100 years in bubbles

As part of its 100th anniversary celebrations, the European credit insurance group Credendo, founded as Ducroire in 1921, is asserting its true Belgian identity with a comic book created in the style of an action film, which offers a glimpse behind the scenes of a group whose business is to cover risks worldwide.

• The credit insurer Credendo is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The company was founded in 1921 by the government to support Belgian international trade by providing guarantees and insurance.
• 100 years on, Credendo is now a group operating in all areas of credit insurance, with a presence in 15 European countries.
• This amazing journey is being feted today with a comic book. Credendo gave two seasoned comic book authors, Luca Malisan (line drawings) and Rudi Miel (storyline), the task of devising a plot based on incidents and memories shared with them by the company’s employees.

The history of Credendo is closely tied to the history of Belgium. It began in 1921, when the Belgian Ministry of Economic Affairs established a Delcredere Committee to guarantee Belgian export transactions. Belgium became the second country – after the United Kingdom – to set up an export credit agency.
100 years on, Credendo is now a group that operates in all areas of credit insurance, with a presence in every corner of the continent and covering risks worldwide.

There are two reasons why it made sense to celebrate this amazing journey with a comic book. Belgium has always been the cradle of the ninth art. The pioneering authors behind Tintin and Spirou magazines have made their mark worldwide. Moreover, comics are a perfect medium for dramatising a world which at times can rival cinema’s greatest action films.

‘In 100 years of Credendo, we have built up quite a store of anecdotes that illustrate the hidden side of our work. Credendo gave two seasoned comic book authors, Luca Malisan (line drawings) and Rudi Miel (storyline), the task of devising a plot based on incidents and memories shared with them by our employees,’ explained Nabil Jijakli, Group Deputy CEO of Credendo.

The authors have of course embellished the story to develop a plot that conforms to the conventions of fiction. But they were careful to give it substance through scenes drawn from the experiences of Credendo employees. The authenticity of certain anecdotes adds spice to the story.
The hardback volume, published in 10 languages and with a print run of 10,000 copies, includes 44 cartoon plates and a glossary of terms to answer any questions raised by the plot.

The comic book is one of many initiatives developed to mark the 100th anniversary of the company. As a more traditional commemoration, Credendo chose a brochure outlining the major events in its history. Digital projects include a new corporate video and a series of podcasts. The current radio campaign and the website also celebrate the company’s 100th anniversary.

Copies of the comic book are mainly reserved for the Group’s customers and employees. However, a limited number will be available on request from Credendo via its website, www.credendo.com.

Press contact
Nabil Jijakli
Group Deputy CEO
rue Montoyerstraat 3
1000 Brussels
Belgium
E n.jijakli@credendo.com
M +32 478 25 11 33