COMPANIES

RBC Capital Markets

Office address: 200 Vesey Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10281
Website: rbccm.com
Year established: 1909
Company type: investment bank
Employees: 7,600+
Expertise: global investment banking, global markets, corporate banking, sustainable finance, equity capital markets, leveraged finance, mergers and acquisitions, fixed income, foreign exchange, US municipal finance
Parent company: Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
Key people: Derek Neldner (CEO); Allison Szmulewicz (COO); Manish Bhandari (CFO); Lindsay Patrick (chief strategy and innovation officer); Vito Sperduto, Trevor Gardner, and Lori Calvasina (RBC heads)
Financing status: corporate-backed or acquired

RBC Capital Markets (RBCCM) is the investment banking division of Royal Bank of Canada, based in New York. The firm specializes in capital markets, M&A advisory, and municipal finance for corporations and governments. It employs more than 7,600 staff across 55 offices in 15 countries as of Q4 2025.

History of RBC Capital Markets

RBCCM traces its roots to two separate ventures on different sides of the border. In 1901, Dominion Securities Corporation Limited launched in Canada to underwrite government and municipal bonds.

Eight years later, Oscar Kalman opened a small brokerage firm in St. Paul, Minnesota. These two paths would eventually merge to form one of North America’s largest investment banks.

From regional brokerages to national players

The American chapter of the story unfolded across multiple regions over several decades. Between 1909 and 1931, firms emerged in Denver, Dallas, Phoenix, and Minneapolis with a shared focus on client service.

After a series of mergers, two major players stood out: Dain Bosworth in the Midwest and Rauscher Pierce Refsnes in the Southwest. The two combined in 1997 to create Dain Rauscher, a company that quickly grew through strategic acquisitions.

Royal Bank of Canada enters the picture

RBC Capital Markets entered a new chapter in 2000 when Royal Bank of Canada acquired Dain Rauscher. It rebranded as RBC Capital Markets and quickly expanded its footprint across the country.

The company became the only Canadian dealer on Australia’s exchange in 2005 and earned US Treasury Primary Dealer status in 2009. It also expanded by acquiring firms like Tucker Anthony Sutro and Ferris, Baker Watts.

RBC Capital Markets’ growth

RBCCM continues to expand through bold moves and strategic investments. In 2015, Royal Bank of Canada acquired City National to strengthen its US commercial banking presence.

In 2025, RBC Capital Markets recruited BLS Financial Group, a six-person team from UBS, to its Michigan office. The firm made this move to deepen its presence in the Detroit market and serve high-net-worth clients.

The company also invested in Al Gore’s Just Climate venture, which focuses on restoring degraded farmland and forests. Today, RBCCM serves more than 22,900 clients across 100 countries.

RBC Capital Markets products and services

RBCCM combines cross-border capabilities with industry expertise to deliver capital markets and advisory services:

Corporate and investment banking

  • corporate banking: lending and financing strategies for corporate clients
  • equity capital markets: public and private equity offerings for corporations
  • leveraged finance: debt financing for acquisitions and buyouts
  • mergers and acquisitions: guidance on corporate deals and business combinations
  • US municipal finance: infrastructure financing for municipal issuers

Specialized solutions

  • RBC Clear: digital-first cash management for corporate treasurers
  • sustainable finance: integrates ESG factors into capital markets services
  • global research: data-driven insights and market intelligence

Global markets

  • commodities
  • debt origination
  • electronic trading
  • equities
  • equity linked products
  • foreign exchange
  • fixed income
  • prime brokerage

RBC Capital Markets also provides risk management through derivatives and structured products across multiple asset classes. The firm serves corporations, institutional investors, asset managers, and governments worldwide.

Culture and corporate values

RBC Capital Markets states that these core values define its culture:

  1. client first
  2. collaboration
  3. accountability
  4. diversity and inclusion
  5. integrity

RBCCM says that it fosters an inclusive growth environment; staff can develop professionally and personally. Employee benefits include:

  • compensation and rewards: bonuses, competitive pay, commissions, and stock options
  • health and wellness: mental health resources and modern flexible benefits
  • savings and retirement: employee savings plans and retirement programs available
  • growth and development: coaching from leaders and career advancement opportunities
  • perks and discounts: various employee discounts and additional workplace perks
  • work environment: collaborative teams, challenging work, and client relationship building

RBC also reports that it values diverse perspectives to promote workplace inclusion. The company’s policies and programs focus on respect, belonging, and opportunity for all.

About CEO Derek Neldner and key people

Derek Neldner leads as CEO and group head of RBC Capital Markets. He is also a board member of RBC US Group Holdings. Neldner joined the company in 1995 and previously served as global head of investment banking. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in finance from the University of Alberta and is a CFA charter holder.

Alongside Neldner, several senior executives help lead RBCCM:

  • Vito Sperduto serves as head of RBC Capital Markets US, overseeing US investment banking and capital markets operations
  • Manish Bhandari is SVP and CFO, managing RBCCM’s financial planning and reporting strategy
  • Trevor Gardner is head of global investment banking coverage, directing client relationships and industry coverage teams globally
  • Lindsay Patrick is chief strategy and innovation officer, driving the company’s strategic direction and innovation initiatives
  • Allison Szmulewicz is COO of RBC Capital Markets, managing the firm’s daily operations and business processes
  • Lori Calvasina is head of US equity strategy, providing equity market research and strategic investment insights

The leadership team guides RBCCM as it serves clients across more than 100 countries. Their combined experience supports the firm’s position as a trusted global financial institution.

The future at RBC Capital Markets

RBC Capital Markets’ division, RBC Wealth Management, released its 2026 US market outlook. The company expects solid earnings growth and advises clients to focus on defensive sectors like healthcare and dividend-paying stocks. This type of forward-looking guidance helps RBC support investors as they navigate uncertain market conditions.

The firm is also growing its advisor network to strengthen client services. RBCCM added the Ellsworth Fair Wealth Management Group, a $670 million team from Robert W. Baird & Co., to its Houston office. RBC expands its retirement plan capabilities in Texas through this addition.

The latest RBC Capital Markets news

Displaying 58 results
Rising bonds could mean equities fall in early 2024, says BofA
EQUITIES DEC 08, 2023
Rising bonds could mean equities fall in early 2024, says BofA

The bank’s bearish strategist sees a weakened stock market if bonds rally endures into the new year.

Tough month for stocks? Morgan Stanley bear says so
EQUITIES DEC 04, 2023
Tough month for stocks? Morgan Stanley bear says so

Strategist Michael Wilson sees volatility during December.

OPEC+ meeting could result in deeper cuts
RIA NEWS NOV 30, 2023
OPEC+ meeting could result in deeper cuts

Prices are flagging and the cartel will be keen to add support.

Citi strategists say US stock rally likely ending
RIA NEWS NOV 28, 2023
Citi strategists say US stock rally likely ending

Bullish signals for futures are fading but there could still be some gains ahead.

Texas green energy probe threatens banks’ muni deals in state
FIXED INCOME OCT 27, 2023
Texas green energy probe threatens banks’ muni deals in state

At least two banks were dropped from underwriting muni deals since Texas Attorney General Paxton said last week he was probing the energy policies of a group of financial firms.

Profit forecasts are too high, says Morgan Stanley
RIA NEWS OCT 23, 2023
Profit forecasts are too high, says Morgan Stanley

Wall Street strategist Michael Wilson says Q3 and Q4 earnings may disappoint.

Treasury market volatility feels like pandemic-era 2020
FIXED INCOME OCT 17, 2023
Treasury market volatility feels like pandemic-era 2020

Volatility is heightened by uncertainty but yields are still trending higher.

Arbitrators order losing investors to pay more than $2M in attorneys’ fees, costs
Arbitrators order losing investors to pay more than $2M in attorneys’ fees, costs

'That is about as cataclysmic an outcome as a claimant can have in a Finra arbitration,' says an attorney not involved in the case.

US tech stocks rally ahead, says Goldman
EQUITIES OCT 02, 2023
US tech stocks rally ahead, says Goldman

Earnings-driven gains predicted by Wall Street analysts.

Positive sentiment for new week's trading following Jackson Hole
RIA NEWS AUG 28, 2023
Positive sentiment for new week's trading following Jackson Hole

Global markets tracked Friday's Wall Street gains in early trade Monday.

RBC Wealth lures $1.1B advisory team from UBS to expand presence in Ohio
RIA NEWS AUG 04, 2023
RBC Wealth lures $1.1B advisory team from UBS to expand presence in Ohio

The addition of James Ford & Duble Wealth Partners grows RBC's footprint in the Great Lakes region.

High-yield bonds in, leveraged loans out
RIA NEWS AUG 04, 2023
High-yield bonds in, leveraged loans out

Issuance of secured notes in the junk-bond market has surged in 2023.

Advisor Group B-D snares RBC advisors with $250 million in client assets
Advisor Group B-D snares RBC advisors with $250 million in client assets

Minnesota-based Tom Delich had worked at RBC for almost 23 years; he and his team are joining Financial Dimensions Group, a unit of Royal Alliance Associates.