Question 1

What is Credelesc?

Accepted Answer

Credelesc is a mutual credit cooperative (Cooperativa de Crédito Mútuo) serving employees, retirees, and family members of Centrais Elétricas de Santa Catarina (CELESC), as well as non-profit entities associated with the electric utility company. As a member-owned financial institution affiliated with the Ailos System, Credelesc operates under cooperative principles where members are also owners, participating in the cooperative economy and sharing in the institution's results.

The cooperative provides financial services specifically tailored to the CELESC community, offering competitive advantages compared to traditional banking while promoting the economic and social development of its members and their communities.

Question 2

When was Credelesc founded?

Accepted Answer

Credelesc was founded on May 30, 2006, by 26 active and retired employees of CELESC Distribuição S.A. The cooperative was established to provide accessible financial services to the CELESC workforce, following the cooperative credit model that emphasizes mutual support and shared prosperity.

The institution emerged during a period when CELESC itself was undergoing restructuring, having been transformed into a holding company in 2006 with separate distribution and generation subsidiaries. Initially affiliated with the CECRED system, Credelesc later became part of the Ailos System when CECRED evolved into Central Ailos.

Question 3

Where is Credelesc headquartered?

Accepted Answer

Credelesc is headquartered in Florianópolis, the capital of Santa Catarina state, with its main office located at Avenida Hercílio Luz, 639, in the Centro (downtown) district. The cooperative also maintains additional service points at the same address and at Avenida Governador Ivo Silveira, 2389, in the Capoeiras neighborhood.

Florianópolis serves as a strategic location as it houses CELESC's main offices and administrative structures.

Question 4

Where does Credelesc operate?

Accepted Answer

Credelesc operates throughout the entire state of Santa Catarina, Brazil's southernmost state in the country's southern region. The cooperative maintains service points in locations where CELESC has official offices, allowing it to reach employees across the state's diverse geographic areas.

Beyond Florianópolis, the cooperative has established presences in São José and other municipalities where CELESC maintains regional operations. This statewide presence aligns with CELESC's extensive distribution network, which serves 285 municipalities across Santa Catarina and one municipality in neighboring Paraná state.

Question 5

What services does Credelesc offer?

Accepted Answer

Credelesc provides a comprehensive range of financial products and services tailored to its cooperative members, including:

Credit and Financing: Personal loans, financing for vehicles and real estate, credit lines designed specifically for CELESC employees and their families.

Savings and Investment Products: Savings accounts, investment applications, and financial planning services that allow members to build wealth while supporting the cooperative's growth.

Transaction Services: Checking accounts, debit and credit cards, payment services, and digital banking platforms for convenient access to financial services.

Member Benefits: As a cooperative, Credelesc distributes annual surpluses (sobras) to members based on their participation, creating a profit-sharing model that rewards member engagement. The cooperative also provides financial education through the Ailos Educação program, helping members develop better financial management skills.

Question 6

What makes Credelesc unique?

Accepted Answer

Credelesc's distinctiveness lies in its segmented focus on the CELESC community and its cooperative ownership structure. Unlike traditional banks, members are also owners who participate in democratic governance and share in the institution's financial results.

The cooperative's affiliation with the Ailos System provides operational security and sustainability while maintaining local autonomy. Ailos is one of Brazil's largest cooperative credit systems, with over one million members, 200+ service points, and approximately R$ 11 billion in assets across cooperatives in Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul.

Credelesc emphasizes transparent relationships and actions that improve the quality of life for members, employees, and the broader community. The cooperative economy model means that financial resources applied through Credelesc contribute to local job creation, entrepreneurship, and increased family incomes within the CELESC community.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Credelesc?

Accepted Answer

Credelesc is classified as a Cooperativa de Crédito Mútuo (Mutual Credit Cooperative) under Brazilian financial regulation. This institutional type is specifically designed to serve defined membership groups—in this case, employees and retirees of CELESC and their families.

Mutual credit cooperatives in Brazil are regulated by the Central Bank of Brazil (Banco Central do Brasil) and operate under cooperative principles established by national and international cooperative law. As a cooperative, Credelesc is governed democratically by its members, who elect leadership and participate in major decisions. This structure differentiates it from commercial banks, which are profit-driven entities owned by shareholders rather than customers.

The cooperative is subject to the governance practices and regulatory framework of the Ailos System, ensuring compliance with banking regulations while maintaining its cooperative identity and member-centric mission.

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