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

73% of savings from the territory is reinvested by BCC to finance enterprises and families in the same 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 December 2021, BCCs loans to companies amounted to 79 billion euros (+1.8% compared to -0.8% in the banking industry) for an overall average market share of 10.3%. In particular, market shares of typical “made in Italy” economic sectors are significantly relevant.

BCC PARTNERS OF PUBLIC POLICIES

In 2021 BCCs supplied more than 15.5 million euros loans assisted by the guarantee of the European Investment fund, to SMEs and Small- Mid – Cap.

Loans to support female enterprises, social enterprises, social cooperatives, microcredit and innovative start-ups exceeded 519 million euros.

COMMUNITY BANKS DOWNSIZE THE RISK

The average gross NPLs ratio in January 2022 was 2.6% (2.1% in the Banking Industry). In their typical
operating segments (micro-enterprises, smaller enterprises, non-profit) the BCCs gross NPLs ratio is structurally lower in comparison to the banking sector as a whole.

THE CAPITALIZATION OF BCCs

In January 2022 the three supervisory capital ratios – the Cet1 Ratio, the Tier 1 ratio and the Total Capital Ratio – are significantly increasing and significantly above the banking industry average.

THE BCCs DURING THE PANDEMIC (2020 – 2021)

BCCs have increased their funding of the real economy during the pandemic period (March 2020 – December 2021). Over 15 million donations to local communities affected by the Covid-19 emergency.

Since the beginning of pandemic, more than 342 thousand moratoria have been approved for an amount exceeding 41 billion euros.

Download here the last “BCCs Report” 2022 Edition (Data as December 2021)

Resta aggiornato sul mondo del Credito Cooperativo

Le BCC a sostegno della popolazione ucraina

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