Cajas de Ahorros del Ecuador: Un Enfoque desde la Perspectiva Financiera y Economía Popular y Solidaria

The purpose of this study is to carry out a comprehensive diagnosis of savings banks in Ecuador, focusing on a bibliometric analysis and their role within the popular and solidarity economy. The analysis seeks to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of these entities, offering recommendations that can improve their efficiency and sustainability within the country's financial system. The research employed a mixed descriptive-theoretical methodology, analyzing 436 savings banks through observation techniques and review of secondary sources. The results reveal that these savings banks play a key role in financial inclusion, especially in rural and low-income areas, promoting savings and investment in productive activities. Among their strengths are their trust and closeness to their members, as well as their commitment to the principles of the solidarity economy. However, important weaknesses are identified, such as limited operational and financial capacity, and deficiencies in administration and governance. The conclusions underline the importance of strengthening these institutions through improvements in their governance, training and regulatory frameworks. In addition, it is recommended to foster collaboration among savings banks to increase their impact on the popular and solidarity economy, thus promoting inclusive and sustainable economic development in Ecuador.