Financial regulation is not national security. Edward Snowden alleged that 'collect it all' was a mantra of the US National Security Agency. But this seems rather heavy-handed for regulatory oversight of provincial credit unions. As a self-declared 'data-driven regulator', BC Financial Services Authority appears intent on data collection regardless of prudential supervisory risk or industry impact.
Ice cream with sprinkles. Provincial credit unions may be framed thus by strategy academics. Some aficionados may celebrate mouthwatering flavours and ingredient providence. But many a face-smeared kid may insist that ice cream is just ice cream, and that the real magic is in choosing sprinkles. Perhaps ice cream and sprinkles represent the commonalities and variations respectively in terms of value propositions across Canadian credit unions.
In the movie ‘Good Morning Vietman!’ then Robin Williams encouraged troops and energized betterment. Coast Capital Savings Credit Union CEO, Don Coulter, may have executed a similar feat. Though the recent member approval of its federal credit union strategy then Coast Capital Savings has arguably broadcasted ‘Good Morning Canada!’ to the national financial services industry. It seems that industry is listening to the broadcast. A battle may loom, even if the troops wear business attire rather than army uniform. To the victor goes the right to serve members, a group that may be the primary beneficiaries of forthcoming phase of industry evolution.
One member one vote. A core principle of cooperative organizations.
Coast Capital Savings Credit Union is currently conducting an important member vote. Its management and Board seek member approval to submit, and to progress, an application to the federal government for Coast Capital Savings to become a federal credit union.
This is a big deal for members of Coast Capital Savings. But it also has significant and diverse implications for the B.C. credit union industry.
