On the occasion of the 7th EACB Convention on Co-operative Banks, Roberto Gualtieri, Chairman of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs at the European Parliament, who was among the high level panelists of the event stated:
” The role of co-operative banks is key in ensuring a healthy pluralism and diversity of banking across Europe, by focusing on local economy and on long term credit financing rather than on short term profit maximisation, with the relevant contribution to financial inclusion and social cohesion. Their contribution in addressing the needs of financing of small businesses and households is also of great importance. The ECON committee is fully engaged to ensure pluralism and diversity of banking models within the Banking Union and to ensure compliance with the principle of proportionality, while preserving a level playing field and avoiding fragmentation along national lines.”