Mexico’s financial landscape is evolving quickly. Traditional banks no longer hold a monopoly on savings, lending, and payment solutions—today, non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) are driving innovation, expanding access, and bridging global capital with local opportunity.
For entrepreneurs, investors, and financial service providers, 2025 represents one of the most favorable moments to establish a regulated entity in Mexico. From flexible lending platforms to fully licensed deposit-taking institutions, there is a structure designed to fit almost any business model.
Why Mexico?
Mexico combines a rapidly growing middle class with a regulatory environment that actively encourages competition and inclusion. Institutions like the Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores (CNBV) have modernized oversight frameworks, while reforms in capital markets and consumer protection create a clear pathway for both local and international operators.
Foreign ownership is permitted in most structures, meaning that international investors can establish a presence in Mexico without restrictive barriers. This makes it possible to connect peso-based services to offshore banking platforms in places like Puerto Rico, creating powerful cross-border financial ecosystems.
Key Structures Available
SOFOM (Sociedad Financiera de Objeto Múltiple): A multi-purpose financial company that can issue credit, manage leases, and provide factoring services. It comes in two versions: regulated (ER) for institutions seeking credibility and broader partnerships, and unregulated (ENR) for those wanting to launch quickly with lighter oversight. SOFOMs are particularly popular among fintechs, crypto businesses, and alternative lenders due to their adaptability.
SOFIPO (Sociedad Financiera Popular, sometimes called SOFIPRO): Designed to promote financial inclusion, SOFIPOs are authorized to accept deposits and provide services like savings accounts, remittances, loans, and microinsurance. They are ideal for serving underserved or rural communities, and their deposits are protected through a government-backed insurance fund.
SOCAP and Credit Unions: For businesses interested in cooperative models, savings and loan cooperatives (SOCAPs) and Credit Unions offer a way to provide financing exclusively to members. These entities strengthen community-based finance, making them attractive for regional or SME-focused initiatives.
SOFICO and Specialized Rural Institutions: Where rural development is the focus, SOFICOs operate as community-centered financial institutions offering credit, deposits, and leasing services to support agriculture and small producers.
Fintech Licenses: Under Mexico’s Fintech Law, entities can register as crowdfunding platforms (IFC) or electronic payments institutions (IFPE). Many neobanks and payment platforms are leveraging these licenses to launch innovative services and challenge the dominance of traditional banks.
Regulatory Trends in 2025
Mexico has strengthened its oversight in response to market growth. Some of the most important developments include:
– Capital Adequacy Alignment: CNBV now applies Basel-style supervision, requiring stronger capital planning for regulated entities.
– Deposit Insurance Expansion: Funds protecting SOFIPO clients have been recapitalized, improving confidence for deposit-taking institutions.
– AML and Onboarding Controls: Remote account opening and digital KYC processes are under tighter scrutiny, especially for fintechs.
– Debt Collection Oversight: Lenders, including SOFOMs, are now responsible for the conduct of third-party collection agencies, ensuring borrowers are protected.
The Opportunity
For financial entrepreneurs, Mexico offers a rare combination of growth potential and regulatory clarity. Whether your goal is to operate a microfinance platform, a digital remittance channel, or a full-service non-bank financial institution with deposit insurance, there is a license type that can be tailored to your strategy.
Better yet, these structures can be integrated with international financial entities, such as banks in Puerto Rico, to create dual-market operations. This allows you to serve clients in Mexico with peso-based services while managing U.S. dollar custody, lending, or FX activities offshore.
Take the Next Step
Mexico’s financial inclusion strategy, combined with rising demand for alternative credit and savings solutions, makes now the ideal time to establish your presence. Setting up the right structure is critical—not only to gain approval, but also to build long-term credibility with regulators, partners, and clients.
Contact us today to discuss your project and learn how we can help you set up a compliant, scalable non-bank financial institution in Mexico. Whether you are considering a SOFOM, SOFIPO, or a fintech license, we will guide you through every stage—from business planning to regulatory approval.