External Relations

External relations were focused on the development of the Carige brand and its consolidation at national level.

The consistent growth in the distribution network again increased the need to strengthen the brand name, both from the viewpoint of increasing Carige brand awareness in new areas or areas the Group moved into recently, and in terms of strengthening of the bank's image of being responsive to local needs, according to a multilocalism policy, which has made it possible to export local knowledge and flexibility to areas outside of Liguria, essential for understanding the needs of families and small and medium size enterprises and best satisfying these needs.

In particular, institutional advertising was conducted at two international events: the Salone Nautico di Genova (Genoa Boat Show), given Banca Carige was the main sponsor of the event, and music festival "Uto Ughi per Roma", as part of the traditional policy of supporting culture and art in its various forms of expression. Other events of note include the Notte Bianca di Genova (White Night in Genoa), which received the support of the Bank.

Within the cultural sphere, Carige confirmed its role as sponsor of Teatro Stabile di Genova, Teatro dell'Archivolto di Genova, Teatro della Tosse di Genova and Teatro Cavour di Imperia.

The promotion of culture also involved participation in the traditional Rapallo Carige prize (Italian literary prize), reserved for women writers and which marked its 24th year.

Collaboration also took place with the Fondazione Colombo for the organisation of the Premio regionale ligure award (Ligurian region award), an event that rewards people from Liguria who stand out in terms of their skills.

The Carige Group has a traditional presence in the world of sport; it continued to sponsor A.S. Livorno Calcio, U.C. Sampdoria and Genoa C.F.C., as well as volleyball, basketball, water polo, tennis and football teams, in order to encourage young people's participation in sport and also to support small sporting organisations in the range of local environments in which the Bank is present.

Also of note were the sponsorships of conventions and conferences organised by Professional Orders and Trade Associations, including Confartigianato, Coldiretti and Unione Industriali.

Carige maintained a significant institutional presence in the tourism sector too, thanks to the partnership with organisations and consortia, accrediting itself as a reference financial partner for industry operators.

With regard to public relations events, aside from the usual annual forum on the final considerations of the Governor of the Bank of Italy, worthy of note are the 'Salotti Finanziari' - a cycle of conferences on the development of economic systems and financial markets - held by Professor Fabio Basagni, President of the Actinvest Group in London and member of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, organised in Padua, Como and Venice.

The second Carige Investors' Day was organised, as part of which analysts and investors from the main national and international investment banks were invited to Genoa for two days with positive image dividends.

Editorial activity was characterised by a significant goal reached by "La Casana", which celebrated its 50th year, ranked among the longestrunning Italian business magazines. In collaboration with the Universities of Genoa, Banca Carige published two specialist magazines "Economia e Diritto del Terziario" (Law and Economics in the Services Industry) and "Prospettive dell'Economia" (Economic Outlook).

The paintings and designs in Banca Carige's art collection, a large part of which belong to the rich art gallery dedicated to the 17th century Genoa art period, were catalogued in a work published by the Bank during the year, under the scientific coordination of Prof. Giovanna Rotondi Terminiello.

La Cassa di Risparmio di Carrara published the volume "Michelangelo. Carrara e il marmo" which probes the long-lasting relations between the great sculptor and the mines and workers of Carrara, used in the supply of the raw materials necessary for creation of his wonderful statues. La Banca del Monte di Lucca, together with the Fondazione Banca del Monte di Lucca, published the historic volume "Lucca repubblicana" by Marco Tangheroni and Guja Simonetti and, within the field of painting, inaugurated the international Pompeo Batoni exhibition, on the occasion of the third centenary of the birth of one of the most admired painters of the 18th century.

As regards the theme of enhancement of its artistic assets, Carige took part in the annual event promoted by the Italian Banking Association, "Invito a Palazzo", celebrating its 7th year, which allows art lovers and tourists to admire the pieces of art in the Bank's art collection. In addition, the exhibition "Le radici del futuro. I cinquant'anni della Casana" (Roots of the future. Fifty years of the Casana) was organised, in the hall on the 15th floorⁱ of the Genoa headquarters, to celebrate the magazine's anniversary, in which, inter alia, some works of art, not usually on show, were presented to the public, which the magazine showcased in its pages.