- The financial sector is preparing to support strategic projects and increase access to credit for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in line with the guidelines of Plan México.
- Banking-fintech alliances could increase credit to SMEs by 30% by 2026.
The Plan México, presented by President Claudia Sheinbaum, has outlined an ambitious roadmap for the country’s economic development.
One of its central pillars is to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which represent 99.8% of the business landscape and generate 72% of formal employment in Mexico. In this context, the Mexican Banking Association (ABM) announced that the banking sector has more than 1.3 trillion pesos ready to finance projects aligned with this plan.
Additionally, an agreement between Banxico, ABM, and the federal government is expected to increase access to credit for SMEs by 3.5% annually.
SMEs in the Mexican economy
Despite their importance, SMEs face a significant credit gap. According to the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV), only 15% of SMEs have access to formal credit, while the rest rely on informal sources or have no access to financing.
This gap represents an opportunity for banks and fintechs, which are expected to collaborate to democratize access to credit.
- Number of SMEs: 4.9 million (according to INEGI, 2025).
- Contribution to GDP: 52%.
- Employment generated: 72% of formal employment.
The commitment of traditional banking
Julio Carranza, president of the ABM, interviewed by Forbes, expressed that the development plan presented by President Claudia Sheinbaum is impressive, as it has a clear vision of what is to be done with Mexico in the coming years: “By working together, entrepreneurs, bankers, and the government, we can boost economic growth and strengthen Mexican companies.”
He also highlighted that the banking system has 1.3 trillion pesos available for loans, ready to support strategic projects under Plan México. Among the key objectives of the plan is the substitution of Asian imports, particularly from China, which will require financing for Mexican companies seeking to expand production.
Although traditional banks have launched specialized programs for SMEs, such as BBVA with its “Business Banking” platform and Santander with “PYME Digital,” their reach remains limited. This is where fintechs have the opportunity to act as strategic allies.
Innovation to close the gap
Fintechs have revolutionized the financial sector with agile, technology-based solutions, many of which focus on credit for SMEs. For example, Konfío (which uses artificial intelligence to assess credit risk and provide loans within 24 hours), Kubo Financiero (which offers loans to small businesses at competitive rates), and Clip (which provides digital payment solutions and access to credit based on sales flow).
These companies have managed to reduce credit approval times from weeks to hours, using algorithms and alternative data analysis (such as online sales and social media) to assess SMEs’ solvency.
Banking-Fintech collaboration: A winning model
Collaboration between banks and fintechs has become one of the most successful models. For example, BBVA and Albo, and Santander with Kueski, have joined forces to offer microcredits to small businesses.
This model allows banks to reach unbanked segments, while fintechs gain access to capital and regulatory expertise. According to a McKinsey report, banking-fintech alliances could increase credit to SMEs by 30% by 2026.
Challenges and opportunities
While the outlook is promising, challenges remain:
- Regulation: The 2018 Fintech Law has laid a solid foundation, but there are still gaps in areas such as data protection and fraud prevention.
- Financial education: Many SMEs are unaware of the financing options available.
- Digital infrastructure: Lack of connectivity in rural areas limits the reach of digital solutions.
However, the opportunities are enormous. According to the World Bank, closing the credit gap for SMEs in Mexico could increase Gross Domestic Product by 2% annually.
Plan México represents a historic opportunity to transform the country’s economy, and the financial sector is poised to play a key role.
In numbers:
- Total credit granted by banks: 2.5 trillion pesos (2025).
- Credit to SMEs: Approximately 400 billion pesos (16% of the total)