Crédit Mutuel, a cooperative, mutualist and democratic bank

Local bank at the heart of a decentralized organization

It is within the local banks that democracy is expressed at Crédit Mutuel. At general meetings, members elect the representatives of their local bank to sit on the boards of directors and supervisory boards. They also review the bank’s operations and earnings, and vote on the general directions taken.

Together, the local banks control all of the Group’s structures and collectively ensure that they function properly. They exercise their powers in accordance with the rules that they have set themselves through internal bodies.

Regional federations across the entire country

Each Crédit Mutuel local bank is a member of a federation that represents the local banks collectively in its area and works to help Crédit Mutuel grow. These federations organize the representation and control of the local banks. They also provide a forum for dialog with employee representatives. The board of directors is the federation’s decision-making body. The federations are represented in the trade union association, a veritable internal parliament that brings together representatives elected by the local banks.

Confédération Nationale du Crédit Mutuel

The 18 regional federations that make up the Crédit Mutuel group are affiliated with the Confédération Nationale du Crédit Mutuel. This is the network’s central body in charge of defending the Group’s interests. Confédération Nationale du Crédit Mutuel promotes the “Crédit Mutuel” brand and ensures that the Group is in compliance with regulatory requirements. Confédération Nationale du Crédit Mutuel has a financial tool in the form of a central bank.

General meetings: every member can make their voice heard

The Crédit Mutuel local banks organize their annual general meetings between the months of February and May. During these meetings, customer-members are free to voice their opinions and hence participate in the life of their bank.

Crédit Mutuel’s local banks operate according to the principle of “one member = one vote”. This means that all the votes cast by members at general meetings are of equal value. It also makes it impossible for anyone to acquire a controlling interest in the bank as a shareholder with a majority interest in a company might do.