Cooperative. Sustainable. Responsible

The charter of values of cooperative credit and agenda 2030

The Charter of Values of Cooperative Credit, issued in 1999, sets forth the values on which the activities of Cooperative Credit Banks are based, their strategy and their business practices; it contains the rules of conduct and reflects the commitments of the sector.

In this sense, the Charter of Values is the seal of the Pact between Cooperative Credit Banks and the local Communities and, through them, with the Country.

ART. 1- PRIMACY AND CENTRALITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL

The activities of Cooperative Credit are inspired by the attention to and promotion of the individual.
Cooperative Credit is a network of banks made up of people who work for people.
Cooperative Credit invests in human capital – consisting of shareholders, customers and partners – permanently enhancing it.

ART.2 – COMMITMENT

The commitment of Cooperative Credit focuses, in particular, on satisfying the financial needs of its shareholders and customers, seeking continuous improvement in the quality and value of the products and services offered.
The Cooperative Credit’s aim is to produce benefits and advantages, to create economic, social and cultural value for the benefit of its shareholders and the local community and to “build” trust.
The style of service, the in-depth knowledge of the local area, the excellence of the relationship with shareholders and customers, the supportive approach, and the attention paid to standards of professionalism are a constant motivation for those who manage Cooperative Credit banks and for those who work in them.

ART.3 – AUTONOMY

Autonomy is one of the fundamental principles of Cooperative Credit. This principle is vital and beneficial only if coordinated, connected and integrated into the Cooperative Credit “system”..

ART. 4 – PROMOTING INVOLVEMENT

Internally, Cooperative Credit promotes the involvement, in particular that of its shareholders, in the life of the cooperative.
Cooperative Credit promotes the involvement of local people in business life, favouring families and small enterprises; it promotes access to credit, and contributes to ensuring equal opportunities.

ART. 5 – COOPERATION

The cooperative style is the secret to success. The joining of forces, teamwork, and fair sharing of objectives is the future of Cooperative Credit. Cooperation between cooperative banks through local, regional, national and international structures is a condition for preserving their autonomy and improving their service to shareholders and customers.

ART. 6 – PURPOSE, SERVICE AND BENEFITS

Cooperative Credit is non profit-making.
The achievement of a fair outturn, and not the distribution of profit, is the goal that guides the management of Cooperative Credit. The operating profit is a means for pursuing the promotion of the well-being of the Shareholders and of the local areas served by Cooperative Credit.
It is also evidence of entrepreneurial capacity and a measure of organisational efficiency, as well as an essential condition for the self-financing and development of each cooperative bank.
Cooperative Credit will continue to allocate these profits to consolidate its reserves – to an extent at least equal to that required by law – and to other socially useful activities agreed by the Shareholders.
The accumulated capital is a precious asset to be preserved and defended out of respect for the founders and in the interests of future generations.
Cooperative Credit Shareholders may, in whatever way is most appropriate, obtain benefits proportional to the financial activity that they have individually carried out with their cooperative bank.

ART. 7 – PROMOTING LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

Cooperative Credit is linked to the local community and expresses this by means of a lasting alliance for development.
It promotes the well-being of the local community and its economic, social and cultural development both through its lending activities and through the allocation each year of a portion of its operating profits. Cooperative Credit’s entrepreneurial activity is carried out in a way that is “socially responsible”, rather than being purely financially orientated, and in the pursuit of a fair economy.

ART.8 – ONGOING TRAINING

Cooperative Credit is committed to fostering the development of the skills and professionalism of its directors, managers and employees and the growth and dissemination of an economic, social and ethical culture among its shareholders and local communities.

ART.9 – SHAREHOLDERS

Cooperative Credit Shareholders undertake on their honour to contribute to the development of the bank by working intensively with it, promoting its spirit and commitment within the local community and setting a clear example of democratic control, equal rights, fairness and solidarity among the members of society.
True to the spirit of the founders, shareholders believe in and adhere to a code of ethics based on honesty, transparency, social responsibility and altruism.

ART. 10 – DIRECTORS

Cooperative Credit Directors undertake on their honour to participate in decision-making conscientiously and independently, to create economic and social value for the shareholders and the community, to devote the necessary time to this task, and to personally keep up their professional qualification and ongoing education.

ART. 11 – EMPLOYEES

Cooperative Credit Employees undertake on their honour to cultivate their inter-personal skills with a focus on recognising the individuality of each person and to devote intelligence, qualified commitment and time to their ongoing education and a cooperative spirit to the achievement of the financial and corporate objectives of the bank for which they work.

ART. 12 – YOUNG PEOPLE

Cooperative Credit believes in young people and endorses their active participation in its process of innovation. Through constant dialogue, it is committed to working with them, supporting them in the dissemination and implementation of cooperative credit principles.