Az erdélyi szász Raiffeisen-mozgalom kezdetei
The beginnings of the Saxon Raiffeisen movement in Transylvania

Summary/Abstract: The paper is an attempt to show why mutual loan societies of the Raiffeisen type in Hungary came into existence in that form, how they were connected to the national movement, and whether they played a part in the changes of the political program. The most important objective of the establishment of the societies of the Raiffeisen type was the establishment of competitiveness through the strengthening of creditability. The cooperative form, based on the unlimited liability of the members, restricting its activities on one town made it possible to simplify credit assessment and to continuously follow with attention the position of the debtor. The number of the member institutions of the Nagyszeben General Savings Bank, operating as the central bank of the cooperatives increased rapidly. The development of their stock of deposits and loans outstanding is indicative of an increasing decree of collecting the savings of the rural population, and, at the same time, an improving supply of credit. Although their weight remained slight in regional and national comparisons, they offered favourable possibilities of credit and deposition. Their social embedding was a factor in their success. The initiators of the movement, first of all dr. Carl Wolff and Josef Bedeus, jr. believed that the active participation by the local elite was necessary for a fruitful operation. Accordingly, the leadership of the societies usually included the pastor and the leaders of the local presbytery, mainly respected farmers and professionals (doctors, teachers, etc.). Nor did the enterprise lack national contents, its achievements demonstrably having an effect on the transforming national program of the Saxons. The principles of the Raiffeisen mutual loan societies strengthened the communities. The restricted operation, the mutual liability of the members, and the active participation of pastors and other figures of note rendered the organisation easy to fit into the rural Saxon institutional network, increasing its competitiveness to the outside, and stabilising it on the inside.

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