Raiffeisen (Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen)

Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen was a German social reformer and pioneer of cooperative banking in the 19th century. He believed in empowering local communities by establishing credit cooperatives, enabling people to save and borrow money collectively, especially in rural areas lacking access to traditional banks. His principles focus on mutual aid, self-help, and democratic control, helping farmers and small entrepreneurs improve their economic stability. Raiffeisen's ideas laid the foundation for cooperative banks globally, promoting financial inclusion and community development through collective effort and shared responsibility.