The caisses de crédit mutuel are subject to the provisions of Law no. 47-1775 of 10 September 1947 on the status of cooperatives and to those of this section.
Their exclusive object is mutual credit.
They may receive deposits from any natural or legal person and admit third parties who are not members to benefit from their assistance or services under the conditions laid down in their articles of association.
The local caisses de crédit mutuel must form departmental or interdepartmental caisses among themselves.
All the caisses départementales or interdépartementales de crédit mutuel subject to this section must form the caisse centrale du crédit mutuel amongst themselves.