Financial cooperatives in Latin America

Financial cooperativism is one of the most profound and deeply rooted forms of social organisation in Latin America. Thanks to savings and credit cooperatives, millions of people – many of whom are excluded from the traditional banking system – have access to financial services under conditions that are dignified, democratic and geared towards collective well-being. In a region marked by deep-seated structural inequalities, these organisations do more than simply mobilise capital: they help to build the social fabric.

However, the environment in which they operate has changed radically. The emergence of fintechs, accelerated digital transformation, increasingly stringent regulatory frameworks and changing member behaviour have put these organisations’ ability to adapt to the test.

This line of research aims to fill a gap in the literature by systematically analysing the strategic approach adopted by financial co-operatives in Latin America, taking into account their institutional characteristics and socio-economic context.