Mexico Plans Card Payment Reform to Improve Access, Reduce Costs

The National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV) and Mexico’s Central Bank (Banxico) have released a draft of new General Provisions for the disposition of payment networks for public consultation. The initiative aims to expand card payment acceptance nationwide and improve conditions for both users and businesses.

According to a joint press release from the CNBV on Monday, the proposal seeks to create a more competitive and efficient card payment environment by lowering operating costs and establishing clear rules to support network interoperability. This would allow users to make and receive payments regardless of the institution or network used, facilitating transactions and boosting confidence in electronic payments.

The draft suggests that the government define operating standards across different payment networks, following international guidelines from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This approach is intended to prevent private entities from unilaterally setting market conditions and to ensure all participants operate under principles of transparency, neutrality, and fair competition.

A key objective is reducing the costs of card payment acceptance, particularly benefiting smaller merchants. Lower transaction fees are expected to encourage more businesses to adopt electronic payments, expanding consumer options and reducing reliance on cash.

The provisions also aim to support sustained growth in card usage in Mexico, in line with efforts to increase access to formal financial services and the benefits of digital payments. CNBV and Banxico emphasize that the measure seeks to strengthen financial system infrastructure while aligning it with international standards for security, interoperability, and efficiency.