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RBC Replaces Expedia With Montreal’s Hopper

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Montreal-based Hopper has secured a partnership with Royal Bank of Canada to power its travel rewards platform, replacing longtime provider Expedia. The agreement will support RBC’s Avion Visa program as the bank seeks to expand its rewards membership from 10 million to 14 million users by 2029.

Hopper, which provides travel booking technology, already partners with multiple airlines and financial institutions globally. Chief executive Frederic Lalonde has indicated plans for a future public listing, targeting a valuation between US$5 billion and US$10 billion. The company was last valued at US$5 billion in 2022.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on The Logic.

RBC Bets on Data Advantage in AI Race

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Royal Bank of Canada’s new artificial intelligence chief Bruce Ross says proprietary data will determine competitive advantage as banks scale AI investments. Appointed in February, Ross noted RBC’s size provides a larger dataset to train models than domestic rivals.

The bank expects AI to generate between $700 million and $1 billion in enterprise value by 2027, with performance gains measured against existing systems and audited before reporting. RBC is deploying AI across commercial banking and capital markets but remains cautious about client-facing use in wealth management. Ross also warned AI may disrupt jobs and said valuations remain elevated.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on The Logic.

RBC Acquires Pinch to Boost Digital Mortgages

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Royal Bank of Canada has acquired Toronto fintech Pinch Financial to expand digital mortgage services. Pinch developed an online qualification platform that verifies borrower data electronically, reducing paperwork and accelerating lender connections.

Senior vice-president Janet Boyle said the purchase advances RBC’s digital roadmap and homeownership support. Chief executive Andrew Wells said the deal scales Pinch’s streamlined, transparent approach nationwide. The acquisition strengthens RBC’s strategy to deliver personalized, efficient financial services as digital lending competition intensifies.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Fintech.ca.

TD Tops Canada in Global Banking Brand Value

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TD Bank Group has again been named Canada’s most valuable banking brand, according to London-based consultancy Brand Finance. TD’s 2026 brand value climbed 28% to USD $22.3 billion, placing 14th globally. Royal Bank of Canada ranked 16th with USD $18.8 billion and was deemed strongest among Canadian customers.

Managing Director Alfred DuPuy cited resilient domestic franchises. CIBC, Scotiabank, and BMO completed the top five. Nine Canadian banks contributed USD $80.4 billion, fourth globally. RBC leads AI adoption nationally.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Fintech.ca.

Canada’s Biggest Bank Doubles Down on AI

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Royal Bank of Canada has created a dedicated AI Group reporting directly to CEO Dave McKay, consolidating the bank’s decade-long investments in data platforms, talent and security into a single organization focused on commercializing artificial intelligence.

Led by former technology head Bruce Ross, the team will partner across business units to turn AI use cases into market-ready products. RBC already ranks third globally in the 2025 Evident AI Index and has deployed its ATOM model across 15 products while filing more than 1,200 patents since 2019, over half AI-related. The bank has also partnered with Cohere and MIT’s FinTechAI@CSAIL initiative.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Fintech.ca.

Canada’s Largest Bank Debuts Commission-Free App

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Royal Bank of Canada has launched GoSmart, a mobile investing platform aimed at new and aspiring self-directed investors. Developed by RBC Direct Investing, the app offers commission-free trading, automated portfolio options, and the ability to buy Canadian and U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs. Users receive 50 commission-free trades annually, alongside select ETFs that remain permanently free.

GoSmart supports Tax-Free Savings Accounts, Registered Retirement Savings Plans, and First Home Savings Accounts. CEO Dimitri Busevs said the product is designed to simplify investing while empowering a new generation of Canadians to build wealth independently through accessible digital tools.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Fintech.ca.

Canada’s RBC Again Among Top Three AI Banks

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For the third consecutive year, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has held its position among the world’s top three banks for artificial intelligence adoption, according to the 2025 Evident AI Index. JPMorganChase again ranks first, followed by Capital One, with RBC maintaining third place as Canada’s highest-ranked institution.

The global benchmark evaluates 50 banks across North America and Europe on over 70 indicators. Evident cofounder Alexandra Mousavizadeh said top performers are now translating AI investments into “tangible financial gains.” RBC projects up to $1 billion in enterprise value from AI by 2027. TD Bank ranked just outside the top 10.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Fintech.ca.

RBC, BMO Weigh $2B Sale of Moneris Payments Firm

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Royal Bank of Canada and Bank of Montreal are reportedly exploring a potential sale of Moneris, the payments firm they co-founded in 2000. Reuters suggests the company could fetch around $2 billion, based on $700 million in annual revenues.

Moneris processes roughly one-third of Canadian business transactions and has recently announced partnerships with U.K. fintech Cardstream Group, website platform Wix, and Quebec recycler Polykar. RBC and BMO may retain stakes should a sale proceed. Both banks continue to invest in AI and digital tools to strengthen their fintech capabilities.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Fintech.ca.

RBC Unveils ATOM, Its Proprietary AI Model

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The Royal Bank of Canada has announced ATOM—its “Asynchronous Temporal Model”—a proprietary foundation model designed for financial services. Developed by RBC’s Borealis research institute and part of the Lumina platform, ATOM processes billions of transactions to deliver personalized products and services.

Early applications include responsible lending, risk assessment, and tailored recommendations for 1.3 million Avion Rewards users. Chief Science Officer Foteini Agrafioti says ATOM “represents the future of banking at RBC,” enabling the institution to improve client experiences while maintaining security and privacy. Broader deployment across RBC products is under review.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Fintech.ca.

RBC Invests in Toronto Fintech d1g1t

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Royal Bank of Canada is investing in d1g1t, a Toronto fintech modernizing wealth management through its integrated enterprise platform. The deal, co-led by JAM FINTOP, enables RBC to leverage d1g1t’s real-time analytics engine across its $5 trillion wealth management division. RBC’s Barrie Laver highlighted the firm’s financial engineering expertise and product focus.

CEO Dan Rosen called the partnership a “major milestone.” The technology supports reporting, trading, compliance, and client engagement. RBC joins other firms using d1g1t, including Northern Light and Gresham. The investment reflects RBC’s continued push toward advanced tech for digital-first client and advisor experiences.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Fintech.ca.