Question 1

What is Cooperjs?

Accepted Answer

Cooperjs (formally known as Cooperativa de Economia e Crédito Mútuo dos Empregados da Empresa Supermercados Jaú Serve) is an employee credit cooperative in Brazil. It is a financial cooperative specifically established to serve the employees of Supermercados Jaú Serve, a prominent supermarket chain in São Paulo state.

As a mutual credit cooperative, Cooperjs operates under the cooperative principles of mutual aid and self-governance, providing financial services exclusively to its members who are employees of the supermarket group. The cooperative offers an alternative to traditional banking, with a focus on serving the financial needs of its member-employees.

Question 2

When was Cooperjs founded?

Accepted Answer

[Information not publicly available]

While the exact founding date of Cooperjs is not publicly documented, the cooperative was established to serve employees of Supermercados Jaú Serve, which itself was founded on October 10, 1964. Employee credit cooperatives in Brazil typically emerge as companies grow and employees seek more favorable financial services than those offered by traditional banks.

Question 3

Where is Cooperjs headquartered?

Accepted Answer

Cooperjs is based in Jaú, São Paulo state, Brazil, where Supermercados Jaú Serve maintains its headquarters and distribution center. Jaú is located in the central region of São Paulo state, approximately 296 kilometers from the state capital.

The city of Jaú, founded in 1853, is known as the "Capital of Women's Footwear" and sits in a historically prosperous agricultural region. It is positioned in the geographic center of the state, serving as an important industrial and agricultural hub with a population of approximately 150,000 people.

Question 4

Where does Cooperjs operate?

Accepted Answer

Cooperjs operates throughout the regions where Supermercados Jaú Serve has a presence in São Paulo state. The supermarket chain operates 38 stores across 16 municipalities, including Jaú, Araraquara, Araras, Avaré, Barra Bonita, Botucatu, Descalvado, Ibitinga, Leme, Lençóis Paulista, Pederneiras, Piracicaba, Pirassununga, Ribeirão Preto, São Carlos, and São Manuel.

As an employee cooperative, Cooperjs serves members across these locations where the parent company employs its workforce of over 4,400 direct employees. The cooperative's reach extends throughout central São Paulo state, following the footprint of the supermarket chain.

Question 5

What services does Cooperjs offer?

Accepted Answer

Cooperjs provides financial services tailored to the needs of employees of Supermercados Jaú Serve. As a credit cooperative, its core offerings include:

Credit Services: Personal loans with more favorable interest rates than traditional banks, as cooperatives operate without profit motives and return surplus to members.

Savings and Deposits: Savings accounts and deposit services that allow members to accumulate capital while supporting fellow cooperative members through the pooling of resources.

Financial Education: Guidance and support to help members make informed financial decisions and improve their economic well-being.

As mentioned on the Supermercados Jaú Serve career page, the company offers employees access to its own credit cooperative as part of its employee benefits package, highlighting Cooperjs as a valued resource for workforce financial wellness.

Question 6

What makes Cooperjs unique?

Accepted Answer

Cooperjs operates under the distinctive mutual credit cooperative model (cooperativa de crédito mútuo), which is unique to Brazil's financial system. This model is characterized by several distinguishing features:

Employee-Focused Membership: Unlike open credit cooperatives, Cooperjs has a closed membership restricted to employees of Supermercados Jaú Serve, creating a homogeneous community with shared interests and employment circumstances.

Democratic Governance: Following cooperative principles, Cooperjs operates on a "one member, one vote" basis, regardless of the amount of capital contributed, ensuring democratic participation in decision-making.

Surplus Distribution: Any financial surplus generated by the cooperative is distributed back to members proportionally to their use of services, rather than being retained as profit or distributed based on capital ownership.

Lower Transaction Costs: By serving a defined employee group with common characteristics, Cooperjs can reduce transaction costs and offer more favorable terms than traditional financial institutions.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Cooperjs?

Accepted Answer

Cooperjs is a Cooperativa de Crédito Mútuo (Mutual Credit Cooperative), a specific type of financial cooperative recognized under Brazilian law. This institutional type is distinct from traditional banks and other financial institutions in Brazil.

Mutual credit cooperatives in Brazil are regulated by the Central Bank of Brazil (Banco Central do Brasil) and must comply with both cooperative legislation (Law 5.764/71) and financial system regulations. However, they operate under a different philosophy than commercial banks, prioritizing member service over profit maximization.

As an employee credit cooperative, Cooperjs belongs to the closed-bond category of credit cooperatives, serving exclusively employees of a specific company. This positions it within Brazil's broader National Cooperative Credit System (Sistema Nacional de Crédito Cooperativo), which includes singular cooperatives, central cooperatives, confederations, and cooperative banks.

The cooperative structure allows Cooperjs to mobilize savings from its members and provide credit back to the same community, keeping financial resources circulating within the employee base of Supermercados Jaú Serve.

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About Cooperjs in Brazil