Making Sense of Regulatory Senselessness!

The craziness with OSFI’s* ridiculously restrictive ruling regarding Canadian credit unions’ use of certain words is gaining more widespread attention. My need for affiliation with this cause compels me to comment once again.

Don’t Let Your First Online (or Hybrid) Credit Union AGM . . . S.U.C.K. (Suffer Unnecessary Credibility Killers)!I must first declare I’m a credit union member, not a credit union employee. As such, I have neither seen nor heard the rationale behind OSFI’s ruling (assuming there is one) that as of June 30th 2019, credit unions can no longer use the words “bank”, “banker” or “banking“. However, I am open to wild speculation on the rationale . . . assuming one exists.

I assume the folks who work for OSFI must be pretty smart—after all, it’s a very important role they play—I think.  Unfortunately, being individually smart does not necessarily lead to making smart decisions as a group. I operate on the basis that people don’t intentionally make senseless decisions, so even though something may not make any sense to me, it certainly must make sense to whomever made that decision.  I can’t imagine any reasonably intelligent person or persons would intentionally make what to them is a senseless decision.  This post is my attempt to make sense of what appears senseless . . . to me.

Possible Justifications (for OSFI’s Decision to force credit unions to abandon the use of “bank”, “banker” and “banking”):

  • They are trying to protect consumers from confusing banks with credit unions. [Not likely a problem to solve, given that satisfaction with credit unions has consistently surpassed that of banks for years. There is obviously a difference].

  • They are trying to protect consumers’ assets. [Hmm. Credit unions and their members came through the previous financial crisis in relatively great shape. And in most provinces, deposit guarantees far exceed that of the banks].

  • The banks have been lobbying hard to get some of the wording of The Bank Act enacted because they are embarrassed by the success of credit unions and preventing them from using “bank” will distract them from providing great, caring service so the banks can copy their approach. [I see this as a distinct possibility!].

  • Credit unions should be lumped in with other organizations that are not regulated federally (FinTechs, etc.). [While it’s true that most credit unions are not regulated federally, they are heavily regulated (most would say excessively) by provincial regulators].

  • OSFI believes its mandate is strictly to REGULATE—the more regulations, the better. [This in spite of the fact that excessive (i.e. prophylactic) regulation, rather than protecting consumers, actually does the opposite. It inhibits the opportunities for innovation that can improve the services, products and yes . . . security measures required to protect consumers’ assets].

Potentially Relevant Anecdote: I once worked for a company with a credit manager who ensured the parent company didn’t lose a nickel by tightly restricting and controlling the credit offered to its dealers. As a consequence, many dealers could not access sufficient credit to purchase new products that were being launched. The result? No credit loss for the parent company—not a bad thing on its own. However,

  • there was highly restricted growth for the dealers because they had no product to sell;
  • it upset consumers who couldn’t buy the new products that were launched at great expense and with much fanfare;
  • the parent company didn’t generate nearly the revenue potential of the new products;
  • and let’s not forget to mention reputation damage for the dealers and parent company as well.

When the focus of the credit manager changed from avoiding any loss to helping the dealers grow solid, profitable and sustainable businesses, everyone started to benefit.  Perhaps it’s time for OSFI to expand its focus to include allowing for solid, profitable and sustainable alternatives to banks, rather than burdening them with the many costs associated with eliminating the words bank, banker and banking from . . . well, from everything.


  • At the meeting where the ability for credit unions to use bank-like terms was being discussed, the windows were open wide as the RCMP was burning certain illegal botanicals.

  • OSFI wasn’t getting enough public attention, their corporate egos were suffering and they figured this was a good way to enter the national spotlight. [If that was their intention, it certainly had THAT effect!]

  • OSFI heard a rumour that Donald Trump was not a fan of credit unions (as well as climate change initiatives). In order to maintain good relationships with US financial institutions, they took action to show their disdain for a valuable alternative to banks. [Not outside the realm of possibility, I fear].

  • And the most likely rationale for hammering credit unions into submission? This one really scares me . . . I suspect there may have been subtle yet powerful influences applied to OSFI by Vladimir Putin and his allegedly non-existent team of skilled hackers. [This actually seems the most likely. If the Canadian paparazzi happen to spot Jeremy Rudin, Superintendent of Financial Institutions sharing tea with Putin, it will definitely be time to be very, very afraid]!

So, what do you think?  Can you think of other possible reasons for the actions of OSFI?  Love to hear them . . . please join the speculation!

(*Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions)

About David Gouthro

David has over 40 years facilitating high energy, creative and engaging face-to-face meetings that focus on delivering client value in a manner that is focused, flexible and fun. Embracing the challenge of providing the same quality of service in an online world has been heartily embraced and he now enjoys designing and delivering high impact meetings from afar! David can be reached at david@davidgouthro.com or 604.926.6858. And he is far from being Zoomed out in case you want a more visual conversation!

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David Gouthro | 07/14/2017 | | 23 Comments

23 Comments

  • Reading about Libro Credit Union being fined for using the term “banking” in their verbage. The “big guys” are starting to get worried that the public might realize that Credit Unions are superior to the chartered institutions. So the big banks would like to claim the term “bank” and “Banking” to be theirs and theirs alone smile emoticon:) I guess that airplanes will have to stop “banking” in flight. Maybe the rivers are in jeopardy now and will have to think of another name for the side of the water where they land their fish…..no more river banks….let’s see….river landings???? I think it’s great….I knew the chartered banks would be “found out” and guess what…they did it themselves by getting all worked up and going after the Credit Unions for using the term “Bank”. Maybe the Credit Union can’t use the term “Bank” but the rest of us can….I say “For the Best BANKING experience……try a Credit Union” they are one of the world’s best kept secrets heart emoticon

    Reply
    • Gene, I certainly understand the need for some regulations and actually appreciate the ones that keep me and my money safe. This one has me totally baffled. Not sure what I am being protected from, and it really bothers me. I have not seen any response from OSFI or the Minister of Finance to offer a justification of any sort.

      Reply

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