ARCO Group

ARCO Group is a Belgian cooperative holding, and part of the Catholic workers organisation ACW. The group has more than 900,000 shareholders and a capital of 4.5 billion euro. "Arcofin" invests in the financial sector and "Auxipar" mainly invests in basic and utility service sectors (Elia, SPGE, Belgacom, Telenet, GIMV), and real estate (Retail Estates). In addition the group participates in the cooperative roganisations "Hefboom" and "Crédal" and the non-profit organisations "Procura" and "Syneco". Francine Swiggers is Chairman of the Management Board of the ARCO Group, she succeeded Rik Branson.

History

In 1935 the "Landelijk Verbond van Christelijke Coöperaties" (LVCC) (E: Rural League of Christian Cooperations) was established. The LVCC later became shareholder of Catholic organisations such as the "Welvaart" (E: Prosperity) grouping of cooperative shops, the "BAC-Centrale Depositokas" and the "Antwerpse Volksspaarkas", "De Volksverzekering" and the the Centre for insurance of risks of Christian working-class familiesIn 1945 the LVCC, together with the "verbondelijke coöperatieve vennootschappen" is embedded within the ACW. LVCC will acquire shares in publishing, printing, and travel companies. In 1974, the investment company "Auxipar" is established and in 1983 "Coplus" (forerunner of Arcoplus).

In 1990 the LVCC is restructured and renamed "Arcofin CV". As a result of the reorganisation, 28 cooperative corporations are merged and the resulting group is named "ARCO Group". In 1997, ARCO Group prepares for the takeover of Paribas (Belgium, Netherlands) by BACOB. In 1999 the financial and insurance activities are group in the "Artesia Banking Corporation" and in 2001 Arcofin gives its shares in "Artesia Banking Corporation" to Dexia in return for shares of Dexia.

ee also

* Almanij
* Confederation of Christian Trade Unions

ource

* [http://www.nieuwsblad.be/Article/Detail.aspx?ArticleID=DMF13022008_110 Dexia-dochter Groep Arco haalt vers geld op]

External links

* [http://www.groupearco.be/static/francais/ Groupe ARCO]