ABOUT US
ABOUT US
The World Savings and Retail Banking Institute helps savings and retail banks around the world to thrive.
It brings together savings and retail banks from about 69 countries, representing the interests of some 6,400+ banks on all continents.
WHO WE ARE
Founded in 1924, WSBI brings together savings and retail banks from 69 countries, representing savings and retails banks worldwide.
WSBI focuses on international regulatory issues that affect the savings and retail banking industry, and provides a platform for knowledge exchange between member banks.
Its aim is to achieve sustainable, inclusive, and balanced growth and job creation.
Supporting a diversified range of financial services to meet customer needs, WSBI favors an inclusive form of globalization that is just and fair. It supports international efforts to advance financial access and financial usage for everyone.
WSBI recognizes that there are always lessons to be learned from savings and retail banks from different environments and economic circumstances. It therefore fosters the exchange of experience and best practices among its members and supports their advancement as sound, well-governed and inclusive financial institutions.
Isidro Fainé
PRESIDENT
WSBI
Peter Simon
MANAGING DIRECTOR
WSBI
It all started 100 years ago... in Milan...
MILAN 1924
On 31 October 1924, 350 visionaries from 27 countries convened in Milan for the 1st International Thrift Congress. They shared a vision: to promote savings as a key to financial security and independence.
That historical day marked the birth of the International Savings Banking Institute (ISBI). Under the pioneering leadership of President Marchese de Capitani d’Arzago and Director Prof. Filippo Ravizza, they established the “World Thrift Day,” now known as “World Savings Day”. This occasion continues to be celebrated by our members spread to 4 continents every 31 October.
The word ‘savings’ originates from the early 14th century, symbolizing ‘salvation’, a way to protect oneself from life’s uncertainties.
This profound meaning continues to guide the World Savings and Retail Banking Institute and its members every day for a century.
BECAUSE
- Savings banks are more than financial institutions.
- Savings banks transform your dreams into reality.
- Savings banks build brighter futures.
- Savings bank shape a better tomorrow.
AND THEN A HYMN CAME TO LIFE
First written and performed in 1928 with Italian lyrics, “The Hymn of Thrift” of the WSBI, an ode to promote the virtue of thrift, has touched the lives of people around the world, both young and old for more than 90 years now.
This melody then crossed the borders and was subsequently performed in other languages as part of a competition among national savings banks. The first winner of that contest was Belgium, followed by Great Britain, Austria, Poland, Czechoslovakia, France, Spain and finally Germany.
Some highlights from our history
WIESBADEN, 1954
VATICAN, 1955
Pope receives the members of the Management Council of ISBI
VIENNA, 1974
First International Credit Conference
GENEVA, 1977
16th General Asssembly of th ISBI Geneva
PENANG, 1986
SubRegional Workshop on Savings BanksManagement Policies Asia Kuala Lumpur Penang 7-11 July
VIENNA, 1987
CAMEROON, 1991
Savings Banks Support International Trade and Small Businesses 7th meeting of the African Group Yaoundé (Cameroon) 9-12 December 1991 Africa regional meeting
CAIRO, 1992
31st ISBI General Assembly Savings Banks New World Perspectives Cairo 8-11-1992
PARIS, 1993
TOKYO, 1996
BERLIN, 2000
MADRID, 2003
BENIN, 2010
Meeting of the WAMU Savings Banks and Postal Checks Group Cotonou (Benin) September 14-15, 2010
MARRAKECH, 2012
MEXICO CITY, 2014
Assembly of the Regional Group of Latin America and the Caribbean WSBI
WASHINGTON, 2015
NEW DELHI, 2018
