Ross McDonald publications on Canadian financial cooperatives industry
This is the personal blog of Ross McDonald. Publications relate to system-level developments in the Canadian financial services industry, with a focus on finance; strategy; treasury; regulation; governance; and risk management. They seek to stimulate curiosity, to frame perspective, and to ultimately support strategic innovation and effective regulatory oversight within the financial services industry.
Ross McDonald has held positions including CFO, CRO, SVP, VP, Board director in banks, credit unions, financial regulator and other Canadian, US and UK organizations. Substantially all of his career has focussed on catalyst roles within financial services organizations; in VUCA context; that proactively strive for exceptional results or organizational growth/change. Environments of Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Uncertainty (VUCA) typically require elevated ambition, expectations and urgency.
Ross McDonald is a dual citizen of UK and Canada. He travels extensively between UK, Canada and Schengen area. As of 2026, he is open to consider interim executive and board director roles.
All comments reflect the personal opinion of the Ross McDonald and do not represent the views of any corporate organization, credit union, regulatory body, government ministry or any other organization or person. Although the author has made significant effort to ensure that presented information was accurate at the date of completion then the author does not assume any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. Ross recognizes numerous system veterans that generously offered system memory, technical expertise and professional encouragement to support authorship of these publications. They are better, and I am wiser, for your thougthful insight. Thank you.
List of publications
Liquidity Regulation HQLA – 6 Treasury Tactics Credit Unions
BC & ON credit unions faced new liquidity regulations; unfamiliar treasury products (HQLA); limited technology systems. Six treasury tactics
April 1, 2021
Proportionality in financial regulations. Asset size, business complexity & risk profile should matter
BCFSA, BC credift union financial regulator, seeks\ maximum data collection regardless of proportionality, supervisory risk or industry impact
February 22, 2021
Hello Purpose!
Ross was Chief Financial Officer CFO & Chief Risk Officer CRO of Community Savings Credit Union, a regulated Canadian financial cooperative
October 1, 2020
FIA / CUIA Legislative Consultation – Empowering CUDIC – Beyond FICOM’s Shadow
CUDIC C$77 billion deposit insurance. It warrants full-time, permanent executive and deserves independent, empowered & accountable governance
June 21, 2018
Credit Union Deposit Insurance Policy – 2 of 2 – Costs, Benefits & Regulation
B.C. credit unions face three policy options for deposit insurance. No right or wrong policy. But major implications for credit union industry
September 11, 2017
Credit Union Deposit Insurance Policy – 1 of 2 – Overview, History, Pros & Cons
Western Canada credit unions used unlimited deposit insurance policy to boost growth & confidence. But elevated moral hazard is expensive
August 31, 2017
System Level Leadership Vacancies – 3 of 3 – Glass Slippers
Governance bodies need to adopt a sophisticated, pragmatic & urgent approach to recruit permanent leadership of credit union system entities
June 26, 2017
System Level Leadership Vacancies – 2 of 3 – Visionaries Wanted
To advance impactful, perhaps disruptive, change then permanent leaders of system-level credit unions must be bold, persistent & persuasive
June 20, 2017
System Level Leadership Vacancies – 1 of 3 – Empty Seats
All leaders of credit union centrals & relevant provincial government entities are currently appointed on interim, acting or retiring basis
June 14, 2017
Federal Credit Union Value Propositions – Beyond Ice Cream & Sprinkles
Strategy academics may frame value propositons of Canadian credit union as Ice cream with sprinkles, to reflect commonalities & variations
May 17, 2017
Coast Capital Savings Credit Union – Strategy – ‘Good Morning Canada!’
Members approved its federal strategy. Coast Capital Savings Credit Union sings ‘Good Morning Canada!’ to Canadian financial services industry
December 20, 2016
Credit union regulatory intervention – An ERM failure?
Credit unions under regulatory intervention often need remedial assistance. Does this signal ineffective Enterprise Risk Management?
December 15, 2016
Coast Capital Savings: Federal credit union implications for the B.C. system
Coast Capital Savings Credit Union member vote to become a federal credit union. Major implications for members & B.C. credit union industry
October 23, 2016