The “Mutuales de Ahorro and Préstamo”, are not-for-profit organizations which operate within the framework of a special law called “Ley del sistema Financiero Nacional para la Vivienda”. These are organizations specialized in offering mortgage loans dedicated to housing for middle-class and low-class families. The state grants them a subsidy denominated “Bono Familiar de Vivienda”, in accordance with a series of procedures and requirements established by the state through the “Banco Hipotecario de la Vivienda”. The activity is supervised by the “Superintendencia General de Entidades Autorizadas” having to fulfill all the effective standards. In addition, the mutuals offer financial services and have managed to position themselves in the market, which is constituted by small investors and savers. On top of that, they offer a special credit line with a mortgage collateral called “bienestar familiar” aimed at families who have small-business projects.