Question 1

What is Cooperativa San Lorenzo?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa San Lorenzo is a multiactive savings, credit and services cooperative (Cooperativa Multiactiva de Ahorro, Crédito y Servicios) based in Paraguay. With over 40 years of experience, it ranks as the seventh largest cooperative in Paraguay's savings and credit sector and is categorized as a Type "A" institution by the Instituto Nacional de Cooperativismo (INCOOP) based on its asset size. The cooperative serves a membership composed primarily of employees, merchants, homemakers, and independent workers, providing comprehensive financial and social services under cooperative principles.

Question 2

When was Cooperativa San Lorenzo founded?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa San Lorenzo was founded on August 10, 1982, during a constituent assembly held at the Cámara Junior of San Lorenzo. The cooperative originated from a small group of merchants and friends known as "amigos de la cuadra" (friends from the block) who operated along Ruta Mcal. Estigarribia and created a common fund to support each other's needs.

The assembly was presided over by José Darío Pineda as President and Julio Oscar Sosa Bresanovich as Secretary, with 164 founding members. Ramón Gaona was elected as the first president on August 13, 1982, serving until his death on October 1, 1982, when he was succeeded by Abg. Juan Ramón Villalba.

Legal recognition came via Decree No. 39,752 on May 17, 1983, with registration number 450 in INCOOP's records.

Question 3

Where is Cooperativa San Lorenzo headquartered?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa San Lorenzo is headquartered in San Lorenzo, Paraguay, a city in the Central Department known as Paraguay's university city due to the presence of the Universidad Nacional. The cooperative's main office serves as the central hub for its operations, with the institution maintaining strong ties to the local community that gave it its name.

Question 4

Where does Cooperativa San Lorenzo operate?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa San Lorenzo operates throughout its zone of influence in Paraguay, primarily serving the San Lorenzo area and surrounding communities in the Central Department. The cooperative maintains a network of branches and service points to reach its membership base across the region, providing accessible financial services to communities throughout its operational territory.

Question 5

What services does Cooperativa San Lorenzo offer?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa San Lorenzo offers an extensive range of financial and non-financial services:

Financial Services:
• Credit Products: Rapid and accessible credit lines including microfinance, business loans, housing loans, ordinary and extraordinary loans, stimulus loans, vehicle financing, and educational loans with competitive interest rates
• Savings Accounts: Multiple savings modalities offering high security and competitive interest rates, including checking accounts, term deposits, and savings rounds with automatic cancellation
• Credit Cards: Cabal San Lorenzo credit cards accepted at authorized establishments throughout Paraguay, Mercosur countries, and Cuba
• Payment Services: Integration with payment networks including Red Socio (Cencopan) and HCM Flash (Pay Group SA) for enhanced transaction capabilities

Non-Financial Services:
• Biblioteca Pytyvo: A comprehensive library with encyclopedias, self-improvement books, national authors, audiovisual materials, internet service, and printing facilities
• Social Headquarters: Modern infrastructure featuring quincho areas, sports complex, soccer field, and park for social, cultural, and recreational events with ample parking
• Solidarity Programs: Benefits and subsidies for births, marriages, university graduations, silver and golden wedding anniversaries, eyeglass purchases, hospitalizations, surgeries, funeral services, and death benefits
• Educational Center: The cooperative operates its own educational institution providing services to members and the community

Digital Services: The cooperative has been implementing new digital systems to expand collection channels and improve service delivery to members.

Question 6

What makes Cooperativa San Lorenzo unique?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa San Lorenzo distinguishes itself through several notable characteristics:

Historical Significance: Its emblematic shield divides into four parts representing: two pines (universal symbol of cooperativism), San Lorenzo Mártir (the patron saint celebrated on August 10, the foundation date), the Universidad Nacional auditorium (symbolizing San Lorenzo as Paraguay's university city), and a Chaco War soldier with Cuartel de la Victoria in the background (honoring Chaco heroes and Colonel Miguel Morales Florentín).

Strong Community Roots: Born from neighborhood solidarity, the cooperative maintains deep connections to its founding principles of mutual support and community development.

Comprehensive Service Model: Unlike many financial institutions, it combines extensive financial services with significant social and educational infrastructure, including its own school and medical clinic (policlínico).

Financial Strength: With adequate solvency ratios exceeding regulatory minimums and robust liquidity positions, the cooperative maintains a stable financial foundation. As of December 2023, it maintained a solvency ratio of 11.96%, well above sector averages.

Commitment to Values: The institution operates based on ethical values of trust, equity, honesty, equality, justice, respect, responsibility, solidarity, and transparency.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Cooperativa San Lorenzo?

Accepted Answer

Cooperativa San Lorenzo is classified as a Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito Tipo "A" (Type "A" Savings and Credit Cooperative) under Paraguayan regulatory framework. This classification, assigned by INCOOP based on asset volume, places it among the largest and most established cooperatives in Paraguay's financial system.

Type "A" cooperatives face the most stringent regulatory requirements, including minimum capital adequacy ratios, liquidity standards, risk management protocols, and regular financial reporting obligations. These institutions operate under INCOOP supervision rather than the Central Bank of Paraguay, providing financial services exclusively to their members based on democratic governance principles where each member holds one vote regardless of capital contribution.

Question 8

What is Cooperativa San Lorenzo's vision and mission?

Accepted Answer

Vision: To be a leading cooperative at the national level, competitive, with innovative and accessible products and services, cutting-edge technology, committed and trained human talent to satisfy the needs of members and positively impact the community.

Mission: To be a solidarity savings and credit entity, committed to the quality of social and financial services provided to members to improve their quality of life.

Cooperativa San Lorenzo

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About Cooperativa San Lorenzo in Paraguay