Move Money Across Borders with Confidence

Banking and payments infrastructure is the backbone of modern commerce. For companies operating between the United States and Latin America, the ability to move money quickly, securely, and cost-effectively is not a luxury—it is a necessity. This sub-sector covers the full spectrum of financial technology products that enable cross-border transactions, including payment gateways, digital wallets, core banking platforms, fraud detection systems, and remittance rails. As trade volumes between the US and Latin America continue to grow—reaching over $800 billion in goods and services annually—the demand for robust banking and payments solutions has never been higher.

This page serves procurement officers, fintech founders, bank executives, and trade finance managers who need to identify vetted suppliers or qualified buyers in this space. Whether you are a US-based payment processor seeking distribution in Mexico or Brazil, or a Latin American bank looking for a modern core banking system, understanding the landscape of suppliers, country-specific capabilities, and compliance requirements is critical to success.

Products and Solutions in This Cluster

The banking and payments cluster encompasses a wide range of technology products and services. At the core are payment processing platforms that handle authorization, clearing, and settlement for credit cards, debit cards, and alternative payment methods. These platforms must support local payment schemes such as Brazil’s Pix, Mexico’s SPEI, and Colombia’s Transfiya, in addition to global networks like Visa and Mastercard. Digital wallet solutions—including white-label wallets, mobile money apps, and QR code payment systems—are increasingly popular in Latin America, where smartphone penetration exceeds 70% in most urban areas.

Core banking platforms form another critical category. These systems manage deposits, loans, accounts, and customer data for retail and commercial banks. Modern platforms are cloud-native, API-first, and often include modules for digital onboarding, credit scoring, and regulatory reporting. Fraud detection and anti-money laundering (AML) software is also in high demand, as financial institutions face growing scrutiny from regulators in both the US and Latin America. Additionally, remittance and cross-border payment rails—such as SWIFT alternatives, blockchain-based settlement networks, and real-time payment systems—enable the flow of over $150 billion in remittances from the US to Latin America each year.

Latin American and Global Suppliers

Latin America has become a vibrant hub for fintech innovation, with several countries producing world-class banking and payments solutions. Brazil leads the region, home to more than 1,500 fintech companies, including major players in payments, digital banking, and credit. The Central Bank of Brazil’s Pix system, launched in 2020, has been adopted by over 70% of the adult population and serves as a model for real-time payments globally. Brazil also has a mature core banking software industry, with several firms offering end-to-end solutions for banks and credit unions.

Mexico is another key market, with a strong base of payment gateway providers and digital lending platforms. The country’s SPEI system processes over 300 million transactions per month, creating a robust ecosystem for payment processors and aggregators. Colombia and Chile have also developed notable fintech clusters, particularly in payments and digital wallets. Argentina, despite economic volatility, has produced innovative fintech firms specializing in cross-border payments and cryptocurrency-based settlement.

Beyond Latin America, suppliers from Africa—particularly South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya—have developed mobile money and digital payment solutions that are highly relevant to emerging markets. These companies often bring experience in low-cost, high-volume transaction processing and can offer competitive alternatives to traditional providers. Coppermont’s network includes vetted suppliers from all these regions, ensuring that buyers have access to a diverse range of qualified partners.

US Buyer Types and Procurement Needs

US buyers of banking and payments solutions fall into several categories, each with distinct procurement requirements. Large financial institutions—including commercial banks, credit unions, and investment banks—seek enterprise-grade platforms that can handle millions of transactions per day, comply with US regulations such as the Bank Secrecy Act and OFAC sanctions, and integrate with legacy systems. Their procurement processes are formal, often involving RFPs, proof-of-concept trials, and extensive due diligence on vendor security and financial stability.

Fintech companies and neobanks represent a second major buyer group. These organizations need agile, API-driven solutions that enable rapid product launches and scalability. They prioritize cloud-native architecture, developer documentation, and flexible pricing models. Many US fintechs are expanding into Latin America and require payment rails that support local currencies, payment methods, and regulatory compliance in target markets.

E-commerce platforms and marketplaces form a third buyer segment. They need payment gateways that can process transactions in multiple currencies, manage chargebacks, and support local payment methods like boleto bancário in Brazil or OXXO in Mexico. These buyers typically evaluate providers based on integration ease, transaction fees, and settlement times.

Certifications and Compliance Requirements

Compliance is a central concern in the banking and payments sector. US buyers must ensure that any solution they procure meets domestic regulatory standards, including PCI DSS for payment card data security, SOC 2 Type II for service organization controls, and adherence to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act for consumer financial information. For cross-border solutions, compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act, AML regulations, and OFAC sanctions is mandatory.

In Latin America, each country has its own regulatory framework. Brazil requires payment institutions to obtain authorization from the Central Bank, with specific licensing categories for payment initiators, acquirers, and issuers. Mexico’s fintech law (Ley Fintech) mandates registration with the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV) for companies offering payment services or crowdfunding. Colombia’s Financial Superintendence oversees digital payment providers, while Chile’s new fintech law, passed in 2023, establishes a registration regime for payment services and crowdfunding platforms.

Data privacy is another critical area. Latin American countries have adopted data protection laws modeled on Europe’s GDPR, including Brazil’s LGPD, Mexico’s LFPDPPP, and Argentina’s PDPA. Suppliers must demonstrate compliance with these regulations, including requirements for data localization, consent management, and breach notification. Certifications such as ISO 27001 for information security management are increasingly expected by buyers in both regions.

How Coppermont Advisory Works for Banking & Payments

Coppermont provides a structured advisory process tailored to the banking and payments sub-sector. Our team begins by understanding your specific needs—whether you are a US buyer seeking a payment gateway for Latin American expansion, or a Latin American fintech looking to enter the US market. We then leverage our network of vetted suppliers and buyers across 10 countries to identify the best matches based on product fit, regulatory compliance, and commercial terms.

Our engagement typically includes market intelligence reports that detail the competitive landscape, pricing benchmarks, and regulatory requirements in target countries. We facilitate introductions and support due diligence, including document review, reference checks, and compliance verification. For complex procurements, we can assist with contract negotiation, including service-level agreements, data processing terms, and dispute resolution mechanisms.

Coppermont’s advisory team has deep experience in financial technology and cross-border trade. We understand the nuances of payment systems, banking regulations, and fintech business models in both the US and Latin America. Our goal is to reduce the time, risk, and cost of finding and qualifying partners, enabling you to focus on growth and innovation.

Engage with Coppermont Today

Whether you are a supplier of banking and payments technology or a buyer seeking to expand your capabilities in Latin America, Coppermont offers the expertise and network to make your cross-border trade successful. We invite suppliers to showcase their solutions to our curated buyer base, and we invite buyers to share their requirements so we can identify the most qualified partners. Contact Coppermont to start a conversation about your specific needs and explore how our advisory services can accelerate your entry into the US-Latin America banking and payments market.