For many years, discussions about technological modernization in the financial sector focused on speed, cost reduction, and scalable operations. Today, the landscape has shifted. The real test for companies is not just innovation. It is building an infrastructure capable of serving every user, regardless of age, location, device, or level of digital literacy. That capability now defines the competitive frontier in Mexico.
At Galileo Financial Technologies, we call this technical inclusion: the ability of an organization to deliver financial services that are accessible, consistent, and functional for a diverse population. This concept makes one point clear: modernization is not a theoretical exercise or a technological luxury. It is an urgent necessity.
Mexico Achieves Access, but Experience Falls Short
The numbers show progress. In Mexico, account ownership rose from 36% in 2012 to 76.5% in 2024. Mobile banking usage now stands at 69.1%. Access is no longer the primary issue.
The challenge lies in service quality. Many users have financial products, yet they do not receive a functional or suitable experience. This happens because the infrastructure supporting these services is not built for a country marked by significant social, technological, and geographic differences.
Technology Is the Roadblock
Our Galileo Technical Inclusion Index confirms this reality. Across Latin America, 81% of leaders recognize that inclusion depends on the state of their technology. Another 77.6% state that their ability to serve a diverse customer base is directly tied to their infrastructure.
In Mexico, the numbers are even more striking: 94.1% of leaders in the IT and telecommunications sectors say true inclusion is only possible if the underlying infrastructure is strong. At the same time, 76.5% acknowledge that their current systems limit their ability to provide broader, more accessible experiences.
This gap has consequences. Roughly 54.6% of leaders estimate they are losing at least 10% of potential business due to insufficiently inclusive technology. Another 26% believe losses reach 20% or more. Innovation is also affected: 61.4% report that five or more projects aimed at new segments were delayed or cancelled due to infrastructure limitations.
Modernization Is a Strategy, Not an Aspiration
Mexican companies understand the urgency. A total of 69.7% say updating their infrastructure to serve a more diverse customer base is a priority. Another 51% would replace more than half of their current stack if they could. And 21.6% consider their architecture in need of deep modernization to advance. Intent is in place. The challenge is execution.
Obstacles: Rigid Structures, Risk Aversion
Many of the barriers preventing modernization are cultural. In Mexico, 29.1% of leaders identify internal risk aversion as a major obstacle. Others cite regulatory complexity, device incompatibility, or the vulnerabilities that appear when old systems interact with new platforms.
Even so, progress is possible. About 50.5% say there would be little to no internal resistance if leadership decided to pursue a full modernization effort centered on inclusion. This opens the door for transformation driven at the top.
To build an infrastructure capable of serving a diverse population, we propose three strategic priorities:
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Data integration. Silos are a direct blocker to inclusion. A total of 58.7% of respondents say these silos prevent them from delivering relevant and consistent experiences.
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Frictionless multi-platform experiences. Another 25.5% point to device incompatibility as a key limitation. Experiences must be stable, coherent, and accessible on any screen.
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Flexible and scalable infrastructure. Roughly 66.5% of Latin American leaders allocate more than 25% of their IT budget to maintaining legacy systems. Redirecting part of that spend toward modernization drives growth, efficiency, and competitiveness.
Serve Better to Compete Better
A modern infrastructure enables an older adult to use an app without frustration. It enables someone in a rural area to access digital services even with limited connectivity. It enables a user with a disability to navigate a financial product without barriers. Technical inclusion expands markets and improves performance.
Companies that modernize early gain a decisive advantage. The goal is not only to reach more users. It is to offer them something that works for them, within their context, at their pace, and with their needs in mind.
Modernization as a Path to Growth
Inclusive technological infrastructure will shape who leads the Mexican financial market in the coming years. Companies that update their systems with a focus on diversity, accessibility, and flexibility will grow faster and more sustainably.
At Galileo, we work with organizations that want to transform both their technology and their impact. The future of Mexico’s financial sector will be defined by those who build services that work for everyone. That is the true competitive differentiator.