By Charlotte GAUCHON
24 March 2025
In the French banking landscape, three major cooperative networks stand out for their size and unique history. Far from being mere alternatives to traditional commercial banks, these institutions now account for «two-thirds of bank financing for the French economy», as Nicolas Théry, Chairman of Crédit Mutuel, points out. Each network has its own organisation, but they all share fundamental cooperative principles that set them apart from the traditional capitalist model. The Crédit Agricole group: a pyramid structure rooted in agricultural history Crédit Agricole is organised according to a three-tier architecture clearly defined in article R.512-18 of the French Monetary and Financial Code. The first tier is made up of more than 2,000 local mutuals. These entities are cooperative companies in their own right, but they are not required to be registered in the Trade and Companies Register (art. L.512-30 of the CMF). Their main mission, according to article L.512-21 of the CMF, is to...
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