Question 1

What is Cooperativa Catedral de Tarija?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa Catedral de Tarija is a savings and credit cooperative (cooperativa de ahorro y crédito abierta) operating in Tarija, Bolivia. As an open credit union, it is authorized to perform financial intermediation operations with both its members and the general public, offering deposit accounts and credit services exclusively to its members. The cooperative operates under the supervision of the Autoridad de Supervisión del Sistema Financiero (ASFI), Bolivia's financial regulatory authority.

The institution serves retail customers and small businesses in the Tarija region, focusing on consumer loans, housing finance, microfinance, and support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Question 2

When was Cooperativa Catedral de Tarija founded?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa Catedral de Tarija was founded on July 28, 1966, by Reverend Father Jesús Ruiz Díaz. The cooperative was established with altruistic and solidarity-driven objectives to pool individual resources through contributions to the social fund and member savings, enabling loans to support members' entrepreneurial activities and economic endeavors.

The institution received its legal personality (Personería Jurídica No. 100594) on February 14, 1967. A significant milestone occurred in 2005 when the cooperative obtained its operating license (Licencia de Funcionamiento No. SB/02/2005) from Bolivia's Superintendencia de Bancos y Entidades Financieras (now ASFI) as an open savings and credit cooperative, bringing it under formal regulatory supervision.

Question 3

Where is Cooperativa Catedral de Tarija headquartered?

Accepted Answer

The cooperative's central office (Oficina Central) is headquartered at Calle Virginio Lema No. 615 esquina Juan Misael Saracho in the city of Tarija, Bolivia. Tarija is located in southern Bolivia and serves as the capital of the Tarija Department.

The institution maintains its operations and administrative functions from this central location.

Question 4

Where does Cooperativa Catedral de Tarija operate?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa Catedral de Tarija operates exclusively within the city of Tarija and its surrounding areas in the Tarija Department of Bolivia. The cooperative has expanded beyond its central office to serve various neighborhoods and zones throughout the city.

The institution operates through multiple branch locations, including:
• Agencia Fátima: Located at Avenida La Paz No. 1112 esquina Bolívar
• Agencia Gamoneda: Situated at Avenida Circunvalación No. 1663 between Avenidas Gamoneda and Gran Chaco
• Agencia Mercado Campesino: Located at Av. Panamericana No. 1795 in the Mercado Campesino zone

These strategically positioned branches enable the cooperative to serve diverse communities across Tarija, from the city center to residential and commercial areas.

Question 5

What services does Cooperativa Catedral de Tarija offer?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa Catedral de Tarija provides a comprehensive range of financial services focused on savings and lending products:

Savings Products:
• Savings accounts (Caja de Ahorro) with competitive interest rates
• Fixed-term deposits (Depósitos a Plazo Fijo) that can serve as collateral for loans
• Contribution certificates (Certificados de Aportación) for member capital participation

Lending Products:
• Consumer credit for personal and household needs
• Institutional loans for organizations and entities
• Housing loans (Créditos de Vivienda) for residential property financing
• Microcredit for small business owners and entrepreneurs
• SME loans (Créditos Pymes) for small and medium enterprises
• Loan amounts up to 180,000 bolivianos with terms extending up to 10 years

Digital Services:
The cooperative offers a mobile banking application (Cooperativa Catedral app) that enables members to:
• Check account balances
• View transaction history
• Transfer funds between own accounts and to other cooperative members
• Make interbank transfers
• Pay loans
• Make QR code payments and collections
• Pay utility services
• View contribution certificates

The cooperative emphasizes accessible guarantees, competitive interest rates, and efficient, timely processing of member requests.

Question 6

What makes Cooperativa Catedral de Tarija unique?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa Catedral de Tarija distinguishes itself through its deep community roots and extensive development impact in the Tarija region. Since its founding by a Catholic priest in 1966, the cooperative has maintained its original solidarity-based mission while evolving to meet modern financial needs.

Notable Historical Achievements:
The cooperative has executed six housing projects in Tarija, facilitating over $4 million in financing for the construction of 404 homes, benefiting approximately 2,200 people. It also acquired seven lots in the Tabladita zone to address housing challenges facing the city.

Additionally, the cooperative supported small industrial development through a $500,000 program funded by USAID, fostering productive activities and entrepreneurship in the region.

Member-Centric Approach:
As a cooperative, the institution operates on the principle that it exists for its members. This results in competitive rates, accessible loan requirements, and rapid processing times. The cooperative maintains strong financial health indicators in solvency, liquidity, portfolio quality, profitability, and capital adequacy.

Regulatory Compliance:
As an ASFI-supervised institution, members benefit from deposit protection and regulatory oversight, providing security and confidence in their savings.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Cooperativa Catedral de Tarija?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa Catedral de Tarija is classified as a Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito Abierta (Open Savings and Credit Cooperative) under Bolivian law. This designation represents a specific type of non-bank financial institution within Bolivia's regulated financial system.

Open credit unions are distinguished from "closed" or "societaria" cooperatives by their authorization to accept deposits from the general public (not just members) while providing credit exclusively to their members. They operate under the cooperative model, where members are both owners and customers, with democratic governance through elected councils.

As an ASFI-regulated entity, Cooperativa Catedral de Tarija must comply with the Law of Banks and Financial Entities (Law 1488 and its modifications), Law 1670, and regulations issued by Bolivia's Central Bank and ASFI. This regulatory framework ensures capital requirements, operational standards, consumer protection, and financial stability oversight similar to that applied to banks.

The cooperative employs approximately 35 staff members distributed across its central office and branch locations, serving the financial needs of its member base throughout Tarija.

Cooperativa Catedral de Tarija

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About Cooperativa Catedral de Tarija in Bolivia