Banca d’Alba: Excellence in Financial Inclusivity and Impact Italy 2025

Banca d’Alba has established itself as Italy’s largest cooperative bank by membership and one of the most prominent cooperative institutions in Europe, distinguished by its commitment to financial inclusivity, community welfare, and growth. Founded 130 years ago, the bank now serves over 65,000 members and has experienced sustained expansion, with recent years marking its strongest performance. In a sector where thousands of branches have closed annually, Banca d’Alba has taken the opposite path, opening new branches in both urban centres such as Turin and Genova and in smaller towns and villages, ensuring access in communities. This approach underpins its mission of mutuality and responsibility, with inclusivity evident not only in branch expansion but also in the provision of low or zero-interest loans to disadvantaged groups, often in collaboration with municipalities. The bank has also pursued international cooperative initiatives, supporting development projects in Ecuador and Togo to promote livelihoods. Domestically, its focus on diversity and inclusion has been recognised through certifications, with women being more than men as a number of employees. Beyond financial services, Banca d’Alba has pioneered unique social programmes, including the operation of six owned medical centres providing free healthcare to members, which has delivered over three million treatments since 1994. Such initiatives exemplify the bank’s vision of combining financial stability with active citizenship, reinforcing trust and loyalty within its community. The Capital Finance International (CFI.co) Judging Panel congratulates Banca d’Alba on winning the 2025 Excellence in Financial Inclusivity and Impact Award (Italy).