World Bank Group and BBVA close their first significant risk transfer transaction to expand SME financing in Mexico

Mexico City, August 24, 2026 - The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, will provide a credit guarantee of up to MXN 1.795 billion (approximately US$103.5 million) to BBVA Mexico to expand financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Mexico. This is the first SRT transaction between IFC and BBVA Mexico, as well as the first transaction of its kind between IFC and the BBVA Group globally.

SMEs are a cornerstone of Mexico’s economy, contributing significantly to job creation and the development of productive value chains. However, many continue to face challenges in accessing financing. By leveraging innovative risk management mechanisms, this transaction will help increase the availability of credit for companies with the potential to grow, invest, and create jobs.

The transaction is structured as a Significant Risk Transfer (SRT), an innovative financial instrument that reduces the regulatory capital requirements associated with banks’ existing loan portfolios, allowing them to free up resources and extend additional financing to businesses.

IFC is providing protection to BBVA Mexico through an unfunded financial guarantee covering the mezzanine tranche of the transaction. BBVA Mexico will retain the junior and senior tranches. This portfolio risk transfer structure will enable BBVA to free up regulatory capital without raising new equity or selling assets.

IFC's participation is expected to further deepen the local market and broaden the range of innovative risk-sharing solutions available to its clients.

“This transaction represents an important step forward in BBVA Mexico’s active capital and risk management strategy. Our collaboration with IFC will strengthen our capacity to continue supporting SMEs, a segment that is essential for employment generation, productivity, and the country’s economic development,” said Beatriz Muñoz, CFO of BBVA México.

Olga Calabozo, Regional Manager of the Financial Institutions Group for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean at IFC, said: “This partnership with BBVA Mexico demonstrates how financial innovation can serve as a powerful driver of development. By releasing capital for new lending to small and medium-sized enterprises, we will help expand access to finance for businesses that create jobs, boost productivity, and strengthen local economies.”

The project incorporates a gender-focused approach aimed at expanding access to finance for women-owned SMEs. Approximately 25% of the loan proceeds are expected to be allocated to this segment, helping reduce credit access gaps and promote greater financial inclusion.

The operation reinforces both institutions’ commitment to mobilizing private capital and deploying innovative financial solutions to expand access to financing for Mexican businesses.

About BBVA Mexico

BBVA Mexico is the leading banking institution in Mexico in terms of both lending and deposits. Its business model, centered on customers and driven by continuous innovation and best-in-class technology, enables it to provide banking services to more than 32.6 million customers. To deliver a superior customer experience, BBVA Mexico operates the country’s largest banking infrastructure, with 1,693 branches, 14,508 ATMs, and a comprehensive range of digital products and services, including its website and mobile app. As a result, the bank serves 25.2 million mobile customers.

Corporate Social Responsibility is embedded in BBVA Mexico’s business model through its responsible banking approach, which seeks to build a more inclusive and sustainable society by helping customers make investment decisions that incorporate environmental and social sustainability criteria. In line with this objective, the BBVA Mexico Foundation serves as a strategic platform for promoting education and culture throughout the country.