
The European Association of Co-operative Banks is a trade association that represents the interests of co-operative banks across Europe. The association was established in 1994 to promote the development of co-operative banking in Europe.
Its members are co-operative banks that have a strong focus on serving their local communities and promoting financial inclusion. The association has over 30 member banks from 20 European countries, making it a significant voice in European banking.
One of the key areas of focus for the association is promoting the values of co-operative banking, such as solidarity, mutual aid, and social responsibility. By promoting these values, the association aims to create a more equitable and sustainable financial system.
European Association of Co-operative Banks
The European Association of Co-operative Banks (EACB) is a powerful force in the European banking industry. Founded in 1970, it represents, promotes, and defends the interests of its 27 member institutions and cooperative banks.
The EACB is a leading professional lobbying association, which means it has a strong voice in shaping banking policies and legislation in Europe. It was established to promote the interests of cooperative banks and their members.
Cooperative banks are unique in that they are owned and controlled by their members, who are also their clients. This model is based on the principles of self-help and equality, which were first conceived by Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen and Schulze-Delitzsch in the 19th century.
The EACB's mission is to promote the values of cooperative banking, including social responsibility and environmental sustainability. Its member banks are committed to delivering value to their customers and communities.
Today, the EACB has 27 member institutions, which are dedicated to promoting the interests of cooperative banks in Europe.
Cooperative Banking
The European Association of Co-operative Banks (EACB) represents the interests of its member institutions and cooperative banks in Europe.
Founded in 1970, the EACB is a leading professional lobbying association in the European banking industry.
Today, the EACB has 27 member institutions, working together to promote and defend their common interests.
Cooperative Banking Characteristics
Cooperative banking is a unique and fascinating world that offers a lot of benefits to its members and the community. Cooperative banks are owned and controlled by their clients, who are also members of the bank.
This model is based on the principles of self-help and equality, which were first conceived by Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen and Schulze-Delitzsch in the 19th century. They aimed to secure financial access to less privileged groups of society, especially those from rural areas.
Cooperative banks have a distinct governance structure, where every member has one vote, regardless of their wealth or status. This 'one person - one vote' approach ensures that decision-making is inclusive and representative of the members' interests.
One of the key characteristics of cooperative banking is its focus on long-term relationships and trust with members and customers. This is reflected in their business model, which prioritizes member value over short-term profits.
Cooperative banks also have a strong commitment to social values and environmental sustainability (ESG). They believe in using their resources to benefit the community and the environment, rather than just maximizing profits.
The European Association of Co-operative Banks (EACB) represents the interests of 27 member institutions and cooperative banks across Europe. Founded in 1970, the EACB is a leading professional lobbying association in the European banking industry.
Here are some key characteristics of cooperative banking:
- Member ownership model
- Member benefits/surplus through long-term relationship
- 'One person - One vote' governance
- Commitment to social values and ESG
- Proximity to customers' regional presence
- Limited participation in profit
Working Group Activities
The European Association of Co-operative Banks (EACB) has a robust framework in place to address various policy issues through its 14 Working Groups.
These Working Groups cover a wide range of topics, including Accounting & Audit, Anti-Money Laundering & Financial Sanctions, and Banking Regulation.
The EACB's Working Groups are actively engaged in advocating for cooperative banking interests in the EU regulatory discussion.
Here is a list of the EACB's Working Groups:
- Accounting & Audit
- Anti-Money Laundering & Financial Sanctions
- Banking Regulation
- Cooperative ID Forum
- Consumer Policy
- Corporate Governance and Company Law
- Digital euro
- Digitalisation and Use of Data
- Financial Markets
- Green and Sustainable Finance
- Payment Systems
- Recovery, Resolution and Deposit Protection
- Sustainability Reporting and Audit
- Taxation
The EACB's commitment to addressing these policy issues is evident in its dedicated Working Groups.
Activities and Voices
The European Association of Co-operative Banks (EACB) is a leading professional lobbying association in the European banking industry, founded in 1970.
Cooperative banks play a major role in the local and regional financial and economic system in Europe, contributing to stability and driving local and social growth. They have 2,800 local banks and 51,500 points of sale, serving 210 million customers.
Europe's cooperative banks represent 84 million members and 713,000 employees, with a 20% share of the European banking and local economy financing market.
The EACB's working group on CSR and cooperatives focuses on issues related to cooperative social responsibility, sustainability, and cooperative activities, providing input on legislative developments and projects at the EU and international levels.
Cooperative banks like Crédit Mutuel, owned by its 8.9 million customer-members, demonstrate the unique approach of cooperative banking, where customers are also owners.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Association_of_Co-operative_Banks
- https://www.lobbyfacts.eu/datacard/european-association-of-co-operative-banks
- https://uia.org/s/or/en/1100065575
- https://www.unepfi.org/events/unep-fi-regional-roundtable-europe-partners/
- https://www.creditmutuel.com/en/the-eacb.html
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