Where to find your RBC username

Your RBC username is in your welcome email from Royal Bank of Canada, or you can see it by logging into RBC Online Banking with your card number and password. If you have already set up online banking, your username appears at the top right of the screen after you log in — it shows as "Hello, [your username]" or in the account menu. If you cannot find your welcome email and do not remember setting up online banking yet, you will need to go through RBC's account recovery process.

RBC sends your initial username in the email they send when you first open an account or first register for online banking. That email comes from an address like noreply@rbc.com and has the subject line "Welcome to RBC Online Banking" or similar. Check your spam folder if you do not see it in your inbox — bank emails sometimes get filtered there. If the email is gone, you can still recover your username through RBC's website without needing to find it.

Key Takeaways

  • Your RBC username appears in your welcome email from the bank and also displays on the screen after you log into RBC Online Banking.
  • If you have already logged in before, you can see your username by signing in again with your card number and password, then looking at the top right of the page.
  • RBC's password reset tool on their website will show you your username if you cannot find your welcome email.
  • Your username is different from your card number, PIN, or password — it is the text name you created or that RBC assigned when you set up online access.

Using RBC's username recovery tool

Go to the RBC Online Banking login page at www.rbcbanking.com. Below the username and password fields, click the link that says "Forgot your username?" or "Need help signing in?" — the exact wording changes, but it is always near the login button. RBC will ask you to enter your card number and the answer to a security question you set up when you registered for online banking.

If you remember your security question answer, RBC will display your username on the next screen. Write it down or take a screenshot. If you do not remember the answer, RBC offers other ways to confirm your identity — usually a code sent to your phone number or email address on file. The whole process takes a few minutes and does not require you to call the bank.

What to do if you cannot remember your security question answer

RBC's website offers backup identity checks if the security question does not work. You can choose to receive a one-time code by text message to the phone number RBC has for you, or by email to your registered email address. Enter that code on the next screen, and RBC will show your username.

If none of those options work — for example, if you no longer have access to the phone number or email RBC has on file — you will need to call RBC customer service. They can verify your identity over the phone using information from your account and then tell you your username. RBC's phone number is on the back of your card, or you can find it on their website.

The difference between your username and your password

Your RBC username is the name you use to sign in — something like "sarah.m.jones" or "sjones42" — and it does not change unless you ask RBC to change it. Your password is separate and is something only you know that you create or change yourself. You need both to log in: the username identifies which account you are signing into, and the password proves it is really you.

Your username is also different from your online banking customer ID, which is a number RBC assigns to you. Some people confuse the two because both appear in your account settings. Your username is the text field you type into the login box; your customer ID is usually a longer number that appears elsewhere in your account.

Setting up a new username if you want to change it

After you log into RBC Online Banking, go to the settings or profile section — this is usually labeled "My Profile," "Settings," or "Account Settings" depending on which RBC service you use. Look for an option that says "Change username" or "Update login information." RBC will ask you to confirm your current password before letting you create a new username.

Your new username must follow RBC's rules: it is usually between 8 and 20 characters, can include letters and numbers, and cannot be a word from the dictionary. RBC will tell you if your choice does not work and ask you to try again. Once you set a new username, you use that name the next time you log in.

Keeping your username and password safe

Your username is less sensitive than your password — you can share your username with someone if they need to know it for a legitimate reason. Your password should never be shared, written down, or saved in an email. Do not use the same password for RBC that you use for other websites or apps, because if one site gets hacked, someone could try that password on your bank account.

If you think someone else knows your password, change it right away through RBC Online Banking. If you think someone has accessed your account without permission, call RBC when ready at the number on your card. The sooner you report it, the sooner RBC can lock your account and investigate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my card number instead of my username to log in?

No. RBC requires you to use your username to log into online banking. Your card number is not a login credential. If you do not have a username yet, you will need to register for online banking first, which creates one for you.

Is my RBC username the same across all RBC products?

Usually yes, but it depends on how your accounts are set up. If you have multiple RBC accounts linked under one online banking profile, you use the same username for all of them. If you have separate profiles for different products, you may have different usernames. Check your welcome emails or log in to see which setup you have.

What if I never received a welcome email from RBC?

Check your spam and junk folders first — bank emails sometimes get filtered there. If it is not there, use RBC's "Forgot your username?" tool on their login page, which does not require the email. You can also call RBC customer service to confirm your account is set up for online banking.

Can I change my username to something shorter?

RBC's username rules require a minimum length, usually 8 characters. You cannot make it shorter than that. You can change it to a different name that meets RBC's requirements — letters, numbers, and between 8 and 20 characters — but not below the minimum length.

What should I do if I think my username was compromised?

Change your password when ready through RBC Online Banking. Your username alone is not enough to access your account, so knowing your username is not a security risk by itself. If you also think someone knows your password, change it right away and call RBC to report any suspicious activity on your account.