Question 1

What is Civibank?

Accepted Answer

Civibank is a regional Italian bank headquartered in Cividale del Friuli, serving the northeastern regions of Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto. Founded in 1886, it is a Società Benefit (Benefit Corporation) and certified B Corp, operating 64 branches across nine provinces. As of December 2024, the bank manages total assets of approximately €15.5 billion and employs nearly 600 people.

Civibank is part of the Sparkasse Group (Cassa di Risparmio di Bolzano), having joined in June 2022. It is the only autonomous bank headquartered in Friuli Venezia Giulia, excluding cooperative credit banks.

Question 2

When was Civibank founded?

Accepted Answer

Civibank was founded on July 22, 1886, as Banca Cooperativa di Cividale Società Anonima. The bank was established by the Società Operaia di Mutuo Soccorso ed Istruzione (Workers' Mutual Aid and Education Society) of Cividale del Friuli in response to the challenging economic and social conditions facing local residents.

The founders were inspired by the principles of mutualism and cooperation, recognizing the industrious spirit of Cividale's inhabitants and their need for financial support. The first assembly was held at the local Museum on July 22, 1886.

In 1949, following an extraordinary assembly on March 27, the institution adopted a new statute and changed its name to Banca Popolare di Cividale. In 2018, the bank rebranded to CiviBank to celebrate its roots in Cividale while embracing modernization and digital transformation.

Question 3

Where is Civibank headquartered?

Accepted Answer

Civibank is headquartered in Cividale del Friuli, in the province of Udine, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy. The bank's main offices are located at Via Senatore Guglielmo Pelizzo 8/1.

Cividale del Friuli is a historic town in northeastern Italy with a rich cultural heritage and a strategic location near the Slovenian border.

Question 4

Where does Civibank operate?

Accepted Answer

Civibank operates across nine provinces in northeastern Italy, spanning two regions: Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto. The bank maintains 64 branches across the provinces of Udine, Gorizia, Trieste, Pordenone (in Friuli Venezia Giulia) and Treviso, Venezia, Vicenza, Belluno, and Padova (in Veneto).

The bank's network extends from eastern Friuli Venezia Giulia near the Slovenian border to the Veneto region, covering both urban centers and smaller communities throughout the northeastern Italian territory.

Question 5

What services does Civibank offer?

Accepted Answer

Civibank provides comprehensive banking services for individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations:

Retail Banking: Current accounts, savings accounts, debit cards, credit cards, mortgage loans, consumer loans, retirement savings, and wealth management services including investment funds and portfolio management.

Business Banking: Business accounts, commercial loans, business credit cards, POS services, leasing (through its leasing division), factoring, and treasury services for public entities.

Digital Services: The CiviBank ON mobile app and online banking platform enable customers to manage accounts, make instant transfers, pay bills (F24, MAV, RAV, postal payment slips), recharge mobile phones and prepaid cards, and access investment services. The platform features biometric authentication, personalized dashboards, and the MariON virtual assistant.

Insurance: Insurance products including life insurance, property protection, and specialized policies like the "Protection Mountain" policy for high-altitude sports.

Investment Services: Trading in securities on major markets, portfolio management (Gestioni Patrimoniali), mutual funds, and socially responsible investment options.

Non-Profit Services: Dedicated services for associations including accounts, payment solutions, and the CiviCrowd crowdfunding platform for fundraising and donations.

Question 6

What makes Civibank unique?

Accepted Answer

Civibank distinguishes itself as Italy's first historic bank to become a Società Benefit (Benefit Corporation) in May 2021, officially embedding social and environmental objectives alongside profit in its corporate statute. In December 2022, it achieved B Corp certification with a score of 84.7, making it the first local bank in Italy to receive this certification.

The bank has earned the prestigious "Impresa Storica d'Italia" (Historic Italian Business) designation, recognizing its over 135 years of continuous operation since 1886.

Civibank maintains a strong territorial focus, positioning itself as "la banca del Nord Est" (the bank of the Northeast), with deep knowledge of local markets and communities. Its membership in the Sparkasse Group since 2022 strengthens its position while preserving its local identity and independent operations.

The bank's commitment to sustainability is demonstrated through its contributions to the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and its focus on supporting local economic, cultural, and social development. Over 16,000 shareholders participate in its ownership structure.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Civibank?

Accepted Answer

Civibank is a Banca Territoriale (Regional Bank) operating as a Società per Azioni - Società Benefit (Joint-Stock Company - Benefit Corporation). It is classified as a CRD_CRE_INS (Credit Institution) under European Banking Authority regulations.

As a regional bank with territorial vocation, Civibank focuses on serving local families, businesses, and communities in its operating area. Unlike large national or international banks, it maintains a strong local presence with deep understanding of regional economic dynamics and needs.

The bank evolved from its original cooperative structure (Banca Cooperativa) to a popular bank (Banca Popolare) and finally to its current form as a joint-stock company with Benefit Corporation status, which legally commits it to pursuing both profit and positive social and environmental impact. This dual mission is codified in its corporate statute.

Civibank is supervised by the Bank of Italy (Banca d'Italia) and is a member of the Italian Interbank Deposit Protection Fund (Fondo Interbancario di Tutela dei Depositi - FITD), which protects deposits up to €100,000 per depositor.

Question 8

How is Civibank connected to the Sparkasse Group?

Accepted Answer

In June 2022, Civibank became part of the Gruppo Sparkasse (Sparkasse Group), whose parent company is Cassa di Risparmio di Bolzano SpA (Südtiroler Sparkasse AG). This strategic alliance united two regionally focused institutions with deep roots in northeastern Italy.

Sparkasse, founded in 1854, is the leading bank in Alto Adige (South Tyrol) and one of Italy's most important independent savings banks. It operates over 100 branches across northeastern Italy with approximately 1,200 employees, extending from South Tyrol to Bavaria, Germany.

The partnership strengthens Civibank's financial position and service capabilities while maintaining its identity as the local bank of Friuli Venezia Giulia and eastern Veneto. Both institutions share a commitment to territorial banking, supporting local families and businesses, and sustainable economic development.

Despite the group affiliation, Civibank continues to operate under its own brand with its existing branch network, maintaining direct relationships with its communities and preserving its historic mission of local service.

Question 9

What is Civibank's B Corp certification?

Accepted Answer

Civibank achieved B Corp certification in December 2022 with an overall B Impact Score of 84.7, well above the median score of 50.9 for ordinary businesses and the 80-point threshold required for certification. This makes Civibank the first local bank in Italy to receive B Corp certification.

B Corp certification, issued by the non-profit organization B Lab, measures a company's social and environmental performance across five impact areas: Governance, Workers, Community, Environment, and Customers. The certification requires rigorous assessment and ongoing commitment to improvement.

As both a Società Benefit (legal status) and a B Corp (voluntary certification), Civibank demonstrates its commitment to creating shared value for all stakeholders. The Società Benefit status defines the bank's objective of creating shared value in its corporate statute, while B Corp certification validates and measures its actual performance.

The bank has established a comprehensive Improvement Plan with short, medium, and long-term objectives to continuously enhance its positive impact on employees, communities, the environment, and all stakeholders. This dual commitment reflects Civibank's evolution from its 1886 cooperative roots based on mutualism and community support.

Civibank

in Italy 🇮🇹

Crypto-Friendliness

All done!

About Civibank in Italy