Cooperativism and Sustainability in Action
With the conviction that cooperativism is a proven pathway to promote sustainable development and financial inclusion, the Confederation of Savings and Loan Cooperatives of Mexico (CONCAMEX) gathered collaborators, directors, authorities, and members of its federations and popular banks for the forum titled “Cooperatives Build a Better World.”
José Manuel Cruz Contreras, president of CONCAMEX’s Board of Directors, emphasized the resilience of the sector in a complex economic context during his opening remarks. He highlighted that despite challenges, cooperatives experienced a 430,000 member growth in the 2024 fiscal year and transitioned to digital services, showcasing their adaptability.
Key Agreements and Discussions
Following the inauguration, an agreement was signed by cooperative savings and loan organizations with operation levels I to IV, committing to consult the OFAC list. This strengthens their anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing protocols.
Nidia Guerrero Preciado, coordinator of Inclusive Economic Development at PNUD Mexico, delivered a keynote address titled “Sustainable Communities: Challenges and Opportunities in Mexico.” She outlined how Mexican cooperatives tangibly contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
A panel discussion focused on financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (MIPYMES). Luis Gutiérrez Reyes, Director of Financing at the Secretariat of Economy, explained public strategies to strengthen social financing. Carlos Rodriguez, Deputy General Director of FIRA (Fideicomisos Instituidos en Relación con la Agricultura), detailed credit programs for rural entrepreneurs and agroindustrialists. Daniel Alejandro Miranda López, General Director of Regulatory Development at the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV), presented a regulatory roadmap to streamline cooperative operations. Tobias Brill, Director of MIPYMES Financing Promotion at Sparkassenstiftung, mentioned a project with CONCAMEX and CNBV to promote MIPYMES financing through cooperatives, drawing on the German Cajas’ successful experience.
Recognition for Exemplary Social Responsibility
The forum concluded with the presentation of awards to federations and popular banks that successfully completed three consecutive periods of their Social Cooperative Balance, a tool implemented with the support of the German Cooperative Confederation (DGRV) to measure and demonstrate good practices in governance, human resource management, financial soundness, and social responsibility. These awards highlight how cooperatives build a better world.
The federations and cooperatives honored are: Caja Cihualpilli de Tonalá and Caja Popular Mexicana (FIC); Caja Los Reyes, Caja Cerano, Caja Purépero, and Caja Sahuayo (FCA); Caja Popular 9 de Agosto de Salamanca and Caja Florencio Rosas de Querétaro (FDS); Caja Valle (FC); and Caja La Sagrada Familia de Mérida, Yucatán (FFN).
The Savings and Loan Cooperatives sector in Mexico comprises 155 cooperative financial institutions authorized by the Secretariat of Public Finance and supervised by the National Banking and Securities Commission. These cooperatives serve over 9.3 million members, with 54% being women, positively impacting more than 15% of the economically active population. Over 20,000 employees manage more than 2,300 branches across Mexico, offering educational, savings, and fair-loan services to improve members’ and their communities’ living conditions as non-profit organizations focused on social, economic, and cultural development.
International Cooperative Year
The United Nations General Assembly declared 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives, acknowledging their role in eradicating poverty, generating decent employment, and building resilient communities. CONCAMEX joins this commemoration, representing the savings and loan cooperatives sector in Mexico, through events like this forum. They reinforce the vision that Mexican cooperatives are a driving force for well-being and a pillar of the social economy.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is CONCAMEX? The Confederation of Savings and Loan Cooperatives of Mexico (CONCAMEX) is an organization representing the savings and loan cooperatives sector in Mexico.
- Why is 2025 the International Year of Cooperatives? The United Nations General Assembly declared 2025 the International Year of Cooperatives to recognize their crucial role in poverty eradication, decent job creation, and building resilient communities.
- What are the key topics discussed at the forum? The forum addressed cooperativism’s contribution to sustainable development, anti-money laundering practices, financing for small businesses, and social responsibility in cooperatives.
- What is the Social Cooperative Balance? The Social Cooperative Balance is a tool implemented with DGRV’s support to measure and demonstrate good practices in governance, human resource management, financial soundness, and social responsibility within cooperatives.
