COMPARISON OF THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF THE FIVE LARGEST SAVINGS AND CREDIT COOPERATIVES IN SEGMENT ONE OF THE EPS AND THE FIVE PRIVATE BANKS WITH THE HIGHEST ASSETS IN ECUADOR, YEAR 2023

Abstract

In Ecuador, the financial system is composed of banks and Economía Popular y Solidaria (EPS) organizations. There are structural and operational differences that make it necessary to compare their performance using common criteria. This study conducts a comparative analysis of the financial performance of five private banks and five cooperatives in Segment One of the EPS during 2023. Using a quantitative approach, indicators of liquidity, solvency, profitability, and delinquency were examined, and interviews were conducted with risk and finance managers.  The results showed that banks achieved a return on assets (ROA) of 2.4% and a return on equity (ROE) of 15.3%, while cooperatives reported 1.8% and 10.1%, respectively (p < 0.05). The delinquency rate was lower in banks (2.3%) than in cooperatives (4.5%) (p = 0.031), banks also showed higher liquidity ratios and higher net income ($65.7 million vs. $12.4 million), these variations did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). It is concluded that it is essential to implement differentiated policies that recognize both the economic impact and the social contribution of these organizations, incorporating hybrid indicators that combine financial performance and social impact.