Unicaja and the Diocese of Plasencia (Cáceres) have signed a financial collaboration agreement that makes products and services with specific terms available to the ecclesiastical institution, its more than 200 parishes and other affiliated organisations. The agreement aims to facilitate the day-to-day financial management of these organisations and to offer them solutions to undertake investments and meet their cash flow needs.
The initiative is part of Unicaja’s commitment to maintaining close ties with institutions in the regions where it operates, offering solutions tailored to their needs and contributing to the development of their activities.
In this case, the collaboration will enable the Diocese of Plasencia and the organisations that sign up to the agreement to have access to financial tools to manage their resources and carry out their projects.
Unicaja’s regional manager for Extremadura, Marga Serna, emphasised that “this agreement reflects our commitment to working closely with institutions in our region and offering solutions that meet their real needs”. “We want to support the Diocese of Plasencia and its affiliated organisations in their day-to-day activities and in the projects that help to keep their heritage alive and serve the people of Extremadura,” she noted.
Serna added, in this regard, that “Unicaja’s commitment to Extremadura is embodied in a close and lasting relationship with the people, organisations and institutions that form part of its social and economic fabric”.
For her part, Carmela González, bursar of the Diocese of Plasencia, stated that “the Diocese of Plasencia welcomes the signing of this agreement and commends the efforts of the bank, as well as its staff, to modernise and offer services tailored to the needs of the parishes”.
“With this agreement, the Diocese of Plasencia aims to strengthen relations between the two institutions, which have been closely linked ever since the then Bishop of Plasencia, Francisco Jarrín y Moro, spearheaded the creation in 1911 of one of the organisations that now make up Unicaja,” she said.
Benefits
Among the terms set out in the agreement is a special current account for the Diocese and its parishes, which provides for the waiver of various charges; these include administration and maintenance fees, as well as those relating to certain non-urgent SEPA transfers, standing orders and cheque deposits, in accordance with the conditions laid down in the agreement.
Loans are also available for investments such as the refurbishment or construction of churches, parish complexes, priests’ accommodation and other centres, as well as the purchase of land, furniture and equipment. The agreement also includes credit facilities to meet cash flow requirements.
With this partnership, Unicaja, as part of its community banking policy, continues to support institutions and groups within its area of operation, providing financial resources that contribute to the continuity of their activities and the implementation of projects in Plasencia and the surrounding area.
The signing of the agreement took place at the Bishop’s Palace in Plasencia, attended on behalf of Unicaja by Marga Serna, regional manager for Extremadura; Marta Muñoz, head for Northern Extremadura; and Antonio Martín, manager of the Alfonso VIII branch in Plasencia; as well as Francisco Barrado, Vicar General; Carmela González, bursar; and Fernando Espinosa, financial adviser.
