Retos del negocio financiero desde la perspectiva de las cajas de ahorros

Abstract

Undeniably, savings bank experienced a period of boon between 1995 and 2008, thanks to a long period of expansion in the Spanish economy. This growth allowed savings banks to spectacularly increase their turnover and significantly expand their branch network and the level of employment created. However, this growth was accompanied by an intense increase in the indebtedness of private agents, especially between 2002 and 2008. Similarly, the marked development of construction In this period was often accompanied by excessive growth in the finance offered to this sector, sometimes without ensuring adequate diversification of risks. For all these reasons, a reformation that would allow for the reorganisation of the sector is unavoidable with a view to making adjustments that are more important than ever before in banking entities that are most affected by bad debt and falling profits, in line with other private agents. With new legal regulations, savings banks could be strengthened, improve their solvency and liquidity and in short could contribute to improving access to credit for all those currently facing difficulties in this regard. We should also not underestimate the community dimension of savings banks.