Article (Journal/Review)
Still the century of government savings banks?: the Caixa Econômica Federal
Date
2006-03-01Registration in:
Brazilian Journal of Political Economy. Editora 34, v. 26, n. 1, p. 39-57, 2006.
0101-3157
10.1590/S0101-31572006000100003
S0101-31572006000100003.pdf
S0101-31572006000100003
Author
Mettenheim, Kurt von
Institutions
Abstract
This article explores general concerns about government banking, social inclusion, and democracy through case study of the Brazilian federal government savings bank (Caixa Econômica Federal). Review of government savings banks in Brazilian history suggests that these institutions have been at the center of domestic political economy, expanding and contracting under a variety of political regimes and economic conditions. Since capitalization to meet central bank and Basel Accord guidelines in 2001, the Caixa has attempted to modernize, continue to serve as agent for government policies, and expand both popular credit and savings and investment banking activities.