Tipología de socios para la Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito Raíces Andinas

Abstract

This research identifies and classifies the migrant members of the Raíces Andinas Savings and Credit Cooperative, located in Ecuador, by analyzing the institution's data from the first quarter of 2020 to the first quarter of 2025. The migration phenomenon intensified in the country at the end of the 1990s due to the financial crisis, creating a strategic segment of Ecuadorians residing mainly in the United States. These members are key due to the volume of remittances they send and their potential to maintain long-term financial relationships. In this context, the absence of a technical segmentation that allows the cooperative to effectively tailor its financial services for this segment was identified. To address this need, advanced techniques such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and the K-Means unsupervised clustering algorithm were applied, leading to the identification of three profiles: traditional members (financially solid with minimal risk), multiservice tech-savvy members (highly transactional), and financially risky members (high default rates). These findings enable the design of differentiated strategies for loyalty building, default prevention, and increased service usage through tools such as promotions, membership programs, service-oriented cross-selling, and preventive calls. Ultimately, this research contributes to financial inclusion, improves institutional efficiency, and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in reducing inequalities and promoting economic growth. This approach strengthens data-driven decision-making within Ecuador’s popular and solidarity-based financial system.