The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) was founded in London, England on 19 August 1895 during the 1st Alliance Co-operative Congress. The delegates from co-operatives from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, India, Italy, Switzerland, Serbia, and the USA. were present. The representatives established the Alliance's aims to provide information, define and defend the Co-operative Principles and develop international trade. The Alliance was one of the only international organisations to survive both World War I and World War II. Overcoming all the political differences between its members was extremely difficult, but the Alliance survived by staying committed to peace, democracy, and by remaining politically neutral. The Alliance confirms its political neutrality in 1896.
Bhima Subrahmanyam has been associated with National Federation of State
Cooperative Banks (NAFSCOB),India since 1982. He is the CEO/Managing Director of NAFSCOB
since 1990. Prior to joining NAFSCOB, Mr. Bhima has been associated with reputed
institutions viz., IIM Ahmedabad, ISRO and NIRD in India. He has authored over 100 articles,
research papers .occasional papers etc. for internal purposes and participated in around120
domestic & international conferences /workshops/Seminars. He has been very active supporter
of International Cooperative Alliance, Belgium, International Cooperative Banking
Association (ICBA) ICA, APRACA, Thailand, NEDAC, Thailand ,IRU, Germany etc. He is elected
as President of ICBA on 12-10-2019 in Kigali, Rwanda. He was born and brought up in Bapatla,
Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh. He graduated from Hindu college, Guntur and post graduated
from Andhra University in 1969.
As President, ICBA , he has recently commissioned & completed the following two studies:
1. Regulation and Sustainability of Cooperative Banks: A cross Country Study
2. Sustainable Development Goals & Objectives: Contribution of Cooperative Banks
We are pleased to feature a conversation with Ms. Mirjam ‘t Lam, CEO/MD of Oikocredit International, one of the world’s most prominent impact investors, and the closing keynote speaker of the Symposium. In this conversation, she reflects on her journey in the cooperative movement and the evolving landscape of cooperative financial institutions.
As part of the upcoming ICBA International Symposium on Cooperative Financial Institutions: “Fueling Inclusive and Equitable Growth,” to be held at the United Nations Headquarters (UNDESA), New York, on 28–29 May 2026, ICBA is pleased to feature conversations with distinguished leaders from the global cooperative and financial sector. In this edition, Mrs. Marjan Trompetter, Chair of the Supervisory Board of Rabobank Cooperative and opening keynote speaker of the Symposium, shares reflections on her journey within the cooperative movement and perspectives on the evolving role of cooperative financial institutions in building inclusive and resilient economies.
Cooperative Financial Institutions (CFIs) and Cooperative Banks (CBs) continue to play a vital role in promoting financial inclusion and economic resilience, particularly in rural and semi-urban communities. In this article, Bhima Subrahmanyam, President of ICBA and Managing Director/CEO of NAFSCOB, examines the growing need for stronger regulation, supervision, governance reforms, and technological modernization to strengthen cooperative financial institutions. The article highlights global and regional perspectives while outlining key recommendations to build more resilient, transparent, and sustainable cooperative banking systems.
