Openbank, Cinépolis Launch New Digital Credit Card

Openbank México has partnered with Cinépolis and Mastercard to launch the Cinépolis by Openbank credit card, a fully digital, no-annual-fee product designed to expand financial inclusion, particularly among younger consumers. Available beginning July 30, the card combines everyday spending with entertainment rewards, reflecting the growing convergence of digital banking, loyalty programs, and embedded financial services in Mexico.

Openbank México is expanding its consumer banking strategy through its first co-branded credit card, partnering with Cinépolis and Mastercard to target younger customers and bring more consumers into Mexico's formal financial system through a digital-first experience.

The Cinépolis by Openbank credit card will become available on July 30 and can be requested entirely through the bank's mobile application. The launch marks Openbank's first co-branded credit card globally and Cinépolis' first branded credit card, combining financial services with one of Mexico's largest entertainment loyalty ecosystems.

For Openbank, the initiative represents its largest strategic step since entering the Mexican market about 18 months ago. The digital bank, part of Santander, says it has already surpassed 1 million customers in the country and views the partnership as an opportunity to accelerate customer acquisition while addressing Mexico's persistent financial inclusion gap.

"This is a very important project for us. It is the first co-branded card we have at Openbank, and it is also Cinépolis' first card," says Juan José Galnares, CEO, Openbank México. Galnares notes that Mexico continues to present significant opportunities for digital financial services despite growing competition in the digital banking sector. About 60% of the country's population remains either unbanked or underbanked, creating room for digital institutions that offer simple and accessible financial products.

Galnares says younger consumers entering the workforce increasingly seek intuitive and transparent banking solutions that can be accessed digitally without traditional barriers. "We remain convinced that the market opportunity in Mexico is significant. The digitalization of financial services continues to grow every day, and we want to continue promoting financial inclusion through digital channels," adds Galnares.

The New Cinépolis Openbank Credit Card

The new credit card is designed around a digital onboarding process and entertainment-focused rewards. Users will be able to accumulate up to 16% in Club Cinépolis points on purchases made at Cinépolis locations, depending on their membership level. 

Additional benefits include a weekly two-for-one movie ticket promotion, 2% rewards on online purchases and 1% rewards on purchases made at physical merchants. The product does not charge an annual fee.

The partnership also supports the current Cinépolis' digital transformation strategy, as the cinema chain continues shifting customer interactions and transactions toward digital channels.

Miguel Mier, COO, Cinépolis, says the new financial product complements rather than replaces the company's existing Club Cinépolis loyalty program, which serves about 7.5 million active monthly members. 

"With the Cinépolis by Openbank credit card, we integrate Club Cinépolis rewards into everyday purchases, turning daily spending into a gateway to entertainment. It is a financial tool designed for moviegoers across Mexico," says Mier. 

Mier adds that many members of the loyalty program are young consumers who could be obtaining their first formal financial product through the new card. "It is a card that was born 100% digital and seeks to reach consumers for whom this could become their first financial instrument," says Mier.

The initiative also reflects Cinépolis' own progress in digital adoption. According to Mier, digital channels represented about 20% of the company's transactions one year ago. Today, they account for more than 40%, with the company aiming to increase that figure to between 50% and 60%.

For Mastercard, the partnership aligns with its broader strategy of supporting secure digital payments while reducing friction throughout the customer experience.

Jorge Alfaro, Senior Vice President of Financial Institutions, Mastercard México, says the objective is to ensure customers can focus on their entertainment experience without concerns about payment security. 

"We want users to enjoy what they are passionate about without worrying about security or how they pay for that experience," says Alfaro. He adds that Mastercard continues advancing its tokenization strategy, with the company targeting 100% payment tokenization by 2030.

The launch illustrates how financial institutions are increasingly partnering with consumer brands to expand access to digital financial services while creating differentiated value propositions.