Based in Brussels, the EACB is recognised as a key spokesperson for cooperative banks by regulators and supervisors at EU and international levels.

The movement was grounded on the principles of self-help and equality to secure financial access to less privileged groups of society, especially from rural areas.

Cooperative banks today deliver value across the four categories as regards their specific business model, the diversity and balance they bring to financial markets, long-term relationship and trust with members and customers, and their wider social impact.

Following an initiative launched by Johannes Teichert to create a representative body for credit cooperatives of 6 EU-member states, a first meeting with the European Commission was held in December 1969.

The activities of the EACB are articulated around Working Groups and Taskforces,[5] covering topics from digital euro to customer policy, sustainable finance and anti-money laundering.