Did you know the Royal Bank of Canada was founded right here in Halifax? Oh sure, it might have been called The Merchants’ Bank of Halifax at first, and it may have its headquarters in Montreal these days, but RBC started out as a local bank, and it’s one you really like. And kudos to them for sticking it out in the north end of Halifax, where there just aren’t that many big businesses anymore. 5805 Almon, 421-8338
1st runner-up: PC Financial, www.pcfinancial.ca, 888-872-4724
2nd runner-up: TD Bank, 1785 Barrington, 420-8040