Mexico leads the “fintech” ecosystem in Latin America. According to Statista data, for 2022 it’s expected that Mexican companies in the sector will carry out transactions for an approximate amount of 69,000 million dollars, with an annual growth rate of 17.3%. The fintech’s growth capacity in Mexico is one of the most important at a global level with figures that speak for themselves: three out of every five Mexicans over the age of fifteen don’t have a bank account. According to the consulting firm McKinsey, digital financial services can generate up to 2 million jobs and add 90 billion dollars to the economy by 2025 —5% of GDP—, through increased productivity, investments and jobs. The new Fintech Law recently approved by the Mexican government may influence this forecast. The text establishes a new legal framework for digital financial services. It regulates matters such as cryptocurrencies and collective financing. It’s the first law of these characteristics that a country in Latin America approves. This new norm seeks that the country increases the level of financial inclusion and improves the conditions of the financial system’s competition.
The law establishes a competitive reference context for accessing collective financing (crowfunding) and creates electronic payment fund companies. This is intended to encourage electronic commerce and facilitate access to the system to unbanked people, who represent a high percentage in Mexico. Likewise, it contemplates the possibility of regulating other new electronic models for the financial services provision.
With more than 158 startups, Mexico is the largest fintech market in Latin America, over other large markets such as Brazil (130 new companies) or Colombia (77 new companies). Most of these companies focus on payments and remittances, personal financial management, crowdfunding and loans. Mexican startups obtained seventy-three financing agreements last year worth 130 million dollars, the first time the country has the largest number of venture capital transactions in Latin America, according to the Latin American Association of Private Equity & Venture Capital. Brazil attracted more money, with 64 agreements worth 279 million. According to the latest Finnovista’s fintech sector Radar, presented in the middle of last year, Mexico ranks as the leading country in this industry, adding 238 financial technology startups, compared to the 230 that were identified in Brazil. The report states that in the first half of 2017, at least 80 new startups emerged in Mexico, representing a 50% growth since the last publication in August 2016, where 158 startups were identified.
We have chosen five Mexican fintech that have been at the forefront of the sector in Latin America and are contributing to its rapid advancement and consolidation.
KUBO.FINANCIERO
Companies in developing countries need access to financing as elsewhere, but the “developing” part retains small businesses. Kubo.financiero is a regulated microfinance institution that provides loans between 400 and 4,100 Mexican borrowers dollars. Common uses are working capital, fixed assets and education. The startup connects people who need a loan with people looking for investment opportunities.
Kubo.financiero received in 2015 the authorization of the Mexican government to capture savings from the public of the National Banking and Securities Commission (NBSC), after two years of having permission to operate as Popular Financial Company (Pofico). In this way, it becomes the first financial institution in Mexico with the approval of the NBSC to capture savings and give loans via the Internet.
CONEKTA
The use of smartphones has spread globally and is becoming more common for online purchases and other types of services related to transactions, bank payments and acquisitions. The problem arises when the payment systems change from one country to another. The company Conekta is a technology startup and a certified aggregator whose objective is to develop a payment system that helps consumers to conduct online transactions in a satisfactory manner. Conekta allows developers and companies to create a payment solution with its own flow and is designed for any app and website.
ZAVEAPP
Officially launched in 2014, Zaveapp has become one of the most interesting Mexican startups and praised by the country’s ecosystem. This app is designed simply for its user to have a saving discipline and do it according to exclusively financial criteria. It helps its users manage their money effectively to deal with unexpected expenses or last minute whims. The app encourages the user to ‘complete’ any transaction made with the card that connects with the app. The amount of change that the user would get if he or she pays in cash is automatically stored in a savings account that is practically fattening without the user being aware. There is the key to saving.
DAPP
It is an electronic payment wallet that works through the own-codes scanner and fingerprint authorization. It has been revealed as a solution to information stealing from traditional cards and unrecognized charges. With Dapp it’s possible to pay in business from the cellphone in a few seconds and without sharing the information of the user’s cards. The app has internationally approved standards and certifications to ensure the storage of its users’ cards. All your information is encrypted and protected in secure and certified servers. Payments can only be made from the user’s personal device, and users can only access the application with a PIN or fingerprint.
FLINK
It is an “online banking” solution that has a modern, fresh, transparent and reliable technological platform, in which anyone can open an account 100% online, have a personalized card and make any transaction through an app. Flink offers an app that can be downloaded in Android and Apple stores, from which users can complete a form, authenticate themselves and open an account in just a few minutes. When they open an account, a number is generated, as well as an interbank key that allows them to receive and send money. In addition, a debit card is provided that can be used to make purchases and transactions in any establishment that accepts this method of payment.
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