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4 December 2007, Brussels

First European Forum “Co-operative Banks and SMEs"

The European Association of Co-operative Banks, the International Confederation of Popular Banks and UEAPME organised the “1st European Forum “Co-operative Banks and SMEs”, which took place at the “Committee of the Regions” in Brussels on 4 December.

At this event high ranking representatives form the European Commission (i.e. Vice-president Verheugen), the European Investment Bank (i.e. Vice-president Fontaine-Vive) and the European Parliament (Alexander Radwan) discussed highly relevant SME finance issues with representatives from the Banks and SME sectors.

A number of speeches and presentations are now available for download.

Read more:

• Event brochure and programme


• 04/12/07, press release: SME finance: cooperative banks and small businesses join forces


• Mr Giovanni de Censi, Vice President, CIBP: Welcome Opening


• Mr Riccardo De Bruyn, Associazione Nazionale Banche Popolari: Italy’s Popolari banks and SMEs: a history of success


• Mr Hans-Werner Müller, UEAPME: Conclusions of the morning session


• Ms Marieke van Berkel, Head of Payments and Securities, EACB: SEPA: What does it mean for SMEs?


• Mr Niklas Bartelt, Director, Head of Product Management Operations & Services, DZ BANK AG: Potential benefits of SEPA for SMEs


• Mr Günter Verheugen, European Commission Vice President: Closing remarks

See more:

• Picture slideshow