Founder Profile
Merchants Bank of Halifax founders
Last reviewed: October 2026 · By Swet Parvadiya
Who is Merchants Bank of Halifax founders?
Merchants Bank of Halifax founders is a founder of Royal Bank of Canada, which was founded in 1864.
- Company founded
- Royal Bank of Canada
- Founded
- 1864
Background
A group of eight prominent Halifax merchants involved in the highly lucrative maritime trade between Canada, the US, and the Caribbean.
Founding Story
The Merchants Bank of Halifax was founded in 1864 by a consortium of eight businessmen, including Thomas C. Kinnear and J.W. Carmichael. Originally established purely to finance the massive maritime trade and shipping industries in Nova Scotia, the bank expanded aggressively following Canadian Confederation. In 1901, recognizing its rapid national growth, it was formally renamed the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and subsequently moved its headquarters to Montreal.
Sources
This profile does not yet cite a source specific to Merchants Bank of Halifax founders. The sources below document the company company rather than the person, so check them against the claims above.
- Royal Bank of Canada Q4 and Fiscal 2025 Results (Royal Bank of Canada)
- Royal Bank of Canada Q2 2026 Results (Royal Bank of Canada)