Social Works: 1940-1990.
The social works underwent changes over time, with the more purely charitable works losing prominence. In 1944 the old auction premises of the Monte de Piedad were converted into an Exhibition and Conference Hall, activities that would continue throughout all these years. In 1949 the Caja acquired the radio station AEJ 62 Radio Vitoria, which would later be sold to the Basque Government. In 1955 one of its most important and emblematic social works was born: the Sancho el Sabio Institution, as a study centre and library dedicated to research on Basque subjects. Its first Bulletin appeared in 1957, and it became a Foundation in 1989. Another interesting cultural work was the restoration of various emblematic buildings in Alava (Portal n, Casa del Cord n, Casa Armera de los Guevara-Gobeo, Palacio Escoriaza-Esquibel,...). In the area of education, it is worth highlighting the sponsorship of the Diocesan Professional Schools (Agricultural School of Arcaute), the AC Apprentice School and the School of Social Workers, a social work since 1964. Support for sport, with the opening of a swimming pool and a gym in 1959, was another cultural variant. In its welfare aspect, the Residence for Single Workers stands out; the Virgen de Gamarra Charitable Association, the Retirement Clubs that began to open from 1967 onwards (Landzuri, Salvatierra...); the centres for the hearing impaired; the Anti-diabetic Dispensary; Gamarra Park, etc.
In the 1970s, most of the money allocated to social work was destined for education, some 111 million in 1978 (aid to the Diocesan Professional Schools, the Alav s University College, the School of Social Workers, UNED, construction of a nursery school...); and culture (Sancho El Sabio Institution, children's libraries, scholarships, Business Refresher Course, cultural rooms, book publishing, restoration). In addition, part of its funds were devoted to financing Retirement Clubs, Youth Residences, courses for the promotion of women, support for popular culture and sport.
In 1987, when it devoted some 150 million pesetas to this end, it divided into specific areas of action what had previously seemed to be dispersed: cultural, educational and welfare. Cultural activities came to the forefront of its objectives and the Sancho El Sabio Institution was its best asset, without forgetting the many exhibitions, conferences, concerts, contests and competitions that it promoted or in which it collaborated.