The number of bank branches has remained stable in recent years; the number of ATMs continues to rise.

Despite the progress made in the digitalization of financial services in the country, the number of bank branches has remained relatively stable over the past four years, while the number of ATMs continues to rise.

This demonstrates that, despite the increasing availability of alternatives for conducting financial transactions through digital channels, physical infrastructure remains important for users, especially considering that cash remains the preferred method for making payments in Mexico.

According to figures from the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV), the number of branches has remained at around 11,800 since 2021.

The highest number of branches in recent years was recorded in December 2019, when it reached 12,850. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic, a decline began, and the lowest figure since then was reached in May 2020, when the number fell to 9,721.

Since this last date, the number has increased but has remained at an average of 11,800.

There are more than 65,000 ATMs

Regarding ATMs, the number of these types of devices continues to rise, with 65,235 existing machines in March 2025 (the latest recorded data), according to information from the CNBV.

This figure is 8,069 higher than the 57,166 that were present in March 2020, at the start of the pandemic.

Azteca leads in branches, BBVA at ATMs

Based on data from the CNBV, Banco Azteca has the most physical branches, with 2,030 as of March 2025.

This bank is one of the well-known retail banks, so it leverages the infrastructure, in this case Elektra branches, to incorporate bank offices.

BBVA came in next with 1,693 branches; BanCoppel (the other retail bank) with 1,371; Banamex with 1,262; and Banorte with 1,200.

In terms of ATMs, of the just over 65,235 that existed as of March 2025, BBVA had 14,508.

This bank was followed by Banorte with 11,461; Santander with 10,784; and Banamex with 9,074.

The bet is to mix the physical with the digital

Although the trend is toward the digitalization of financial services, some banks in Mexico are also committed to continuing to invest in physical infrastructure, but combining this with a greater push toward digital.

Just a few days ago, for example, Grupo Coppel announced a significant investment for the next five years, part of which will be spent opening more branches of both the store and the bank.

Digitalization advances

But the digitalization of banking services continues unabated. An example of this is BBVA México, where of its just over 32 million customers, 25 million are digital, and, according to the bank, each person has a digital interaction daily.