Crédit Agricole 140 years of history : 1900s - First extension of the scope of action

Due to the strong mobilisation of activist mutualists in rural areas of France, many local banks and more than a hundred regional banks were created. The involvement of departmental agricultural teachers was also essential to promoting Crédit Agricole’s action. As volunteers, they often provided secretarial services to the local banks and committees that received loan applications. However, while new structures were created and ideas spread, lending remained low in the early years, for two reasons. Not only were farmers still reluctant to apply for a loan and take on debt, but the lending terms were quite restrictive.

Since 1894, only farmers who were members of a union could call on Crédit Agricole. Only short-term loans were available and they were strictly limited to agricultural needs. However, this limit on individual short-term loans was removed in 1906 when Crédit Agricole was able to grant long-term loans to farming cooperatives.

These cooperatives were expanding at this time and in many cases, the 
mutual shareholders of the local banks were also members of purchasing, 
production or sales cooperatives. Crédit Agricole therefore adapted to meet 
their financing needs. This was the first extension of Crédit Agricole’s scope of 
action. There would be many more.

Crédit Agricole held a congress every year. 

Here in Saint-Émilion in 1907 and in Blois in 1908.