Our history: a common destiny sustained by shared roots

An alliance between unique and complementary brands

Our two retail banking networks have long shared similar origins, deeply rooted in the heart of the French regions.

As they already share the same cooperative business model, their combination within Groupe BPCE further enhances their active commitment to local and regional development.

Episode 1 – Banque Populaire… after the end of the First World War

The story begins like this…
It was 1917, in the throes of the First World War. Battles were still being waged around the world but the end of the conflict was in sight. And people in France were already thinking about what would happen after the war had ended. What could be done? How could the millions of soldiers be helped to pick up their old lives and return to their jobs after spending so long in the front lines?

Episode 2 – Caisse d’Epargne… and the history of the Livret A passbook savings account

Sunday, November 15, 1818, 9 o’clock a.m.: the Paris Caisse d’Epargne savings bank opened its doors to the public for the very first time. Louise, a young 10-year-old girl, could scarcely hide her excitement. Her aunt, a washerwoman working in Place Maubert, had opened a passbook savings account for her at the Caisse d’Epargne. In her very own name! It was completely unheard of! Everybody could have one, even women and children… even her!

Episode 3 – Crédit Foncier… or the history of real-estate finance

March 28, 1852, the first building society named Banque foncière de Paris was created. Mathieu, a young farmer, applied for a loan from Crédit Foncier to finance his project… indeed, just like the Emperor’s own family! At the same time, Crédit Foncier became the No.1 lender to local authorities. In this capacity, it contributed to the transformation of Paris led by Baron Haussmann…

Episode 4 – Natixis Interépargne and employee savings schemes

In May 1968, France was paralyzed and the French were marching in the streets. To resolve the crisis, General de Gaulle counted on his plan to offer workers a share in the profits generated by their companies. Give them a financial reward for their involvement: a system he had introduced by decree one year earlier. Daniel, 18, thought it was a good idea…

Episode 5 – Crédit Coopératif… a distinct yet fully-fledged banking institution

1893. Banque coopérative des associations ouvrières de production (the ‘Cooperative Bank of Workers’ Production Associations’ or BCAOP) came into being. A fantastic opportunity for Faustin, the head of a building production cooperative known as La Fourmi (‘The Ant’) because the other banks had refused to give him a loan. On the eve of the Second World War, La Fourmi wanted to modernize. Marcel, its senior manager at that time, went to see the Caisse Centrale de Crédit Coopératif, known as the 4Cs…

Episode 6 – Banque Palatine… know-how at the service of intermediate-sized enterprises

The first Maison Vernes was founded 1780 but it wasn’t until the 19th century that the bank really came into its own. In 1830, Louis, an entrepreneur who had founded his metallurgical company during the Bourbon Restoration, became a customer of Banque Vernes in Paris. Friends had recommended this merchant banking institution specializing in financial operations and wealth management solutions…

Episode 7 – CASDEN Banque Populaire… a bank in a category of its own

In the early 1950s, banks didn’t offer many loans to private individuals, and interest rates were high! To address this gap in the market, members of the teaching profession came up with the idea of pooling their savings in order to lend money to one other. The Caisse de Prêts de l’Education Nationale de Seine-et-Oise (the loan fund of the French National Education system in the Seine-et-Oise département) was born. At the end of 1951, it already boasted 551 members…