Daviot Kelly, Staff reporter

With the amalgamation of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and RBTT Jamaica, members of the team were the centre of attraction. Here, Rod Pennycook (background) of RBC joins (from left) Judith Green, Suresh Sookoo, Minna Israel, David Hackett and Ron Carter. The reception, to celebrate the amalgamation of RBC and RBTT, at Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel, Waterloo Road, was held on Tuesday.

It's one of those mergers that the only ones dissatisfied are the competitors.

That's the sentiment that inundated the grand affair on Tuesday evening that was the amalgamation of Royal Bank of Canada and RBTT Jamaica at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel.

From the receiving line of bank executives to the picturesque logos standing like totems at the entrance, it was a regal event. But these were merely a precursor to the soothing jazz being performed (live-band style) inside as guests gathered. Clients (both present and potential), as well as other members of the banking sector, turned out for the latest evolutionary stage of RBTT Jamaica, formerly Union Bank of Jamaica.

Together Forward

Managing Director of RBC Minna Israel said that the new motto, 'Together Forward', signified not just the banks coming together, but also taking the clients with them to greater things. But the talk for the evening was mostly restricted to little group conversations rather than the prolonged pronouncements on the microphone. And that was fine with everyone as they basked in the affair.

Guests out included: Wilson Look-Kin, Norman and Jean Wright, Laurie and Ruth Hussey, Angie and Anthony Harris, Damian Obiglio, Ryland Campbell, J. Lester Spaulding, Maj Gen Stewart Saunders, Kay Osborne, Aubyn and Tamara Hill, Karlene and Sophia MaxBrown, Peter and Carol Brady, Horace and Josephine Bogues, Richard Powell, Imani Duncan-Waite, Ian Kelly, Howard Gordon, Audrey Marks and Norman Marshall.

The fab four out at the RBC/RBTT link-up are (from left) Lorna Wallace, Rev Sophia Azan, custos of St Catherine, Dorothy Tomlinson and Jennifer Brown-Bonnick. - Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Businessman Tanny Shirley greets Minna Israel (right), managing director of RBTT Jamaica. Looking on is Judith Forth-Blake.

Finance Minister Audley Shaw (second left) with members of the new banking powerhouse (from left), Rod Pennycook of Royal Bank of Canada, Minna Israel of RBTT Jamaica and Suresh Sookoo, group CEO of RBC Financial Caribbean