Mexican fintech Plata has secured up to $500 million in a new financing facility arranged by Nomura Securities International, marking the largest private credit transaction ever raised by a Mexican fintech. This is the first time a leading Japanese investment bank has backed a digital finance operation at this scale in Mexico.
The facility builds on an already diverse mix of debt and capital markets funding, including previous transactions with Fasanara Capital, Lumina Capital, and a bond issuance in the Nordic markets.
With this latest raise, Plata’s cumulative institutional funding now exceeds $1.6 billion, including the $250 million the company raised back in October. The previous round doubled Plata’s valuation to $3.1 billion and strengthened its balance sheet ahead of its banking debut
Building a regulated digital bank
Plata received authorisation for a banking licence in December 2024 and is now in the final stretch before launching regulated banking operations. The licensing process, which the company began as early as summer 2022, required extensive regulatory scrutiny and operational discipline.
The early decision to pursue a full banking framework has proven strategic, helping Plata attract long-term institutional capital rather than short-term speculative funding.
Scaling responsibly in a complex market
Co-founded by former Russian Tinkoff Bank executives Neri Tollardo, Danil Anisimov, and Alexander Bro, Plata was built around proprietary technology, strict risk controls, and a hybrid operating model. While its platform is digital-first, customer onboarding combines online processes with in-person verification, a structure designed to balance scale with security.
Today, Plata serves more than 2.5 million active credit customers and has invested over $1 billion into Mexico’s economy. The company employs more than 3,000 people, including over 500 engineers and technology specialists with experience in large, regulated financial institutions.
As it prepares to operate as a bank, Plata’s stated ambition is to raise the bar for financial services in Mexico, offering simpler products, stronger safeguards, and better value for customers’ money. With deep capital reserves, regulatory approval in hand, and growing international backing, Plata is no longer just a fast-growing fintech. It is shaping up to be a new kind of digital bank for one of Latin America’s largest financial markets.
Mexican fintech Plata is entering a decisive new chapter as it prepares to switch on operations as a fully regulated bank. With fresh capital secured and regulatory hurdles largely behind it, the company is positioning itself as one of the most ambitious digital finance players to emerge from Latin America in recent years.
For Neri Tollardo, co-founder and CEO of the company, said: “Nomura’s support is more than a financial operation; it is a sign of confidence in Mexico and in the real possibility of building modern, disciplined, technology-driven institutions from our region. It brings us closer to the launch of our banking operations and confirms that a solid model can compete globally.”
