Name
Global FinTech Guide
Country _ Name
Mexico
SectionTitle
Asset and portfolio management
Body
FinTechs belonging to this category offer asset and portfolio management services via an internet platform or software programs and usually manage and dispose of the assets of their customers long or short term according to their specifications without actually holding the property or the possession of those assets. FinTechs, which provide information about and access to overnight or time deposit accounts at national and foreign banks and which execute the transactions to these accounts, also belong to this category. Some FinTechs however only act on request of the customer.

Aside from that some FinTechs offer software or internet solutions enabling users to manage and plan their personal finances on their own by providing graphics, overviews and compilations of their financial data and sometimes indicating financial risks or opportunities, but without actually managing the assets.

Introduction

Attitude of the country towards modern asset and portfolio management services

Social and political climate is optimistic to develop asset and portfolio management options. Historically, asset and portfolio management services were considered a “premium” product and were not widely available to the general population. As a result of the recent FinTech hype, automated alternatives have been well accepted by customers. 

Management services are rendered in Mexico by broker-dealers or investment advisors and can provide services personally or through automated technology.

The offering and marketing of securities in Mexico is still a regulated activity. Broker-dealers and investment advisors should consult with local counsel to confirm compliance with securities laws.

Legal affairs

Obligations and requirements to provide asset and portfolio management, or ancillary services described above

Broker-dealers are highly regulated by the Securities Market Law (Ley del Mercado de Valores) and its secondary regulations. Broker-dealers require prior authorisation to be incorporated and are subject to substantial corporate governance rules, minimum capitalisation requirements and direct supervision and surveillance from regulators. The filing fee for a broker-dealer license amounts to approximately USD$25,000.00. In addition to this, there is a yearly supervision fee that must be paid by broker-dealers, calculated as a percentage of the entity’s capitalisation.

Investment advisors are much less regulated entities. These should be duly licensed and registered with authorities. The licence has a one-time fee of approximately USD$2,000.00.

Additional comments regarding the legal situation for asset and portfolio management services or what FinTech’s must be aware of in this business area

All parties should consider recent open-finance regulations. Under such rules, any interested party may request an API to financial entities in Mexico, allowing a concentration of services for the benefit of customers.

Economic conditions

Market size for asset and portfolio management services and biggest companies in this business area

The traditional broker-dealer industry leader for FinTech services is GBM. Investment advisors at a national scale are relatively new. The industry leader is Flink, a local Start-up.

Revenues and customers are not publicly available. However, we believe that the market is still very big and unexplored. A recent Forbes article mentions that only 2% of adults in Mexico hold investments in securities (https://www.forbes.com.mx/solo-2-de-adultos-en-mexico-invierten-en-eeuu-50/).

Additional comments regarding the economic situation for asset and portfolio management services or what FinTech’s must be aware of in this business

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