The 1970s were particularly lucrative for the bank, mostly due to its near-monopoly on savings for the poor and lower-middle classes, the management of Brazilian state (federal) lotteries and being the only lawful pawn broker in Brazil.

The control of inflation also hampered the CEF's financial performance by making savings accounts less attractive.

Together with government pension funds and other governmental resources, Caixa controls more than R$1.80 trillion (roughly about US$630 billion).

[citation needed] The CEF is still the manager of most Brazilian lotteries, especially the most popular ones, such as Mega-Sena, Quina and Loteca (former Loteria Esportiva).

The profits of Brazilian state (federal) lotteries revert to amateur sport promotion and elementary education.