I think this article from the Calgary Herald, misses the point, and demonstrates a lack of research.
RBC’s plans contrast with those of U.S. retail giant Washington Mutual Inc., which said last month that it is de-emphasizing branches to focus on the Internet.
WaMu plans to close 63 branches in Atlanta and Chicago, for example, in favor of driving customers to cyberspace to open and manage accounts.
Source: BankNet 360 – TOP STORY: Oh Canada! RBC Plans Major Expansion
WAMU’s decision to scale back in Chicago follows a frenetic expansion plan only to realise the local market is hyper competitive. Contrast that with Canada, where following cancellation of proposed Bank mergers, all the Banks went into deep branch closures. With that behind them the opportunity in Canada is wide open to move into markets that are actually under represented by Bank branches.
PS: The plan to expand its branch network by 100 or more offices between now and 2010, is not a major expansion. That’s 25 branches a year, on a base of over 1,000.
Bankwatch 
Weekend WSJ Money & Investing section had an article titled – “WaMu Whiplash: Fast Expansion Yields Probrlems.” Unfortunately, only have hard copy available but article speaks of closing the poor sites, the sputtering mortgage operations and the potential for takeover.