OP Suur-Savo cooperative bank has launched elections for its representative council. Owner-customers can vote until November 13th at 4 PM. Each member holds one vote in this democratic process.
The council makes crucial decisions about bank operations and approves financial statements. This includes finalizing the cooperative's annual accounts. Members serve four-year terms once elected.
A total of 115 candidates are competing for 50 seats. Voters can explore candidate profiles through the bank's online election service. The CEO emphasizes this is customers' chance to influence their bank directly.
Electronic voting is available for online banking users. Traditional mail voting remains an option for others. All owner-customers received voting instructions through their preferred communication channel.
Results will be announced on December 5th at local branches and online. Similar elections are happening simultaneously across 30 Finnish cooperative banks.
These elections demonstrate Finland's strong cooperative banking tradition. Unlike conventional banks, customers literally own these institutions and directly shape their direction through such votes.