ASLK/CGER

The Algemene Spaar- en Lijfrentekas / Caisse générale d'épargne et de retraite (ASLK / CGER, lit.

The institution was the brainchild of Belgian statesman Walthère Frère-Orban, who by law of 8 May 1850 created Belgium's Caisse générale de retraite (lit.

[3] The number of savings accounts (French: livrets d'épargne) held at the CGER grew rapidly, reaching 730,000 in 1890 and 3.1 million in 1913.

After World War II, it expanded further into export credit and lending to industry, and also lent significantly to the Belgian state itself.

Meanwhile, the CGER sold its former building in 1891 to Prosper and Edouard Wielemans, who remodeled it with added floors into the famed Hotel Métropole, opened in 1894.

[6] The ASLK/CGER complex [fr] bordering the Rue du Fossé aux Loups was later enlarged on several occasions: in 1901–1904 (architect Henri Van Dievoet), 1910–1918 (arch.

[8][9] Alfred Chambon's second extension, designed in 1946–1947 and inaugurated in 1953 on the location of the former director's residence, displays an original monumental style with stone and copper-clad façades and a decorative frieze by sculptor Oscar Jespers [fr], as well as state-of-the-art technical facilities inside.