The Performance of Co-operative Banking Networks and the Challenges They Face

This chapter draws together data from the entire sample of European countries analyzed in this study to reach conclusions about the comparative performances of co-operative and commercial joint-stock banks over time. It examines overall performance as well as the impact of network models, with their varying levels of strategic integration, to identify statistically significant differences in performance. Looking forward, it explores future challenges for the co-operative sector, with particular reference to digitalization and fintech, member engagement, and socially responsible governance models, and the current and potential future effects of the European prudential regulation.