RBC Dexia Investor Services was ranked No. 1 overall in the Global Investor 2006 Global Custody Survey, making it the third consecutive year the company has emerged atop the highly competitive survey, which is based on feedback from institutional investors about the quality of service provided by their global custodians.

“We are extremely honoured that our clients have acknowledged us as the top global custodian for 2006,” said Rob Wright, chief operating officer of RBC Dexia Investor Services. “The fact that we have been fortunate enough to receive this distinction for three consecutive years speaks volumes about the consistency of our service offering. We would also like to recognize our employees for maintaining an exceptional level of service to our clients throughout the completion of our recent joint venture.”

In addition to its No. 1 overall ranking, RBC Dexia Investor Services was ranked No. 1 by European respondents, Institutional and Mutual Fund Managers, and the ‘Billionaire’s Club’ (portfolios greater than US$1 billion). The company also ranked No. 1 in the areas of Value for Money, Client Service, Commitment to the Business and 16 of 20 service categories. In addition, 90.7% of clients indicate they would recommend RBC Dexia Investor Services — the highest rate in the industry.

“The combined RBC Dexia Investor Services has once again demonstrated excellent client service,” said Claire Milhench, editor of Global Investor magazine. “Survey respondents commented on the dedication shown by its client service teams, and this is reflected in RBC Dexia’s performance in our Global Custody Survey.”

Global Investor magazine’s annual Global Custody Survey is one of the best known and most respected surveys in the custody industry, polling more than a 1,000 global custody clients, including banks, institutional asset managers, mutual fund managers and insurance companies around the world. The overall ranking of global custodians for 2006 is as follows:

1) RBC Dexia Investor Services
2) Investors Bank & Trust
3) Brown Brothers Harriman
4) Pictet & Cie
5) ABN AMRO Mellon
6) Northern Trust
7) HSBC
8) Citigroup
9) Bank of New York
10) JP Morgan