This paper objective was to investigate the efficiency of Minas Gerais state credit cooperatives. In the study, the conceptual bases of efficiency are interpreted based on the role played by the cooperatives in supplying financial services to their members. The efficiency was measured by using Data Envelopment Analysis in a sample of 105 credit cooperatives, in the year of 2003. The efficiency factors were identified by using a Tobit model. The results exposed the limitations of efficiency presented by credit cooperatives and verified that they under utilized the productive resources. Finally, the paper argues about the importance of monitoring the cooperative performance to hold the sustainability of their business.
efficiency; credit cooperatives; Data Envelopment Analysis; Tobit models
