the cooperative model - Fédération nationale des Caisses d`Epargne

Annual
Report
2011
editorial
Michel Sorbier
Chairman, National Federation
of the Caisses d’Epargne
&
Florence Raineix
CEO, National Federation
of the Caisses d’Epargne
© CEPAL
O
ver the course of 2011, as the debate on the role and
responsibility of banks raged, the Caisses d’Epargne
affirmed their uniqueness day in and day out.
The difficult context, which particularly affected the
banking sector, underscored the importance of the Caisses
d’Epargne’s core purpose: serving communities with
cooperative banks that are rooted in the local economy,
mobilise savings, lend and actively promote social
programmes, education, culture and sports. In sum, fulfil
their role as economic actors that both serve and are part
of the community, cultivating values of
trust, solidarity and commitment.
More than ever, the Caisses d’Epargne
meet the needs of French society. In
2011, their performance and client
feedback confirmed this vision.
The Groupe BPCE recorded an
encouraging profit of 2.7 billion euros.
The 17 Caisses d’Epargne largely contributed to this
success, with 1,362 million euros. Keeping in line with their
values, they increased lending by 10%. This dynamic growth
has brought commercial success that benefits cooperative
shareholders and customers alike, drawing in 600,000 new
customers.
Voted France’s favourite bank*, the Caisses d'Epargne are
renowned for their social utility** and unique relationship to
cooperative shareholders, customers and, more broadly,
French citizens.
These signals demonstrate the vitality of our businesses and
the viability of our model. A model that, in light of the recent
turmoil, has yet again proven its virtues.
The Federation, in symbiosis with the Caisses d’Epargne
network, promotes this model with conviction. It
nurtures the relationship with cooperative shareholders,
represents their interests, contributes to the Caisses
d’Epargne’s strategy and policies on social and
environmental responsibility, trains elected leaders--such
are the tasks the Federation pursues in cooperation with
the regional Caisses d’Epargne
and in dialogue with BPCE.
In 2018, the Caisses d’Epargne
will celebrate their 200th
anniversary. This longevity
demonstrates
their
ability
to manage change, even in
difficult
times.
Historically
modern, tuned in to present day needs yet at the forefront of
societal change: this is the Caisses d’Epargne.
The Federation, in symbiosis
with the Caisses d’Epargne
promotes their model
with conviction.
2
© FNCE
* Opinion survey by JDD / Posternak / Ipsos, January 2012.
** Survey by Viavoice/Ogilvy/Le Monde, March 2012.
table of contents
06-13
Developing
and promoting
the cooperative model
14-23
Keeping our identity
and commitment
alive
24-27
Organisation
of the National Federation
of the Caisses d’Epargne
07
10
12
The relation with cooperative shareholders,
our driving force
Training elected officials,
foundation of good governance
Promoting our model
among decision-makers
15
18
21
25
26
Philanthropy,
investing in our communities
Financial inclusion, facilitating access
to the underserved
Promoting our heritage
Federal governance
Board of Directors
as of May 1st, 2012
ANNUAL REPORT 2011 - 3
Highlights from 2011
January
25/26/27
January 25: Heads of Cooperative Activities from
the Caisses d’Epargne meet for a plenary session to
draft the 2011 action plan and prepare the General
Assemblies of the local savings societies (sociétés
locales d’épargnes, SLE).
January 26: Federation officials and the International
Relations Committee received by MicroBank,
the social bank of La Caixa, in Barcelona.
23/24
The Federation participates in the European
Commission consultation on the Single Market Act,
contributing to four areas: SME financing, governance,
access to basic banking services and the social
economy.
Regional Caisses d’Epargne hold their General
Assemblies.
12/25/26
May 12: Heads of Philanthropy from the Caisses
d’Epargne meet at the Federation to take stock of recent
philanthropic initiatives and define priorities for 2012.
May 25: The General Assembly of the Federation
welcomes Jose Francisco de Conrado y Villalonga,
Chairman of Microbank.
May 26: The Federation organises a plenary
for a hundred members of Audit Committees
and the chairpersons of Steering and Supervisory
Boards, in the presence of Danièle Nouy, Secretary
General of the Prudential Control Authority.
Mars
© FNCE
March 22: General Secretaries of the Caisses d’Epargne
meet in Paris at the Federation to review recent legal
and institutional developments.
March 31: Nicole Notat, Chairwoman of Vigeo,
shares her vision on the “new forms of social
responsibility for companies”, as special guest
at the Caisses d’Epargne breakfast meeting series,
the Matinales.
© FNCE
April 1-3: Thirty-one 15 to 20 year-old Europeans,
winners of the 2010-2011 programme Learning about
the Stock Market organised by Finances & Pédagogie
and the Caisses d’Epargne, are received in Paris
by the newspaper Le Monde.
May
February 23 and 24: The Federation hosts
the European Microfinance Network’s task force
on social performance of microfinance institutions.
22/31
1/3/7
April 7: The Benjamin Delessert Association rewards
Sandra Rigot for her dissertation Strategies
and Governance of Pension Funds in the presence
of François Baroin, Budget Minister.
January 27: The Federation hosts a member
of the Spanish Confederation of Savings Banks
(CECA).
February
April
The Federation provides branch offices with
toolkits to organise the local savings societies’ General
Assemblies.
Board Members of local savings societies meet to
prepare for their General Assemblies in June and July.
June
15
June 15 to July 8: General Assemblies of local savings
societies.
4
8
July
July 8: As part of the French G20 presidency, the
World Institute of Savings Banks (WSBI) participates
in discussions on financial inclusion at an international
microfinance conference in Paris.
September
20/21
September 20: The Federation organises a plenary
session for the heads of Cooperative Activities of the
Caisses d’Epargne.
November
16/21/24
© CELDA
November 16: The Federation’s Board of Directors
approves the operations plan for 2012.
November 21: The second meeting of the European
Savings Banks is held in Valence, with the Caisse
d’Epargne Loire Drôme Ardèche.
November 24 and 25: Heads of the Caisses
d’Epargne’s microfinance activities meet for a seminar
in Nantes to take stock of operations, review ongoing
projects and set priorities.
September 21: The Annual Meeting of the Caisses
d’Epargne Training Managers is held at the Federation.
December
October
1/11/14/17/19/26
October 1st: Florence Raineix is named CEO
of the National Federation of Caisses d’Epargne.
October 11-13: The Federation organises the
conference Women Entrepreneurs, Partners in Success
at the Microentreprise Forum held at the Palais des
Congrès in Paris.
October 14: The jury for the Trophées de l’engagement
(Committment Awards) meets at the Federation. A
special Matinale is organised for the occasion, with
Christian Nibourel, president of Accenture.
7/14
© Thierry Pinalie
December 7: Over 400 Board Members and elected
leaders participate in the Caisses d’Epargne’s 6th
Initiatives & Convergences Convention entitled
Investing in People: Our Greatest Asset at the Salle
Wagram, in Paris.
December 14: The Federation kicks off a nation-wide
web and radio campaign on social commitment. The
ad publicises the website initiativescooperatives.fr,
where videos produced by each one of the 17 regional
Caisses d’Epargne can be viewed.
October 17-18: The National Federation of Caisses
d’Epargne and National Federation of Banques Populaires
organise the first joint seminar for the chairpersons
of Caisses d’Epargne and Banques Populaires.
October 19: Jean-Pierre Jouyet, Chairman
of the Financial Markets Authority, is the special guest
at the Matinale.
© Constantinos - Fotolia.com
October 26: The Federation organises the first
International Volunteers Awards.
ANNUAL REPORT 2011 - 5
developing
and promoting
THE COOPERATIVE MODEL
In 2011, while the economic role
of banks was hotly debated, the
Caisses d’Epargne continued to
nourish a relationship of trust with
their cooperative shareholders,
4.3 million strong as of December
2011. The economic and financial
turmoil only reinforced the Caisses
d’Epargne model: a decentralized
network of regional, member-owned
6
cooperative banks that mobilise
savings and finance the needs of a
regional clientele. The Federation
supports the Caisses d’Epargne
by nurturing the relationship
with cooperative shareholders,
training elected representatives, and
representing their interests among
various stakeholders, particularly
policy-makers.
Key Figures
4,340,000
members
as of 31/12/2011
381,000 participants at the
General Assemblies of the 275 local
savings societies in June-July 2011
The relation with cooperative shareholders,
our driving force
1
Fostering dialogue,
nurturing community
A highpoint in the relationship between cooperative
shareholders and the Caisses d’Epargne, the General
Assemblies of the 275 local saving societies were held
throughout France in June and July 2011. Some 4.3 million
members (individuals and companies) were invited to
discuss their bank’s activities, results and priorities. The
Federation helps organise these meetings with a number
of tools: position papers, policy briefs, information and PR
materials. Ninety per cent of the Caisses d’Epargne take
advantage of these tools. In 2011, efforts were made to raise
awareness among the sales force about what it means to be
a shareholder through contests and special invitations for
cooperative shareholders.
Special meetings for cooperative shareholders from
the same region to inform members in advance about
issues concerning the bank. Fifty meetings were held in
2011. Among the issues discussed: insurance, retirement,
the stock market, and asset management, along with a new
topic devoted to the idea of a “family bank.”
Members’ Clubs bring together over 100,000 members.
The Federation provides New Member Kits, manages
application requests, negotiates proposals, coordinates
regional proposals and offers strategy support. By the end
of December, seven Caisses d’Epargne had a Members’
Club or were about to start one, for a potential outreach of
1.6 million cooperative shareholders. Focus is on developing
partnerships with brands that have similar values. The
objective is to develop services that bring real benefits to
cooperative shareholders’ daily lives.
ANNUAL REPORT 2011 - 7
Key figures
91% of our cooperative shareholders have
a good image of the Caisse d’Epargne *
Building the shareholder relationship
through diversified and innovative
communication
A decidedly multimedia approach. The website societaires.
com was redone and is now societaires.caisse-epargne.fr
Designed together with the branch network’s operational
teams, this state-of-the-art site strengthens members’ ties
to the Caisses d’Epargne, educates them on cooperatives,
gives updates on regional priorities and benefits (Members’
Clubs, webinars, special dossiers, etc.), and provides
general information on the bank.
The extranet network for Board Members of the local
savings societies continued roll out during 2011. At the end
of December, 14 of 17 Caisses d’Epargne had implemented
the system, representing nearly 80% of the potential users.
The extranet promotes collaboration, information sharing
and linkages between the Caisses d’Epargne and elected
representatives of the savings societies.
Information in the branches remains a must.
Printed documentation also got a facelift in 2011. The
welcome booklet, given to new members, was adapted
to the Caisses d’Epargne’s new graphic branding. The
brochure on shareholding, available in branches, is designed
for customers looking for information or to subscribe. The
Federation also developed three poster campaigns.
Webinars were tested and launched in 2011 in six Caisses
d’Epargne. Simple and innovative, this communication
platform makes it possible to deliver virtual training to
cooperative shareholders. Based on web technology, there
are plans to expand the system throughout the Caisses
d’Epargne network.
Supporting executive management
The Caisses d’Epargne’s cooperative philosophy is
underpinned by a network of business executives and
technical staff whose role is crucial. Their hard work,
collaboration and willingness to share ensure that the
cooperative relationship is nurtured in the Caisses d’Epargne
network. In 2011, three plenaries, ten working groups
(information sessions, General Assemblies and Members’
Clubs) and bimonthly conference calls were organised.
New website:
societaires.caisse-epargne.fr/
Each month, the Federation sends texts to the regional
Caisses d’Epargne for publication in letters sent to Board
Members of the local savings societies and the cooperative
shareholders themselves. They give updates on the Caisses
d’Epargne and the Groupe BPCE, and are intended to be
supplemented with regional information.
Published by the Federation, the quarterly magazine
S’investir is the information source for the local savings
societies’ Board Members. The magazine was developed
to accompany them in their roles and responsibilities as
administrators, and disseminate the network’s strategy and
activities.
8
* Source: Observatory for Cooperative shareholders, 2011.
Key figures
80% of shareholder representatives
can access the extranet
© Thierry Pinalie
Initiatives & Convergences Convention, December 7, 2011,
Salle Wagram, attended by over 400 Board Members of local
savings societies.
FEDERATION
BRINGS TOGETHER
ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES
Nearly 400 Board Members and chairpersons
of local savings societies and Steering and
Supervisory Boards participated in the 6th
Annual Initiatives & Convergences Convention,
on December 7 at Salle Wagram in Paris.
Entitled Investing in People: Our Greatest Asset,
the meeting was an opportunity for elected
leaders to reaffirm the Caisses d’Epargne’s
uniqueness. Insisting on the relevance of the
cooperative model, the Federation Chairman,
Michel Sorbier, asserted that “Our customers,
our cooperative shareholders, our employees
and our partners are with us because they
share our vision of a moral bank, based on
proximity, commitment, history and trust”.
François Pérol, Chairman of the Board of
BPCE, echoed this conviction, “Our cooperative
roots are grounded in proximity, an asset that
is unique to us.”
A SOLID REPUTATION
AMONG OUR MEMBERS
How cooperative shareholders see the
Caisses d’Epargne is of utmost importance.
This is why the Federation set out, via the
Observatory of Cooperative Shareholders, to
gauge members’ perceptions of their bank.
A survey by Ipsos with 1,704 members in
April 2011 measured the evolution of the
Caisse d’Epargne’s brand image against its
competitors. Findings revealed that the Caisse
d’Epargne enjoys a solid reputation among
cooperative shareholders: 91% reported
having a good opinion of the bank. The Caisse
d’Epargne is also highly rated in quality of
service: 67% of members surveyed consider
staff competent. Results were analysed by
region and made available to each regional
Caisse d’Epargne.
ANNUAL REPORT 2011 - 9
Key figures
169 training sessions
2
© FNCE
Training elected officials, the foundation
of good governance
Training activities on the rise
Training shareholder representatives is a way to establish
balanced and effective governance in cooperatives.
The process set up by the Caisses d’Epargne ensures
elected leaders comply with best practices and regulatory
requirements.
2011 was particularly active, with a total of 2634 participants
attending 169 training sessions. Participation alone of local
savings company Board Members grew 45%. The level of
activity over the past three years attests to the fundamental
role of training in the Caisses d’Epargne.
The training catalogue now offers forty modules. Five
new classroom modules and five e-learning modules for the
extranet were added in 2011.
In all, participants clocked 8721 training hours in 2011, up
15% from last year thanks to more participation in regional
training sessions. As in previous years, most training
participants (85%) are Board Members of local savings
societies. On average, one in two has been trained, out
of roughly 4000. The proportion is about the same for
members of the Supervisory and Strategy Boards, with 163
participating out of 300. The chairpersons and members of
10
the Supervisory and Strategy Boards and Audit Committees
received an average of 2 and 4 days of training, respectively.
A dynamic partnership
The training programme is the result of close collaboration
between the Federation and the Caisses d’Epargne. The
Federation organises centralized trainings for Steering and
Supervisory Board chairpersons, and Audit Committees
members. The Caisses d’Epargne handles trainings that target
Steering and Supervisory Board members and local savings
societies Board Members. Strong performance in 2011 is
due to the increase in regional training sessions, up 23%
from 137 to 169.
The Caisses d’Epargne embraced training activities
in 2011, organising and facilitating many sessions, and
choosing new topics. Forty-five per cent of training topics
proposed to local saving societies administrators were
developed at the regional level, with the rest coming from
the Federation’s training catalogue.
Key figures
2634 shareholder representatives
© FNCE
Operations, social commitment, regulation, the inner
workings of finance...these are just a few of the training
topics offered. During 2011, more training sessions of
shorter duration were offered to a wider audience.
© FNCE
Danièle Nouy, Secretary General of the Prudential Control Authority,
Audit Committees plenary, May 26, 2011.
E-learning gains ground
Online training via the extranet has been in development
since 2010. Among the modules currently available online:
Banking and Capital Markets, Financial Reporting and
European Central Bank. In 2011, our offer expanded
with five new modules. Two more are expected to
be launched in the 1st half of 2012: Corporate Social
Responsibility and Banking Risks. Both modules were
developed in collaboration with experts from the Caisses
d’Epargne.
HIGH LEVEL
OF SATISFACTION
Training evaluations are distributed after
every session to assess participants’ needs
and identify areas for improvement. Overall,
participants were satisfied with training in
2011. The cumulative rates of “satisfied” and
“very satisfied” were close to 100% for all the
sessions.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
PLENARIES
Nearly 100 people attended the 2011
plenary for Audit Committees, held May
26 in Paris at the initiative of the Chairman
of the National Federation, Michel Sorbier.
Guest of honour Danièle Nouy, Secretary
General of the Prudential Control Authority
presented a regulator’s vision of banking
audit committees. Indeed, the financial crisis
has led to much discussion on governance.
Governance principles are not applied the
same way across institutions and countries.
Capacity building and the involvement of
decision-making bodies—the Supervisory and
Strategy Boards at the Caisses d’Epargne—
are major challenges. Participants worked in
small groups on several themes: preparation,
operations, audit committee evaluations,
reporting to Steering and Supervisory Boards,
training of chairpersons and members. It
was a constructive process that encouraged
dialogue, debate, and new ideas, offering
valuable inputs for improving the everimportant audit committee.
ANNUAL REPORT 2011 - 11
3
Promoting our
model among
decision-makers
Representing our interests in Europe
and abroad
The Federation promotes the Caisse d’Epargne model
through a policy of active representation. It sits on several
committees of the European Savings Bank Group (ESBG)
and the World Institute of Savings Banks (WSBI), where it
promotes common positions with other European savings
and retail banks: WSBI-ESBG Coordination Committee,
Committee for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR),
Committee of Economic Affairs and Committee on Financial
Regulation.
In 2011, the Federation represented the Caisses d’Epargne
in several consultations of the European Commission
on the Single Market Act, Governance and the Progress
Microfinance Facility.
At the international conference on microfinance organised
by the Banque de France at the G20 in Paris, the Federation,
via the World Institute of Savings Banks, highlighted
the crucial role of savings banks in financial inclusion in
developing countries and Europe. Parcours Confiance,
Créa-Sol and the Microfinance Institute of the Caisses
d’Epargne Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur and Corsica were
cited as outstanding examples in France.
Facilitating access
to European funding
The Federation has developed a range of services to help
regional Caisses d’Epargne benefit from the European
Commission’s funding programmes. Several were piloted
in early 2011 by the Caisse d’Epargne in Auvergne and
Limousin, including sessions to raise awareness of leaders
12
© CE Alsace
© FNCE
Jean-Pierre Jouyet, Chairman,
AMF
Michel Barnier, European
Commissioner
© FNCE
Nicole Notat, Chairwoman, Vigeo
© FNCE
Christian Nibourel, President,
Accenture
and professions associated with regional economic
development and meetings with local decision-makers to
discuss European priorities and issues. The Federation
has developed two documents on European funding to
accompany these efforts. The first, European Funding:
Guidelines for the Caisses d’Epargne, is for a generalist
audience and maps the EU funding landscape according to
management modalities and possible benefits for savings
banks and their customers. The second is a guide for
regional business development managers, Client Interview
Guide, which includes fact sheets to distribute to clients
and a list of resources on European funding possibilities.
Each Caisse d’Epargne can customise these documents to
their region.
Matinales: fostering dialogue with
policymakers
Matinales des Caisses d’Epargne is a breakfast series
that addresses parliamentarians and economic
policymakers. It is organised in partnership with La
Chaîne parlementaire, a French cable channel that covers
parliamentary proceedings, and La Lettre de l’Expansion,
a public affairs weekly. Three Matinales were held in
2011. On March 31, Nicole Notat, Chairwoman of Vigeo,
addressed the “new forms of social responsibility for
companies”. On October 14, Christian Nibourel, president
of Accenture France, presented his vision of corporate
social responsibility (CSR) in front of an audience of Caisses
d’Epargne partners. Finally, on October 19, Jean-Pierre
Jouyet, Chairman of the Financial Markets Authority, shared
his view on the European crisis.
MARKET INTELLIGENCE:
MICROCREDIT IN SPAIN
On January 26, 2011 the Federation’s
Chairman’s cabinet and the International
Relations Committee were received in
Barcelona by José Francisco de Conrado y
Villalonga, Chairman of MicroBank, the social
bank of La Caixa. The delegation attended
a conference on MicroBank’s activities and
microcredit in Spain, and visited a branch
office to see the tools and systems used to
evaluate microcredit requests. In turn, on
January 27, the Federation hosted a member
of the Spanish Confederation of Savings
Banks (CECA) who presented the evolution
and reform of Spanish Savings Banks.
Economist Christian Saint-Etienne, speaking at the
Initiatives & Convergences Convention.
« LES EUROPÉENNES » :
A CAISSE D’EPARGNE EVENT
The 2nd meeting of ”les Européennes” coorganised by the Federation and the Caisse
d’Epargne of Loire Drôme Ardèche, was held
November 21 in Valence. Partners, elected
officials, business leaders, representatives
of local organisations, community and
institutional leaders joined Caisse d’Epargne
and the Federation officials. Over 150 people
attended the panel discussion moderated by
journalist Memona Hintermann on the theme
European financing for regional and territorial
economic development: where to go in time of
crisis? Jean-Jack Queyranne, Chairman of the
Rhône-Alpes region, Joel Roques, Chairman
of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry
of Drôme, Philippe Dessertine, Director of
the Institut des Hautes Finances, and Nicolas
Ravailhe of Euraegis all shared their views on
how to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
ANNUAL REPORT 2011 - 13
promoting
our values
AND KEEPING OUR
IDENTITY ALIVE
In 2011, the Federation established new guidelines
on social and environmental responsibility.
The legal obligation to finance public interest
missions that was in place from 2001-2009 has
given way to a voluntary approach embrace
wholeheartedly by the Caisses d’Epargne
‒ a contemporary reflection of our historic
vocation as a community-focused bank.
14
Key figures
1100 community development
projects supported
Philanthropy,
investing in our communities
1
Caisses d’Epargne, committed
to the social economy
In 2011, the Caisses d’Epargne spent 18 million euros on
1100 projects as part of its corporate philanthropy program.
These numbers attest to our clear commitment to social and
cultural development. They are also significant compared
to other banks. The Federation has started reflecting on
the partnership process to anticipate future commitments.
High-quality, lasting partnerships and collaborative project
development are on the agenda in the coming years.
with national bodies of community-based networks to
build regional partnerships and develop regular contact;
communication via IMS-Entreprendre pour la Cité and
Admical of the requests for proposals from the regional
Foundations of the Caisses d’Epargne Picardie, Alsace,
Midi-Pyrenees, Normandy Poitou-Charentes and Aquitaine.
The Federation made considerable efforts to position the
Caisse d’Epargne and improve its visibility in national
social economy and corporate philanthropy networks.
It contributed to working groups of corporate social
responsibility organisations like Admical and IMS‑
Entreprendre pour la Cité on topics including communication
and staff involvement in corporate philanthropy policies.
© Getty Images - Photoconcepts/Frank and Helena
The Caisses d’Epargne also participated in events organised
by actors such as: ESSEC Chair in Philanthropy, Admical,
IMS-Entreprendre pour la Cité, Fonda, CEGES, National
Council of Regional Chambers of Social Economy and
Avise. These partnerships have enhanced the visibility
of the Caisses d’Epargne in many ways: publication of an
article in Admical’s newsletter Business and Philanthropy;
the inclusion of the Caisses d’Epargne on the web database
Mécénova of IMS-Entreprendre pour la Cité; meetings
ANNUAL REPORT 2011 - 15
Key figures
18 million euros for local philanthropy
The Caisses d’Epargne develop the social economy by financing a variety of projects.
Spearheading new ideas
and supporting the network
The Federation emphasises the importance of appropriating
new developments in corporate responsibility, including
changes to legal and fiscal frameworks. It has increased
support to the Caisses d’Epargne to make sure executive
management possess cutting-edge expertise. The social
and environmental responsibility guidelines established in
2009, which include philanthropy as a major element, call for
on-going training and information.
The Federation offers philanthropy task managers from
the Caisse d’Epargne network personalised guidance on
sponsorship mechanisms. It has organised several workshops to exchange experiences on recent developments in
philanthropy and sponsorship. In October, a two-day seminar brought together a number of experts from IMS, Avise,
Le Rameau, Unis-Cités, Caisses d’Epargne Foundation for
Solidarity, Belem Foundation and BPCE.
16
To improve the referencing of projects supported by regional
Caisses d’Epargne, the Federation has made it easier to
post developments online thanks to improved ergonomics,
new document templates and automated queries on social
commitment issues, a new directory, and the creation of
individual identifiers to facilitate queries.
Efforts to organise philanthropic initiatives continued
throughout the year with a series of regional assessments,
definition of strategies, new instruments (foundations and
endowment funds), calls for proposals, increased training
for staff and elected officials. Board Members of the
local savings societies, genuine ambassadors of their
communities, got more involved this year, participating in
the regional assessment process and meetings with project
leaders.
Key figures
20 million listeners tuned
into radio spots
TROPHÉES DE L’ENGAGEMENT 2011
COMMUNICATION: CAISSES
D’EPARGNE CREATE A BUZZ
Radio + Internet = a new kind of publicity
campaign to promote the Caisses d’Epargne’s
community commitment. On December
14, the Federation launched a series of
ads on the radio stations France Inter and
Europe 1, and video-sharing site Dailymotion.
The campaign related success stories
in microfinance, philanthropy, and local
development. From December 14 to 27,
three radio spots invited listeners to go online
(www.initiativescooperatives.fr) to listen to
17 stories (one for each Caisse d’Epargne),
produced in 3D video with cutting-edge
graphics. Viewers can also watch a testimony
from a Caisse d’Epargne official. Radio spots
and Dailymotion videos are signed Caisse
d’Epargne. Investing in People: Our Greatest
Asset.
The Trophées de l’engagement en région
(Committment Awards) celebrate the Caisse
d’Epargne’s know-how and good practices
by awarding Accomplishments that reflect our
values. Awards are given in four categories:
microcredit, philanthropy, cooperative initiatives
and local development. The first edition of
the Trophées de l’engagement en région
generated great interest from the 17 regional
Caisses d’Epargne and their partners. Sixty
high-quality projects were sent to a jury of
experts that convened on October 14 to select
three projects per topic, which were then voted
online by staff, cooperative shareholders and
Board Members of local savings societies.
The winners of the categories philanthropy,
microcredit and local development were
awarded a trophy and a check for 3000 euros
on December 7, 2011, at the Initiatives &
Convergences Convention, organised by the
Federation in Paris.
ANNUAL REPORT 2011 - 17
Key figures
4086 microcredits disbursed
2
Financial inclusion, facilitating access
to the underserved
Caisse d’Epargne, France’s leading
microcredit bank
In 2011, the Caisses d’Epargne disbursed 3164 microloans
for personal use and 922 for businesses, up 15% from 2010,
for a market share of 28% (both uses combined) (guaranteed
by FAG* and FCS). The Caisses d’Epargne have helped
nearly 5000 individuals and entrepreneurs forge social and
economic ties to their communities. The approach is holistic,
combining financing of small businesses, vehicles for job
hunting, vocational training and essential durable goods
with close accompaniment of clients and access to banking
products and services essential to daily life.
The Caisses d’Epargne rely on the Parcours Confiance**
network and Créa-Sol**, which they founded and finance.
Active throughout France, Parcours Confiance and
Créa‑Sol mobilise 70 client advisers in 50 branches.
Parcours Confiance and Créa-Sol advisors offer support
adapted to vulnerable groups, in collaboration with over
600 associations and local governments. In the field, teams
work in synergy with Caisses d’Epargne branches to identify
clients needy and offer comprehensive support with partner
organisations, including regional Family Affairs Departments
Unions, social services, soup kitchens and local government
bodies.
Finances & Pédagogie, a non-governmental organisation
created and funded by the Caisses d’Epargne, offers
interactive workshops on money, budgeting and banking.
Finances & Pédagogie hosted 75 financial management
workshops in 2011 for Parcours Confiance beneficiaries.
Emblematic of this partnership, the “Driver’s License for
1€ a Day” program helps disadvantaged youth finance
their license. Similarly, a partnership with the Social Action
Fund for Temporary Work allows temporary workers access
18
to microcredit. 2011 saw a rise in pro bono work by Board
Members of local savings societies and Caisse d’Epargne
retirees for Parcours Confiance and Finances & Pédagogie.
Driving microfinance development
The Federation is the driving force for microfinance in the
Caisses d’Epargne. A microfinance steering committee was
established with the chairpersons of the Caisses d’Epargne
and representatives of the Federation and BPCE. Its role is
to supervise microfinance operations, analyse challenges
and opportunities, and guide the network’s microfinance
strategy through federal bodies. The committee has made
microfinance a strategic issue and affirmed the Caisses
d’Epargne’s expertise in the sector.
In 2011, in addition to their efforts to develop microfinance,
teams worked to streamline and improve the reliability of
the tools and procedures used to disburse microcredit and
manage delinquency and risk. Dashboards were created
with the help of the BPCE’s management information
systems department.
Parcours Confiance continued to grow throughout the year
thanks to continuing education and networking meetings
involving all the Caisses d’Epargne.
* Loans guaranteed by France Active or the Social Cohesion Fund.
** Parcours Confiance is a Caisses d’Epargne programme to promote
microcredit and access to financial services. Créa-Sol is a microfinance
institution accredited by the Ministry of Finance and financed by the
Caisses d’Epargne Provence‑Alpes-Cote d’Azur and Corsica.
Key figures
Number one bank for personal microcredit
© Staccato-FNCE
Microcredit client and her advisor from Parcours Confiance.
Advocacy in France and Europe
The Federation is the centre of expertise for the Caisses
d’Epargne on topics related to financial inclusion and
microfinance in France and Europe. It serves as an
information clearinghouse and observatory. It also
contributes to the work of representative bodies from the
banking sector, of the French public authorities and of the
European Commission. Along with Caisse des Dépôts
and Secours Catholique, the Federation is one of nine
organisations selected by the European Commission
for the Cooperation for Inclusive Affordable Personal
Credit project, designed to build capacity of microcredit
staff in Europe. As such, it is helping position the Caisses
d’Epargne as a European leader, with the ultimate objective
to mobilise European funds to refinance and expand
microfinance.
A CODE OF CONDUCT
FOR MICROFINANCE
INSTITUTIONS
As part of its efforts to develop microcredit
in Europe, the European Commission is
heading a series of meetings in Brussels
to create a code of conduct for European
microfinance institutions. The Federation plays
an active role in this initiative. It is designed
to build consensus on the financial and
social performance indicators microfinance
institutions should track internally and the
indicators to be disseminated to the wider
public.
ANNUAL REPORT 2011 - 19
Key figures
250 volunteers
100 missions in 4 years,
20 in 2011
© FNCE
International Volunteer Awards, October 26, 2011.
Ecureuil Coopération Internationale
Established in 2007, Ecureuil Coopération Internationale (ECI)
brings the Caisses d’Epargne brand of community-driven
banking abroad. ECI taps into the skills and know-how of
the Caisse d’Epargne’s retired executives and salaried staff
to provide pro bono services to partners through training
and technical advisory missions. In the last four years, 100
missions were carried out with partners like postal savings
banks and microfinance institutions, mainly in West Africa.
In 2011, 20 missions mobilising 22 volunteers were conducted
with four partners in West Africa, members of the World
Institute of Savings Banks (WSBI) and Fonds d’impulsion de
la microfinance.
These missions cover the entire range of banking skills:
commercial development, sales techniques, financial
education, information systems, risk management, human
resources management, strategic planning, etc. Currently,
ECI has a roster of 250 trained volunteers who are ready
to be deployed or redeployed. ECI’s main partners include
PosteFinances in Senegal, Banque Populaire pour l’Epargne
et le Crédit in Togo, Caisse d’Epargne of Côte d’Ivoire,
National Postal Bank (Sonapost) in Burkina Faso, the Postal
Bank in Benin and the Fonds d’impulsion de la microfinance
in Senegal. Also in 2011, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
finalised a project with the National Postal Bank (Sonapost)
in Burkina Faso. The Foundation, created in 1994, aims to
double the number of savings accounts of 10 member
institutions of the World Institute of Savings Banks by 2014.
20
INTERNATIONAL
VOLUNTEER AWARDS
As part of the European Year of Volunteering,
the Federation organised the first International
Volunteer Awards on October 26, 2011. The
awards recognized Caisses d’Epargne and
Banques Populaires’ executives and staff
for their volunteer work with African financial
and microfinance institutions and other ECI
partners. Sponsored by European Parliament,
the event was attended by Michel Sorbier,
Chairman of the Federation; Olivier Klein,
general manager of commercial banking
and insurance and BPCE Board member;
and Edyta Michelin, European Parliament
representative in Paris. Four volunteers were
celebrated in front of an audience of 100 for
their high-quality contributions.
Key figures
12 Caisses d’Epargne participate
in historical archives project
3
Promoting
the heritage of the
Caisses d’Epargne
Organising our archives
In 2010, efforts began to bring the Caisses d’Epargne’s
historical archives to a single site. The idea is to highlight
the banks’ rich history and leverage their assets for brand
promotion.
The pooling of historical archives continued in 2011,
with the processing and integration of archives from
new Caisses d’Epargne and their subsidiaries: Caisses
d’Epargne Languedoc-Roussillon, Picardie and Rhône‑
Alpes, the Finances & Pédagogie association. There are
now 12 Caisses d’Epargne involved in the archiving project.
A document collection was created, based on:
Cash desk and registers from the late 19th century,
Caisse d’Epargne Rhône-Alpes archives.
• Sorting and inventorying of the historical archives of the
Caisses d’Epargne participating in the project;
•
Indexing of the Journal des Caisses d’Epargne;
• Registration of historical buildings belonging to the
Caisses d’Epargne (with documentation on each);
• A photo database covering more than two hundred years
of the Caisses d’Epargnes’ history.
During 2011, a working group created a list of themes and
issues of historical interest, to help set up the procedures
needed to manage and preserve the archives.
Art Deco bronze token from 1930s, Caisse d’Epargne Lorraine
Champagne-Ardenne archives.
ANNUAL REPORT 2011 - 21
Tools to promote
the Caisses d’Epargnes’ heritage
Old postcards of Caisses d’Epargne buildings and documents related to
school-based savings schemes from the Caisse d’Epargne Loire-Centre archives.
Thanks to the archiving efforts, the Caisses d’Epargne are
able to showcase their heritage and leverage it as part
of their branding strategy. The Federation is encouraging
the network to embrace its history in several ways:
Personalised documentation for each Caisse d’Epargne
for the General Assemblies of the local savings societies.
Historic profiles on each Caisse d’Epargne for the site
societaires.caisse-epargne.fr
Research at the request of the Caisses d’Epargne and
partners, such as regional cultural affairs services.
An information booklet on when and how to use and
showcase the Caisses d’Epargnes’ heritage: disseminated
during the 1st semester of 2012.
Personalised training sessions on the history of
community involvement.
Participation in the organisation of day-long workshop
on “Savings Banks and the Crisis”, at the European Savings
Banks Group (ESBG), in anticipation of an upcoming
European conference.
Curation of an exhibition on the commitment of Caisses
d’Epargne, in conjunction with the event Trophées de
l’engagement en régions and the Federation’s Initiatives &
Convergences Convention.
22
TRAVELING EXHIBITION
ON THE SOCIAL COMMITMENT
OF THE CAISSES D’EPARGNE
For the Initiatives & Convergences Convention
held in December 2011, the Federation curated
an exhibition to showcase the social commitment
of the Caisses d’Epargne. The exhibition
presented many of the activities supported
by the Caisses d’Epargne throughout France,
including philanthropy, microfinance, financial
education and regional development. Designed
to travel, the exhibition is available to any Caisse
d’Epargne wishing to communicate on the
banks’ strong social commitment. Developed
with touch screens, it is flexible and adaptable
so as to meet demands of each Caisse d’Epargne.
Regional-specific modules can also be created
on request.
© FNCE
ANNUAL REPORT 2011 - 23
organisation
OF THE NATIONAL
FEDERATION OF THE
CAISSES D’EPARGNE
Heart of the cooperative structure adopted in 1999, the National
Federation is the representative body of the 17 regional Caisses
d’Epargne, their 4.4 million members and the 4,000 Board Members
of the local savings societies. It helps define strategic priorities by
encouraging debate within the Caisses d’Epargne. Its mission is
to coordinate and facilitate the relationship between cooperative
shareholders and the Caisses d’Epargne and support elected
representatives in their mandate. It defines, coordinates and promotes
social and environmental responsibility within the Caisse d’Epargne
network and liaises with foreign financial institutions. Mouthpiece of
the Caisses d’Epargne, the Federation is also in charge of representing
and promoting the interests of the network, particularly among public
authorities.
24
1
Federal governance
The Federation is governed by a General Assembly,
Board of Directors, the Chairman’s cabinet, a Federal
Council, four Committees and an operational team
that liaises with the Caisses d’Epargne branch network.
The General Assembly is composed of five representatives
from each Caisse d’Epargne: two members of the Steering
and Supervisory Board plus the chairperson, and one
member of the Management Board, plus the chairperson.
It meets once a year and approves annual accounts.
Board of Directors
The Federation’s Board of Directors is composed
of all the chairpersons of the Steering and Supervisory
Boards and Management Boards for each Caisse
d’Epargne. It is supported by four Committees
and ad hoc working groups.
The Chairman’s cabinet is composed of eight members:
an equal number of chairpersons from the Steering
and Supervisory Boards and the Management Boards.
The Federal Council is a consultative body that brings
together the chairpersons of the Steering and Supervisory
Boards and Management Boards. These two populations
are consulted separately on matters determined
by the Board.
© FNCE
FLORENCE RAINEIX, NEW CEO
OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION
OF CAISSES D’EPARGNE.
Florence Raineix was appointed CEO of the
National Federation of Caisses d’Epargne
October 1st, 2011 after serving successively
as Secretary General, Legal Director, Central
Director and Executive Director of the
Caisse d’Epargne Ile‑de-France. Throughout
her career, she has been instrumental in
implementing the 1999 Caisses d’Epargne
reform both nationally and regionally, for the
Caisse d’Epargne Île‑de‑France Paris. More
recently, she oversaw the legal and institutional
restructuring of the current Caisse d’Epargne
Île-de-France, created in 2008 through the
merger of three regional Caisses d’Epargne.
Upon taking office, she emphasised her goal to
see “the Federation at the heart of cooperative
activities of the Caisses d’Epargne network and
to mobilise its forces and energies to strengthen
the link between the Caisses d’Epargne and
their cooperative shareholders”.
ANNUAL REPORT 2011 - 25
Board of Directors
as of May 1st, 2012
Board of Directors
Michel Sorbier, Chairman
Chairman of the Steering and Supervisory Board
of the Caisse d’Epargne Auvergne and Limousin
Jean-Claude Créquit,
Vice-Chairman and Treasurer
Chairman of the Management Board
of the Caisse d’Epargne Côte d’Azur
Jean-Marc Carcélès
Chairman of the Management Board
of the Caisse d’Epargne Languedoc-Roussillon
Luc Carpentier
Chairman of the Management Board of the Caisse
d’Epargne Alsace
Jean-Charles Boulanger
Chairman of the Steering and Supervisory Board of
the Caisse d’Epargne Aquitaine Poitou-Charentes
Jean-Claude Cette
Chairman of the Steering and Supervisory Board
of the Caisse d’Epargne Provence-Alpes-Corse
Jean-François Paillissé
Chairman of the Management Board of the Caisse
d’Epargne Aquitaine Poitou-Charentes
Co-Chairman, Identity Committee
Joël Chassard
Chairman of the Management Board
of the Caisse d’Epargne Normandie
Maurice Bourrigaud
Chairman of the Management Board of the Caisse
d’Epargne Auvergne and Limousin
Jean-Paul Foucault
Chairman of the Steering and Supervisory Board
of the Caisse d’Epargne Île-de-France
Yves Hubert
Chairman of the Steering and Supervisory Board
of the Caisse d’Epargne Picardie
Benoît Mercier
Chairman of the Management Board of the Caisse
d’Epargne Lorraine Champagne-Ardenne
2
Victor Hamon
Chairman of the Steering and Supervisory Board of
the Caisse d’Epargne Bretagne Pays-de-Loire
Co-Chairman, Identity Committee
Didier Patault
Chairman of the Management Board of the Caisse
d’Epargne Bretagne Pays de Loire
Jean-Pierre Gabriel
Chairman of the Steering and Supervisory Board of
the Caisse d’Epargne de Bourgogne Franche‑Comté
Co-Chairman, Prospective Committee
Committees
Committees are co-chaired by a chairperson from a Steering
and Supervisory Board and chairperson from the Management
Board, both appointed by the Federation’s Board of Directors.
Each Caisse d’Epargne appoints one representative from
the chairpersons of the Steering and Supervisory Boards
and Management Boards to each Committee. Committees
submit policy proposals to the Federation’s Board. Their role
is to express the needs of the Caisses d’Epargne and their
cooperative shareholders, and spearhead new initiatives.
26
Astrid Boos
Chairwoman of the Steering and Supervisory
Board of the Caisse d’Epargne Alsace
Governance
Committee
The Governance Committee strives to improve
the governance of the Caisses d’Epargne
network. It oversees the effectiveness
and independence of decision-making
bodies, sees to the smooth functioning of
the cooperative’s democracy, and ensures
training and involvement of Board Members.
Jean-Pierre Deramecourt
Chairman of the Management Board of the Caisse
d’Epargne de Bourgogne Franche-Comté
Co-Chairman, International Relations Committee
Pierre Mackiewicz
Chairman of the Steering and Supervisory Board of
the Caisse d’Epargne Côte d’Azur
Bernard Comolet
Chairman of the Management Board of the Caisse
d’Epargne Île-de-France
Co-Chairman, Governance Committee
Pierre Valentin
Chairman of the Steering and Supervisory Board
of the Caisse d’Epargne Languedoc-Roussillon
Jean Arondel
Chairman of the Steering and Supervisory Board of
the Caisse d’Epargne Loire-Centre
Co-Chairman, Governance Committee
Bernard Roux
Chairman of the Steering and Supervisory Board
of the Caisse d’Epargne Midi-Pyrenées
Co-Chairman, International Relations Committee
Pierre Carli
Chairman of the Management Board
of the Caisse d’Epargne Midi-Pyrenées
Nicolas Plantrou
Chairman of the Steering and Supervisory Board
of the Caisse d’Epargne Normandie
Philippe Lamblin
Chairman of the Steering and Supervisory Board
of the Caisse d’Epargne Nord France Europe
Alain Denizot
Chairman of the Management Board
of the Caisse d’Epargne Nord France Europe
Laurent Roubin
Chairman of the Management Board
of the Caisse d’Epargne Picardie
Nicole Etchegoïnberry
Chairwoman of the Management Board
of the Caisse d’Epargne Loire-Centre
Alain Lacroix
Chairman of the Management Board of the Caisse
d’Epargne Provence-Alpes-Corse
Co-chairman, Prospective Committee
Catherine Amin-Garde
Chairwoman of the Steering and Supervisory Board
of the Caisse d’Epargne Loire Drôme Ardèche
Yves Toublanc
Chairman of the Steering and Supervisory Board
of the Caisse d’Epargne Rhone-Alpes Chairman,
Supervisory Board, BPCE
Francis Henry
Chairman of the Management Board of the Caisse
d’Epargne Lorraine Champagne-Ardenne
Stéphanie Paix
Chairwoman of the Management Board
of the Caisse d’Epargne Rhône-Alpes
Identity
Committee
International
Relations Committee
Prospective
Committee
The Identity Committtee oversees social
and environmental responsibility initiatives.
Its work focusses essentially on encouraging
commitment, fostering the cooperative
relationship and promoting the brand
identity of the Caisses d’Epargne.
The International Relations Committee
promotes the Caisse d’Epargne model
abroad, helps uncover new business
trends and identifies European funding
opportunities for the Caisses d’Epargne
and their customers.
The Prospective Committee studies the
outreach of the Caisses d’Epargne model
in light of demographics, societal changes
and regulatory developments.
ANNUAL REPORT 2011 - 27
Lorraine
Champagne-Ardenne
Caisse d’Epargne
Caisse d’Epargne
Nord France Europe
Bretagne Pays de Loire
Caisse d’Epargne
d’Auvergne
et du Limousin
Caisse d’Epargne
Provence-Alpes-Corse
Caisse d’Epargne
Caisse d’Epargne
Loire-Centre
Picardie
Fédération nationale
des Caisses d’Epargne
Caisse d’Epargne
Normandie
Caisse d’Epargne
Rhône-Alpes
Caisse d’Epargne
Caisse d’Epargne
Caisse d’Epargne
Loire-Drôme Ardèche
Côte d’Azur
Île-de-France
Caisse d’Epargne
Aquitaine
Poitou-Charentes
Caisse d’Epargne
d’Alsace
Caisse d’Epargne
Bourgogne
Franche-Comté
Caisse d’Epargne
Caisse d’Epargne
Midi-Pyrénées
Languedoc-Roussillon
orbe. EdEp : 08.2012.30580
Caisse d’Epargne