European Association of Co-operative Banks

🚀 New Key Statistics on the Cooperative Banking Sector Released! 📊 The European Association of Co-operative Banks (EACB), in partnership with Tilburg University, namely Prof. Hans Groeneveld, has just launched the latest key statistics for EACB members. This unique dataset provides a clear snapshot of the financial performance of cooperative banking groups.   Whether you're an academic, policymaker, or industry expert, these insights offer valuable data to evaluate the sector's performance over time.   📥 Access the key statistics now and explore the trends that shape cooperative banking: https://lnkd.in/eRXX4qU9 #coopbanks #financialindicators #coopbanking #coops

What can banks do to manage the rising risks of fraud and financial crime? How will AI and geopolitical risks shape the future of the financial sector? And what do banks need from regulators to enable them to meet upcoming challenges responsibly? These were some of the questions shaping discussions at the 54th EACB General Assembly. Held in the vibrant hub of Helsinki, Finland's largest financial services group, OP Financial Group, generously hosted the delegation of cooperative bank leaders from across Europe and beyond. EACB President and Deputy Director General of Confédération Nationale du Crédit Mutuel Priscille Szeradzki opened with reflections on the strength and relevance of the cooperative banking sector, setting the stage for a productive exchange among EACB members on key strategic priorities in financial services: ➡️ AI & Financial Crime ➡️Savings and Investment Union ➡️Macroprudential Review ➡️Digital euro ➡️Agriculture financing We were honoured to count on the insights from distinguished guests, Tero Kurenmaa and Pauli Kariniemi, from the lenses of Finnish supervision and policymaking. Thank you to OP Group, namely Harri Nummela, Rami Kinnala, and Tuomas Majuri, for their hospitality and impeccable organisation. Our kind farewell to Joan Cavalle, former CEO of Grup CaixaEnginyers – Grupo CajaIngenieros, for his remarkable contribution to cooperative banking. As EACB CEO Nina Schindler noted, he achieved a "unique harmony between tradition and innovation, growing the bank's branches and loan portfolio while upholding the cooperative values". For more details >> https://lnkd.in/dyGM6Hqw

📢 Advancing a Sound Approach to Financial Data Access (FiDA) Leading financial associations, including the EACB, AFME, EBF, EFAMA, ESBG, and Insurance Europe, jointly urge policymakers to prioritize European competitiveness and conduct a thorough impact assessment before a thorough assessment of Fida’s impact across the entire value chain is completed.   Key Recommendations for an Effective FiDA Framework: ➡️ Ensure customer and market demand for data sharing is demonstrated and the cost-benefit ratio is clear. ➡️ Strengthen data protection by ensuring robust regulation and supervision of new entities (FISPs) handling sensitive customer data. ➡️ Refine the scope to address competitiveness and privacy concerns, and protect EU citizens’ data rights. While recent improvements in the legislative positions are welcomed, critical concerns remain unaddressed. The financial industry stands ready to collaborate with policymakers to ensure FiDA supports Open Finance while fostering a secure, innovative, and competitive financial ecosystem in Europe. #CooperativeBanking #FiDA #FinancialInnovation #DataProtection #OpenFinance   European Banking Federation | WSBI-ESBG | Insurance Europe | EFAMA | AFME (Association for Financial Markets in Europe)

My sincere thanks to our President, Priscille Szeradzki! Your visit sparked meaningful conversations with the EACB team members, who certainly appreciated the opportunity to exchange on the legislative framework and get your perspectives on the priorities ahead. We leave this dialogue reassured and energised, with an extra dose of motivation to continue flying the flags for cooperative banking. European Association of Co-operative Banks, Confédération Nationale du Crédit Mutuel #coopbanking #cooperatives #diversity #membership #democracy #teamspirit

📢 The EACB submits its Response to the European Commission’s Consultation on the EU Securitisation framework   The EACB is pleased to contribute with its inputs to the EC Consultation on the functioning of the securitisation framework. In the context of the future of EU Capital Markets under the Savings and Investments Union (SIU), revitalising securitisation in the EU is vital.   We believe that in order to unlock the potential of securitisation, legislators should work towards a more supportive regulatory framework for institutions like cooperative banks, enabling to engage in securitisation effectively.   To achieve this, we suggest: 🔹 Facilitating securitised products based on SME loans. 🔹 Simplifying the overly complex due diligence processes and reducing overlapping reporting requirements. 🔹 Streamlining the STS framework. 🔹 Lowering capital requirements and adjusting the p-factor for STS issuances. 🔹 Amending the liquidity risk treatment of securitisations to attract more banking investors.   To learn more, please read our full response at this link 👇 https://lnkd.in/dndWdHHQ   #Securitisation #SIU #CMU #CooperativeBanks #EACB #CapitalMarkets #EU 

🤝Shaping Cooperative Banking Together: EACB President Priscille Szeradzki Visits Brussels' Team The EACB Team had the honour of welcoming Priscille Szeradzki, EACB President and Deputy General Manager of the Confédération Nationale du Crédit Mutuel, for strategic discussions as the new EU Commission begins its work. Priscille emphasised the need for simplified rules, a level-playing field, and thorough impact assessments on key initiatives like the #digitaleuro, #FiDA, and #CDMIs. Under her leadership, the EACB remains committed to advocating for cooperative banking and its core values of solidarity, mutualism, and democracy. Together, we're building a stronger, more resilient Europe! 💪 #CooperativeBanking #EACB

📢 Joint Industry Statement: Unlocking the Potential of EU Retail Investment   The EACB has joint efforts with other financial services associations to call for a critical competitiveness check of the Retail Investment Strategy (RIS). As currently proposed, the RIS risks adding unnecessary complexity to already heavily regulated investment frameworks, deterring retail participation in European capital markets and imposing excessive burdens on firms and investors.   To refocus the RIS on what matters, the banking, asset managers and insurance industry associations have developed a statement proposing EU policymakers to: 🔹 Simplify rules for firms and investors, avoiding disproportionate compliance requirements. 🔹 Streamline the investment process, ensuring it is accessible, affordable, and user-friendly. 🔹 Reduce information overload, emphasizing clear, relevant disclosures that empower investor decision-making.   By addressing these priorities, the RIS can align with its initial goals, unlock the potential of EU capital markets, and support the Savings and Investments Union’s comprehensive objectives.   👉 READ THE JOINT STATEMENT - https://lnkd.in/eyHvp2ht   #EUCompetitiveness #RetailInvestmentStrategy #EUFinance #CapitalMarkets #coopbanks #SavingsandInvestmentsUnion European Banking Federation EFAMA Insurance Europe AMICE Mutuals European Association of Public Banks (EAPB) Bipar WSBI-ESBG European Forum of Securities Associations EUSIPA - European Structured Investment Products Association  

🎉 Celebrating cooperative banking: a financial model that is here to stay 💪 Cooperative banking isn’t just a banking model; it’s a movement, rooted in innovation 💡, inclusivity 🤝, and democracy 🗳️. At the Parliamentary event hosted by the Bundesverband der Deutschen Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken (BVR) in Brussels, EACB President Priscille Szeradzki underscored the enduring relevance and modernity of cooperative banks in Europe 🌍. To tackle Europe’s pressing challenges, cooperative banks need a regulatory framework that respects their unique characteristics. We call for balanced and inclusive rules that uphold democratic governance, the mutualization of risks, and their pivotal role in financing the sustainable transition 🌱. Our heartfelt thanks to the BVR for organizing such an inspiring event 🙏 and fostering meaningful exchanges on the future of cooperative banking. This gathering reflects the strong ties and shared mission within the cooperative banking community — a unity that will be vital in shaping Europe’s financial and social landscape 🌟. As we approach the UN’s International Year of Cooperatives in 2025 📅, these connections are more important than ever. Together, we can ensure cooperative banking continues to lead the way toward a stable, inclusive, and sustainable future for all. #CooperativeBanking #SustainableBanking #EACB #FinancialInclusion #Innovation #CooperativeFuture Confédération Nationale du Crédit Mutuel

🎉 Celebrating cooperative banking: a financial model that is here to stay 💪 Cooperative banking isn’t just a banking model; it’s a movement, rooted in innovation 💡, inclusivity 🤝, and democracy 🗳️. At the Parliamentary event hosted by the Bundesverband der Deutschen Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken (BVR) in Brussels, EACB President Priscille Szeradzki underscored the enduring relevance and modernity of cooperative banks in Europe 🌍. To tackle Europe’s pressing challenges, cooperative banks need a regulatory framework that respects their unique characteristics. We call for balanced and inclusive rules that uphold democratic governance, the mutualization of risks, and their pivotal role in financing the sustainable transition 🌱. Our heartfelt thanks to the BVR for organizing such an inspiring event 🙏 and fostering meaningful exchanges on the future of cooperative banking. This gathering reflects the strong ties and shared mission within the cooperative banking community — a unity that will be vital in shaping Europe’s financial and social landscape 🌟. As we approach the UN’s International Year of Cooperatives in 2025 📅, these connections are more important than ever. Together, we can ensure cooperative banking continues to lead the way toward a stable, inclusive, and sustainable future for all. #CooperativeBanking #SustainableBanking #EACB #FinancialInclusion #Innovation #CooperativeFuture Confédération Nationale du Crédit Mutuel

📢 EACB Comments on the Retail Investment Strategy (RIS) in Trilogue Negotiations The EACB has analyzed the Proposals on the the RIS of the Commission, European Parliament and Council, and their impact on cooperative banks. While we are critical of the RIS proposal for failing to align with the objectives of the Capital Markets Union (CMU), particularly by increasing regulatory complexity and missing an opportunity to enhance the ESG investment framework, we believe the RIS still offers a chance to address critical challenges in the EU financial markets. As the EU aims to make capital markets more accessible to retail investors, we advocate for simplifying the existing regulatory framework. We are particularly concerned about the following points: ➡️ Value for Money (VfM) Framework: The rigid cost-based benchmarks risk stifling innovation and quality features, limiting the ability of banks to offer tailored products like ESG investments. ➡️ the Council’s proposal introducing an "inducement test" and “overarching principles”, could lead to an inducements ban through the back door, unnecessary complexity and duplication of existing legal requirements. the EC proposed "Best Interest Test" would  negatively impact investment offerings and could push investment firms towards overly simplistic products that fail to serve client needs and may inadvertently benefit non-EU markets. The EACB remains committed to promoting a regulatory environment that supports financial innovation and makes EU markets more attractive for retail investors. We call for a more flexible, simplified approach that balances investor protection with the needs of the market. To learn more, please read our full position paper on the Retail Investment Strategy. 👉🏻 https://lnkd.in/eev4_Gvu #coopbanks #CMU #RIS #mifid #retailinvestment