Crelan


Crelan was introduced as the bank brand after the merger of Landbouwkrediet / Crédit Agricole and Centea. It is a Belgian bank with roots in agriculture. It is part of Crelan Group, which was 50 percent owned by the Crédit Agricole Group. In June 2015 Crelan became again a 100% Belgian cooperative bank, owned by its clients. In 2018 Crelan Group had 919.887 customers and +/- 600 branches, and made a net profit of €66 million.

History

Its retail banking and commercial enterprises have grown to equal its agricultural interests. In 2006, the bank reported a growth rate of 49%, according to International Financial Reporting Standards with a net result of €52 million. In recent years it acquired and Keytrade Bank. Landbouwkrediet was officially recognized as a bank insurance company in 2007, further strengthening its market position.
In 2019, Crelan announced its intention to acquire AXA Bank Belgium, the Belgian banking business of French insurer AXA, for 620 million euros. The acquisition, planned to be closed by mid 2020, will make Crelan Belgium's fifth-largest lender.

Sponsoring

Since 2001 the bank has sponsored several professional cycling teams, which hosted two world champions, Sven Nys, Wout Van Aert and Sanne Cant.