Análisis de la tasa pasiva respecto al margen de la intermediación financiera de las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito del segmento 1 de Ecuador durante el periodo 2019-2024

Abstract

This research analyzes the relationship between the passive interest rate and the financial intermediation margin in Segment 1 savings and credit cooperatives in Ecuador during the period from 2019 to2024. Through a quantitative and descriptive methodology, key financial indicators such as ROA, ROE, non-performing loans, liquidity, deposits, loans, and funding costs were examined in order to identify trends and assess the financial efficiency of the cooperative sector compared to medium-sized banks. The results show that, despite sustained growth in deposits,particularly in term deposits,the financial intermediation margin has significantly decreased, even reaching negative values in several cases, which threatens the operational sustainability of these institutions.Furthermore, significant differences were identified between cooperatives and medium-sized banks, with the latter demonstrating greater profitability and efficiency in funding management. The study also simulates a financial equilibrium scenario to determine the optimal funding cost, highlighting those cooperatives operating above or below this level. In conclusion, the strategic management of passive interest rates is crucial to improving the financial margin, and the study recommends strengthening control mechanisms, portfolio diversification, and adaptive regulation. This research aims to provide valuable insights for decision making in the cooperative financial sector and support policies that promote its stability.