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In the early 20th Century, in a period of major social upheaval and scarcity, as a consequence of the First World War, the agrarian cooperativism movement emerged, initiated by the Valencian Catholic church, championed by Padre Vicent, a Jesuit from Castellón.
Shortly after the end of the war, a group of "Luises" (members of the Congregation of San Luis), founded the Sindicato Agrícola Católico on 30th January 1919, which in 1944 was renamed the Cooperativa Católico Agraria, with its corresponding sections, including the Caja Rural de Crédito (Rural Credit Savings Bank) which became a decisive instrument in the promotion and development of the local economy. In January 1970, the Rural Savings Bank gained its own legal status, separate from the "parent" cooperative, and during its existence it has been known by several different names: Cooperativa de Crédito; Caja Rural de la Cooperativa Católico Agraria; Caja Rural Católico Agraria, Sociedad de Crédito Limitada; Caja Rural Católico Agraria, S. Cooperativa de Crédito Valenciana. But for our members, it has always been known by the name "Caixa Rural" or "El Sindicat", which is used by some of our oldest members.
The first President was José P. Moreno Canós (30-1-19 to 4-7-20), who was succeeded, in chronological order, by: Manuel Candau Usó (5-7-20 to 28-1-23 and 2-2-29 to 2-2-32); Santiago Verdiá Iserte (29-1-23 to 13-1-25); José María Carda Saporta (14-1-25 to 23-1-27); Vicente Monfort Avellana (24-1-27 to 1-2-29); Pascual Cabedo Sanz (3-2-32 to 31-1-33); Pascual Balaguer Font (1-2-33 to 27-8-36 and 29-7-38 to 3-2-52); Pascual Ferrer Gimeno (4-2-52 to 30-11-65); José María Lloret Pesudo (1-12-65 to 31-12-69); José Arnau Mata (1-1-70 to 18-6-80); Fernando Ferriols Gil (19-6-80 to 27-6-84); Domingo Moreno Ortiz (28-6-84 to 22-6-92); José Cantavella Vicent (23-6-92 to 27-6-03); Enric Llop Vidal (28-6-03 to 05-11-03), José Llop Usó (16-12-03 to 28-06-10), and the current President Enric Portalés Llop who has held this position since 29-06-10.
In 1920, the social welfare section was set up to help injured or ill workers, an admirable initiative and precursor to today's social security. In the entity's headquarters in Calle Mayor Santo Domingo, as well as the recreational section, other sections were set up for compost and assistance, as well offices, a library and a section for unions. By then, there were already eight unions for men and two for women: labourers, makers of canvas sandals, packaging carpenters, road-builders, cartwrights, commerce employees, machine operators and mechanics, pruners, hosiers, makes of orange products, conserve-makers, corset-makers, servants, wax industry, wool and cotton fabrics, hat-makers, paper stamping, etc.
This activity, which was not only economic but also social in nature, allowed the entity to lay down roots immediately within the population. Proof of this is that in the year of its founding it already had a thousand members. The number of members now stands at 13,000.
This socio-economic facet and the relationship and loyalty of the people of Vila-real to the Savings Bank have shaped its history, which has evolved alongside the city. The Savings Bank has changed as local society changed, but it has always taken into account that the "money of Vila-real is for Vila-real". This policy is reflected in the security of its deposits, in individual finance facilities, which have enabled many families in a difficult position to move forwards, and collective finance, thanks to which important objectives have been achieved in the city, such as the Francisco Tárrega high school, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, the Plaza del Labrador, the Agricultural Training School, the first nursery school, the promotion and finance of agrarian cooperatives, etc. This work was recognised by the City Council when it awarded this entity the city's Gold Medal in 1968.
And in social terms, there have also been significant achievements such as the construction of social housing and the Social Centre, the pride of our organisation, constant support for the retirement home, which would not be able to survive without this support, and of course strong support for local agricultural, cultural, sporting and social activities.
The changes we have undergone have allowed us to maintain our agricultural focus whilst branching out into all industrial and services sectors, leading us to diversify our activity and expand on the financial services available to our members and customers.
It has been almost a century since what is now Caixa Rural Vila-real first set up in April 1920 and approved its first loans. A lifetime, a whole history, dedicated exclusively to Vila-real.