The social work of the former savings banks exceeds for the first time 1,000 million
The ECSC assembly notes that social investment in the sector enabled 92,000 activities to be carried out last year
BarcelonaThe social work of the former savings banks exceeded 1 billion euros for the first time last year. With this endowment, of which the "la Caixa" Foundation contributed 655 million, they enabled 92,000 activities to be carried out, benefiting almost 36 million people. The amount was specifically 1,004.92 million euros.
This is data that has been released during the 119th assembly of CECA, the banking employers' association of former savings banks chaired by Isidre Fainé. Since the approval of the law on banking entities and foundations in 2013, the accumulated investment is 9,734 million euros.
In addition to CaixaBank, of which "La Caixa", chaired by Fainé, is the main shareholder, through Criteria; CECA also includes Unicaja, Abanca, Kutxabank, Ibercaja, Caixa Ontinyent, Caixa Pollença and Cecabank, which represent around 40% of the Spanish financial system. This organization has also decided to allocate 5 million to the financial education improvement program Funcas Educa.
Social programs continued to be the main area of action, with an investment of 362.9 million euros (36.12% of the total), intended for initiatives aimed at reducing poverty and inequality, as well as improving people's living conditions. The next was culture and heritage, with 218.9 million euros (21.78%), focused on access to culture and the preservation of heritage.
Next, investments in research stand out, with 151.8 million euros (15.10%), mainly focused on health and science projects, and in local development, employment and entrepreneurship, with 120.3 million euros (11.97%), intended to support SMEs, self-employed workers and the impulse of the local fabric.
The rest of the areas complete the social action of the sector, with 97.6 million euros in education (9.71%), aimed at promoting financial training and culture; 27.5 million euros in the environment (2.73%) and 26 million euros in sport (2.59%), the latter contributing to sustainability, social cohesion and the promotion of healthy habits, as well as the integration of vulnerable groups and active aging.
Fainé, who is also president of the World Savings and Retail Banks Institute (WSBI), has highlighted the amount allocated to social work and stated that it is an "emblematic figure" that confirms these entities "as the largest private social investor in the country." He insisted on the role "of a bank rooted in the territory and committed to people" and that promotes "financial inclusion." On an international level, he highlighted the solid collaboration and shared values with the European Association of Savings and Retail Banks (ESBG) and with the WSBI.
The general director of CECA, Antonio Romero, stated that the investment in social work "is a milestone that reinforces the sector's commitment to social cohesion, the promotion of research, and the protection of the country's cultural and historical heritage."