New peer-to-peer online forum to connect students with each other

The search for bloggers is on, as RBC announces its plan to hire six post-secondary student bloggers this fall to represent the interests of their postsecondary peers through the bank’s soon-to-be launched peer-to-peer (p2p) information exchange site.

RBC p2p - an online forum where students can speak openly and honestly about their financial struggles and successes - is scheduled to go live by the end of August. The site’s content will be driven by students, while the six new student hires will manage discussions, blog about their own banking experiences, and share information and solutions about the money issues that matter most to undergrads and graduate students.

“When I was a college student I had lots of questions about managing my money through the school year - now that I’m out of school, I want to make sure students have easy access to the information they’re looking for,” said Michel Savoie, a bilingual francophone from Sudbury, who will be hosting the RBC p2p site and leading the blogging team. “I see RBC p2p as a place where students can share stories and experiences and talk about solutions that will work for them - and what better way to do that than with a site for students, managed by students.”

Those applying for the RBC p2p blogging team will be asked to create and forward their homemade audition videos, which will be uploaded onto the RBC p2p web site. Once the videos are posted online, students visiting the site will be able to view and vote for their favorite candidates. The six positions as RBC bloggers will go to those with the most votes.

“Step one is to find our bloggers,” said Savoie. “To make sure students have a part to play in deciding who gets these jobs, we’ve decided to take a whole new approach to hiring that will actually leave the final decision with the student community.”

As soon as RBC p2p is up and running, video applications will be accepted on site until October 31. There will be a two-tier selection process with RBC choosing and posting 12 candidates and students voting on the final six who will then be hired for a one-year contract term.

“After speaking extensively with students about their circumstances, we looked into creating a space that would connect them with the financial information they need and expect, all in way that is familiar and convenient for them. We believe we’re doing that with RBC p2p,” said Judy Murchison, director, Marketing Strategy, Student Market, RBC Royal Bank. “Not only that, RBC p2p is the icing on the cake for what is a truly comprehensive suite of offerings for students - we’re on school campuses, we’re offering no monthly fee student banking, we’re podcasting money information to students, we keep adding to our student scholarship support, and we’re on Facebook.”

Last week, RBC launched its new sponsored Facebook group, RBC Campus Connection, where students can access student offers, financial information, scholarships, RBC contests and other promotions such as a free trip to Australia.

Information about the application process for RBC p2p will be posted online at www.rbcroyalbank.com/student at the end of August and will also be featured on RBC’s new sponsored Facebook group.