More than 110 years of commitment to society

Since it was first set up, the reputation of ”la Caixa” Foundation has been based on its strong commitment to society and desire to contribute towards the well-being of people in general. More than 110 years after its birth, ”la Caixa” Foundation continues to be the first foundation in Spain, the second in Europe and one of the most important in the world.

  • THE DREAM OF FRANCESC MORAGAS

    On the 5th of April 1904, Francesc Moragas founded the Caja de Pensiones para la Vejez y de Ahorros de Cataluña y Baleares, with the support of various Catalan civil institutions. Thus was born a private institution that, at that time of so much social instability, would become a means of helping the most disadvantaged classes to achieve a certain independence and security in their family life.

    Francesc Moragas promoted an ambitious, professional but modern concept of financial management which was very different from the predominant model in other savings banks at the time, making ”la Caixa” Foundation a Spanish pioneer in social assistance, one of the basic pillars of the welfare system.

  • THE START
    OF OBRA SOCIAL

    ”la Caixa” Foundation, set up with a clear desire to prevent financial exclusion and promote the region's socio-economic development, soon explored new avenues for social action. For example, it began to allocate part of its earnings to social projects and this Obra Social or work for society became an integral part of the organisation. This is how ”la Caixa” Foundation was born, with the aim of financing and supporting activities of a social, educational, cultural and scientific nature.

  • THE HISTORY
    OF A SYMBOL

    At the end of the 1970s, it was decided that ”la Caixa” Foundation needed a unique identity that was both easily identifiable and easy to identify with. As a result, Joan Miró was commissioned to create a tapestry from which a single emblem could be taken.

    This was how the star and its colours became the institution's symbol and a brand that set a trend in Spain's financial sector at the time.

  • SETTING UP
    ”LA CAIXA” FOUNDATION

    In 1990, Caja de Pensiones para la Vejez y de Ahorros de Cataluña y Baleares and Caja de Ahorros y Monte de Piedad de Barcelona merged to form a leading group in the Spanish financial system and among Spanish and European savings banks: Caja de Ahorros y Pensiones de Barcelona, known as ”la Caixa” Foundation.

  • THE BIRTH
    OF CAIXABANK

    In 2011, ”la Caixa” Foundation approved the commencement of a reorganisation which culminated in the creation of CaixaBank, a listed bank through which the ”la Caixa” Foundation Group continued to carry out its financial business indirectly.

  • CREATING
    THE FOUNDATION

    In June 2014, Caja de Ahorros y Pensiones de Barcelona became ”la Caixa” Banking Foundation. Since then, it has managed the work for society that has historically characterised ”la Caixa” Foundation and, through CriteriaCaixa, it also manages the shareholdings of the ”la Caixa” Foundation Group.

  • 1904
    Creation of the Caja de Pensiones para la Vejez y de Ahorros de Cataluña y Baleares

    On 5 April 1904, the Catalan lawyer Francesc Moragas Barret sets up the Caja de Pensiones para la Vejez y de Ahorros de Cataluña y Baleares with the support of various institutions from Catalan civil society.

  • 1917
    The institution begins to carry out social work

    Until then, savings banks had used to use all their profits to build up their reserves. In 1917, the institution decides to allocate part of its earnings specifically to carrying out social projects.

  • 1918
    The institution integrates its social work into its organisation

    The institution's Obra Social or work for society becomes part of the institution's organisation to ensure the projects would be managed efficiently and professionally. The aim is to finance and support social, educational, cultural and scientific activities.

  • 1980
    The institution's corporate identity is created

    At the end of the 1970s, Joan Miró is commissioned to create a tapestry from which an emblem could be taken, resulting in the star and its colours becoming the institution's symbol in 1980.

  • 1990
    Birth of ”la Caixa”

    Merger between the Caja de Pensiones para la Vejez y de Ahorros de Cataluña y Baleares, founded in 1904, and the Caja de Ahorros y Monte de Piedad de Barcelona, founded in 1844. The resulting institution is called the Caja de Ahorros y Pensiones de Barcelona, known as ”la Caixa”.

  • 2011
    Birth of CaixaBank

    ”la Caixa” approves a reorganisation that culminates in splitting off the financial arm of the institution into CaixaBank, a listed bank through which the ”la Caixa” Group continues to carry out its financial business indirectly.

  • 2014
    Creation of ”la Caixa” Banking Foundation

    In June 2014, Caja de Ahorros y Pensiones de Barcelona becomes Fundación Bancaria Caixa d'Estalvis i Pensions de Barcelona, ”la Caixa” in compliance with Spain's new Savings Banks and Banking Foundations Act of 27 December.

    Since then, ”la Caixa” Banking Foundation has managed the Obra Social or work for society that has historically characterised the institution, as well as managing the shareholdings of the ”la Caixa” Group, including CaixaBank, through CriteriaCaixa.