The cooperative movement was established in Cyprus during the period of British rule to better the economic conditions of farmers and villagers. As of 1987, there were 257 active cooperative societies in the "TRNC." Most villages and towns had cooperative credit unions that provided savings and loan services for members. Loans were made both in cash and in kind (items needed for farming) to assist cooperative society members. One of the banks operating in the "TRNC" was the cooperative societies' own bank, the Turkish Cypriot Cooperative Central Bank. The government oversaw the activities of the societies through the Office of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies.

Data as of January 1991