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Mexican Banks Offer Gradual Interchange Cuts and Zero-Fee Onboarding in Counterproposal

The plan aims to lower merchant costs without undercutting card issuers during the ongoing consultation on fixed 0.6% and 0.3% rates.

Overview

  • ABM said it met this week with Banxico, the CNBV and the Finance Ministry to present a phased path to the proposed 0.6% credit and 0.3% debit interchange levels.
  • The proposal includes a permanent zero interchange fee for newly onboarded, currently unbanked merchants to accelerate acceptance of electronic payments.
  • Bank leaders argued for protecting issuer economics to avoid credit-card market concentration and to support new digital banks entering the market.
  • The industry urged upgrades to SPEI, including a more user-friendly interface and a potential fusion of CoDi and DiMo so instant transfers can substitute for card payments.
  • Context from Cofece and Banxico shows Mexico’s interchange fees are high by global standards, and ABM paired its stance with a pact with ConMéxico and new Nafin–Bancomext guarantees to expand digitalization and SME credit.