The
Banca Popolare di LAJATICO was founded on the 14th of September 1884 thanks to the initiative of a group of associates coordinated by Dr. Guelfi, the official doctor of the municipality. This initiative was followed by the foundation of the " Society for the Education of People" , again through Dr.Guelfi, which operated increasing instruction while reducing illiteracy; in fact its motto was: " The progress of People is a problem of education". Later there was the institution of a " Mutual Healthcare Society"; in order to support financially all those families of laborers and peasants during periods of work scarcity and recession. Some years later, a proper Bank was founded as a Cooperative of Credit, with the aim of offering credit to shareholders through mutuality and saving.
The Banca Popolare di LAJATICO was immediately considered, by associates and the people in the area as a precious institution to defend and support. It was seen as an indispensable instrument of progress, especially useful in the promotion and improvement of an area considered marginal and so neglected.
In the first half of 900, the role of the bank was affected by the two wars following and even by a precarious organization, mainly based on the ability of the promoters. Difficulties decreased after 1945 and especially after 1950 thanks to an increase in investment value and in credit access as both natural consequences of the so-called “economic boom” characterized by the growing of commerce and industry respect to agriculture. During the 70ies there was the beginning of an expansion program in the province of Pisa. The bank found the favor of an increasing number of small investors from the working class, in all fields together with a considerable and important increase in the number of members, clients and volume. Today the “BANCA POPOLARE DI LAJATICO” after 120 years of history, is a structure counting more than 5.000 members, almost 100 employed in 16 branches, it plays more and more the role of a bank that tries to support a modern reality in connection to a glorious tradition.
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