As millions of students in Mexico prepare for their Holy Week vacations, the financial sector gears up for a temporary shutdown during this period. While there are no mandatory holidays for employees, many companies offer their workers at least the holy days off. However, this means that numerous services, including banking operations, will be unavailable.
Starting Thursday, April 17, and continuing through Friday, April 18, 2025, banks across Mexico will close their doors as established by the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV) and the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP). Regular operations will not resume until Monday, April 21, 2025. If you need to conduct any banking transactions, you must do so by 4:00 PM on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, before the banks shut down for the holiday.
For those who hold accounts with Banco Azteca, there is some good news: the bank remains open 365 days a year, operating from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, regardless of holidays. Customers are encouraged to confirm hours with their specific branch.
In addition to the bank closures, various financial activities will also be interrupted during the holiday. Services at the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV) and the Institutional Stock Exchange (Biva) will be suspended, alongside operations from intermediaries such as banks. Although these days are not considered mandatory holidays under the Federal Labor Law, the CNBV recognizes several days during Holy Week as non-working days, aligning with traditional practices in the Mexican financial system.
This means that no stock market operations will take place during this time. While banks will not open their physical branches, electronic services such as the Interbank Electronic Payment System (SPEI), ATMs, and banking apps will remain operational. However, large transactions may not reflect immediately and could be processed on the following business day.
For context, the financial landscape is not unique to Mexico; similar practices are observed globally. For instance, Wall Street will also be closed on Friday, April 18, 2025, for Good Friday, although it will operate normally on Thursday. Investors in Mexico who operate through U.S. intermediaries will still be able to conduct transactions without restrictions on that day.
Furthermore, the closure of banks and stock markets during Holy Week extends to government debt instruments, which will not be traded during this period. The Bank of Mexico will also refrain from publishing an official exchange rate, meaning that the peso's valuation will depend on international market operations, which tend to be characterized by limited liquidity and high volatility during holiday periods.
It's worth noting that some local and international investment funds will not be valued during this time, with official prices being published on the next business day. While Holy Week is not an official break for many workers, it does significantly impact the operational conditions within financial markets.
In summary, if you need to handle any banking matters, make sure to take care of them before the deadline on April 16. With banks closing for the holiday, it's crucial to plan ahead, especially since many services will be unavailable until the following week.
In addition to the closures on April 17 and 18, banks in Mexico will also observe holidays on May 1, September 16, November 17, and December 12 and 25 in 2025. So, if you are planning any transactions, be sure to keep these dates in mind.
As the Holy Week festivities commence, many will take the opportunity to relax and spend time with family. However, for those who rely on banking services, the upcoming closures serve as a reminder to be proactive in managing their financial needs.
