends are payable semi-annually, as and when declared by the Board of Directors.

(2)

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 BD, BF, and BO, 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 BH and BI, 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. In the case of Series BT and BW, these may be redeemed for cash at a price of $1,000 if redeemed during the earliest redemption period of January 24, 2027 to February 24, 2027 and October 24, 2029 to November 24, 2029, respectively, and during the same redemption period every fifth year thereafter. In the case of Series BU, these may be redeemed for cash at a price of $1,000 if redeemed during the earliest redemption period from January 25, 2029 to February 24, 2029 and during the period from January 24 to and including February 24 every fifth year thereafter.

(3)

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.

(4)

The preferred shares include 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 multiplier of 1 and with a conversion price based on the greater of: (i) a floor price of $5 (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances), 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 by the conversion price.

(5)

The dividend rate will reset on the earliest redemption date or on the last day of the redemption period, as applicable, and every fifth year thereafter at a rate equal to the 5-year Government of Canada bond yield plus the premium indicated. The holders of Series BD, BF and BO shares 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.

(6)

The current annual yield on each LRCN Series represents the annual interest rate applicable to the notes issued as at the reporting date. The payments of interest and principal in cash on the LRCN

Series

are made at our discretion, and non-payment of interest and principal in cash does not constitute an event of default. In the event of (i) non-payment of interest on any interest payment date, (ii) non-payment of the redemption price in case of a redemption of a LRCN Series, (iii) non-payment of principal at the maturity of a LRCN Series, or (iv) an event of default on a LRCN Series, holders of such LRCN Series will have recourse only to the assets (Trust Assets) held by a third-party trustee in a consolidated trust in respect of such LRCN Series and each such noteholder will be entitled to receive its pro rata share of the Trust Assets. In such an event, the delivery of the Trust Assets for each LRCN Series will represent the full and complete extinguishment of our obligations under the related LRCN Series. The LRCNs include 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 note is automatically redeemed and the redemption price will be satisfied by the delivery of Trust Assets, which will consist of common shares pursuant to an automatic conversion of the series of preferred shares that were issued concurrently with the related LRCN Series. Each series of preferred shares include an automatic conversion formula with a conversion price based on the greater of: (i) a floor price of $5 (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances), 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 common shares issued in respect of each series of preferred shares will be determined by dividing the preferred share value ($1,000 plus declared and unpaid dividends) by the conversion price. The number of common shares delivered to each noteholder will be based on such noteholder’s pro rata interest in the Trust Assets. Subject to the consent of OSFI, we may purchase LRCNs for cancellation at such price or prices and upon such terms and conditions as we in our absolute discretion may determine, subject to any applicable law restricting the purchase of notes.

(7)

LRCN Series 1 bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.5% per annum until November 24, 2025, and thereafter at a rate per annum, reset every fifth year, equal to the 5-Year Government of Canada Yield plus 4.137% until maturity on November 24, 2080. The interest is paid semi-annually on or about the 24

day of May and November. LRCN Series 1 is redeemable during the period from October 24 to and including November 24, commencing in 2025 and every fifth year thereafter to the extent we redeem Series BQ pursuant to their terms and subject to the consent of OSFI and requirements of the

Bank Act

(Canada).

(8)

LRCN Series 2 bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.0% per annum until February 24, 2026, and thereafter at a rate per annum, reset every fifth year, equal to the 5-Year Government of Canada Yield plus 3.617% until maturity on February 24, 2081. The interest is paid semi-annually on or about the 24th day of February and August. LRCN Series 2 is redeemable during the period from January 24 to and including February 24, commencing in 2026 and every fifth year thereafter to the extent we redeem Series BR pursuant to their terms and subject to the consent of OSFI and requirements of the

Bank Act

(Canada).

(9)

LRCN Series 3 bear interest at a fixed rate of 3.65% per annum until November 24, 2026, and thereafter at a rate per annum, reset every fifth year, equal to the 5-Year Government of Canada Yield plus 2.665% until maturity on November 24, 2081. The interest is paid semi-annually on or about the 24th day of May and November. LRCN Series 3 is redeemable during the period from October 24 to and including November 24, commencing in 2026 and every fifth year thereafter to the extent we redeem Series BS pursuant to their terms and subject to the consent of OSFI and requirements of the

Bank Act

(Canada).

(10)

LRCN Series 4 bear interest at a fixed rate of 7.5% per annum until May 2, 2029, and thereafter at a rate per annum, reset every fifth year, equal to the U.S. Treasury Rate plus 2.887% until maturity on May 2, 2084. The interest is paid quarterly on or about the 2nd day of February, May, August and November. LRCN Series 4 is redeemable on May 2, 2029 and on each 2nd day of February, May, August and November thereafter to the extent we redeem Series BV pursuant to their terms and subject to the consent of OSFI and requirements of the

Bank Act

(Canada).

n.a.

not applicable

228 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

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.

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 U.S. The requirements of our DRIP are satisfied through either open market share purchases or shares issued from treasury. During the third and fourth quarters of 2024 and the first quarter of the year ended October 31, 2023, the requirements of our DRIP were satisfied through open market share purchases. During the first and second quarters of 2024 and the second, third and fourth quarters of the year ended October 31, 2023, the requirements of our DRIP were satisfied through shares issued from treasury

at a discount.

Shares available for future issuances

As at October 31, 2024, 14.6 million common shares are available for future issue relating to our DRIP and potential exercise of stock options and awards 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.



Note 20 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 the majority of the grants 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 exercise price for the remaining grants is the closing market share price of our common shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant. All options vest over a four-year period, and are exercisable for a period not exceeding 10 years from the grant date.

The compensation expense recorded for the year ended October 31, 2024, in respect of the stock option plans was $16 million (October 31, 2023 – $11 million). The compensation expense related to non-vested options was $9 million at October 31, 2024 (October 31, 2023 – $5 million), to be recognized over the weighted average period of 2.0 years (October 31, 2023 – 1.9 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



	For the year ended

	October 31, 2024					October 31, 2023

(Canadian dollars per share except share amounts)	Number of options (thousands)			Weighted average exercise price (1)		Number of options (thousands)			Weighted average exercise price (1)
Outstanding at beginning of period		7,767		$	106.01		7,509		$	100.07
Granted		1,666			125.37		1,088			131.64
Exercised (2), (3)		(1,720	)		91.03		(740	)		84.76
Forfeited in the period		(338	)		124.64		(90	)		113.55
Outstanding at end of period		7,375		$	113.00		7,767		$	106.01
Exercisable at end of period		3,212		$	97.02		3,830		$	91.84

(1)

The weighted average exercise prices reflect the conversion of foreign currency-denominated options at the exchange rates as of October 31, 2024 and October 31, 2023. For foreign currency-denominated options exercised during the year, the weighted average exercise prices are translated using exchange rates as at the settlement date.

(2)

Cash received for options exercised during the year was $157 million (October 31, 2023 – $63 million) and the weighted average share price at the date of exercise was $144.69 (October 31, 2023 – $130.94).

(3)

New shares were issued for all stock options exercised in 2024 and 2023.

Options outstanding as at October 31, 2024 by range of exercise price



	Options outstanding						Options exercisable

(Canadian dollars per share except share amounts and years)	Number outstanding (thousands)		Weighted average exercise price (1)		Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)		Number exercisable (thousands)		Weighted average exercise price (1)
$73.14 – $90.23		932	$	83.87		1.64		932	$	83.87
$96.55 – $102.33		994		98.76		3.55		994		98.76
$104.70 – $106.00		1,862		105.44		5.69		1,286		105.19
$125.37 – $125.37		1,553		125.37		9.12		–		–
$129.99 – $131.64		2,034		130.77		7.59		–		–
		7,375	$	113.00		6.14		3,212	$	97.02

(1)

The

weighted

average exercise prices reflect the conversion of foreign currency-denominated options at the

exchange

rate as of

October

31,

2024

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 229

Table of Contents

Note 20 Share-based compensation

(continued)

The weighted average fair value of options granted during the year ended October 31, 2024 was estimated at $13.60 (October 31, 2023 – $11.51). 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 the historic average share price volatility over a historical period corresponding to the expected option life. The following assumptions were used to determine the fair value of options granted:

Weighted

average

assumptions



	For the year ended

(Canadian dollars per share except percentages and years)	October 31 2024		October 31 2023
Share price at grant date	$	128.62	$	130.16
Risk-free interest rate		3.29%		2.89%
Expected dividend yield		4.20%		3.79%
Expected share price volatility		16%		14%
Expected life of option		6 Years		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 commission-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, 2024, we contributed $154

million (October 31, 2023 – $

139 million), under the terms of these plans, towards the purchase of our common shares. As at October 31, 2024, an aggregate of 35

million common shares were held under these plans (October 31, 2023 –

36 million common shares).

Deferred share and other plans

We offer deferred share unit plans to executives, certain key employees and non-employee directors of the Bank. Under these plans, participants may choose to receive all or a percentage of their annual variable short-term incentive bonus, commission, or directors’ fee in the form of deferred share units (DSUs). The participants 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 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 also offer unit awards for certain key employees within Capital Markets. The bonus is invested as RBC share units and a specified percentage vests on a specified number of anniversary dates each year. Each vested amount is paid in cash and is based on the original number of 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.

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 generally 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 may be increased or decreased up to 25%, depending on our total shareholder return compared to a defined peer group of global financial institutions.

We maintain non-qualified deferred compensation plans for certain key employees in the U.S. These plans allow eligible employees to defer a portion of their annual income and a variety of productivity and recruitment bonuses and allocate the deferrals among specified fund choices, including a RBC Share Account fund that tracks the value of our common shares.

The following table presents the units granted under the deferred share and other plans for the year.

Units granted under deferred share and other plans


	For the year ended

	October 31, 2024				October 31, 2023

(Units and per unit amounts)	Units granted (thousands)		Weighted average fair value per unit		Units granted (thousands)		Weighted average fair value per unit
Deferred share unit plans		550	$	134.64		466	$	130.61
Capital Markets compensation plan unit awards		3,053		167.79		4,231		110.32
Performance deferred share award plans		2,848		123.83		2,362		131.41
Deferred compensation plans		86		132.99		103		126.81
Other share-based plans		1,108		129.38		1,506		130.12
		7,645	$	143.07		8,668	$	120.79

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 and specified fund choices as applicable. Annually, our obligation is increased by additional units earned by plan participants, and is reduced by forfeitures, cancellations, and the settlement of vested units. In addition, our obligation is impacted by fluctuations in the market price of our common shares

and

specified fund units. For performance deferred share award plans, the estimated outcome of meeting the performance conditions also impacts our obligation.

230 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

The following tables present the units that have been earned by the participants, our obligations for these earned units under the deferred share and other plans, and the related compensation expenses (recoveries) recognized for the year.

Obligations under deferred share and other plans


	As at
	October 31, 2024				October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars except units)	Units (thousands)		Carrying amount		Units (thousands)		Carrying amount
Deferred share unit plans		6,243	$	1,051		5,786	$	641
Capital Markets compensation plan unit awards		9,593		1,603		9,934		1,098
Performance deferred share award plans		6,068		1,022		5,808		643
Deferred compensation plans (1)		2,109		355		2,654		294
Other share-based plans		2,394		363		2,135		234
		26,407	$	4,394		26,317	$	2,910

(1)

Excludes obligations not determined based on the quoted market price of our common shares.

Compensation expenses recognized under deferred share and other plans


	For the year ended

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	October 31 2024		October 31 2023
Deferred share unit plans	$	395	$	(51	)
Capital Markets compensation plan unit awards		643		126
Performance deferred share award plans		685		216
Deferred compensation plans		797		213
Other share-based plans		276		104
	$	2,796	$	608

Note 21 Income taxes

Components of tax expense



	For the year ended
	October 31 2024			October 31 2023
(Millions of Canadian dollars)				(Restated – Note 2)
Income taxes (recoveries) in Consolidated Statements of Income
Current tax
Tax expense for current year	$	4,829		$	4,074
Adjustments for prior years		298			851
Recoveries arising from previously unrecognized tax loss, tax credit or temporary difference of a prior period		(4	)		(100	)
		5,123			4,825
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of temporary difference		(1,118	)		(1,308	)
Effects of changes in tax rates		–			(47	)
Adjustments for prior years		(383	)		125
Recoveries arising from previously unrecognized tax loss, tax credit or temporary difference of a prior period, net		–			(24	)
		(1,501	)		(1,254	)
		3,622			3,571
Income taxes (recoveries) in Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Changes in Equity
Other comprehensive income
Net unrealized gains (losses) on debt securities and loans at fair value through other comprehensive income		302			(10	)
Provision for credit losses recognized in income		(3	)		–
Reclassification of net losses (gains) on debt securities and loans at fair value through other comprehensive income to income		(39	)		(39	)
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)		(11	)		20
Net foreign currency translation gains (losses) from hedging activities		(195	)		(306	)
Reclassification of losses (gains) on net investment hedging activities to income		–			45
Net gains (losses) on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges		105			190
Reclassification of losses (gains) on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges to income		(309	)		59
Remeasurement gains (losses) on employee benefit plans		202			(68	)
Net gains (losses) from fair value change due to credit risk on financial liabilities designated at fair value through profit or loss		(399	)		(222	)
Net gains (losses) on equity securities designated at fair value through other comprehensive income		43			24
Share-based compensation awards		(12	)		2
Distributions on other equity instruments and issuance costs		(69	)		(59	)
		(385	)		(364	)
Total income taxes	$	3,237		$	3,207

Consolid

ate

d Financial St

ateme

nts Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 231

Table of Contents

Note 21 Income taxes

(continued)

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 tax rate.

Reconciliation to statutory tax rate


	For the year ended

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except for percentage amounts)	October 31, 2024					October 31, 2023 (Restated – Note 2)
Income taxes at Canadian statutory tax rate	$	5,502		27.7	%	$	5,037		27.7	%
Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:
Lower average tax rate applicable to subsidiaries		(1,971	)	(9.9	)		(2,081	)	(11.4	)
Tax-exempt income from securities		(52	)	(0.3	)		(337	)	(1.9	)
Tax rate change		–		–			1,050		5.8
Other		143		0.7			(98	)	(0.6	)
Income taxes in Consolidated Statements of Income / effective tax rate	$	3,622		18.2	%	$	3,571		19.6	%

The effective income tax rate of 18.2% decreased 140

bps,

primarily due to the impact of the Canada Recovery Dividend (CRD) in the prior year. The CRD is a one-time 15% tax for 2022 determined based on the average taxable income above $1 billion for taxation years 2020 and 2021 and payable in equal installments over five years. The CRD impact was partially offset by the impact of lower average tax rate applicable to subsidiaries and lower

tax-exempt

income from securities.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities result from tax loss and tax credit carryforwards and temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities


	As at and for the year ended October 31, 2024

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Net asset beginning of period (1)			Change through equity			Change through profit or loss			Exchange rate differences			Acquisitions/ disposals			Net asset end of period
Net deferred tax asset/(liability)
Allowance for credit losses	$	1,174		$	4		$	217		$	(1	)	$	–		$	1,394
Deferred compensation		1,522			12			614			19			–			2,167
Business realignment charges		23			–			16			–			4			43
Tax loss and tax credit carryforwards		261			–			71			(1	)		–			331
Deferred (income) expense		651			4			641			2			20			1,318
Financial instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income		(321	)		164			(1	)		–			–			(158	)
Premises and equipment and intangibles		(967	)		–			136			(22	)		(623	)		(1,476	)
Pension and post-employment related		(333	)		(206	)		20			(1	)		57			(463	)
Other		680			–			(213	)		–			163			630
	$	2,690		$	(22	)	$	1,501		$	(4	)	$	(379	)	$	3,786
Comprising
Deferred tax assets	$	3,116														$	4,328
Deferred tax liabilities		(426	)														(542	)
	$	2,690														$	3,786

	As at and for the year ended October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Net asset beginning of period (1)			Change through equity			Change through profit or loss (1)			Exchange rate differences			Acquisitions/ disposals			Net asset end of period
Net deferred tax asset/(liability)
Allowance for credit losses	$	987		$	–		$	185		$	2		$	–		$	1,174
Deferred compensation		1,504			(2	)		(2	)		22			–			1,522
Business realignment charges		12			–			11			–			–			23
Tax loss and tax credit carryforwards		322			–			(57	)		1			(5	)		261
Deferred (income) expense		6			(3	)		661			(11	)		(2	)		651
Financial instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income		(16	)		(330	)		–			25			–			(321	)
Premises and equipment and intangibles		(1,234	)		–			302			(27	)		(8	)		(967	)
Pension and post-employment related		(435	)		68			37			1			(4	)		(333	)
Other		535			4			117			24			–			680
	$	1,681		$	(263	)	$	1,254		$	37		$	(19	)	$	2,690
Comprising
Deferred tax assets	$	2,120														$	3,116
Deferred tax liabilities		(439	)														(426	)
	$	1,681														$	2,690

(1)

Certain amounts are restated to reflect the IFRS 17 transition adjustments as at November 1, 2022. Refer to Note 2 for further

details

232 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

The tax loss and tax credit carryforwards amount of deferred tax assets primarily relates to losses and tax credits in our Canadian, U.S., and Caribbean operations. Deferred tax assets of $331 million were recognized at October 31, 2024 (October 31, 2023 – $261 million) in respect of tax losses and tax credits 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, 2024, unused tax losses and tax credits of $412 million and $18 million (October 31, 2023 – $417 million and $18 million) available to be offset against potential tax adjustments or future taxable income were not recognized as deferred tax assets. There are no unused tax losses that will expire within one year (October 31, 2023 – $nil), or in two to four years (October 31, 2023 – $nil) and there are $412 million of unused tax losses that will expire after four years (October 31, 2023 – $417 million). There are no tax credits that will expire in one year (October 31, 2023 – $nil), or in two to four years (October 31, 2023 – $nil) and there are $18 million that will expire after four years (October 31, 2023 – $18 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 $30 billion as at October 31, 2024 (October 31, 2023 – $22 billion).

Pillar Two legislation

The Budget Implementation Act, 2024, No. 1 (the BIA), introduced as Bill C-69 and tabled by the Government of Canada, received Royal Assent and was enacted on June 20, 2024. The BIA included the Global Minimum Tax Act (the GMTA) which implemented into Canadian law certain measures relating to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s two-pillar plan to combat tax base erosion and profit shifting, including a 15% global minimum corporate tax on certain multinational enterprises (Pillar Two). A number of other countries in which RBC operates have also enacted Pillar Two legislation. The GMTA and corresponding foreign Pillar Two legislation will be effective for our fiscal year beginning November 1, 2024.

Pillar Two income taxes may arise in or in relation to jurisdictions where the operations of RBC have an effective tax rate below 15%. This is anticipated to occur mainly in certain Caribbean and European jurisdictions. Had Pillar Two legislation in all relevant jurisdictions applied to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2024, RBC’s effective tax rate would have increased by an estimated 1% to 2%. We continue to actively monitor the legislative developments in this area for each jurisdiction in which RBC operates.

Tax examinations and assessments

During the year, we received a reassessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in respect of the 2019 taxation year, which suggested that Royal Bank of Canada owes additional taxes of approximately $277 million as the CRA denied the deductibility of certain dividends. The reassessment received is consistent with the reassessments received for taxation years 2012 to 2018 of approximately $1,856 million of additional income taxes and the reassessments received for taxation years 2009 to 2011 of approximately $434 million of additional income taxes and interest in respect of the same matter. These amounts represent the maximum additional taxes owing for those years.

Legislative amendments introduced in the 2015 Canadian Federal Budget resulted in disallowed deduction of dividends from transactions with Taxable Canadian Corporations including those hedged with Tax Indifferent Investors, namely pension funds and non-resident entities with prospective application effective May 1, 2017. The dividends to which the reassessments relate include both dividends in transactions similar to those which are the target of the 2015 legislative amendments and dividends which are unrelated to the legislative amendments.

It is possible that the CRA will reassess us for significant additional income tax for subsequent years on the same basis. In all cases, we are confident that our tax filing position was appropriate and intend to defend ourselves vigorously.

Note 22 Earnings per share


	For the year ended

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)	October 31 2024			October 31 2023 (Restated – Note 2)
Basic earnings per share
Net income	$	16,240		$	14,612
Dividends on preferred shares and distributions on other equity instruments		(322	)		(236	)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests		(10	)		(7	)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	15,908		$	14,369
Weighted average number of common shares (in thousands)		1,411,903			1,391,020
Basic earnings per share (in dollars)	$	11.27		$	10.33
Diluted earnings per share
Net income available to common shareholders	$	15,908		$	14,369
Weighted average number of common shares (in thousands)		1,411,903			1,391,020
Stock options (1)		1,833			1,483
Issuable under other share-based compensation plans		19			26
Average number of diluted common shares (in thousands)		1,413,755			1,392,529
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars)	$	11.25		$	10.32

(1)

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, 2024, no outstanding options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share. For the year ended October 31,

2023

, an average of 2,119,045 outstanding options with an average exercise price of $130.73 were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 233

Table of Contents

Note 23 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 commitment to extend credit 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.


	Maximum exposure to credit losses
	As at

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	October 31 2024		October 31 2023
Financial guarantees
Financial standby letters of credit	$	27,222	$	23,314
Commitments to extend credit
Backstop liquidity facilities		53,090		51,544
Credit enhancements		3,482		3,226
Documentary and commercial letters of credit		559		291
Other commitments to extend credit		321,836		301,132
Other credit-related commitments
Securities lending indemnifications		81,347		95,055
Performance guarantees		12,283		7,503
Sponsored member guarantees		50,241		14,043
Other		446		203

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 payment 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. These guarantees generally have a term of

five

to seven 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.

Commitments to extend credit

Backstop liquidity facilities

Backstop liquidity facilities are provided to ABCP 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 acquired or financed by these programs are not met. We also provide backstop liquidity facilities to certain third-party commercial mortgage securitization vehicles. The average remaining term of these liquidity facilities is approximately four years.

The terms of the backstop liquidity facilities do not require us to advance money to these programs in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency and generally do not require us to purchase non-performing or defaulted assets.

Credit enhancements

We provide partial credit enhancement to multi-seller ABCP programs administered by us to protect commercial paper investors in the event that the collections on the underlying assets together with the transaction-specific credit enhancements or the liquidity facilities prove 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 required to be provided by the third-party sellers related to each transaction. The average remaining

term of the credit facilities provided by RBC 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, where some are collateralized based on the underlying agreement with the client and others are collateralized by cash deposits or other assets of the client.

Other commitments to extend credit

Commitments to extend credit represent unused portions of authorizations to extend credit in the form of loans, reverse repurchase agreements,

bankers

’ acceptances or letters of credit where we do not have the ability to unilaterally withdraw the credit extended to the

borrower

234 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

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, securities that are issued or guaranteed by the Canadian government, U.S. government or other OECD countries or high quality debt or equity instruments.

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

three

to seven years.

Sponsored member guarantees

For certain overnight repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions, we act as a sponsoring member to eligible clients to clear transactions through the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (FICC). We also provide a guarantee to FICC for the prompt and full payment and performance of our sponsored member clients’ respective obligations under the FICC rules. The guarantees are fully collateralized by cash and securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government.

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, clearing system arrangements, participation as a member of exchanges, 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 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 at any time. These include both retail and commercial commitments. As at October 31, 2024, the total balance of uncommitted amounts was $470 billion (October 31, 2023 – $398 billion).

Other commitments

We invest in private companies, directly or through third-party investment funds, including venture capital funds, private equity funds, Small Business Investment Companies, real estate funds and Low Income Housing Tax Credit funds. These funds are generally structured as closed-end limited partnerships wherein we hold a limited partner interest. For the year ended October 31, 2024, we have unfunded commitments of $1,922

million

(October 31, 2023 – $1,832 million) representing the aggregate amount of cash we are obligated to contribute as capital to these partnerships under the terms of the relevant contracts.

Pledged assets and collateral

In the ordinary course of business, we pledge assets and enter into 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.

We are also required to provide intraday pledges to the Bank of Canada when we use 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 our Canadian dollar large-value or time-critical payments 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 following table. For the year ended October 31, 2024, we had on average $1 billion of assets pledged intraday to the Bank of Canada on a daily basis (October 31, 2023

–$

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, 2024 and October 31, 2023.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 235

Table of Contents

Note 23 Guarantees, commitments, pledged assets and contingencies

(continued)

Assets pledged against liabilities and collateral assets held or re-pledged



	As at

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	October 31 2024			October 31 2023
Sources of pledged assets and collateral
Bank assets
Loans	$	105,577		$	102,944
Securities		105,061			107,122
Other assets		31,583			28,953
		242,221			239,019
Client assets (1)
Collateral received and available for sale or re-pledging		539,630			502,109
Less: not sold or re-pledged		(30,767	)		(6,876	)
		508,863			495,233
	$	751,084		$	734,252
Uses of pledged assets and collateral
Securities borrowing and lending	$	198,887		$	168,681
Obligations related to securities sold short		46,088			46,260
Obligations related to securities loaned or sold under repurchase agreements		305,788			331,784
Securitization		39,769			38,686
Covered bonds		71,307			69,802
Derivative transactions		50,100			40,352
Foreign governments and central banks		8,469			9,111
Clearing systems, payment systems and depositories		11,261			10,709
Other		19,415			18,867
	$	751,084		$	734,252

(1)

Primarily relates to Obligations related to securities

loaned

or sold under repurchase agreements, Securities

loaned

and Derivative transactions.

Note 24 Legal and regulatory matters

We are a large global institution that is subject to many different complex legal and regulatory requirements that continue to evolve. We 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. We review the status of all proceedings on an ongoing basis and will exercise judgment in resolving them in such manner as we believe to be in our best interest. In many proceedings, it is inherently difficult to determine whether any loss is probable or to reliably estimate the amount of any loss. This is an area of significant judgment and uncertainty and the extent of our financial and other exposure to these proceedings after taking into account current provisions could be material to our results of operations in any particular period though we do not believe that the ultimate resolution of any such matter will have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition. The following is a description of our significant legal proceedings. Based on the facts currently known, except as may otherwise be noted, it is not possible at this time for us to predict the ultimate outcome of these proceedings or the timing of their resolution.

London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) litigation

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 U.S. dollar 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 complaints in those private lawsuits 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. On December 30, 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued an opinion affirming in part and reversing in part certain district court rulings that had dismissed a substantial portion of the consolidated class action on jurisdictional grounds and lack of standing. The Second Circuit remanded the matter to the district court for further proceedings consistent with its decision.

On July 21, 2023, Royal Bank of Canada and several other defendants executed a settlement agreement resolving the LIBOR class action brought on behalf of certain plaintiffs that purchased U.S. dollar LIBOR-based instruments. The settlement was granted final court approval on December 12, 2023.

In mid-2024, Royal Bank of Canada and several other defendants executed settlement agreements resolving the two remaining LIBOR putative class actions in which Royal Bank of Canada was a defendant. These class actions were brought on behalf of certain plaintiffs who transacted in Eurodollar futures contracts and/or related options on exchanges (the Exchange Action), and certain plaintiffs who originated or purchased LIBOR-linked loans (the Lender Action). The settlements in both the Exchange Action and Lender Action were granted final court approval on September 5, 2024 and October 17, 2024, respectively.

Royal Bank of Canada remains a defendant in certain LIBOR-related individual actions.

236 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

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On October 28, 2016, Royal Bank of Canada was granted an exemption by the U.S. Department of Labor that allows Royal Bank of Canada and its current and future affiliates to continue to qualify for the Qualified Professional Asset Manager (QPAM) exemption under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act despite any potential conviction of RBC Bahamas in the French proceeding for a temporary one-year period from the date of conviction. On December 11, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor published a technical correction to the prior one-year exemption reflecting the fact that the pending French Court of Appeal’s decision would be rendered by an appellate court, and not the district court. As a result of the Conviction, the temporary

one-year

period commenced on March 5, 2024. Royal Bank of Canada is seeking longer term relief from the Department of Labor. In addition, the Department of Labor has proposed amendments to the QPAM exemption. If the amendments are finalized as proposed, it is unclear how they would affect Royal Bank of Canada’s ability to obtain relief beyond the one-year temporary exemption period.

RBC Bahamas continues to review the trustee’s and the trust’s legal obligations, including liabilities and potential liabilities under applicable tax and other laws.

U.S. communications recordkeeping inquiry

In October 2022, our subsidiary RBC Capital Markets, LLC received a request for information and documents from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) concerning compliance with records preservation requirements relating to business communications exchanged on electronic channels that have not been approved by RBC Capital Markets, LLC. RBC Capital Markets, LLC is cooperating with the SEC’s inquiry. As has been publicly reported, the SEC is conducting similar inquiries into recordkeeping practices at multiple other financial institutions. On August 14, 2024, the SEC entered into a settlement with RBC Capital Markets, LLC, pursuant to which RBC Capital Markets, LLC paid

a US$

million civil penalty.

U.K. Competition and Markets Authority investigation

In November 2018, the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) started an investigation of Royal Bank of Canada and RBC Europe Limited relating to alleged anti-competitive conduct between 2009 and 2013, involving U.K. government bonds and related derivatives. In May 2023, the CMA issued a statement of objections to Royal Bank of Canada and RBC Europe Limited, and certain other financial institutions. Royal Bank of Canada and RBC Europe Limited are contesting the CMA’s case.

In June 2023, RBC Europe Limited and RBC Capital Markets, LLC, among other financial institutions, were named as defendants in a putative class action filed in the U.S. by plaintiffs alleging anti-competitive conduct in the U.K. government bonds market. In September 2023, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint which motion was granted, without prejudice, in September 2024. Subsequently, on October 31, 2024, RBC Europe Limited, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and certain of the other defendants executed an agreement to dismiss the action, with prejudice, against those defendants. The settlement agreement remains subject to court approval.

Vacation pay class action

On December 29, 2022, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice certified a class in an action against RBC Dominion Securities Limited and RBC Dominion Securities Inc. (together, RBC DS). The action commenced in July 2020, asserting claims relating to statutory vacation pay and public holiday pay for investment advisors, associates and assistants in our Canadian Wealth Management business, with the exception of those employed in Alberta and British Columbia.

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 2024 237

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Note 25 Related party transactions

Related parties

Related parties include associated companies over which we have direct or indirect control or have significant influence and post-employment benefit plans for the benefit of our employees. Related parties also include key management personnel (KMP), the Board of Directors (Directors), close family members of KMP and Directors, and entities which are, directly or indirectly, controlled by or jointly controlled by KMP, Directors or their close family members.

Key management personnel and Directors

KMP 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 (GE). The GE is comprised of the President and Chief Executive Officer, and the Chief Officers and Group Heads, who report directly to him. 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



	For the year ended

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	October 31 2024 (1)		October 31 2023
Salaries and other short-term employee benefits (2)	$	31	$	23
Post-employment benefits (3)		3		2
Share-based payments		67		39
	$	101	$	64

(1)

During the year ended October 31, 2024

certain executives, who were members of the Bank’s GE as at October 31, 2023, left the Bank and therefore were no longer part of KMP. Compensation for the year ended October 31, 2024

attributable to the former executives, including benefits and share-based payments relating to awards granted in prior years was $

13 million.

(2)

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 20 for further details. Directors receive retainers but do not receive salaries and other short-term employee benefits.

(3)

Directors do not receive post-employment benefits.

Stock options, share-based awards and shares held by Key management personnel, Directors and their close family members


	As at
	October 31, 2024 (1)				October 31, 2023 (2)

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except number of units)	No. of units held		Value		No. of units held		Value
Stock options (3)		2,891,158	$	161		2,805,471	$	26
Other non-option share-based awards (3)		1,108,143		185		991,909		110
RBC common and preferred shares		208,721		35		181,648		20
		4,208,022	$	381		3,979,028	$	156

(1)

During the year ended October 31, 2024, certain executives, who were members of the Bank’s GE as at October 31, 2023, left the Bank and therefore were no longer part of KMP. Total shareholdings held upon their

departure

was

79,445 units with a value of $12 million.

(2)

During the year ended October 31, 2023, certain directors, who were members of the Board of Directors as at October 31, 2022, retired. Total shareholdings and options held upon their departure was

32,958 units with a value of $4 million.

(3)

Directors do not receive stock options or any other non-option share-based awards.

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 KMP, 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, 2024, total loans to KMP, Directors and their close family members were $16 million (October 31, 2023 – $18 million). We have no Stage 3 allowance or provision for credit losses relating to these loans as at and for the years ended October 31, 2024 and October 31, 2023. No guarantees, pledges or commitments have been given to KMP, 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 parties.

As at October 31, 2024, loans to joint ventures and associates were $184 million (October 31, 2023 – $217 million) and deposits from joint ventures and associates were $

million (October 31, 2023 – $

million). We have

stage 3 allowance or provision for credit losses relating to loans to joint ventures and associates as at and for the years ended October 31, 2024 and October 31, 2023. $

million of guarantees have been given to joint ventures and associates for the year ended October 31, 2024 (October 31, 2023 – $

million).

238 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

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Other transactions, arrangements or agreements involving joint ventures and associates



	As at or for the year ended

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	October 31 2024		October 31 2023
Commitments and other contingencies	$	1,226	$	1,089
Other fees received for services rendered		73		55
Other fees paid for services received		119		108

Note 26 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 Banking, Commercial Banking, Wealth Management, Insurance and Capital Markets. Effective the fourth quarter of 2024, the Personal & Commercial Banking segment became two standalone business segments: Personal Banking and Commercial Banking. With this change, RBC Direct Investing moved from the previous Personal Banking segment to the Wealth Management segment. From a reporting perspective, there were no changes to our Capital Markets and Insurance segments. Comparative results have been revised to conform to our new basis of segment presentation.

Personal Banking provides a broad suite of financial products and services to retail clients for their day-to-day banking, investing and financing needs through three geographies: Canada, the Caribbean and the U.S. In Canada, we provide a broad suite of financial products and services through our large branch network, ATMs, and mobile sales network. In the Caribbean and the U.S., we offer a broad range of financial products and services in targeted markets. Non-interest income in Personal Banking mainly comprises Mutual fund revenue, Service charges and Card service revenue.

Commercial Banking offers a wide range of lending, deposit and transaction banking products and services to Canadian companies and foreign businesses in Canada at every stage of their business lifecycle through digital solutions, customized banking advice and services by experienced advisors, relationship managers and our broad team of specialists. Non-interest income in Commercial Banking mainly comprises Service charges, Credit fees, and Foreign exchange revenue, other than trading.

Wealth Management primarily serves high net worth and ultra-high net worth individual and institutional clients with a comprehensive suite of advice-based solutions and investment strategies, as well as personalized banking relationships and

self-directed

investment service through our lines of businesses in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Europe and Asia, including Canadian Wealth Management, U.S. Wealth Management (including City National), Global Asset Management, International Wealth Management, and Investor Services. Non-interest income in Wealth Management mainly comprises Investment management and custodial fees, Mutual fund revenue and Securities brokerage commissions.

Insurance has operations in Canada and globally providing a wide range of advice and solutions for individual and business clients including life, health, wealth, property & casualty, travel, group benefits, annuities, and reinsurance. We offer our products and services through a wide variety of channels, comprised of mobile advisors, advice centres, RBC Insurance

stores and digital platforms, as well as through independent brokers and partners. We also operate in reinsurance and retrocession markets globally offering life, critical illness, disability and longevity reinsurance products. Non-interest income in Insurance primarily comprises Insurance service result and Insurance investment result.

Capital Markets provides expertise in advisory & origination, sales & trading, lending & financing and transaction banking to corporations, institutional clients, asset managers, private equity firms and governments globally in our two main business lines: Corporate & Investment Banking and Global Markets. In North America, we offer a full suite of products and services which include equity and debt origination and distribution, advisory services, and sales & trading. Outside North America, we have a targeted strategic presence in the U.K. & Europe, Australia, Asia & other markets aligned to our global expertise. In the U.K. & Europe, we offer a diversified set of capabilities in key industry sectors of focus. In Australia and Asia, we compete with global and regional investment banks in targeted areas aligned to our global expertise, including fixed income distribution and currencies trading, secured financing, as well as corporate and investment banking. Non-interest income in Capital Markets mainly includes Underwriting and other advisory fees, Trading revenue and Credit fees.

All other enterprise level activities that are not allocated to these five business segments, such as certain treasury and liquidity management activities, including amounts 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 income from certain tax-advantaged sources from Canadian taxable corporate dividends received on or before December 31, 2023 and U.S. tax credit investments recorded in Capital Markets to their effective tax equivalent value with the corresponding offset recorded in the provision for income taxes. Management believes that these teb adjustments are necessary for Capital Markets to reflect how it is managed and 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, 2024 was $294 million (October 31, 2023 – $559

million). Gains (losses) on economic hedges of our U.S. Wealth Management (including City National) share-based compensation plans, which are reflected in revenue, and related variability in share-based compensation expense driven by changes in the fair value of liabilities relating to these plans are also included in Corporate Support as this presentation more closely aligns with how we view business performance and manage the underlying risks.

Geographic segments

For geographic reporting, our segments are grouped into Canada, the 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. 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.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 239

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Note 26 Results by business segment

(continued)

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 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. We regularly monitor these segment 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 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 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.

Our assumptions and methodologies used in our management reporting framework are periodically reviewed by us to ensure that they remain valid. The capital attribution methodologies involve a number of assumptions that are revised periodically.


	For the year ended October 31, 2024

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Personal Banking (1)		Commercial Banking (1)		Wealth Management (1)		Insurance		Capital Markets (1), (2)			Corporate Support (2)			Total		Canada		United States			Other International
Net interest income (3)	$	12,438	$	6,061	$	4,979	$	–	$	3,183		$	1,292		$	27,953	$	22,281	$	4,268		$	1,404
Non-interest income		4,904		1,321		14,647		1,224		8,829			(1,534	)		29,391		13,566		10,766			5,059
Total revenue		17,342		7,382		19,626		1,224		12,012			(242	)		57,344		35,847		15,034			6,463
Provision for credit losses		1,802		975		29		2		424			–			3,232		2,876		276			80
Non-interest expense		7,485		2,512		15,312		285		7,016			1,640			34,250		17,321		12,553			4,376
Net income (loss) before income taxes		8,055		3,895		4,285		937		4,572			(1,882	)		19,862		15,650		2,205			2,007
Income taxes (recoveries)		2,134		1,077		863		208		(1	)		(659	)		3,622		4,384		(675	)		(87	)
Net income	$	5,921	$	2,818	$	3,422	$	729	$	4,573		$	(1,223	)	$	16,240	$	11,266	$	2,880		$	2,094
Non-interest expense includes:
Depreciation and amortization	$	1,105	$	62	$	1,223	$	6	$	528		$	(11	)	$	2,913	$	1,747	$	846		$	320
Impairment of other intangibles		21		–		23		2		22			–			68		44		22			2

Total assets	$	555,029	$	187,142	$	184,503	$	29,288	$	1,127,661		$	87,959		$	2,171,582	$	1,205,561	$	615,747		$	350,274
Total assets include:
Additions to premises and equipment and intangibles	$	2,274	$	740	$	887	$	11	$	494		$	680		$	5,086	$	4,005	$	769		$	312

Total liabilities	$	554,970	$	187,135	$	183,055	$	29,158	$	1,127,564		$	(37,492	)	$	2,044,390

	For the year ended October 31, 2023 (Restated – Note 2)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Personal Banking (4)		Commercial Banking (4)		Wealth Management (4)		Insurance		Capital Markets (2)			Corporate Support (2)			Total		Canada		United States			Other International
Net interest income (3)	$	10,945	$	4,771	$	4,853	$	–	$	3,379		$	1,181		$	25,129	$	18,752	$	5,065		$	1,312
Non-interest income		4,526		1,261		13,308		1,010		7,672			(1,442	)		26,335		12,241		8,563			5,531
Total revenue		15,471		6,032		18,161		1,010		11,051			(261	)		51,464		30,993		13,628			6,843
Provision for credit losses		1,264		315		328		–		561			–			2,468		1,648		784			36
Non-interest expense		6,813		2,143		14,387		293		6,509			668			30,813		14,972		11,177			4,664
Net income (loss) before income taxes		7,394		3,574		3,446		717		3,981			(929	)		18,183		14,373		1,667			2,143
Income taxes (recoveries)		1,976		992		753		168		(158	)		(160	)		3,571		4,707		(1,103	)		(33	)
Net income	$	5,418	$	2,582	$	2,693	$	549	$	4,139		$	(769	)	$	14,612	$	9,666	$	2,770		$	2,176
Non-interest expense includes:
Depreciation and amortization	$	951	$	4	$	1,240	$	42	$	509		$	–		$	2,746	$	1,554	$	836		$	356
Impairment of other intangibles		13		–		81		1		2			11			108		28		65			15

Total assets	$	498,533	$	135,959	$	180,781	$	24,130	$	1,100,172		$	66,956		$	2,006,531	$	1,043,737	$	639,296		$	323,498
Total assets include:
Additions to premises and equipment and intangibles	$	463	$	–	$	1,008	$	53	$	311		$	639		$	2,474	$	1,334	$	700		$	440

Total liabilities	$	498,442	$	135,956	$	178,943	$	24,895	$	1,099,893		$	(46,745	)	$	1,891,384

(1)

(2)

Taxable equivalent basis.

(3)

Interest revenue is reported net of interest expense as we rely primarily on net interest income as a performance measure.

(4)

Amounts have been revised from those previously presented to conform to our new basis of segment presentation.

240 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

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Note 27 Nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments

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 (*) in the Credit risk section of 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 counterparties 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.

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 tables.


	As at October 31, 2024

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)	Canada		%		United States		%		Europe		%		Other International		%		Total
On-balance sheet assets other than derivatives (1)	$	897,614		67%	$	297,335		22%	$	88,394		7%	$	54,912		4%	$	1,338,255
Derivatives before master netting agreements (2), (3)		21,555		14%		47,204		31%		71,198		46%		13,276		9%		153,233
	$	919,169		61%	$	344,539		23%	$	159,592		11%	$	68,188		5%	$	1,491,488
Off-balance sheet credit instruments (4)
Committed and uncommitted (5)	$	487,142		57 %	$	282,907		34%	$	51,516		6%	$	27,615		3%	$	849,180
Other		82,910		48 %		67,322		39%		18,162		11%		3,145		2%		171,539
	$	570,052		56 %	$	350,229		34%	$	69,678		7%	$	30,760		3%	$	1,020,719

	As at October 31, 2023

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)	Canada		%		United States		%		Europe		%		Other International		%		Total
On-balance sheet assets other than derivatives (1)	$	798,259		66%	$	294,670		24%	$	76,637		6%	$	50,147		4%	$	1,219,713
Derivatives before master netting agreements (2), (3)		27,221		19%		36,698		25%		67,406		46%		14,470		10%		145,795
	$	825,480		60%	$	331,368		24%	$	144,043		11%	$	64,617		5%	$	1,365,508
Off-balance sheet credit instruments (4)
Committed and uncommitted (5)	$	427,849		56%	$	252,071		33%	$	51,393		8%	$	23,183		3%	$	754,496
Other		85,222		61%		30,737		22%		21,428		15%		2,731		2%		140,118
	$	513,071		57%	$	282,808		32%	$	72,821		8%	$	25,914		3%	$	894,614

(1)

Includes Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed, Loans and Customers’ liability under acceptances. The largest concentrations in Canada are Ontario at 57% (October 31, 2023 – 57%),

Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba

13% (October 31, 2023 – 15%), British Columbia and the territories at 16% (October 31, 2023 – 14%) and Quebec at 10% (October 31, 2023 – 10%). No industry accounts for more than 20% (October 31, 2023 – 20%) of total on-balance sheet credit instruments, with the exception of Banking, which accounted for 24% (October 31, 2023 – 25%), and Government, which accounted for 28% (October 31, 2023 – 28%). The classification of our sectors aligns with our view of credit risk by industry.

(2)

A further breakdown of our derivative exposures by risk rating and counterparty type is provided in Note 9.

(3)

Excludes valuation adjustments determined on a pooled basis.

(4)

Balances presented are contractual amounts representing our maximum exposure to credit risk.

(5)

Represents our maximum exposure to credit risk. Retail and wholesale commitments respectively comprise 40% and 60% of our total commitments (October 31, 2023 – 44% and 56%). The largest concentrations in the wholesale portfolio relate to Financial services at 14% (October 31, 2023 – 15%), Real estate and related at 12% (October 31, 2023 – 12%),

Investments at 10% (October 31, 2023 – 6%),

Utilities at 10% (October 31, 2023 – 11%),

and

Other services at 7% (October 31, 2023 – 8%). The classification of our sectors aligns with our view of credit risk by industry.

Note 28 Capital management

Regulatory capital and capital ratios

OSFI formally establishes risk-based capital and leverage minimums and Total Loss Absorbing Capacity (TLAC) ratios 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, the shortfall of provisions to expected losses, prudential valuation adjustments, prepaid portfolio insurance assets, non payment and non delivery of trades and equity investment in funds subject to the fall-back approach. Tier 1 capital comprises predominantly CET1 and Additional Tier 1 items including non-cumulative preferred shares and LRCNs that meet certain criteria. 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 the sum of Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital. TLAC available is defined as the sum of Total capital and external TLAC instruments. External TLAC instruments comprise predominantly senior bail-in debt, which includes eligible senior unsecured debt with an original term to maturity of greater than 400 days and remaining term to maturity of greater than 365 days.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 241

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Note 28 Capital management

(continued)

Regulatory capital ratios are calculated by dividing CET1, Tier 1, Total capital and TLAC available by risk-weighted assets. 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. The TLAC leverage ratio is calculated by dividing TLAC available by the leverage ratio exposure.

During 2024 and 2023, we complied with all applicable capital, leverage and TLAC requirements, including the domestic stability buffer, imposed by OSFI.


	As at

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts and as otherwise noted)	October 31 2024		October 31 2023
Capital (1), (2)
CET1 capital	$	88,936	$	86,611
Tier 1 capital		97,952		93,904
Total capital		110,487		104,952
Risk-weighted assets (RWA) used in calculation of capital ratios (1), (2)
Credit risk	$	548,809	$	475,842
Market risk		33,930		40,498
Operational risk		89,543		79,883
Total RWA	$	672,282	$	596,223
Capital ratios and Leverage ratio (1), (2)
CET1 ratio		13.2%		14.5%
Tier 1 capital ratio		14.6%		15.7%
Total capital ratio		16.4%		17.6%
Leverage ratio		4.2%		4.3%
Leverage ratio exposure	$	2,344,228	$	2,179,590
TLAC available and ratios (1), (3)
TLAC available	$	196,659	$	184,916
TLAC ratio		29.3%		31.0%
TLAC leverage ratio		8.4%		8.5%

(1)

As prior period restatements are not required by OSFI, there was no impact from the adoption of IFRS 17 on regulatory capital, RWA, capital ratios, leverage ratio, TLAC available and TLAC ratios for periods prior to November 1, 2023.

(2)

Capital, RWA, and capital ratios are calculated using OSFI’s Capital Adequacy Requirements (CAR) guideline and the Leverage ratio is calculated using OSFI’s Leverage Requirements (LR) guideline. Both the CAR guideline and LR guideline are based on the Basel III framework. The results for the year ended October 31, 2023 reflect our adoption of the revised CAR and LR guidelines that came into effect in the second quarter of 2023, as further updated on October 20, 2023 as part of OSFI’s implementation of the Basel III reforms. The results for the year ended October 31, 2024 also reflect our adoption of the revised market risk and CVA frameworks that came into effect on November 1, 2023.

(3)

TLAC available and TLAC ratios are calculated using OSFI’s TLAC guideline. The TLAC standard is applied at the resolution entity level which for us is deemed to be Royal Bank of Canada and its subsidiaries. A resolution entity and its subsidiaries are collectively called a resolution group. The TLAC ratio and TLAC leverage ratio are calculated using the TLAC available as a percentage of total RWA and leverage exposure, respectively.

Note 29 Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities

Offsetting within our Consolidated Balance Sheets 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 settle the 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.

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 International Swaps and Derivatives Association Master Agreement or certain derivative exchange or clearing counterparty agreements for derivative contracts, global master repurchase agreements and global master securities lending agreements for repurchase, reverse repurchase and other similar secured lending and borrowing arrangements.

The amount of financial collateral received or pledged subject to master netting arrangements or similar agreements that do not qualify 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. C

tain amounts of collateral are restricted from b

ng sold or re-pledged unless there is an e

ent of

default

or the occurrence of other predetermined events.

242 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

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The following tables provide the financial instrument amounts 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 instruments subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements


	As at October 31, 2024
	Amounts subject to enforceable netting arrangements
							Related amounts not offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Gross amounts of recognized financial instruments		Gross amounts offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Net amounts presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Impact of master netting agreements		Financial collateral (2)		Net amounts		Amounts not subject to enforceable netting arrangements		Net amounts presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Financial assets
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed	$	495,881	$	145,078	$	350,803	$	112	$	349,044	$	1,647	$	–	$	350,803
Derivative assets		145,420		1,568		143,852		105,433		16,806		21,613		6,760		150,612
Other financial assets		2,940		527		2,413		58		288		2,067		–		2,413
	$	644,241	$	147,173	$	497,068	$	105,603	$	366,138	$	25,327	$	6,760	$	503,828
Financial liabilities
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned	$	450,399	$	145,078	$	305,321	$	112	$	302,779	$	2,430	$	–	$	305,321
Derivative liabilities		151,564		1,568		149,996		105,433		17,727		26,836		13,767		163,763
Other financial liabilities		1,941		527		1,414		58		–		1,356		–		1,414
	$	603,904	$	147,173	$	456,731	$	105,603	$	320,506	$	30,622	$	13,767	$	470,498

	As at October 31, 2023
	Amounts subject to enforceable netting arrangements
							Related amounts not offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (1)

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Gross amounts of recognized financial instruments		Gross amounts offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Net amounts presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Impact of master netting agreements		Financial collateral (2)		Net amounts		Amounts not subject to enforceable netting arrangements		Net amounts presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Financial assets
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed	$	436,617	$	96,676	$	339,941	$	201	$	336,112	$	3,628	$	250	$	340,191
Derivative assets		138,318		1,544		136,774		89,889		22,310		24,575		5,676		142,450
Other financial assets		3,306		443		2,863		19		421		2,423		–		2,863
	$	578,241	$	98,663	$	479,578	$	90,109	$	358,843	$	30,626	$	5,926	$	485,504
Financial liabilities
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned	$	427,330	$	96,676	$	330,654	$	201	$	325,674	$	4,779	$	4,584	$	335,238
Derivative liabilities		132,770		1,544		131,226		89,889		17,340		23,997		11,403		142,629
Other financial liabilities		1,475		443		1,032		19		–		1,013		–		1,032
	$	561,575	$	98,663	$	462,912	$	90,109	$	343,014	$	29,789	$	15,987	$	478,899

(1)

Financial collateral is reflected at fair value. The financial instrument amounts and financial collateral disclosed are limited to the net balance sheet exposure, and any over-collateralization is excluded from the table.

(2)

Includes cash collateral of $14 billion (October 31, 2023 – $

billion) and non-cash collateral of $352 billion (October 31, 2023 – $

342 billion) received for financial assets and cash collateral of $14 billion (October 31, 2023 – $15

billion) and non-cash collateral of $307 billion (October 31, 2023 – $

328 billion) pledged for financial liabilities.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 243

Table of Contents

Note 30 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 our long-term view of the liquidity profile of certain balance sheet categories.


	As at
	October 31, 2024							October 31, 2023 (Restated – Note 2)
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Within one year		After one year		Total			Within one year		After one year		Total
Assets
Cash and due from banks (1)	$	55,003	$	1,720	$	56,723		$	59,793	$	2,196	$	61,989
Interest-bearing deposits with banks		66,020		–		66,020			71,086		–		71,086
Securities
Trading (2)		170,460		12,840		183,300			180,929		9,222		190,151
Investment, net of applicable allowance		45,418		211,200		256,618			33,363		186,216		219,579
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed		350,622		181		350,803			336,437		3,754		340,191
Loans
Retail		174,761		452,217		626,978			120,247		449,704		569,951
Wholesale		89,492		270,947		360,439			76,249		211,577		287,826
Allowance for loan losses						(6,037	)						(5,004	)
Other
Customers’ liability under acceptances		24		11		35			21,690		5		21,695
Derivatives (2)		148,605		2,007		150,612			140,261		2,189		142,450
Premises and equipment		156		6,696		6,852			65		6,684		6,749
Goodwill		–		19,286		19,286			–		12,594		12,594
Other intangibles		–		7,798		7,798			–		5,903		5,903
Other assets		69,263		22,892		92,155			61,346		20,025		81,371
	$	1,169,824	$	1,007,795	$	2,171,582		$	1,101,466	$	910,069	$	2,006,531
Liabilities
Deposits (3)	$	1,144,860	$	264,671	$	1,409,531		$	991,484	$	240,203	$	1,231,687
Other
Acceptances		24		11		35			21,740		5		21,745
Obligations related to securities sold short		32,824		2,462		35,286			32,602		1,049		33,651
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned		304,855		466		305,321			334,959		279		335,238
Derivatives (2)		158,622		5,141		163,763			131,352		11,277		142,629
Insurance contract liabilities (4)		459		21,772		22,231			395		18,631		19,026
Other liabilities		70,475		24,202		94,677			69,187		26,835		96,022
Subordinated debentures		–		13,546		13,546			–		11,386		11,386
	$	1,712,119	$	332,271	$	2,044,390			$ 1,581,719	$	309,665	$	1,891,384

(1)

Cash and due from banks are assumed to be recovered within one year, except for cash balances not available for use by the Bank

beyond one year

(2)

Trading securities classified as FVTPL and trading derivatives are presented as within one year as this best represents in most instances the short-term nature of our trading activities

, except for debt securities relating to the Insurance segment which are presented based on contractual maturity.

Trading securities designated as FVTPL are generally presented based on contractual maturity. Non-trading derivatives are presented according to the recovery or settlement of the hedging transaction.

(3)

Demand deposits of $

585

billion (October 31, 2023 – $511 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.

(4)

The amounts reflect the estimated timing of when settlement of those amounts are expected to occur. The amounts payable on demand relating to policyholders’ cash and/or account values for insurance contract liabilities, including segregated fund insurance contract liabilities, is $8 billion (October 31, 2023 – $7 billion).

244 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

Note 31 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


	As at
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	October 31 2024		October 31 2023 (Restated – Note 2)
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	40,944	$	41,770
Interest-bearing deposits with banks		54,009		61,256
Securities		233,376		217,490
Investments in bank subsidiaries and associated companies (1)		57,926		55,082
Investments in other subsidiaries and associated companies		117,362		102,457
Assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed		174,131		150,207
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses		839,424		709,635
Net balances due from bank subsidiaries (1)		97		–
Other assets		216,003		214,145
	$	1,733,272	$	1,552,042
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Deposits	$	1,168,765	$	1,006,284
Net balances due to bank subsidiaries (1)		–		10,132
Net balances due to other subsidiaries		17,840		6,866
Other liabilities		406,032		402,326
		1,592,637		1,425,608
Subordinated debentures		13,546		11,386
Shareholders’ equity		127,089		115,048
	$	1,733,272	$	1,552,042

(1)

Bank refers primarily to regulated deposit-taking institutions and securities firms.

Condensed Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income


	For the year ended
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	October 31 2024		October 31 2023 (Restated – Note 2)
Interest and dividend income (1)	$	70,603	$	56,495
Interest expense		57,094		44,174
Net interest income		13,509		12,321
Non-interest income (2)		5,080		5,390
Total revenue		18,589		17,711
Provision for credit losses		2,964		2,002
Non-interest expense		13,543		11,780
Income before income taxes		2,082		3,929
Income taxes		1,031		1,874
Net income before equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries		1,051		2,055
Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries		15,179		12,550
Net income	$	16,230	$	14,605
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes		597		251
Total comprehensive income	$	16,827	$	14,856

(1)

Includes dividend income from investments in subsidiaries and associated companies of $9 million (October 31, 2023 – $25 million).

(2)

Includes a nominal share of income (loss) from associated companies (October 31, 2023 – nominal).

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 245

Table of Contents

Note 31 Parent company information

(continued)

Condensed

Statements

of Cash Flows


	For the year ended
(Millions of Canadian dollars)	October 31 2024			October 31 2023 (Restated – Note 2)
Cash flows from operating activities

Net income	$	16,230		$	14,605
Adjustments to determine net cash from operating activities:
Change in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries		(15,179	)		(12,550	)
Change in deposits, net of securitizations		77,327			50,306
Change in loans, net of securitizations		(56,572	)		(30,055	)
Change in trading securities		3,162			(12,832	)
Change in obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned		(2,860	)		21,954
Change in assets purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed		(24,203	)		(17,378	)
Change in obligations related to securities sold short		(1,721	)		(819	)
Other operating activities, net		(2,565	)		5,000
Net cash from (used in) operating activities		(6,381	)		18,231
Cash flows from investing activities
Change in interest-bearing deposits with banks		7,247			23,424
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investment securities		167,772			127,965
Purchases of investment securities		(152,935	)		(153,099	)
Net acquisitions of premises and equipment and other intangibles		(1,277	)		(2,075	)
Cash used in an acquisition, net of cash acquired		(12,872	)		–
Change in cash invested in subsidiaries		1,252			(3,802	)
Change in net funding provided to subsidiaries		(166	)		(12,531	)
Net cash from (used in) investing activities		9,021			(20,118	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance of subordinated debentures		3,239			1,500
Repayment of subordinated debentures		(1,500	)		(110	)
Issue of common shares, net of issuance costs		159			65
Common shares purchased for cancellation		(140	)		–
Issue of preferred shares and other equity instruments, net of issuance costs		2,702			–
Redemption of preferred shares and other equity instruments		(1,021	)		–
Dividends paid on shares and distributions paid on other equity instruments		(6,637	)		(5,549	)
Repayment of lease liabilities		(268	)		(311	)
Net cash from (used in) financing activities		(3,466	)		(4,405	)
Net change in cash and due from banks		(826	)		(6,292	)
Cash and due from banks at beginning of year		41,770			48,062
Cash and due from banks at end of year	$	40,944		$	41,770
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Amount of interest paid	$	55,119		$	35,104
Amount of interest received		67,857			49,098
Amount of dividends received		2,869			2,628
Amount of income taxes paid		504			2,604

246 Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

Note 32 Principal subsidiaries


(Millions of Canadian dollars)		As at October 31, 2024
Principal subsidiaries (1)	Principal office address (2)		Carrying value of voting shares owned by the Bank (3)
Royal Bank Holding Inc.	Toronto, Ontario, Canada	$	93,533
RBC Direct Investing Inc.	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
RBC Insurance Holdings Inc.	Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
RBC Life Insurance Company	Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Investment Holdings (Cayman) Limited	George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
RBC (Cayman) Funding Ltd.	George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Capital Funding Alberta Limited	Calgary, Alberta, Canada
RBC Global Asset Management Inc.	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
RBC Investor Services Trust	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
RBC (Barbados) Trading Bank Corporation	St. James, Barbados
RBC US Group Holdings LLC (2)	Toronto, Ontario, Canada		34,826
RBC USA Holdco Corporation	New York, New York, U.S.
RBC Capital Markets, LLC	New York, New York, U.S.
City National Bank	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
RBC Dominion Securities Limited	Toronto, Ontario, Canada		17,243
RBC Dominion Securities Inc.	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Royal Bank Mortgage Corporation	Toronto, Ontario, Canada		6,932
RBC Europe Limited	London, England		3,170
The Royal Trust Company	Montreal, Quebec, Canada		1,587
Royal Trust Corporation of Canada	Toronto, Ontario, Canada		681

(1)

The Bank directly or indirectly controls each subsidiary.

(2)

Each subsidiary is incorporated or organized under the laws of the state, province or country in which the principal office is situated, except for RBC US Group Holdings LLC and RBC USA Holdco Corporation which are 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., and City National Bank which is a national bank, chartered under the laws of the United States of America.

(3)

The carrying value of voting shares is stated as the Bank’s equity in such investments.

Certain of our subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates are subject to regulatory requirements of the jurisdictions in which they operate. When these subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates 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. As at October 31, 2024, restricted net assets of these subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates were $56 billion (October 31, 2023 – $50 billion).

Note 33 Subsequent events

On November 1, 2024, we issued US$1,000 million of LRCN Series 5, at a price per note of US$1,000, with recourse limited to assets held by a third party trustee in a consolidated trust. The trust assets in respect of LRCN Series 5 consist of US$1,000 million of our Non-Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset First Preferred Shares Series BX (Series BX) issued concurrently with LRCN Series 5 at a price of US$1,000 per Series BX. LRCN Series 5 bear interest at a fixed rate of

6.35

% per annum until November 24, 2034, and thereafter at a rate per annum, reset every fifth year, equal to the 5-year U.S. Treasury Rate plus

2.257

% until maturity on November 24, 2084.

Consolidated Financial Statements Royal Bank of Canada: Annual Report 2024 247



For the year ended October 31	2024		2023		2022		2021		2020
Common share price (RY on TSX) – close, end of period	$	168.39	$	110.76		$ 126.05	$	128.82	$	93.16
Dividends paid per share		5.60		5.34		4.96		4.32		4.26
Increase (decrease) in share price		52.0%		(12.1)%		(2.2)%		38.3%		(12.3)%
Total shareholder return		57.8%		(8.3)%		1.6%		43.8%		(8.4)%


> 1 million	#1	> 2,700

Number of Commercial Banking clients	Ranking in market share in commercial lending and deposits 1	Client-facing advisors and specialists

Revenue by Product	We are a market-leading bank with a full range of services to meet the needs of Canadian companies and foreign businesses operating in Canada. In Canada, we compete with other Schedule 1 banks, foreign banks, credit unions, auto financing companies, as well as emerging entrants to the financial services industry. For small businesses, we offer convenience through 1,189 branches and comprehensive digital solutions supported by experienced advisors. For mid-market businesses, we provide customized banking advice through our network of relationship managers, and product and industry specialists. For large commercial and corporate clients, we offer tailored service and solutions through our broad team of specialists and market-leading capabilities.


Medium-term objectives – 3- and 5-year TSR vs. peer group average		Table 4



	3-year TSR (1)		5-year TSR (1)
Royal Bank of Canada		14%		14%
		Top half		Top half
Peer group average (excluding RBC)		11%		12%


		Table 6

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)	2024 vs. 2023
Increase (decrease):
Total revenue	$	310
PCL		6
Non-interest expense		219
Income taxes		(4	)
Net income		89
Impact on EPS
Basic	$	0.06
Diluted		0.06



	2023 (1), (2)

			Item excluded

(Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts and as otherwise noted)	As reported		Specified item (3)		Adjusted
Total revenue	$	18,161	$	242	$	18,403
PCL		328		–		328
Non-interest expense		14,387		–		14,387
Income before income taxes		3,446		242		3,688
Net income	$	2,693	$	177	$	2,870
Net income available to common shareholders	$	2,637	$	177	$	2,814
Total average common equity (4), (5)		24,200				24,200
Revenue by business
U.S. Wealth Management (including City National)	$	7,969	$	242	$	8,211
U.S. Wealth Management (including City National) (US$ millions)		5,908		175		6,083
Key ratios
ROE		10.9%				11.6%
Pre-tax margin (6)		19.0%				20.0%


$1.2 billion	~ 4.9 million	2,788

Total revenue	Number of clients	Employees (FTE)


Premiums and Deposits	RBC Insurance is one of the largest Canadian bank-owned insurance organizations on a total revenue basis. We offer a comprehensive suite of advice and solutions for individual and business clients, including life, health, wealth solutions, travel, group benefits and reinsurance. We provide property & casualty insurance through a distribution agreement with Aviva Canada. We also offer longevity reinsurance, and reinsurance solutions for creditor life, disability and critical illness. Our products and services are distributed through multiple channels, including our proprietary sales force, digital platforms, and a network of independent brokers and partners.


Net International exposure by region and client type (1), (2)		Table 44


Regulatory capital, TLAC available, RWA and capital, leverage and TLAC ratios			Table 65


	2024 vs. 2023									2023 vs. 2022
	Increase (decrease) due to changes in									Increase (decrease) due to changes in

(Millions of Canadian dollars)	Average volume (1)			Average rate (1)			Net change			Average volume (1)			Average rate (1)		Net change
Assets
Deposits with other banks
Canada (2)	$	(55	)	$	(175	)	$	(230	)	$	22		$	1,094	$	1,116
U.S. (2)		(641	)		583			(58	)		76			2,976		3,052
Other international (2)		(609	)		166			(443	)		(66	)		1,053		987
Securities
Trading		1,056			(594	)		462			690			2,021		2,711
Investment, net of applicable allowance		1,802			892			2,694			457			4,282		4,739
Asset purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed		770			4,187			4,957			351			16,366		16,717
Loans
Canada (2)
Retail (2)		1,853			3,948			5,801			752			7,964		8,716
Wholesale (2)		3,392			25			3,417			882			2,652		3,534
U.S. (2)		26			1,445			1,471			634			2,220		2,854
Other international (2)		36			(148	)		(112	)		47			1,747		1,794
Total interest income	$	7,630		$	10,329		$	17,959		$	3,845		$	42,375	$	46,220
Liabilities
Deposits
Canada (2)		4,374			4,997			9,371			1,086			17,881		18,967
U.S. (2)		73			921			994			5			4,334		4,339
Other international (2)		(415	)		626			211			(77	)		2,699		2,622
Obligations related to securities sold short		(43	)		(124	)		(167	)		(167	)		691		524
Obligations related to assets sold under repurchase agreements and securities loaned		1,265			3,781			5,046			502			15,580		16,082
Subordinated debentures		97			12			109			26			352		378
Other interest-bearing liabilities		(381	)		(48	)		(429	)		114			782		896
Total interest expense	$	4,970		$	10,165		$	15,135		$	1,489		$	42,319	$	43,808
Net interest income	$	2,660		$	164		$	2,824		$	2,356		$	56	$	2,412


Provision for credit losses by portfolio and geography		Table 76



For the year ended October 31 (Millions of Canadian dollars, except for percentage amounts)	2024			2023

Residential mortgages	$	86		$	63

Personal		680			467

Credit cards		670			460
Small business		150			61
Retail		1,586			1,051

Agriculture	$	24		$	20

Automotive		115			8

Banking		33			–

Consumer discretionary		97			143

Consumer staples		59			51

Oil and gas		(51	)		11

Financial services		19			10

Financing products		40			–

Forest products		48			5

Governments		2			(1	)

Industrial products		68			56

Information technology		21			12

Investments		3			15

Mining and metals		(1	)		(1	)

Public works and infrastructure		(6	)		(3	)

Real estate and related		403			222

Other services		40			72

Telecommunication and media		42			85

Transportation		63			74

Utilities		3			–
Other sectors		12			6
Wholesale		1,034			785
Total PCL on impaired loans	$	2,620		$	1,836

Canada (1)

Residential mortgages	$	96		$	61

Personal		672			463

Credit cards		653			449
Small business		150			61
Retail		1,571			1,034

Agriculture		24			4

Automotive		114			7

Banking		36			–

Consumer discretionary		86			101

Consumer staples		33			34

Oil and gas		(4	)		(2	)

Financial services		11			1

Financing products		40			–

Forest products		48			5

Governments		2			(1	)

Industrial products		61			16

Information technology		18			2

Investments		1			8

Mining and metals		(1	)		–

Public works and infrastructure		(6	)		2

Real estate and related		116			41

Other services		32			12

Telecommunication and media		8			1

Transportation		44			9

Utilities		–			–
Other sectors		–			(1	)
Wholesale		663			239
Total	$	2,234		$	1,273

U.S. (1)

Retail	$	33		$	17
Wholesale		366			509
Total	$	399		$	526

Other International (1)

Retail	$	(19	)	$	–
Wholesale		6			37
Total	$	(13	)	$	37
Total PCL on impaired loans	$	2,620		$	1,836
Total PCL on performing loans		627			660
Total PCL on other financial assets		(15	)		(28	)
Total PCL	$	3,232		$	2,468
PCL on loans as a % of average net loans and acceptances		0.35%			0.29%
PCL on impaired loans as a % of average net loans and acceptances (1)		0.26%			0.21%



As at and for the year ended October 31 (Millions of Canadian dollars, except percentage amounts)	2024		2023

Allowance against impaired loans

Canada (2)

Residential mortgages	$	163	$	86

Personal		185		138
Small business		105		58
Retail	$	453	$	282

Agriculture	$	26	$	4

Automotive		104		5

Banking		34		1

Consumer discretionary		54		85

Consumer staples		40		30

Oil and gas		1		4

Financial services		11		1

Financing products		39		–

Forest products		45		3

Governments		1		–

Industrial products		57		18

Information technology		15		2

Investments		7		7

Mining and metals		1		1

Public works and infrastructure		5		5

Real estate and related		127		41

Other services		26		5

Telecommunication and media		6		1

Transportation		44		8

Utilities		–		–
Other sectors		–		–
Wholesale	$	643	$	221
Total	$	1,096	$	503

U.S. (2)

Retail	$	19	$	7
Wholesale		237		445
Total	$	256	$	452

Other International (2)

Retail	$	76	$	92
Wholesale		88		101
Total	$	164	$	193
Total allowance on impaired loans	$	1,516	$	1,148

Allowance on performing loans

Residential mortgages	$	341	$	313

Personal		1,272		1,073

Credit cards		1,232		1,069
Small business		166		136
Retail	$	3,011	$	2,591
Wholesale	$	1,825	$	1,609
Total allowance on performing loans	$	4,836	$	4,200
Total allowance on loans	$	6,352	$	5,348

Key ratios

Allowance on loans as a % of loans and acceptances		0.64%		0.61%
Net write-offs as a % of average net loans and acceptances		0.22%		0.14%


		Reports
		142		Management’s Responsibility for Financial Reporting
		142		Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
		146		Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 271)

		Consolidated Financial Statements
		148		Consolidated Balance Sheets
		149		Consolidated Statements of Income
		150		Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
		151		Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
		152		Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
153	Note 1	General information
153	Note 2	Summary of material accounting policies, estimates and judgments
170	Note 3	Fair value of financial instruments
183	Note 4	Securities
187	Note 5	Loans and allowance for credit losses
194	Note 6	Significant acquisition and disposition
195	Note 7	Derecognition of financial assets
196	Note 8	Structured entities
200	Note 9	Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities
210	Note 10	Premises and equipment
211	Note 11	Goodwill and other intangible assets
214	Note 12	Joint ventures and associated companies
214	Note 13	Other assets
214	Note 14	Deposits
215	Note 15	Insurance and reinsurance
220	Note 16	Employee benefits – Pension and other post-employment benefits
225	Note 17	Other liabilities
225	Note 18	Subordinated debentures
226	Note 19	Equity
229	Note 20	Share-based compensation
231	Note 21	Income taxes
233	Note 22	Earnings per share
234	Note 23	Guarantees, commitments, pledged assets and contingencies
236	Note 24	Legal and regulatory matters
238	Note 25	Related party transactions
239	Note 26	Results by business segment
241	Note 27	Nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments
241	Note 28	Capital management
242	Note 29	Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities
244	Note 30	Recovery and settlement of on-balance sheet assets and liabilities
245	Note 31	Parent company information
247	Note 32	Principal subsidiaries
247	Note 33	Subsequent events


David I. McKay		Frank V ette se
President and Chief Executive Officer		Director