William Earle McLaughlin OC (16 September 1915 – 30 October 1991) was a Canadian banker who was the Chairman of the Royal Bank of Canada from 1960 to 1979.

Earle McLaughlin graduated with a gold medal in commerce from Queen's University and joined the Royal Bank of Canada in 1936.

In 1960, at an age considered very young at the time, 45-year-old McLaughlin was appointed the bank's general manager and then shortly thereafter, president.

In addition to the Royal Bank, McLaughlin served on the board of directors of a number of corporations including Canadian Pacific Railway, Algoma Steel, Metropolitan Life and General Motors (a board which he was appointed to after the retirement of Sam McLaughlin, his first cousin once removed).

He was a member of the board of governors of the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Council of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.