Mexico has a thriving banking system with numerous institutions offering a range of services. Some of the leading banks in Mexico include Banamex, HSBC, and Scotiabank, which offer a wide range of products and services.
Banamex, a Mexican bank, is one of the largest in the country, with a strong presence in the financial sector. It offers a range of services, including personal and commercial banking, as well as investment and insurance products.
HSBC Mexico, on the other hand, is a subsidiary of the global banking giant HSBC, offering a range of services to both individuals and businesses. Scotiabank Mexico, another major player, provides a variety of financial services, including banking, investments, and insurance.
Mexican Banks
Mexican banks offer a wide range of services, including savings accounts, personal and small business loans, credit cards, mortgages, and more.
Some notable Mexican banks include ABC Capital, Accendo Banco, Actinver, and Banca Mifel. These banks have a strong presence in the country, with many branches and services available.
Here is a list of some of the major Mexican banks:
- ABC Capital
- Accendo Banco
- Actinver
- Banca Mifel
- Banco Autofin
- Banco Amigo
- Banca Afirme
- Bancrea
- Banco Multiva
- Bansi S.A.
- BanCoppel
- Banco Famsa
- Banco Covalto
- Banco Forjadores
- Banco Monex
- Banco Azteca
- BanBajío
- Inbursa
- Intercam
- Banco Inmobiliario Mexicano
- Banco Invex
- Banco Ve X +
- Bankaool
- Banorte
- BanRegio
- Compartamos Banco
- Consubanco
- CI Banco
- Banco BASE
- Agrofinanzas
- Fundación Dondé Banco
- Pagatodo
Banco Azteca
Banco Azteca was established in 2002 as the banking unit of the Elektra retail group. This makes it a convenient option for Mexican customers who shop at Elektra, as they can find Banco Azteca branches in those stores.
Banco Azteca offers a wide range of services, including credit cards, business loans, and personal loans. This variety makes it a one-stop shop for many customers' financial needs.
Ricardo Salinas Pliego founded Banco Azteca and was also the one to recommend integrating cryptocurrencies into its financial systems, making it the first bank in Mexico to do so. This forward-thinking approach has helped Banco Azteca stay ahead of the curve.
Banco Azteca also offers free anti-theft insurance for the first six hours after picking up cash from one of their locations, up to $8,500 MXN. This added protection gives customers peace of mind when using their services.
Locally Owned
Locally owned banks in Mexico are a vital part of the country's financial landscape. Banco de México, the central bank, was established on September 1, 1925.
Banco Azteca, established in 2002, has over 1,950 branches and serves more than 800 municipalities. It offers a range of services including savings accounts, personal and small business loans, credit cards, and mortgages.
Banco Actinver, founded in 1994, is headquartered in Mexico City and provides basic and payroll accounts, personal and commercial loans, debit cards, insurance, and investment services.
Some notable locally owned banks include:
- Banco Actinver
- Banco Azteca
- Banca Afirme
- Banco Amigo
- Banco Bancrea
- Banca Mifel
- Banco Multiva
- BanCoppel
- Banco BASE
- Banco Ahorro Famsa
- Banco Autofin
- Covalto (formerly Credijusto)
- Banco Forjadores
- Banco Monex
- Banco del Bajio (BanBajio)
- Banorte (Banco Mercantil del Norte)
- Inbursa
- Intercam Banco
- Ixe Banco
- Banco Inmobiliario Mexicano
- Banco Interacciones
- Banco Ve Por Mas
- Bansi S.A.
- CIBanco S.A.
- Compartamos Banco
- Banco Invex S.A.
- Bankaool S.A.
- Consubanco S.A.
- Banco Regional S.A. (Banregio)
- Hey Banco
Foreign-Owned Banks
Foreign-Owned Banks in Mexico offer a range of services, including retail, commercial, and corporate banking. Scotiabank Mexico, for example, has been around since 1934 and focuses on retail banking initiatives.
Some notable foreign-owned banks in Mexico include Bank of America, which has a presence in the country since 1991. BBVA Bancomer, a subsidiary of the Spanish bank BBVA, was founded in 2000 and is now a wholly-owned subsidiary.
Here's a list of some of the foreign-owned banks in Mexico:
- Bank of America México
- BBVA Bancomer
- Citibanamex
- Banco Volkswagen México
- Banco Sabadell (México)
- Barclays Bank Mexico
- Banco Credit Suisse (México)
- Banco Wal-Mart de México Adelante
- Deutsche Bank México
- JP Morgan Chase
- HSBC México
- Banco KEB Hana Mexico
- Mizuho Bank Mexico
- MUFG Bank México
- Santander México
- Scotiabank Inverlat
HSBC
HSBC is one of the top 5 banks in Mexico with over 850 branches. It operates through various subsidiaries, including Banco HSBC México, HSBC Seguros, HSBC Casa de Bolsa, Global Asset Management (México), and HSBC Servicios.
HSBC Mexico has a significant presence in the country, with over 5,600 ATMs and 14,000 employees. As of September 30, 2023, it had $48 billion in total assets and $4.7 billion in shareholders’ equity.
HSBC Mexico offers a wide range of services, including current and savings accounts, term deposits, personal and mortgage loans, low-rate credit cards, insurance, and pension products. It also provides cash management, working capital, and trade finance services.
Here are some key statistics about HSBC Mexico:
- Total assets: $48 billion
- Shareholders’ equity: $4.7 billion
- Number of branches: over 850
- Number of ATMs: over 5,600
- Number of employees: 14,000
HSBC Mexico is considered one of the safest banks in Latin America and Mexico, according to Global Finance.
Bank of America
Bank of America is a well-established foreign-owned bank with a presence in Mexico. It was founded in 1995 and operates as a subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation.
Bank of America México offers wholesale, corporate, and investment banking products and services in the country.
Defunct Banks
Mexico has a rich banking history, with many banks rising and falling over the years. Banca Confia, for instance, failed and was acquired by Citibank Mexico.
Some notable defunct banks include Banca Cremi, which was bought and became Banco Unión, and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya, which bought Bancomer. Banco Central Mexicano also failed in the early 20th century.
Here's a list of some of the notable defunct banks in Mexico:
- Banca Confia (failed); acquired by Citibank Mexico
- Banca Cremi (bought and became Banco Unión)
- Banco Bilbao Vizcaya (bought Bancomer)
- Banco Central Mexicano (failed, early 20th century)
- Banco de Londres, México y Sudamerica (first Mexican bank)
- Banco Facil (merged with Sociedad Financiera de Objeto Limitado (Sofol) to form Consubanco)
- Banco de Oriente (bought by BBVA)
- Banco del Atlántico (bought by BITAL, BITAL was later taken over by HSBC)
- Banco del Centro (BANCEN) or (BANCENTRO) (bought by Banorte)
- Banco del Sureste
- Banco Hipotecario
- Banco Internacional (bought by Prime and became BITAL)
- Banco Interacciones (bought by Banorte)
- Banco Longoria
- Banco Mexicano Somex (bought by Invermexico and became Banco Mexicano)
- Banco Sofimex
- Banco Unión (failed and bought by Banorte)
- Banco Viltaza (sold to Inbursa)
- Bancreser (later Bancrecer)
- Banpaís (bought by Asemex)
- Banpeco (bought by BNCI)
- Banoro
- Banrural
- BITAL (taken over by HSBC)
- Crédito Méxicano
- KEB Hana Mexico (Sold Mexican unit to InvestaBank S.A.)
- IXE Banco (merged with Banorte)
- Grupo Bursatil Mexicano (bought by Banco del Atlántico)
- Multibanco Comermex (bought by Inverlat and became Comermex Inverlat)
- Multibanco Mercantil de México
- Multibanco Mercantil Probursa (later BBVA Probursa)
- Prudential Bank (taken over by Actinver S. A.)
- Sociedad Financiera de Objeto Limitado (Sofol) (merged with Banco Facil to form Consubanco)
- Ziraat Bank Mexico (went bankrupt)
Retail Banks
Mexico's largest bank is BBVA Bancomer Mexico, which is also tied with the US-based bank Wells-Fargo.
Banamex, owned by Citigroup, is Mexico's second-largest banking group and a Citigroup subsidiary, allowing free withdrawals at Banamex ATMs for Citigroup customers.
Banorte is one of the most populous banks in terms of ATMs and local branches in Mexico, with Capital One debit cardholders able to withdraw up to 3,000 pesos a day for free at Banorte ATMs.
HSBC Mexico operates a vast network of 1,400 branches and 5,200 ATMs across the country, offering free ATM withdrawals for HSBC customers.
If you bank with Citigroup, you can withdraw from Banamex ATMs for free, making it a convenient option for those with Citigroup accounts.
Santander Mexico has a branch locator tool to help you find their branches and ATMs, but be aware that fees may apply for using these services.
Banco Inbursa is a local Mexican bank owned by billionaire Carlos Slim, offering a range of banking services to its customers.
International Banks
Scotiabank Mexico is one of the international banks operating in the country.
You can also find Banco Volkswagen Mexico, Mitsubishi Bank Mexico, ING Bank Mexico, and UBS Bank Mexico among the international banks in Mexico.
If you have a bank account in Mexico, or know someone who does, you can send money to Mexico using the real mid-market exchange rate.
Here are some of the international banks you can consider:
- Scotiabank Mexico
- Banco Volkswagen Mexico
- Mitsubishi Bank Mexico
- ING Bank Mexico
- UBS Bank Mexico
Bank Groups
Grupo Financiero Banorte is the largest bank in Mexico, with over 1,000 branches around the country.
The bank has received awards such as Bank of the Year and Best Mexican Bank for its diverse range of financing and lending services.
Banorte has partnered with Google Cloud to develop additional digital banking services and improve cybersecurity levels.
This collaboration is part of the bank's ongoing digital transformation, which also involves modernizing its IT infrastructure.
Banco Del Bajio
Banco Del Bajio is a popular bank in Mexico that offers comprehensive financial products and services for individuals, companies, and corporations. Founded in 1994, it has become one of the fastest-growing banks in Mexico.
The bank held an IPO in 2017, marking a significant milestone in its growth. Banco Del Bajio offers a diverse range of consumer loans and mortgages to cater to its customers' needs.
BanBajio provides fraud protection to safeguard its customers' financial information. The bank also offers business, personal accident, and health insurance to provide comprehensive coverage.
Banco Del Bajio partners with Guardicore, a leading expert in internal data centers and cloud-based cybersecurity, to ensure safe banking options for its customers.
BBVA Bancomer
BBVA Bancomer is a multi-award-winning bank that runs Mexico's largest banking system. It provides seamless digital banking experiences for Mexican bank account holders.
In 2017, World Finance online magazine named BBVA Bancomer as Best Digital Bank in Mexico and also gave it the award for the best mobile banking application. This recognition is a testament to the bank's commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.
BBVA prioritizes sustainability, with multiple initiatives aiming for a "greener and more inclusive future" across industry sectors. This approach sets a positive example for other banks to follow.
The bank has partnered with venture capital firm 500 Global on an initiative to identify trends and technologies that could influence the finance sector.
Bankoppel
BanCoppel is a Mexican bank that offers a wide range of banking services, including private equity and venture capital, bonds and shares, asset management, loans, deposits, and credit cards.
It was established in 2006 as the banking arm of the nationwide Coppel department store.
BanCoppel provides easier access to credit for low-income customers.
The bank also offers dedicated accounts for business owners.
In early 2021, BanCoppel acquired a business loan portfolio from Banco Ahorro Famsa SA Institución de Banca Múltiple, involving a large number of small and medium-sized businesses.
You can send cash for recipients to pick up at one of the bank's 1,000+ locations, even if recipients don't have a BanCoppel bank account.
Citibanamex
Citibanamex is a significant player in Mexico's banking sector. It was founded in 1884 and is the second-largest bank in Mexico.
Citibanamex is a subsidiary of Citigroup, one of the most prominent banking institutions in the Americas. This partnership has allowed Citibanamex to modernize its technology.
The bank has taken steps to integrate with other institutions and third parties through its proprietary API. This integration enables third parties to access the locations and real-time data for the bank's 9,000+ ATMs.
Citibanamex operates as a local arm of US-based Citigroup Inc. It is headquartered in Mexico City, with around 38,000 employees.
Grupo Financiero
Grupo Financiero Banorte is the largest bank in Mexico controlled by the Mexican capital. It has received awards such as Bank of the Year and Best Mexican Bank for its diverse range of financing and lending services.
Banorte has over 1,000 branches around the country, making it a significant presence in the Mexican banking industry. With its extensive network, the bank is well-positioned to serve the financial needs of its customers.
Banorte recently partnered with Google Cloud as part of its ongoing digital transformation. This collaboration will help the bank develop additional digital banking services, improve cybersecurity levels, and modernize its IT infrastructure.
The bank has also implemented an analytics-based credit risk platform from financial technology firm Murex.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bank is the best in Mexico?
The largest financial institution in Mexico is BBVA Bancomer Mexico, but the best bank in Mexico can depend on individual needs and preferences. For personalized banking options, consider exploring the features and services of top Mexican banks like BBVA Bancomer Mexico, Banorte, Santander México, and others listed.
What are the 5 biggest banks in Mexico?
The 5 largest banks in Mexico are BBVA, Citibanamex, Banorte, Santander Mexico, and HSBC Mexico. These major financial institutions play a crucial role in Mexico's economy and financial system.
How many banks are there in Mexico?
As of December 2023, Mexico has a total of 240 banks. Savings and Loan Cooperative Societies dominate the banking landscape with the highest number of institutions.
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