History
The Italian Banking Association (ABI) born in Milan on 13 April 1919 on the initiative of 53 banks, in a context of growing economic associationism.
Since its inception, it has been distinguished by its general representative role for the banking sector and its technical, cultural and international commitment. It cooperates with the main existing trade associations, maintaining a unified vision of the interests of the credit system. The first Articles of Association, approved in 1920, enshrine the founding principles of the Association, which are geared towards advising, supporting and protecting banks, especially small and medium-sized ones.
During the corporatist period of the 1920s and 1930s, the ABI was absorbed into the structure of the National Banking Confederation, losing some of its autonomy. To safeguard its original technical-economic function, a Technical Banking Association was established in 1936, which was dissolved in 1937. At the end of the Second World War, the ABI was reconstituted in 1945 as a first-class representative association, open to all banks operating in Italy, with the aim of protecting the general interests of the sector in a unified manner.
In the post-war period, the ABI assumed a central role in defining sector policies, while trade associations maintained the protection of specific interests. Starting in the 1990s, following reforms such as the Amato-Carli Law (1990), the liberalisation of capital movements and the entry into force of the Consolidated Banking Law (1994), the Italian banking system was profoundly transformed. The ABI thus strengthened its representative function, becoming a privileged interlocutor of the institutions for the implementation of new regulations and for the coordination of the sector in a liberalised and competitive European market.
In 1997, with the merger of the Trade Union Association of Credit Companies, the ABI also acquired the direct union representation of banks, excluding some groups such as Federcasse. This new competence enabled it to define unitary lines on labour relations, employment policies and industrial relations. A new organisational cycle began in 1999 to offer more personalised and professional products and services in line with the differentiated needs of its members.
Since 2000, the ABI has strengthened its role by promoting digital innovation, sustainable finance and constant dialogue with Italian and European institutions.
Ha supportato il settore nell’adeguamento alle nuove normative, favorito l’adozione di tecnologie digitali e incentivato l’educazione finanziaria.