On 12 June 1823, Italy’s Central Charity Commission founded Cassa di Risparmio di Milano – later called Cassa di Risparmio delle Provincie Lombarde; in the space of a few years it spread throughout Lombardy, its activities limited to setting up bearer passbooks with involvement in public funds and loans to non-profit organisations.
From the outset, Cassa di Risparmio di Milano prioritised charitable works and encouraging people to save; in 1924 it ran the first ever International Savings Bank Congress, an epoch-making event attended by more than 350 delegates representing over 7,000 savings banks from 27 countries; the congress also saw the launch of World Savings Day and the International Savings Banks Institute, based in Milan’s Via Monte di Pietà.
The 4 km of documents in the archives reveal the history of an institution that has not only supported families and small and medium sized businesses in Lombardy, but has also played a key role in promoting international relations among Savings Banks and safeguarding Italy’s artistic and cultural heritage.
Timeline
1816
The Central Commission is set up to provide work for the poor
1823
Cassa di Risparmio di Milano is founded
1866
Separate administration is introduced for Credito Fondiario
1925
The International Savings Banks Institute is founded
1953
Mediocredito Regionale Lombardo is founded
1991
Cariplo S.p.A. is launched, the historical continuation of Cassa di Risparmio delle Provincie Lombarde
1998
Cariplo and Banco Ambrosiano Veneto merge to create the Banca Intesa group
2000
Cariplo is incorporated into the Banca Intesa group.