Question 1

What is Coopecaja R.L.?

Accepted Answer

Coopecaja R.L. (Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito de las Personas Físicas y Jurídicas R.L., formerly Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito de los Trabajadores del Sector Público Costarricense y las Empresas del Sector Salud) is a significant savings and credit cooperative in Costa Rica serving both public and private sector workers. Originally founded to serve employees of the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (Costa Rican Social Security system), it has evolved into a broader-based cooperative. The institution is supervised by SUGEF and operates under Costa Rica's cooperative financial regulatory framework.

Question 2

When was Coopecaja R.L. founded?

Accepted Answer

Coopecaja R.L. was founded on May 28, 1971. The cooperative was originally established as a consumer cooperative to provide employees of the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social with access to essential goods and appliances at reasonable prices and with payment facilities. Within a few years, the membership assembly made the strategic decision to transform into a savings and credit cooperative model, which has been maintained to the present day.

In 2005, the cooperative made one of its most significant decisions: opening membership to the broader public sector, which brought substantial growth and thousands of new members. This expansion reflected the cooperative's vision for evolution and increased service capacity.

Question 3

Where is Coopecaja R.L. headquartered?

Accepted Answer

Coopecaja R.L. is headquartered in San José, Costa Rica, specifically at Avenida 8, Calles 5 y 7, located 300 meters south and 25 meters east of the central offices of the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS). The cooperative has been constructing new facilities designed to provide greater comfort and improved service to its member-owners. Contact information includes telephone 2542-1111 and email info@coopecaja.fi.cr.

Question 4

Where does Coopecaja R.L. operate?

Accepted Answer

Coopecaja R.L. operates throughout Costa Rica, serving members across all provinces. While headquartered in San José's Cathedral district, the cooperative provides services to public and private sector workers nationwide. The institution's growth strategy has focused on expanding access to cooperative financial services beyond its original base in the capital region, reaching members in diverse locations throughout the country.

Question 5

What services does Coopecaja R.L. offer?

Accepted Answer

Coopecaja R.L. provides comprehensive financial services to its members, including:
• Savings accounts (Ahorro a la Vista) available in colones and dollars for daily use
• Consumer credit for personal expenses, vehicle purchases, home repairs, and travel
• Housing loans totaling over ₡2 billion annually for home purchase and construction
• Debit cards in partnership with Banco Nacional de Costa Rica
• Digital banking services including Coopecaja Móvil app and electronic banking platforms
• SINPE transfers and electronic payment services
• Financial education and wellness programs for members

The cooperative also offers extensive social welfare programs, including economic assistance for illness, death, natural disasters, educational scholarships for members and their children, senior citizen clubs (Momentos Dorados), children's and youth clubs with camps, women entrepreneur programs, and family integration events.

Question 6

What makes Coopecaja R.L. unique?

Accepted Answer

Coopecaja R.L. stands out for its transformation from a closed-bond cooperative serving only social security employees to an open institution serving both public and private sector workers. This strategic evolution has enabled significant growth while maintaining cooperative principles.

The cooperative demonstrates strong commitment to member welfare beyond financial services. It distributed over ₡3.377 billion in surplus returns to members in 2016, reflecting its focus on sharing prosperity with member-owners rather than external shareholders.

Coopecaja R.L. maintains robust social responsibility programs that support members during difficult times and promote family well-being. The cooperative's credit portfolio grew 21.5% in 2015, demonstrating strong member confidence and effective financial management.

Its partnership with Banco Nacional de Costa Rica for co-branded debit cards provides members with expanded service access while maintaining the cooperative's independent identity.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Coopecaja R.L.?

Accepted Answer

Coopecaja R.L. is a Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito (Savings and Credit Cooperative), which is a specific category of financial institution under Costa Rican law. It operates as an open cooperative, meaning membership is available to qualifying individuals from both the public and private sectors, as opposed to closed-bond cooperatives restricted to specific employers.

The institution is governed by the Ley de Asociaciones Cooperativas (Law 4179) and regulated under the Ley de Intermediación Financiera de las Organizaciones Cooperativas (Law 7391). It holds legal entity status with cédula jurídica 3-004-045110 and is supervised by SUGEF, placing it within Costa Rica's formal regulated financial sector.

As a cooperative, Coopecaja R.L. operates on democratic principles with member-owners participating in governance through assemblies, distinguishing it from commercial banks with external shareholders. The institution balances financial sustainability with social mission, returning benefits to members rather than maximizing profits for external investors.

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About Coopecaja R.L. in Costa Rica