LEGAL CONTINGENCIES	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
LEGAL CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]
LEGAL CONTINGENCIES	NOTE 13 – LEGAL CONTINGENCIES As described under “Item 1 – Business” of this Report, Royal Bank holds a 60% equity interest in each of Crusader Servicing Corporation (“CSC”) and Royal Tax Lien Services, LLC (“RTL”). CSC and RTL acquire, through public auction, delinquent tax liens in various jurisdictions thereby assuming a superior lien position to most other lien holders, including mortgage lien holders. On March 4, 2009, each of CSC and RTL received grand jury subpoenas issued by the U.S. District Court for New Jersey upon application of the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”). The subpoenas sought certain documents and information relating to an ongoing investigation being conducted by the DOJ relating to alleged bid-rigging at tax lien auctions in New Jersey. CSC and RTL have produced to the DOJ documents responsive to the subpoenas and have been cooperating with the DOJ throughout the investigation. On February 23, 2012, the former President of CSC and RTL entered a plea of guilty to one count of bid-rigging at certain auctions for tax liens in New Jersey from 1998 until approximately the spring of 2009. The former President's employment with CSC and RTL effectively terminated in November 2010. As previously disclosed, Royal Bank had been advised that neither CSC nor RTL were targets of the DOJ investigation, but they were subjects of the investigation. It is possible, particularly in light of the plea entered by the former President of CSC and RTL, that the outcome of the investigation could result in fines and penalties being assessed against both CSC and RTL, which could also result in reputational risk due to negative publicity. No proceedings have been instituted by the DOJ or any other governmental authority against CSC or RTL as of the date of this filing. As a result of the plea agreements of the former President of CSC and RTL and others resulting from the DOJ investigation, on March 13, 2012, the former president of RTL and CSC, RTL, CSC, the Company and certain other parties were named as defendants in a putative class action lawsuit filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division on behalf of a proposed class of taxpayers who became delinquent in paying their municipal tax obligations (Boyer v. Robert W. Stein, Crusader Servicing Corp. Royal Tax Lien Services LLC, Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania, Inc., et al., Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Docket No. C-14007/12). The lawsuit alleges violations of the New Jersey Antitrust Act and unjust enrichment, and seeks treble damages, attorney fees and injunctive relief. As of the date of this filing, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result from these actions or proceedings.

NOTE 13 – LEGAL CONTINGENCIES

As described under “Item 1 – Business” of this Report, Royal Bank holds a 60% equity interest in each of Crusader Servicing Corporation (“CSC”) and Royal Tax Lien Services, LLC (“RTL”). CSC and RTL acquire, through public auction, delinquent tax liens in various jurisdictions thereby assuming a superior lien position to most other lien holders, including mortgage lien holders. On March 4, 2009, each of CSC and RTL received grand jury subpoenas issued by the U.S. District Court for New Jersey upon application of the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”). The subpoenas sought certain documents and information relating to an ongoing investigation being conducted by the DOJ relating to alleged bid-rigging at tax lien auctions in New Jersey. CSC and RTL have produced to the DOJ documents responsive to the subpoenas and have been cooperating with the DOJ throughout the investigation. On February 23, 2012, the former President of CSC and RTL entered a plea of guilty to one count of bid-rigging at certain auctions for tax liens in New Jersey from 1998 until approximately the spring of 2009. The former President's employment with CSC and RTL effectively terminated in November 2010. As previously disclosed, Royal Bank had been advised that neither CSC nor RTL were targets of the DOJ investigation, but they were subjects of the investigation. It is possible, particularly in light of the plea entered by the former President of CSC and RTL, that the outcome of the investigation could result in fines and penalties being assessed against both CSC and RTL, which could also result in reputational risk due to negative publicity. No proceedings have been instituted by the DOJ or any other governmental authority against CSC or RTL as of the date of this filing.

As a result of the plea agreements of the former President of CSC and RTL and others resulting from the DOJ investigation, on March 13, 2012, the former president of RTL and CSC, RTL, CSC, the Company and certain other parties were named as defendants in a putative class action lawsuit filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division on behalf of a proposed class of taxpayers who became delinquent in paying their municipal tax obligations (Boyer v. Robert W. Stein, Crusader Servicing Corp. Royal Tax Lien Services LLC, Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania, Inc., et al., Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Docket No. C-14007/12). The lawsuit alleges violations of the New Jersey Antitrust Act and unjust enrichment, and seeks treble damages, attorney fees and injunctive relief.

As of the date of this filing, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result from these actions or proceedings.