The main aim of this chapter is to examine the role played by leaders as determinant agents of a special type of banking institution such as the mutual agricultural credit banks (or Caixas de Crédito Agrícola Mútuo [CCAM]). In other words, it looks to study and understand to what extent employees with leadership roles use their position to maximize CCAM performance through their direct intervention on the teams. Considering that both leaders and subordinates have their own aims (organizational/professional and personal, respectively), and in order to find the necessary equilibrium between them, it also seems to be relevant to better understand the way leaders can mobilize and support organizational subordinates. In sum, issues like leadership, motivation, satisfaction, and personal development are studied in this chapter.
TopCrédito Agrícola (Ca) In Portugal
Even though its roots date back to the late 15th century, the true CA (Crédito Agrícola / Agricultural Credit) was formed in 1911 with the Decree-Law of that date which regulated the establishment and functioning of the Caixas Agrícolas, or Mutual Agricultural Credit Banks. CA is one of a small number of private financial institutions with entirely Portuguese capital.
It is a cooperative-based banking institution within a model that is well represented in the European Union financial systems, especially in Germany, France, The Netherlands, and Italy. In Portugal, the only cooperative financial group is Crédito Agrícola, which includes Caixas Agrícolas as organizations rooted in local communities, which becomes a vital element for the development of the regions where they operate and constitutes an example of company that simultaneously pursues social and business goals.
The existence, in the financial system, of entities such as Caixas Agrícolas, with marked regional trend allows compensating the centripetal trend of banking business developed in large and globalized markets. Their presence in rural environment limits the imbalances between the countryside and the city, while, at the same time, opens the access of rural populations to the banking system.
Caixas Agrícolas are agricultural organizations inspired by democratic ideals and the social element, and its leaders take into account not only economic performance but also their social vocation, differentiating factor that includes them in the social economy (Pina, 2014).