The European Association of Public Banks (EAPB) held its CEO Conference in Brussels on November 26. Mr. John Berrigan, Director-General of DG FISMA, presented the newly published reform package. Mr. Roger Havenith, Deputy Chief Executive of the EIF, showcased the InvestEU program. EAPB used this opportunity to thank the speakers for the excellent cooperation during the last difficult months.
Mr. Philippe Mills, EAPB President and CEO of SFIL, highlighted the role of public banks and municipality funding agencies as engines of recovery. In his opening comments Mr. Mills, remarked that:
'COVID has left deep scars. We were all challenged but we delivered, when the crisis hit, we showed once more that we are up to the task, this is an achievement we should take collective pride in. We all work for stability, security, the public good but we also provide solutions, mechanisms and tools not for profit but for the citizens of our regions and countries, the citizens of Europe. Never forget, we are shielding much more than plain financial interests.'
Mr. Marcel Roy, Secretary General at EAPB concluded:
'EAPB is not just a network, it does not connect banks, it connects people, people with common values, like the spirit of cooperation, the professional ethics and I would argue, a shared business model and the European idea, that is more than a vision but a reality worth fighting for.'