Our History

Our history: a history against the tide

Our bank was founded in 1920 in a post-war climate of civil reconstruction, on the initiative of the Catholic popular inhabitants of Binasco (MI).

The express purpose is the pursuit of public benefits achieved by foregoing the personal gain of members. The collection of deposits is guaranteed by the statutory personal assets of shareholders and is primarily used to stimulate the birth and growth of a diverse group of co-operatives, as an antidote against high unemployment.

Further, one of the most important goals is to contain the spread of usury by offering loans at low cost, free of speculative encumbrances.

Although the advent of the Fascist period humiliated the growth potential of all the credit cooperative, true success begins with the Second World War with the start of the cycle of economic expansion that characterizes it since the '60s.

The bank definitely takes the role of main engine of local initiative which is expressed in the multiplication of small artisan businesses capable of development towards industrial qualification. In this decade the bank knows a dynamism that leads her to draw a significant upward trend in the volume of work. The staff increased from two units in 1960 to ten in 1970, the year in which falls the 50th anniversary of its foundation. The first success is measured by the ‘70s in terms of a consistent occupational growth.

In 1972, the reached capitalization level allows the opening of the first branch in Moncucco of Vernate (MI).

The enthusiastic welcome of the community is beyond every expectation.

In the early ‘80s, due to the amount of the transactions done, our bank is the largest banking institution in Binasco. One of the other banking institutions chooses to close its branch to transfer elsewhere.

The amount of resources designed to works of social benefit is becoming more and more visible. The Recreational and Cultural Association was founded, which takes charge of implementing and managing the public recreation center, nowadays known throughout the area.

In 1985 was inaugurated the new headquarters in Via Turati property, work that realizes the dream of our founding fathers.

In the early 90's statistics report extraordinary data on market share achieved by our bank in its original community and from that position the Company starts an expansion plan which takes shape in a decade with the opening of the Branches of Lacchiarella (MI), Rosate (MI), Casarile (MI), Vellezzo Bellini (PV), Marcignago (PV), Bornasco (PV), Pavia with 2 agencies in the city and Valle Salimbene (PV).

In 2006, after a period of consolidation also connected to the "unfavorable" economic trend at the time, territorial expansion continues with the opening of the Branch of Rozzano – Quinto Dé Stampi (MI), which was followed by the inauguration of the Branch of Opera (MI) and, subsequently, the bank continues with the settlement in the towns of Assago (MI), San Genesio and Uniti (PV) Buccinasco (MI), Corsico (MI), until you get to the last open branch in Trezzano sul Naviglio (MI) in December 2011.

Today our bank counts over 20,000 accounts and about 850 million Euros of direct deposits and 850 million euros of loans to households and businesses, is positioned at the top places of the ranking among the Lombard Cooperative Credit Banks.

The external mutuality, which in the past twenty-five years has been expanding together with the capitalization of the company by supporting social initiatives of all kinds, recollect now over 200 associations, organizations or institutions, among which stand out those of volunteer service for the most in need. Their geographical location extends to over twenty locations in the district.

Among the achievements of social utility we can find the new chapel with adjoining movie-theater, capable of holding over 300 young people.

The team is strengthened, the professionalism is increased and the spirit of dedication accepts always new challenges towards goals of competitiveness and proud affirmation of the principles which inspired it, whose source remains the social Christian doctrine.