The BCCs were started as Rural Banks (becoming Casse Rurali ed Artigiane, Rural and Artisan Banks under the 1937 law) between the late 19th and early 20th century, thanks to the efforts of people inspired by the social doctrine of the Catholic Church, which played – in Italy – an important role in urging the poorer members of the rural population (especially farmers and artisans, who at that time were particularly unprotected) to defeat poverty and widespread usury.

Leone Wollemborg, the founder of first Italian Cassa Rurale in Loreggia, near Padova, in 1883

The Banche di Credito Cooperativo therefore arose out of a necessity and a utopia.

The necessity being to enable as many people as possible to obtain loans at more favourable conditions than those of the traditional banks.

The utopia was to be able to ensure that business and solidarity could go forward together, day by day, focusing on individuals and the capacity of self-financing. Since then, the Rural Banks have maintained their close links with the local community over the years, growing together so as to truly deserve being called “local banks”. Mutuality, concern for local affairs, solidarity and being part of a system are the characteristics which distinguish the Banche di Credito Cooperativo in the context of the Italian banking industry.

THE ORGANIZATION OF “CREDITO COOPERATIVO” SYSTEM

Federcasse (National Federation of Italian Co-operative Credit Banks) is the “common house” of all Banche di Credito Cooperativo (BCCs) and a legally based Association that mirrors the diversity of our local banks, their mutualistic identity and function, their regional Associations.

The Italian BCCs are organized with two Cooperative banking groups (BCC Iccrea Cooperative Banking Group and Cassa Centrale Cooperative Banking Group) and with an Institutional Protection Scheme (the IPS Raiffeisen founded by the cooperative banks of the Bozen Province).

Each of BCCs has its own banking license and own board of directors democratically elected by the members among the members.

CREDITO COOPERATIVO – STRUCTURE

In 2019 started the new Cooperative Banking Groups: Gruppo Bancario Cooperativo Iccrea (4th March) and Gruppo Bancario Cooperativo Cassa Centrale Banca (1st January). BCCs control, on an equity basis, the majority of the capital (at least 60%) of the parent company of the Gruppo Bancario Cooperativo to which they belong. The parent company controls and guarantees, on a contractual basis, the individual BCC. The Raiffeisen Banks have established an IPS (Institutional Protection Scheme), authorized on November 3, 2020.

BCC – IN THE TERRITORY

BCC – KEY STATISTICS

CIVIL AND GEO-CIRCULAR FINANCE

71% of savings raised by BCCs is reinvested to finance the economy of their own territory (Italy’s average). At least 95% of loans must be provided to enterprises, households and associations in the area where BCC operates. These numers indicate the BCC’s “geo-circular” index .

In June 2024, BCC provide 137.7 billion euros loans, of which over 54% to SMEs enterprises.

FINANCIAL STABILITY, DEVELOPMENT OF TERRITORIES AND WELL-BEING

Over 2.3 billion euros allocated to reserves to increase indivisible capital (89.4% of the total profits) and over 161.8 million euros allocated to charity and external mutuality (6.3% of the total profits).

Over 102.5 million euros of donations and sponsorships allocated to communities for initiatives related to culture, health, sport and the promotion of the territory.

SOLIDITY. THE CAPITALIZATION OF BCCS

The capital ratios are as of December 2023 growing significantly. In December 2023 BCCs Capital Ratios are growing significantly.

The BCCs Ratio between the best quality capital and risk-weighted assets (CET1 Ratio) is significantly higher than that of significant and less significant banks.

BCCS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

BCC Energia negotiates – on behalf of the BCCs, their member and customer companies and other consortium companies – the conditions for the supply of the energy produced exclusively from renewable sources. In December 2023, 150 companies (of which 132 BCCs, 11 local federations, 7 system companies)
are members of BCC Energia, while 124 member and/or customer companies of the BCCs have signed supply agreements.

Download here the last “BCCs Report” 2024 Edition

Le BCC a sostegno della popolazione ucraina

Attenzione alle truffe perpetrate a nome di “BCC Federcassa Spa”

Resta aggiornato sul mondo del Credito Cooperativo