[3] Recognizing the need to invest in innovation and technology to evolve with changing customer needs,[4] McKay also oversaw RBC's move into the payments space.
McKay was appointed President of RBC on February 26, 2014[5] and chief executive officer and Director of the Board on August 1, 2014, succeeding Gord Nixon in these roles.
[6] Shortly after being appointed president and CEO in 2014, he led the acquisition of City National Corporation, creating a platform for growth with institutional, corporate and high net worth clients in the U.S. McKay supported and developed RBC "Future Launch" program, a 10-year, $500 million charity program to help youth.
The following year, RBC became the first Canadian bank to sign a long-term power purchase agreement for renewable energy.
[7] In 2020, The Globe and Mail's Report on Business recognized Dave McKay as Corporate Citizen of the Year, one of Canada's top 5 CEOs.