Last evening, IRU had the great honor to be part of the centenary celebration of our member Banque Raiffeisen in Luxembourg – a milestone marking 100 years of cooperative banking, solidarity, and service to people and the economy.
Around 1,200 guests gathered at the impressive Rockhal – Centre de Musiques Amplifiées in Esch-sur-Alzette to celebrate this special occasion – among them His Royal Highness Guillaume, Grand Duke of Luxembourg and Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden.
Our Secretary General Andreas Kappes and Coordinator Korbinian März were heartly welcomed by Guy Hoffmann, President of the IRU and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Banque Raiffeisen, at this historic event highlighting how cooperative banking has been a pillar of financial stability and inclusivity since 1926.
Banque Raiffeisen’s journey – from a local farmers’ credit cooperative along the Moselle to a modern financial institution trusted by people across Luxembourg. Over this period, the Bank has remained faithful to the values created more than 150 years ago by the founder of the cooperative movement, Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen.
As Guy Hoffmann aptly stated in his address:
“At Banque Raiffeisen, it is not about “shareholder value,” but about “member value.” Our strategy and our decisions do not arrive by email from abroad. They are shaped here.
And that is precisely what makes the difference. A bank is neither a building nor a balance sheet; it is made of people who trust one another. This was true in 1926, and it remains true today.
These words capture exactly what the new slogan of Banque Raiffeisen “Raiffeisen – It’s all about you” stands for: people at the centre, local responsibility and decisions shaped close to members and communities.
The celebration underscored values close to the heart of the IRU: long-term stability, human-centered banking and decision-making, respect, and responsibility. Guy further emphasized how Banque Raiffeisen’s success rests not on size, but on trust, prudence, and a steadfast commitment to its members and the broader economy.
On behalf of the IRU, we extend our warm congratulations to Banque Raiffeisen for this remarkable anniversary and a big thanks for the warm welcome and their continued contribution to the cooperative movement.
Here’s to the next 100 years of cooperation, shared values, and sustainable impact!
