Brest - 24 May 2024

Crédit Mutuel Arkéa has announced its support for Alexis Bellanger, a disabled swimmer, as he prepares to qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. This commitment alongside the Breton athlete is part of the commitments made by the cooperative banking group as a company with a mission, and in particular as part of its Diversity policy aimed at providing concrete solutions for a more inclusive society.

Crédit Mutuel Arkéa has been committed to promoting diversity and inclusion, including disability, for some twenty years. The mutual group signed its first agreement on disability in 2003. Since then, it has set about creating and deploying various measures, whether to support the employment of disabled employees, facilitate their recruitment or raise awareness of disability among all its employees. Crédit Mutuel Arkéa also ensures that its services are accessible to all its disabled members and customers.

The local banking group's support for the young Breton swimmer Alexis Bellanger not only reinforces its commitment to top-level sportsmen and women in its territories, but also to inclusion.

Alexis Bellanger's background

In 2021, he finished third in the French disabled swimming championships. Ranked 6th in the French junior rankings, he qualified for the European junior championships in 2022. Since then, he has won three individual bronze medals (two in the 400m freestyle and one in the 100m backstroke) at two stages of the World Series (Lignano and Limoges), as well as a gold in the 4x100m mixed medley relay.

After obtaining his baccalauréat in September 2023, Alexis will study for a degree in Economic and Social Administration at Rennes 2 University, while at the same time joining the prestigious Cercle Paul Bert, where he will train eight times a week to achieve his dream of taking part in the Paris Paralympics.

"Crédit Mutuel Arkéa is very proud to support young Breton athlete Alexis Bellanger in his quest to qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. In addition to the strength and determination that characterise him, he embodies many values that are dear to our local banking group, which has been committed for many years to a more inclusive society, in keeping with our status as a company with a mission. On behalf of Crédit Mutuel's staff and directors, I wish him all the best for this ambitious challenge. We look forward to following him every step of the way on this exceptional adventure."

- Hélène Bernicot, Chief Executive Officer of Crédit Mutuel Arkéa -

"I am honoured by Crédit Mutuel Arkéa's invaluable support in my quest to take part in the Paris Paralympic Games, as it is a company that has been committed to people with disabilities for many years. I'm going to give it my all to qualify and take part in these Games!"

- Alexis Bellanger, disabled swimmer -