Mexico Faces Slow Economic Growth Through 2026: Finance Week

This week in finance news: Weak growth projections from the IMF and Citi now extend into 2026. Authorities are responding to a surge in financial crime alerts by tightening oversight of crypto transactions, investigating alleged fee collusion among major banks, and reacting to US money laundering allegations with stricter client controls.

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Mexico’s Growth to Stay Weak Into 2025, Warn IMF, Citi

Mexico’s economic growth is expected to remain subdued in the short to medium term, according to projections from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Citi, and national analysts. Weighed down by weak domestic demand, trade uncertainty, and persistent inflation, forecasts for 2024 and 2025 remain significantly below historical averages, with only a limited recovery expected in 2026.

Banco Sabadell Invests US$300 Million in Industrial, Commercial

Banco Sabadell has allocated over US$300 million in financing for industrial and commercial real estate projects across Mexico in the past twelve months, solidifying its role as a key player in the development of strategic infrastructure that fuels regional economic growth.

Mexico’s UIF Sees 70% Spike in Alerts Amid Crypto Oversight

Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF), part of the Finance Ministry (SHCP), received over 8.4 million alerts related to vulnerable financial activities in the first half of 2025, marking a 70.7% increase compared to the same period last year, according to its latest activity report. The UIF identified virtual asset operations, including cryptocurrency transactions, as the primary driver of this surge.

Mexican Banks Tighten Checks After US Money Laundering Claims

Major Mexican banks are intensifying efforts to review and filter client portfolios following US accusations of money laundering against CIBanco, Intercam, and Vector, as well as the designation of Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations earlier this year. These actions reflect a growing trend known as “de-risking,” which involves removing clients or businesses that pose financial, legal, or reputational risks.

COFECE Probes 21 Banks for Alleged Credit Fee Collusion

Mexico’s antitrust regulator, COFECE, has identified 21 banks and financial institutions that may have engaged in collusion to fix fees related to deferred credit card payments, according Reuters. The COFECE launched the investigation in 2022, focusing on potential anticompetitive practices such as price-fixing and market manipulation in the deferred payments segment.