Question 1

What is Cooperativa San Martín de Porres?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa San Martín de Porres (COSMart R.L.) is an open savings and credit cooperative in Bolivia, operating as a limited liability economic and social cooperative society. The institution provides financial services to an unlimited number of members across multiple departments in Bolivia.

As of 2024, COSMart ranks as the second-largest credit cooperative in Bolivia. The cooperative is regulated by the Autoridad de Supervisión del Sistema Financiero (ASFI) and holds Operating License No. 006/2000, granted on March 28, 2000, by the former Superintendence of Banks and Financial Entities.

COSMart maintains legal status granted by the National Council of Cooperatives under registration number 486.

Question 2

When was Cooperativa San Martín de Porres founded?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa San Martín de Porres was founded on October 13, 1965. The cooperative was established with the purpose of promoting popular savings and providing accessible credit to its members.

Over nearly 60 years of institutional life, the cooperative has evolved from a regional entity serving primarily the Santa Cruz department to a national institution with operations spanning multiple Bolivian departments. In its first four decades, operations were concentrated in the Santa Cruz de la Sierra region, later expanding to Tarija and Chuquisaca in the south, and ultimately achieving national coverage by extending to Cochabamba and La Paz in the north.

Question 3

Where is Cooperativa San Martín de Porres headquartered?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa San Martín de Porres is headquartered in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. The main office is located on Avenida 26 de Febrero No. 797, at the intersection with Avenida Landívar.

The cooperative maintains a strong presence in Santa Cruz, with multiple branch offices throughout the metropolitan area and surrounding regions.

Question 4

Where does Cooperativa San Martín de Porres operate?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa San Martín de Porres operates in five departments across Bolivia: Santa Cruz, Chuquisaca, La Paz, Cochabamba, Potosí, and Tarija. This multi-departmental presence represents the cooperative's evolution from a regional institution to one with national reach.

In Santa Cruz, the cooperative has extensive branch networks covering urban centers and suburban areas. Operations extend to strategic locations in other departments, serving diverse communities throughout Bolivia's central and southern regions.

The cooperative's expansion strategy has focused on connecting Bolivia's principal urban centers along the country's main transportation corridors.

Question 5

What services does Cooperativa San Martín de Porres offer?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa San Martín de Porres offers comprehensive financial services including savings accounts, fixed-term deposits (DPF), and various credit products. Credit offerings include consumer loans for personal use, microcredits for small-scale entrepreneurs, SME loans for medium-sized businesses, and housing loans.

The cooperative provides competitive interest rates on deposits, with promotional campaigns offering rates up to 7.5% on fixed-term deposits. Members can use their deposits as collateral for obtaining credit facilities.

Digital services include COSMart Móvil QR, a mobile application for cashless payments and collections through QR code technology. The cooperative also offers electronic banking platforms for online transfers and account management. Members have access to electronic transfer orders (OETF) for fund transfers between accounts and to other financial institutions.

Additional services include bill payment facilities, pension and bonus distribution (Renta Dignidad, Bono Juana Azurduy), and access to health services through partnerships with ALMED medical centers, providing discounted general and specialized medical care.

Question 6

What makes Cooperativa San Martín de Porres unique?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa San Martín de Porres distinguishes itself through its commitment to cooperative values and principles, emphasizing mutual aid, responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. The cooperative's mission focuses on serving the integral development of its region and Bolivia by converting savings into wealth-generating credits in a sustainable manner.

The institution's ranking as Bolivia's second-largest credit cooperative reflects its strong financial performance and member confidence. As of mid-2025, COSMart maintains a risk rating of BBB1 from Microfinanza Rating Bolivia, with a stable outlook. The cooperative's Capital Adequacy Coefficient consistently exceeds 16%, demonstrating robust financial stability.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, COSMart demonstrated resilience by maintaining liquidity and continuing credit operations from June 2020 onward, contrasting with many peer institutions that suspended lending activities. The cooperative showed continued growth in savings and deposits despite adverse economic conditions, reflecting strong member trust.

COSMart emphasizes technological advancement, expanding its electronic banking services and promoting digital adoption among members through user-friendly guides and accessible platforms.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Cooperativa San Martín de Porres?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa San Martín de Porres is classified as a Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito Abierta (Open Savings and Credit Cooperative) under Bolivian financial regulations. This classification indicates an open membership cooperative that accepts an unlimited number of members, as opposed to closed cooperatives with restricted membership.

As a cooperative, the institution is member-owned and operates according to cooperative principles, with democratic governance structures including a Council of Administration, Supervisory Council, and various management committees. Members participate in decision-making through general assemblies and benefit from the cooperative's surplus distribution policies.

The cooperative operates under the supervision of ASFI and complies with the Law of Banks and Financial Entities, maintaining standards comparable to traditional banking institutions while preserving its cooperative identity and social mission.

Cooperativa San Martín de Porres

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About Cooperativa San Martín de Porres in Bolivia