Co-operative banks have weathered the current financial crisis relatively well. In most countries, they did not need government support, their losses were comparatively small and they are seen as safe havens by clients and markets alike. This is not a new phenomenon, as earlier crises show similar patterns. These developments have resulted in renewed interest in co-operative banking. In this volume, the reader can find reflections on the co-operative business model and the governance structures of co-operative banks. It also contains a series of case studies of co-operative banks in times of crisis. As this book fills a gap in the academic literature, which has neglected co-operative business models for a long time, it is a necessary read for anyone who is interested in the functioning of banking systems.