Don Rizzo Bank

A one-hundred-and-twenty-year-long history. A constant dedication to the economic and social promotion of western Sicily since the time of the rural society of the early twentieth century until nowadays’ globalized world and its new horizons. The Don Rizzo Bank of Alcamo can boast widespread local roots, thanks to its 19 branches distributed over 18 cities in the provinces of Trapani (10 branches), Palermo (seven) and Agrigento (two), plus five unmanned ATMs. During its one-hundred-and-twenty-year-long history, whose anniversary is on October 19, 2022, the Don Rizzo Bank has remained faithful to the basic principles of its founder, Father (Don, in Italian) Giuseppe Rizzo. Such principles are summarized in the bank’s bylaws, which emphasize a strong link to the social school of Christianity and “the purpose of promoting credit for the improvement of moral, economic, social and cultural conditions, without aiming at private speculation”. This philosophy inspired him to create the then-called Cassa Rurale e Operaia L’Assunta, a bank “with a new concept of credit and mutuality, with organizational simplicity and fairness”, in a historical period characterized by a dramatic economic precariousness (at the time, the phylloxera-induced disease was causing devastating effects for agriculture) and heavy outbound migratory flows. Something similar had happened just six years earlier in the town of Caltagirone when Father Luigi Sturzo established the Cassa San Giacomo bank. And it’s not by chance if Father Sturzo, a role model for the social and political activities of Catholics, was in full harmony and in constant touch with Father Rizzo. Inaddition to creating a bank, father Rizzo constantly strived to support the economy of the city of Alcamo in any way he could, by being deeply committed on various fronts, from the pastoral one to that of entertainer for Catholic Action, from being a reporter for Il Granellino newspaper to being a town council member. The bank was eventually named after its founder, Father Rizzo (Don Rizzo) in 1921, i.e. nine years after his death, when its original name was changed to Cassa Agricola e Professionale Don Rizzo, and then Cassa Rurale e Artigiana Don Rizzo. The current name, Banca di Credito cooperativo della Sicilia occidentale Don Rizzo (i.e. Father Rizzo Cooperative Credit Bank of Western Sicily), was officially established in 2008. In 1965 the bank began a gradual expansion: from having just one branch in the city of Alcamo, new branches were opened in the towns of Balestrate, Camporeale, Castellammare del Golfo first, to more and more towns until its newest branches in Marsala and Menfi. Over time, the credit activities have expanded from agricultural and artisan businesses to small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the construction, trade and industry sectors. Over these last decades, the Don Rizzo bank has been keen on fostering the cultural and recreational activities of western Sicily, sponsoring musical events, editorial initiatives, sports tournaments and since 1975 even hosting many events in the bank’s conference room of the premises on via Manzoni. A praiseworthy endeavor that has often gone beyond the economic and financial aspects.

Reasons for assigning the Award

The Don Rizzo Bank, founded on October 19, 1902, has represented a constant point of reference for our community over 120 years, during war and peace, always distinguishing itself for its professionalism combined with the attentive protection of the territory where it has being operating. The Don Rizzo bank is a flagship in the economic and financial support of workers, in protecting the environment, in safeguarding the cultural, artistic and musical heritage of western Sicily. Nowadays, the Bank’s wise use of its resources goes hand in hand with its longstanding humanity and prompt proximity to the needs of its clients.

Conferimento Premio Internazionale per la cultura "Vissi d'arte Città di Alcamo"