The European Association of Co-operative Banks , is the leading trade association for the co-operative banking sector with 28 member institutions and co-operative banks located in 23 countries worldwide. As the representative of the world's largest cooperative banking cluster, the EACB is the voice of 2.914 small, regional and large member banks at European and international levels. As an international non-profit Association based in Brussels, the EACB is recognised as a key interlocutor for cooperative banks by the regulators and supervisors at EU and International levels. The EACB works together with more than 200 experts from its member organisations. The association represents, promotes and defends the values of the co-operative banking model in Europe and on the global stage. The EACB has the largest and most comprehensive policy resources for co-operative banks worldwide. These resources as well as important data on the co-operative banking sector are freely available on the EACB website.
Co-operative Banks at a Glance
Co-operative banks serve 209 million customers Co-operative banks are mutual and private banks, owned by their 84 million members Co-operative banks share common values and foster local growth and entrepreneurship through their 2.800 regional and local banks, 51.000 branches Co-operative banks employ 713,000 individuals nationally Co-operative banks manage more than €7,4 trillion in banking assets Co-operative banks safeguard €3,9 trillion in deposits Co-operative banks extend more than €4,3 trillion in loans
Creation
Following an initiative launched by Mr. Johannes TEICHERT, a first meeting with representatives of the European Commission was held in December 1969 with the aim to create a representative body for credit co-operatives of the 6 EU-member states. Hence the Association of Co-operative Savings and Credit Institutions of the E.E.C. was officially created on October 1, 1970. The first statutes of the Association were signed at the end of 1971 by the following founding members:
Caisse Centrale des Associations Agricole Luxembourgeoises
Ente Nazionale delle Casse Rurale Agrari ed Ente Ausiliari, Rome
Fédération Centrale du Crédit Agricole Mutuel, Paris
Fédération Nationale du Crédit Agricole, Paris
Federazione Italiana dei Consorzi Agrari, Rome
Union du Crédit Coopératif, Paris
Structure
The EACB is a European non-profit association, located and registered in Belgium. It is headed by a President and regulated by the Board and the Executive Committee. The General Manager, Mr. Hervé Guider leads the Secretariat based in Brussels. The EACB supports the code of conduct on lobbying of the European Commission and is registered in the EU transparency register book. The President is elected for 2 years with a mandate, which may be renewed once. He chairs the Board and the Executive Committee. The Board meets 3 to 4 times a year and defines the general policy. The Executive Committee is composed of 39 appointed Members, who endorse recommendations put forward by the Working Groups members. They meet three times a year. The activities of the EACB are articulated around Working Groups and Taskforces, covering topics from banking legislation to customer policy, CSR and Social Affairs.
Overview of the Presidents of the EACB
1970 – 1977 : President Van Campen, Centrale Coöperatieve Boerenleenbank 1977 – 1981 : President Braun, Crédit Mutuel 1982 – 1986 : President Lardinois, Rabobank Nederland 1986 – 1989 : President Schramm, BVR, Germany 1989 – 1995 : President Barsalou, Crédit Agricole, Paris 1995 – 1999 : President Grüger, BVR Germany 1999 – 2002 : President Meijer, Rabobank Nederland 2002 – 2006 : President Pflimlin, Crédit Mutuel Paris 2006 – 2008 : President Pleister, BVR, Germany 2008 – 2012 : President Moerland, Rabobank Nederland 2012 - 2016 : President Talgorn, Crédit Agricole S.A. Since 2016 : President Hofmann, BVR Germany
Overview of the Secretaries General
1970 - 1982 : Johannes Teichert 1982 – 1996 : Guido Ravoet 1996 – 2001 : Johann-G. von Süsskind Since 2001 : Hervé Guider
Members of the EACB
''Full members''
''Associate Members''
Relationship with other European Banking Industry and Co-operatives Representatives
As the voice of co-operative banks, the EACB maintains close relations with other bodies that regroup certain co-operative banks with the purpose of enhancing business co-operation, such as the Conféderation Internationale des Banques Populaires. In addition the EACB is a member of Co-operatives Europe, the umbrella body gathering European and national co-operative organisations and the International Co-operative Alliance. The EACB is a founding member of the , the and the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group.
