Expanding Cooperative and Mutual Banking: Shaping More Resilient and Sustainable Economies
The European Association of Co-operative Banks (EACB) represents over 2.400 cooperative banks, 90 million members and 227 million customers across Europe and beyond.
As its membership grows globally and supervision evolves, the EACB presents its 2nd Global Cooperative Banking Forum, convening distinguished cooperative bankers, policymakers, supervisors and scholars to exchange on global regulatory and market trends shaping the future of the industry.
Under the theme "Expanding Cooperative and Mutual Banking: Shaping More Resilient and Sustainable Economies", this edition examines growth pathways for the sector and the regulatory evolution needed to support them—while balancing diversity, proportionality and resilience.
Date: Thursday, 8 May 2025
Time: 13:20 -16:35 (GMT+1)
Venue: Hall 1, International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham, UK
Host/Context: Hosted by the Building Societies Association (BSA), as the afternoon session of the 2nd day of the 2025 BSA Annual Conference (full programme here).
Programme
Opening
by Robin Fieth, Chief Executive, Building Societies Association (BSA); and by Nina Schindler, Chief Executive, European Association of Cooperative Banks (EACB)
Keynote
A Commitment to Doubling the Size of the UK’s Cooperative and Mutual Economy
by Emma Reynolds MP, Economic Secretary, HM Treasury
Keynote
A Modern Mutual in the UK
by Debbie Crosbie, CEO, Nationwide Building Society
Panel
Cooperative and Mutual Banking: Perspectives for Expansion
- Debbie Crosbie, Chief Executive, Nationwide Building Society
- David Murano, Deputy Director General, Caja Ingenieros
- Steve Laidlaw, Chief Executive, People First Bank
- Professor Barbara Casu, Professor of Finance, Deputy Dean, Bayes Business School, City St George's, University of London
Chaired by: Baroness Nicky Morgan, House of Lords
---Break---
Keynote
Banking regulatory framework: Diversity and proportionality vs market resilience?
by Rodney Hood, Acting Comptroller of the Currency, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in Washington DC
Panel
Cooperative, Mutuals, and Community Banks in the 21st Century between Regulation and Mission
- Rodney Hood, acting comptroller of the currency, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in Washington DC (tbc)
- Marcus Barboza, Chief Risk Officer, Sicredi
- Harri Nummela, Deputy to the President and CEO, OP Financial Group
- Steve Hughes, Chief Executive, Coventry Building Society (tbc)
Chaired by: Baroness Nicky Morgan, House of Lords
Conclusions
Priscille Szeradzki, EACB Chair 2025 – 2027 & Deputy Director General, Confédération National du Crédit Mutuel
Closing comments
Julie-Ann Haines, BSA Chair 2025 – 2027 & Chief Executive, Principality Building Society