Panagiotis Tournavitis Elected FEBEA President
The Cooperative Bank of Karditsa CEO has been chosen to lead the European ethical and alternative banking federation.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Financial Services
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Panagiotis Tournavitis has been elected president of the European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks and Financiers (FEBEA). He will serve a three-year term representing the coalition of more than 30 organizations across Europe.
Why it matters
FEBEA plays a critical role in directing capital toward the real economy and supporting projects that deliver tangible social or environmental benefits. The federation provides a collective voice for ethical banking interests at the European level.
The ethical banking sector maintains €79 billion in total assets across more than 30 member institutions. Tournavitis brings experience from the Cooperative Bank of Karditsa, which currently manages nearly €400 million in assets.
The players
Panagiotis Tournavitis
He is the newly elected president of FEBEA and the current CEO of the Cooperative Bank of Karditsa.
European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks and Financiers
This Brussels-based federation represents over 30 ethical banking institutions across nearly 20 countries.
Cooperative Bank of Karditsa
Based in Greece, this financial institution serves more than 60,000 customers and has 18,500 members.
The details
Tournavitis, who serves as CEO of the Cooperative Bank of Karditsa, will lead a federation that connects members to share expertise and liquidity. The organization facilitates workshops that link institutions with surplus funds to those with specific financing needs.
Timeline
FEBEA was established in Brussels in 2001.
Tournavitis was elected president during the General Assembly in Venice on September 25, 2026.
The new presidential term will run from 2026 through 2029.
Market Landscape
The leadership change at FEBEA arrives as ethical and alternative banking institutions continue to seek collective influence against larger commercial competitors. This transition maintains the organization's trajectory of pooling expertise to bridge liquidity gaps for socially conscious projects.
The election signifies a continuation of specialized financial services that prioritize social and environmental impacts over traditional profit-driven models. Customers of affiliated banks may see continued efforts to improve access to ethical financing options across the continent.
The takeaway
The move reinforces the stability of the European ethical banking sector by installing experienced leadership from a established cooperative bank. These institutions remain a key alternative for stakeholders looking to align their financial assets with specific social benefits.
What happens next
Tournavitis will serve his presidential term from 2026 through 2029, with future General Assembly meetings likely to set the strategic direction for the organization.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Financial Services.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Greek City Times.
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