The Circular on Payment Method Networks is amended to temporarily reduce interchange fees for card payments at gas stations

On April 27, 2026, the Resolution adding Provision 10 Bis to the General Provisions applicable to payment networks (hereinafter, the “Resolution”) was published in the afternoon edition of the Official Gazette of the Federation. This Resolution was jointly issued by the National Banking and Securities Commission (“CNBV”) and the Bank of Mexico (“Banxico”). The Resolution falls within the framework of a tripartite agreement between the Federal Government, the Mexican Banking Association (“ABM”), and the Association of Voucher Companies (“ASEVAL”), coordinated by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (“SHCP”), with the objective of reducing the fees applicable to payments made with credit cards, debit cards, and vouchers at fuel service stations.

I. Background

In response to the surge in international energy prices stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, the Federal Government has implemented various measures to mitigate the impact on fuel prices in the domestic market. In this context, the President of the Republic announced on April 27, 2026, the signing of an agreement with the Mexican Banking Association (ABM) and the Mexican Association of Fuel Debt Securities (ASEVAL) to reduce commissions on gasoline and diesel payments made with cards and vouchers, from May 1 to October 31, 2026, to benefit Mexican families.

In this regard, the agreement is structured around three simultaneous pillars: (i) a discount on the fees charged for the use of credit and debit cards issued by banks, through the elimination of the interchange fee, which represents approximately 80% of the total fee; (ii) a discount of $1.10 (one peso and ten cents) per transaction on the fees charged for the receipt of vouchers in the transport and logistics sector; and (iii) the enabling of the necessary regulatory framework by the CNBV and Banxico so that the measures operate from May 1, 2026 without additional procedures for users.

II. Content of the Resolution

The Resolution adds Provision 10 Bis to the General Provisions applicable to payment networks. Its purpose is to temporarily streamline the registration process for interchange fees for gas station businesses, in order to reduce operational burdens, expedite the adoption of digital payments, and ensure a timely and coordinated response, without compromising the applicable principles of security, transparency, and oversight.

The CNBV stated in its Resolution that the Federal Government has promoted the negotiation and negotiation of agreements with representatives of the gasoline station sector, with the aim of protecting consumers' finances. It also highlighted that participants in the card payment network market have expressed interest in promoting the adoption of digital payments in key sectors of the economy, as well as in improving the conditions for accepting these payment methods.

It is worth noting that the Board of Governors of Banxico, within its purview, decided to exempt these modifications from the public consultation process stipulated in the applicable regulations. This was done to ensure that the intended effects of the Resolution are achieved in a timely manner and that users receive the greatest benefits in the shortest possible time.

The Resolution establishes that, when registering interchange fees for card payments in the commercial activity of gas stations, these will be valid for six months, starting from the date on which the applicants inform Banxico of their due implementation.

III. Validity and entry into force

The Resolution entered into force the day after its publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation and its validity will expire on October 31, 2026. Once that date has passed, Provision 10 Bis will be automatically repealed, so it is an expressly temporary measure.

The period of validity of the measures (from May 1 to October 31, 2026) coincides with the validity of the agreement signed between the Federal Government, the ABM, and ASEVAL. This means that both the regulatory framework and the voluntary agreement between the parties operate in an aligned and coordinated manner during the same period.

IV. Applicable regulatory framework

The Resolution is based on the powers granted to the Bank of Mexico by the Law for Transparency and Regulation of Financial Services (“LTOSF”) to regulate matters related to fees and interchange charges in payment services, as well as on the powers of the CNBV (National Banking and Securities Commission) regarding the supervision of the financial system. Under the mandate of its Organic Law and the LTOSF, Banxico regulates various aspects of the services provided by credit institutions, clearing houses, and participants in payment networks.

V. Practical implications for regulated entities

The Resolution has significant implications for various participants in the payments system. For credit institutions that issue cards, the temporary elimination of the interchange fee at gas stations implies a direct reduction in revenue from these transactions during the period of validity. However, the Mexican Banking Association (ABM) has expressed its support for the measure as part of a strategy to promote the digitization of payments in the fuel sector, which in the medium term could increase transaction volume and partially offset this reduction.

For acquirers and payment processors operating payment networks, the Resolution temporarily simplifies the interchange fee registration process, reducing the operational burdens associated with implementing the measure. Likewise, for fuel service stations, the elimination of the interchange fee translates into a significant reduction in the cost of accepting digital payments, which, according to the agreement reached, must be reflected in the final price of fuel for the consumer.

It is important to note that this measure is part of a broader effort by the Federal Government to promote the elimination of the use of cash in the national territory.

VI. Closing remarks

The Resolution represents an atypical exercise in financial regulation in Mexico, as it is a temporary, sector-specific regulatory modification expressly conditioned on a public policy objective (containing fuel prices), which was exempted from the ordinary public consultation process. While the measure seeks to generate immediate benefits for consumers and promote the adoption of digital payments, it will be important to monitor its effective implementation and the results it yields during its six-month period of validity.

It will also be relevant to observe whether, upon the expiration of Provision 10 Bis on October 31, 2026, the financial authorities choose to extend the measure, incorporate permanent modifications to the interchange fee system, or revert to the previous scheme. The President of the Republic has indicated that the government intends to make digital payments at gas stations mandatory starting in September 2026, suggesting that the digitalization of the fuel sector could lead to more far-reaching regulatory changes.

Finally, regulated entities, participants in payment networks, and companies in the fuel sector must take note of the Resolution and adjust their operating processes accordingly. The Resolution does not require any additional procedures for end users; however, participants in the payments ecosystem must inform Banxico of the proper implementation of the interchange fees registered in accordance with Provision 10 Bis.