Bank executive takes banking break

The Gulf Coast banking industry has an accomplishment to celebrate — one that has nothing to do with raising capital to stave off regulators.

Instead, this feat is one of Olympic proportions: Telisa Miller, a regional manager for RBC Bank's Sarasota and Naples branches, was one of six employees chosen by the bank's parent company to be a torchbearer for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic games. Miller traveled to Ottawa the weekend of Dec. 12 for the Olympic torch relay festivities, which were sponsored by RBC Bank's parent, Royal Bank of Canada.

Miller is a onetime U.S. Junior Olympic National Champion for inline speed skating. “She brings the same passion and drive to her work at RBC Bank that made her a world-class athlete,” RBC Bank regional president Rick Perez says in a statement. “She is very deserving to carry the torch, and we are so proud that she can represent Sarasota and Naples in the Olympic Torch Relay.