Evaluación del riesgo financiero de las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito del segmento 1 domiciliadas en la ciudad de Quito DM durante el periodo 2022 – 2024

Abstract

The present academic article evaluates the financial risk of Segment 1 savings and credit cooperatives headquartered in the Quito Metropolitan District during the 2022–2024 period, using official indicators and year-to-year trend analysis. The results show that overall performance is mainly explained by the interaction between credit risk, asset quality, operating efficiency, liquidity, and solvency. For most institutions, a sector-wide pattern is identified, characterized by high operating expenses relative to the financial margin, which constrains surplus generation and weakens the capacity for internal capitalization. Additionally, asset quality reveals a relevant share of non-performing assets and a significant capital exposure to impaired loan portfolios, reflected in indicators of capital vulnerability, thereby increasing sensitivity to macroeconomic shocks or further portfolio deterioration. Delinquency tends to be concentrated in key segments, especially microcredit, and its impact is amplified when loan-loss provision coverage approaches or falls below reasonable levels. Structural pressures are also identified when loan placement levels are high relative to member deposits. Comparative analysis confirms heterogeneity in risk levels, identifying institutions with a high-risk profile due to credit deterioration, insufficient coverage, and capital weakness, as well as at least one cooperative with a low-risk profile supported by productive assets, low delinquency, strong coverage, favorable operating efficiency, and solid capitalization. Overall, the segment’s risk is positioned in a moderate-to-high range, driven by margin sustainability and capital exposure to loan-portfolio quality.