Question 1

What is Cajamar?

Accepted Answer

Cajamar (officially Cajamar Caja Rural, Sociedad Cooperativa de Crédito) is Spain's largest agricultural credit cooperative and a major national banking institution. As the flagship entity of Grupo Cooperativo Cajamar, which encompasses 18 local cooperative banks, Cajamar alone accounts for approximately 86.5% of the group's business volume. With over €63 billion in assets, nearly 1.8 million cooperative members, and more than 3.9 million customers served through 952 branches nationwide, Cajamar ranks among the top 10 banking institutions in Spain by asset volume.

The bank is designated as a Significant Institution under European Banking Supervision and is directly supervised by the European Central Bank.

The bank is designated as a Significant Institution under European Banking Supervision and is directly supervised by the European Central Bank.

Question 2

When was Cajamar founded?

Accepted Answer

Cajamar's history dates to 1966 with the founding of Caja Rural de Almería to serve the agricultural communities of Almería province. The institution underwent significant transformation in 2000 when Caja Rural de Almería merged with Caja Rural de Málaga and adopted the name "Cajamar," positioning itself for national expansion.

The modern Cajamar is the result of numerous mergers and acquisitions:
• 1989: Integration of Cooperativa Agrícola y Caja Rural del Campo de Cartagena (Murcia)
• 2000: Merger with Caja Rural de Málaga and Grumeco (Madrid cooperative)
• 2007: Merger with Caja Rural del Duero (founded 1913)
• 2010: Integration of Caixa Rural de Balears (founded 1972)
• 2011: Merger with Caja Campo (Valencia, founded 1964)
• 2012: Integration of Caja Rural de Castellón San Isidro (founded 1903) and Ruralcaja
• 2013: Merger with Caja Rural de Canarias (founded 1978) and Crèdit Valencia
• 2018: Integration of Caixa Albalat

In 2002, Cajamar left the traditional Grupo Caja Rural association to form its own independent cooperative group, later establishing Banco de Crédito Social Cooperativo (BCC) in 2014 as the central entity for 32 agricultural cooperative banks.

Question 3

Where is Cajamar headquartered?

Accepted Answer

Cajamar is headquartered in Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. The main office is located at Plaza Puerta Purchena, 10, 04001 Almería.

Question 4

Where does Cajamar operate?

Accepted Answer

Cajamar operates throughout all Spanish autonomous communities and autonomous cities, making it a truly nationwide institution. The bank maintains 952 branches and rural service points, including 12 mobile banking units that provide services to populations with fewer than 1,500 inhabitants.

With presence in all 17 autonomous communities plus Ceuta and Melilla, Cajamar has systematically expanded from its Andalusian base across Spain:
• Before 2000: Murcia (1989), Barcelona (1990), Cádiz, Madrid, Melilla, Ceuta
• 2000-2010: Valencia, Castile and León, Aragón, Castilla-La Mancha, Baleares, Cantabria, Asturias, Navarra, La Rioja
• Post-2010: Galicia, Canary Islands, Extremadura, Basque Country

This comprehensive national coverage makes Cajamar unique among Spanish cooperative banks.

Question 5

What services does Cajamar offer?

Accepted Answer

Cajamar provides comprehensive banking services including:

Retail Banking: Current accounts, savings accounts, time deposits, salary accounts, pension accounts, and specialized accounts. Full range of debit and credit cards with digital payment capabilities.

Digital Banking: Advanced online banking and mobile applications offering full transaction capabilities, including account management, transfers, mobile payments, Bizum instant payments, and digital onboarding. The bank provides app-based and online banking channels accessible 24/7.

Lending: Consumer loans, student loans, mortgage financing, and comprehensive business lending. The bank is particularly active in mortgage lending and business credit for SMEs.

Business Banking: Commercial banking services for businesses of all sizes, including business accounts, credit lines, cash management, payment processing, international trade finance, and treasury services.

Agricultural and Agribusiness Banking: As Spain's leading agricultural cooperative bank, Cajamar dedicates substantial resources to the agrifood sector, offering specialized financing for farms, agricultural cooperatives, food processing companies, irrigation systems, and rural enterprises. The bank provides deep expertise in agricultural markets, seasonal financing, and rural economic development.

Private Banking: Wealth management services, investment advisory, and customized financial solutions for high-net-worth individuals.

Investment Services: Investment funds, pension plans, securities brokerage, portfolio management, and financial planning through Cimenta2 Gestión e Inversiones, the group's asset management subsidiary.

Insurance Products: Comprehensive insurance through Cajamar Vida (life insurance) and Cajamar Seguros Generales (property and casualty insurance), offering life, property, agricultural, business, vehicle, and liability insurance.

Leasing and Specialized Finance: Equipment leasing, vehicle financing, and other specialized financial products.

Question 6

What makes Cajamar unique?

Accepted Answer

Cajamar stands as Spain's preeminent agricultural banking institution, with unmatched expertise in financing and supporting the agrifood sector. The bank's agricultural heritage informs its approach to rural development, environmental sustainability, and support for Spain's food production system. This specialization extends to research and innovation through the Cajamar Foundation and the Plataforma Tierra digitalization initiative for agriculture.

As a credit cooperative with nearly 1.8 million members, Cajamar operates under democratic governance where members (who are also customers) have voting rights and share in the institution's success. This structure prioritizes sustainable growth and community benefit over shareholder profit maximization.

Cajamar demonstrates exceptional commitment to financial inclusion, particularly in rural areas. The bank maintains offices in small towns and villages where other banks have withdrawn, operates mobile banking units for communities under 1,500 inhabitants, and implements programs for financially vulnerable populations.

The Grupo Cooperativo Cajamar institutional protection scheme, approved by the Bank of Spain, provides consolidated supervision and mutual financial support among 18 member cooperatives, creating enhanced stability and efficiency. This structure allows local banks to operate like branches while maintaining legal independence.

Cajamar's nationwide expansion while maintaining cooperative principles represents a unique achievement in Spanish banking. The bank has grown from a regional Almería cooperative to a top-10 national institution without abandoning its social mission or converting to a commercial bank structure.

The bank's designation as a Significant Institution under European Banking Supervision ensures direct oversight by the European Central Bank, providing enhanced regulatory credibility and robust risk management frameworks.

The Cajamar Foundation conducts agricultural research, promotes innovation in the agrifood sector, and supports education and cultural initiatives, demonstrating the bank's commitment to sectoral development beyond purely financial services.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Cajamar?

Accepted Answer

Cajamar is a Sociedad Cooperativa de Crédito (Credit Cooperative Society), a specialized financial institution under Spanish law characterized by member ownership, democratic governance (one member, one vote regardless of capital contribution), and commitment to cooperative principles. Members share in the cooperative's success through patronage refunds and reinvestment in reserves.

The bank is directly supervised by the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Bank of Spain as a Significant Institution under the Single Supervisory Mechanism established by EU regulation. This designation reflects Cajamar's systemic importance to the Spanish financial system.

Cajamar is the dominant member of Grupo Cooperativo Cajamar, which was designated by the Bank of Spain as an institutional protection scheme in 2009. The group's central entity is Banco de Crédito Social Cooperativo (BCC), which acts as a central bank serving the member cooperatives and is also directly supervised by the ECB.

The institution participates in the Spanish deposit guarantee scheme, Fondo de Garantía de Depósitos (FGD), which protects deposits up to €100,000 per depositor. The group maintains strong capital ratios, with a solvency ratio of 16.4% and surplus over regulatory requirements of approximately €930 million (as of September 2025).

Cajamar operates under company registration number F-04743175 and is subject to comprehensive prudential supervision, regular stress testing, and enhanced disclosure requirements as a systemically important institution.

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