The Association for the History of the Caisses d’Epargne regularly contributes to the publication of works and takes part in writing works and/or their publication.

List of works published by or in collaboration with the Association :

Les Mythologies de l’argent - Essai sur l’histoire des représentations de la richesse et de la pauvreté dans la France contemporaine (XIXe-XXe siècles) – André Gueslin
"Myths about Money – an essay about the different perceptions of wealth and poverty in contemporary France (19th-20th centuries)"
(Economica en février 2007)

This work brings together a series of essays about money in the 19th and 20th centuries that reflect the society and culture prevailing in France at that time through a few emblematic figures such as the Rothschilds, moneylenders, the “two hundred families” that “own” most of France, etc.

“Money has acquired a magical dimension throughout history because it is supposed to be the key to happiness. This is the great utopian idea of the pioneers of the French savings banks.” In this particular context, the author focuses on the mechanism of compound interest and on the myth of “workers’ power” and its limits.

To conclude, “society creates its own moral code. The issue of money, to the extent it is also a creator of myths, generates these myths in accordance with that moral doctrine…”

By viewing and reviewing these myths about money, this new work offers readers an insight into modern-day attitudes.

60 ans de construction du Groupe Caisse d’Epargne : une histoire pour demain
“60 years in the building of the French savings bank group – a history for the future”

Produced by Groupe Caisse d’Epargne at the request of its Chairman, Charles Milhaud, this reference work chronicles the history of the French savings banks since 1946, giving a detailed account of these six decades during which the Group has gradually acquired the status of a major force in the European banking industry.  The book bears witness to how far the Group has traveled and the challenges that the members of the French savings bank group have had to face over the years to adapt to the economic and financial upheavals that have transformed the banking industry since the end of the Second World War.

Richly illustrated and containing a wealth of personal testimonies – along with a detailed index to facilitate its consultation – this 424-page book published by Gallimard is accompanied by a DVD and CD that offer additional information to everyone interested in discovering more about the history of the bank.

In the DVD, the film of our history offers a visual account of the history of Groupe Caisse d’Epargne. Trois grands témoins contains interviews with three key witnesses – namely Messrs Milhaud, Thiolon and Vogel – to provide a wider perspective to the major stages in the construction of the Group. A compilation of the Archives d’Ecureuil (Archives of the ‘Squirrel,’ the emblem of the French savings bank) obtained from the National Audiovisual Institute relates the highlights in the company’s life as seen by the media. Lastly, with De la réclame à la pub (From announcements to advertising), viewers will be pleased to see that communications, used very early on by the Caisses d’Epargne, have evolved enormously over the years.

The CD represents an attractive and instructive documentary tool divided into five separate modules. An illustrated chronology provides a review, year after year, of the major stages in the history of the French savings banks in their local environment. An animated map allows readers to dwell on the pivotal years in the life of the Group and to find information at a local level. A panorama of advertising posters immerses us in 60 years of the world of the Caisse d’Epargne. A series of institutional diagrams provides a brief overview of the institutional figures that played a major role in the different chapters of the Group’s existence and, lastly, the legal texts and research reports represent an easily accessible source of documentation.

To view the presentation of this reference work, click on the following link

Une grande figure loraine – Philippe Masquelier
A major figure from the Lorraine
(Les Editions de l’Epargne, Paris, 2006)

In the course of five interviews, Robert Guérard entrusted the author with the fruit of his experience as a senior manager in the Caisse d’Epargne having responsibilities at both the local and national level. For more than forty years, he played an active role in, and was a witness to, a crucial period in the history of the French savings banks that saw the Group gradually assume its current form.

Histoire sociale et culturelle des Caisses d'Epargne en France 1818-1881 - Carole Christen-Lécuyer
Social and Cultural History of the Caisses d’Epargne in France 1818-1881
(Economica, Paris, 2004)

This nice work is the result of a history thesis at the University of Paris VII, in which the author relates the story of the French Caisses d’Epargne during their early years. The origin, establishment and general development of the institution over time and space are analyzed. It goes on to consider the philanthropic aspect, leading to an assessment of its social efficiency. Finally, the financial aim of the Caisses d’Epargne and the relations of this private institution with the State are also analyzed.

Les métamorphoses de l’Epargne - Laure De Llamby
The metamorphosis of savings  
(Découvertes Gallimard, 2003)

This beautifully illustrated work  explains the actions carried out by the Caisses d’Epargne from their origins at the beginning of the 19th century, in favour of the common interest in their very varied forms (financing social housing, workers’ parks, public baths, social work or the creation of savings for education). It also tells how the Caisses d’Epargne still pursue their public interest work with Local and Social Economic Projects, the Foundation for Social Solidarity and the Finance and Pedagogy Association, thus perpetuating their original aim.


La Caisse d’épargne à tous les âges - Marie-Noëlle Chatin et Laure De Llamby
The Caisses d'Epargne throughout the times
(Les Editions de l’Epargne, Paris, 2002)
 
This work shows the iconography in the catalogue for the exhibition held from October 2002 to February 2003 in the hall of the Caisse Nationale des Caisses d’Epargne.
    
Histoire du CTR de Rillieux de 1963 à 1993 - Jean-Jacques Dumas
The History of the CTR in Rillieux from 1963 to 1993
(Les Editions de l’Epargne, Paris, 2002)
 
An autobiographical work that is also an insight into the IT revolution, the evolution of a great financial institution – the Caisse d’Epargne – and the evolution of society as a whole, from the post-war boom to globalization, observed by a player in the field.
   
Epargne et crise dans la France des années trente - Vincent Tournié
Savings and crisis in France in the thirties
(Les Editions de l’Epargne, Paris, 2002)
 
The product of a master’s thesis, this study broaches the subject of public savings in the period between the two wars, providing us with a better understanding of the economic context and the political mentality of the time.
  
Banquiers et Philanthropes. La famille Delessert (1735-1868) : aux origines des Caisses d’Epargne - Séverine de Coninck
Bankers and Philanthropists. The Delessert family (1735-1868): the origins of the Caisses d’Epargne -
(Economica, Paris, 2000)
 
This work traces the history of the Delessert family, one of the members of which – Benjamin Delessert – was the founder of the first French Caisse d’Epargne. Redirecting the destiny of this lineage within the context of the times, it gives shape to a portrait of France from a new standpoint in the financial world and his philanthropic hopes.

 Les Caisses d’épargne dans la littérature – XIX^e siècle - Laure de Llamby
The Caisses d’Epargne in literature – the 19th century
 (Les Editions de l’Epargne, Paris, 2000)
 
Texts gathered and commented by Laure de Llamby. The Caisses d’Epargne are very soon turned into literature. Along this literary path, we can find our institutions mentioned by the great authors of the 19th century.
  
Mémoires d’Ecureuils, récits autobiographiques - Pierre Looten, Jacques Prat, Françoise Hautecoeur
Squirrel Memoirs, autobiographies
(Les Editions de l’Epargne, Paris, 1999)

Stories of life in the Caisses d’Epargne, the authors of this work give us an original and affectionate insight into a world undergoing great change.