Michael Mc Donald
About Michael Mc Donald
Michael McDonald serves as an Associate Principal Examiner at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in Philadelphia, PA, where he has worked since 2015. He specializes in writing risk review reports and conducting compliance examinations of member firms.
Work at FINRA
Michael McDonald has served as an Associate Principal Examiner at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) since 2015. In this role, he is based in Philadelphia, PA, and is responsible for writing comprehensive risk review reports following examinations of member firms. His duties include conducting detailed interviews with firm executives and compliance personnel to evaluate firm procedures. He develops examination strategies that are tailored to the specific business models and regulatory histories of FINRA member firms. Additionally, he conducts on-site reviews at both home and branch offices to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and discusses examination findings with FINRA management and firm personnel throughout the examination process.
Education and Expertise
Michael McDonald holds a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in Finance from La Salle University, which he completed from 2010 to 2012. Prior to this, he earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from the same institution, studying from 2005 to 2009. His educational background in finance provides a solid foundation for his work in regulatory examinations and compliance within the financial industry.
Professional Background
Before joining FINRA, Michael McDonald worked at Prudential Financial as an Annuities Associate from 2009 to 2014. He then transitioned to Meyer-Chatfield, where he held the position of Client Relationship Manager from 2014 to 2015. He also briefly served as a Plan Design Analyst at Meyer-Chatfield for five months in 2015. His diverse experience in various roles within the financial sector contributes to his expertise in compliance and risk assessment.
Career Progression
Michael McDonald has a progressive career in the financial services industry, beginning as an Annuities Associate at Prudential Financial. After five years in that role, he moved to Meyer-Chatfield, where he worked as a Client Relationship Manager and briefly as a Plan Design Analyst. His career path reflects a focus on client relations and compliance, culminating in his current role at FINRA, where he plays a critical part in regulatory examinations.