Background on Compartamos Banco
Compartamos Banco, a specialized microfinance institution, serves communities typically overlooked by traditional banking. Since 2024, the bank has accelerated its clients’ digital transformation journey, with over a million of its 3.3 million customers now using mobile banking.
Digitalization Growth and Impact
From July 2024 to July 2025, Compartamos Banco saw a 93% increase in active mobile banking customers and an impressive 110% growth in operations. Between January and July of the current year, clients conducted 130 million mobile transactions across 32 entities and over 2,000 municipalities.
- 1.3 million credit payment transactions worth approximately 22 billion pesos were processed via mobile banking.
- 16% of Compartamos Banco’s credit payments now occur through mobile banking.
Yerom Castro, Compartamos Banco’s executive director of operations, highlighted that mobile banking users primarily access the service through smartphones (99%), with only 1% using computers or other devices.
The bank’s mobile app allows users to perform both non-monetary (e.g., balance inquiries, movement checks, credit consultations) and monetary operations (e.g., transfers, third-party payments, credit repayments).
Geographical Focus
The regions with the highest transaction volumes are: State of Mexico and Mexico City (central); Campeche, Chiapas, and Oaxaca (peninsular); and Guerrero, Puebla, and Veracruz (southern).
Social Impact
The expansion of Compartamos Banco’s digital banking positively impacts society by saving clients time and money, reducing geographical barriers, and promoting financial education.
Future Goals
Yerom Castro stated that the bank aims to double its digitally engaged clients within two years, targeting over 3.3 million by the end of 2027.
“We expect to double this number next year, and as we progress, we aspire for every credit customer with a mobile device to have an account, debit card, and mobile banking access,” Castro explained.
The bank anticipates that all clients will use its mobile banking service within two years, with exceptions only for those who choose not to.
Hybrid Model
Despite the digitalization push, Compartamos Banco will maintain its hybrid model, keeping physical branches and correspondent relationships intact. Many clients rely heavily on cash due to the nature of their business, so field staff will continue serving them.
“Our on-the-ground team members won’t leave their roles or reduce street visits. Instead, the hybrid model will enable them to serve more clients. Our branches won’t be reduced; we’ve even expanded our operational capacity,” Castro assured.
