BBVA vs Santander: personal loan in Mexico
| BBVA México | Santander | |
|---|---|---|
| APR (CAT) | 38.5% | 45% |
| Amount | $10k–$900k | $8k–$500k |
| Term | 6–60 meses | 12–60 meses |
| Minimum income | $8,000 | $7,500 |
| What sets it apart | Market-leading app in MX, 24h digital approval for BBVA payroll clients | Frequent campaigns (Buen Fin, Anniversary) with rate cuts of 5-8 points |
When to pick BBVA México
BBVA wins on a profile with their own payroll and medium term (24-48 months). The 6.5-point APR gap on a 100K loan over 36 months translates to roughly 11,000-13,000 pesos less paid at the end. The app pre-approves without paperwork once you've been a BBVA client for six months.
When to pick Santander
Santander wins if you can wait for a campaign — Buen Fin in November and the May Anniversary cut the rate between 5 and 8 points. For Santander payroll clients, promotional offers can fall below regular BBVA APR. They also approve more easily profiles without payroll showing consistent banking activity.
My recommendation
BBVA payroll: BBVA, no second-guessing. Santander payroll or external with patience for campaign: Santander in promo. External in a hurry: BBVA for the app.
How we compare these two
The figures in the table — CAT, amount, term — come from each institution’s public rate sheet, not from us, and the commercial relationship never changes them. The «cheaper» verdict weighs the total cost for a standard profile; your own CAT depends on your Buró and income, so treat the numbers as a starting point and confirm the final terms on the lender’s site before signing. The order of offers across the site follows our published methodology.
Read the full editorial review of BBVA México or Santander before deciding.