What is the MTU and how does it work?
The Monto Transaccional del Usuario (MTU) is a regulation implemented by the National Banking and Values Commission (CNBV) starting October 1, 2023. It aims to enhance user experience in the financial system by setting transaction limits for electronic banking operations, including online banking, phone voice-to-voice banking, and audio response banking. The MTU also applies to SPEI, CoDi, and Dimo payments.
How do I activate the MTU?
The activation process varies slightly between financial institutions. Here’s how to activate it for BBVA and Banamex, two major banks in the country:
- BBVA:
- Enter the application
- Access the menu
- Go to operation limits configuration
- Select transaction limits
BBVA offers three options: limit per operation, daily limit, and monthly limit.
- Banamex:
- Enter the Banamex app using your password or biometric data
- Go to Transfer and pay
- Select Transaction limit option
- Choose the debit account where you want to set the limit
- Enter the amount you consider appropriate
- Authenticate and confirm details to save your new limit
Who does the MTU apply to and for what purposes?
The MTU applies only to individual persons for transactions involving third-party accounts, such as payments to friends, family, or suppliers; paying rent or credit card bills for spouses, siblings, or relatives.
Who does the MTU not apply to?
The MTU does not apply to legal entities (businesses) or to individual accounts for personal transactions, such as transferring money between your own bank accounts (Bank A to Bank B), or paying credit card bills. It also does not affect cash withdrawals at the counter, nor purchases made with credit or debit cards in physical or virtual stores.
When does the MTU take effect?
Banks had to enable the MTU option in their apps no later than October 1, 2023. If you didn’t set a transaction limit, banks could suggest a limit for each customer, which may vary depending on the financial institution and user.
Starting January 1, 2026, all customers must configure their MTU obligatorily. If not, the bank will set it based on your transaction history.
What MTU amount will banks set?
The regulation suggests a limit of 1,500 Units of Investment (Udis), equivalent to approximately 12,830 pesos as of October 3. However, this amount may differ based on individual user activity and the bank in question.
The CNBV’s suggested methodology for setting the MTU involves calculating the average transaction amount of the previous months for that customer or estimating the average transaction amount for users in the same segment as the individual.
Can I change the MTU amount?
Yes, you can adjust it as needed at no cost through the banking app in real-time or at a branch. To change it generally:
- Enter your mobile banking
- Go to Transfer and pay
- Select Edit transaction limit
- Adjust the desired amount
Alternatively, when attempting a transaction exceeding your set limit, the bank will notify you and offer the option to permanently or temporarily change the MTU after authentication.
Will there be a penalty for not setting the MTU?
No, the regulation does not indicate any sanction. However, it mandates MTU implementation starting 2026. Some institutions, like HSBC, began enforcing this measure from October 1, 2023, for security reasons.
Is there a minimum MTU amount?
No, you can set it to zero and adjust it as needed. This prevents unauthorized withdrawals if a third party gains access to your accounts, as unlocking the security lock would require biometric data or keys that, theoretically, only you know.
Does the government aim to control personal finances with this regulation?
No, according to experts. The primary goal of this measure is to provide more security against the growing digital fraud trend. Ultimately, you decide the transaction limit per operation. The bank can only propose; the final decision rests with the user, who chooses a MTU amount of zero, 1,000, 100,000, or even 500 million pesos.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the MTU? The Monto Transaccional del Usuario (MTU) is a regulation implemented by the National Banking and Values Commission (CNBV) to set transaction limits for electronic banking operations, enhancing user experience and security.
- How do I activate the MTU? The activation process varies between financial institutions. For BBVA and Banamex, follow the steps outlined in this article.
- Who does the MTU apply to? The MTU applies only to individual persons for transactions involving third-party accounts.
- Who does the MTU not apply to? The MTU does not apply to legal entities or individual accounts for personal transactions.
- When does the MTU take effect? Banks had to enable the MTU option in their apps no later than October 1, 2023. Starting January 1, 2026, all customers must configure their MTU obligatorily.
- What MTU amount will banks set? The regulation suggests a limit of 1,500 Units of Investment (Udis), equivalent to approximately 12,830 pesos as of October 3. However, this amount may differ based on individual user activity and the bank in question.
- Can I change the MTU amount? Yes, you can adjust it as needed at no cost through the banking app in real-time or at a branch.
- Will there be a penalty for not setting the MTU? No, the regulation does not indicate any sanction. However, it mandates MTU implementation starting 2026.
- Is there a minimum MTU amount? No, you can set it to zero and adjust it as needed.
- Does the government aim to control personal finances with this regulation? No, the primary goal of this measure is to provide more security against digital fraud.
