Geographical Outreach: Number of Credit Unions and Financial Cooperatives for Ecuador

Q: What does this economic trend measure?

A: This trend measures the total number of credit unions and financial cooperatives operating in Ecuador, providing insights into the geographic coverage and accessibility of community-based financial services across the country.

Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?

A: The number of credit unions and cooperatives is an important indicator of financial inclusion and access to credit, especially for underserved and rural populations in Ecuador. Analysts and policymakers use this data to evaluate the reach and impact of the cooperative finance sector.

Q: How is this data collected or calculated?

A: The data is collected and reported by the Ecuadorian Superintendency of Popular and Solidarity Economy, the government agency responsible for overseeing the cooperative finance sector.

Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?

A: Trends in the number of credit unions and cooperatives are closely monitored by the Central Bank of Ecuador and the Ministry of Finance to inform financial sector policies and regulations aimed at promoting financial inclusion and access to credit, especially in underserved communities.

Q: Are there update delays or limitations?

A: The data is published with a lag of several months, so the most recent figures may not fully reflect the current state of the cooperative finance sector in Ecuador. Additionally, the data only captures formally registered institutions and may not account for informal or unregistered financial cooperatives.