Question 1

What is Acentra?

Accepted Answer

Acentra is a credit cooperative (cooperativa de crédito) operating in southern Santa Catarina, Brazil. As a member of the Ailos Cooperative System, one of Brazil's largest cooperative credit networks, Acentra provides financial services to individuals and businesses across the region. The cooperative operates under a mutual benefit model where members are also owners, participating in collaborative management and sharing in the institution's results.

With approximately 40,000 members and over R$280 million in assets, Acentra serves communities throughout southern Santa Catarina and has recently expanded into northern Rio Grande do Sul. The cooperative employs over 110 staff members across multiple service points.

Question 2

When was Acentra founded?

Accepted Answer

Acentra was founded on September 27, 1999, originally as Cecrisacred. The cooperative was established by a group of 42 employees from Cecrisa Revestimentos Cerâmicos S.A., a ceramic tile manufacturing company based in Criciúma, Santa Catarina.

The cooperative's initial purpose was to provide accessible financial services to Cecrisa employees. After 18 years of operations under the Cecrisacred name, members approved a rebranding to Acentra, reflecting the institution's growth, modernization, and expansion beyond its original employee base to become a free admission cooperative open to the broader community.

Question 3

Where is Acentra headquartered?

Accepted Answer

Acentra is headquartered in Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil, at Rua General Osvaldo Pinto da Veiga, 557, in the Próspera neighborhood. The headquarters serves as the main administrative center for the cooperative's operations across the southern region of Santa Catarina state.

Question 4

Where does Acentra operate?

Accepted Answer

Acentra operates throughout the southern region of Santa Catarina, with physical presence in multiple municipalities including Criciúma, Araranguá, Içara, Tubarão, Sombrio, and other cities in the Sul Catarinense region. The cooperative maintains over 10 service points across these communities.

In recent years, Acentra has expanded its operational area to include 19 municipalities in northern Rio Grande do Sul, bringing its total coverage to approximately 53 cities across southern Santa Catarina and northern Rio Grande do Sul. This expansion was approved by members in a general assembly, demonstrating the cooperative's commitment to regional development.

Question 5

What services does Acentra offer?

Accepted Answer

Acentra provides a comprehensive range of financial services designed for both individual and business members. Core offerings include savings accounts, checking accounts, loans and financing, investment products, and financial applications.

The cooperative offers business-focused services including commercial credit lines, working capital financing, and specialized business advisory services. For individual members, services include personal loans, financing for vehicles and real estate, and various investment options.

Digital services include electronic banking channels, ATM access, online banking platforms, and mobile banking solutions. Members also have access to insurance products through Ailos Corretora, the Ailos System's insurance brokerage, covering personal protection, life insurance, automobile insurance, residential coverage, and business protection.

Question 6

What makes Acentra unique?

Accepted Answer

Acentra's distinctive feature is its cooperative ownership structure, where members are simultaneously customers and owners of the institution. This model enables profit sharing and collaborative governance, differentiating it from traditional commercial banks.

As part of the Ailos Cooperative System, Acentra benefits from the infrastructure, governance standards, and operational scale of one of Brazil's most established cooperative networks, founded in 1951. This affiliation provides members with security, professional management, and access to competitive financial products.

The cooperative emphasizes local economic development and community impact. In 2022 alone, members saved over R$45 million on financial transactions compared to other financial institutions, demonstrating the tangible benefits of the cooperative model. Acentra is recognized as a Great Place to Work (GPTW) certified employer, reflecting its commitment to creating a positive work environment.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Acentra?

Accepted Answer

Acentra is classified as a Cooperativa de Crédito de Livre Admissão (Free Admission Credit Cooperative) under Brazilian financial regulations. This designation means it operates as a mutual credit cooperative authorized by the Central Bank of Brazil (Banco Central do Brasil) to provide banking services.

Unlike restricted cooperatives that serve only specific employee groups or sectors, Acentra's free admission status allows any individual or business in its operational area to become a member. The cooperative is regulated under the CNAE classification 64.24-7-03 (Cooperativas de Crédito Mútuo), indicating its function as a mutual credit institution where members pool resources for collective financial benefit.

As a second-tier member of Central Ailos, Acentra operates within Brazil's cooperative banking framework, which is distinct from commercial banks, investment banks, and other traditional financial institution types in the country.

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About Acentra in Brazil