Question 1

What is Cooperativa San José de Bermejo?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa San José de Bermejo is a credit union (Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito Abierta) operating in Bolivia. It is a non-banking financial intermediation institution licensed by the Autoridad de Supervisión del Sistema Financiero (ASFI), Bolivia's financial regulatory authority.

As an "open" cooperative (CAC Abierta), the institution can accept deposits from both members and the general public, while providing credit services exclusively to its members. The cooperative serves the local community in Bermejo, a border city in the Tarija Department, focusing on financial inclusion and serving sectors that may have limited access to traditional banking services.

Question 2

When was Cooperativa San José de Bermejo founded?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa San José de Bermejo was founded on July 10, 1966. The cooperative was established with authorization from the Federación Nacional de Cooperativas de Ahorro y Crédito de Bolivia (National Federation of Credit Unions of Bolivia), granted through official letter CB.19/66.

The cooperative was created to address the financial exclusion faced by residents in the Bermejo region, providing accessible savings and credit services to community members who historically lacked access to traditional banking institutions. For nearly six decades, it has evolved from a small community cooperative to a regulated financial institution under ASFI supervision.

Question 3

Where is Cooperativa San José de Bermejo headquartered?

Accepted Answer

The cooperative is headquartered in the city of Bermejo, which is located in the Arce Province of the Tarija Department in southern Bolivia. The institution's address is on Calle Germán Busch at the corner of Calle Litoral.

Bermejo is a strategic border city located adjacent to Argentina, making it an important commercial center in the region with significant cross-border economic activity.

Question 4

Where does Cooperativa San José de Bermejo operate?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa San José de Bermejo primarily operates in the city of Bermejo and the surrounding areas within the Arce Province of Tarija Department. As a locally-focused cooperative, it serves the Segunda Sección (Second Section) of the Arce Province.

The cooperative's operations are concentrated in serving the local community in this border region, which includes merchants, agricultural producers, and residents engaged in various economic activities characteristic of a border trading city.

Question 5

What services does Cooperativa San José de Bermejo offer?

Accepted Answer

As a licensed CAC Abierta, Cooperativa San José de Bermejo offers savings and credit services. The institution provides various credit products tailored to members' needs, including loans for personal, commercial, and productive purposes. Credit products are available with different types of collateral and payment schedules aligned with members' income patterns.

On the savings side, the cooperative accepts deposits from both members and the general public through savings accounts and fixed-term deposits (DPF - Depósitos a Plazo Fijo). These deposit products help members build savings while providing competitive returns.

The cooperative also offers payment services and may provide additional financial services permitted under ASFI regulations and the General Law of Cooperative Societies.

Question 6

What makes Cooperativa San José de Bermejo unique?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa San José de Bermejo distinguishes itself through its democratic governance structure based on cooperative principles, where each member has one vote regardless of their capital contribution. This "one member, one vote" principle ensures participatory decision-making.

Unlike traditional banks that distribute profits to shareholders, the cooperative reinvests surplus earnings into improving services, providing member education, and developing social programs that benefit the community. Any distributed surplus is allocated proportionally based on each member's contribution amount and duration of membership.

The cooperative's location in Bermejo, a dynamic border city with Argentina, positions it uniquely to serve a community engaged in cross-border trade and commerce. Its focus on financial inclusion helps serve micro-merchants, small farmers, and other sectors that may face challenges accessing credit from larger banking institutions.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Cooperativa San José de Bermejo?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa San José de Bermejo is classified as a Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito Abierta (Open Credit Union) under Bolivian financial regulations. This classification distinguishes it from closed credit unions (CAC Societarias), which can only serve their members.

As a CAC Abierta, the institution holds a Licencia de Funcionamiento (Operating License) issued by ASFI, allowing it to conduct financial intermediation operations at the national level, though its operations remain concentrated in its home region. The cooperative is subject to ASFI's prudential supervision and must comply with capital adequacy, governance, and reporting requirements applicable to regulated financial institutions in Bolivia.

Credit unions in Bolivia are non-profit organizations owned by their members, operating under the General Law of Cooperative Societies and the Law of Financial Services (Ley 393). They form an important segment of Bolivia's financial system, representing a significant portion of financial institutions serving underbanked populations and regional communities.

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About Cooperativa San José de Bermejo in Bolivia