Multiva Prepares to Integrate CI Banco’s Trust Business; Expects to Launch in September Pending Regulatory Approval

Banco Multiva is preparing to take over CI Banco’s trust business operations starting in September, once the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV) grants the necessary authorization. The institution won a competitive bidding process at the end of July in which five banks participated, positioning itself to strengthen its strategy in trust management services—a key segment for financing, project structuring, and corporate governance in Mexico.

According to executives at Multiva, operational and technological integration is already advanced and built on platforms compatible with those of CI Banco, which would allow for a smooth transition within weeks once regulatory approval is granted. Priority is being given to ensuring uninterrupted client service, including coordination with correspondent banks and the standardization of processes to guarantee that existing contracts continue without changes to their service or obligations.

The transfer comes at a time when the financial system is tightening its compliance controls and anti-money laundering measures. Multiva noted that it has deployed automated analysis and artificial intelligence tools to validate records, identify potential litigations, and cross-check information with international sanctions lists and national databases. Additionally, the institution relied on specialized legal and tax firms to carry out proper due diligence and integrate the trust portfolio.

The trust business in Mexico is widely used: from structures for infrastructure and energy, to real estate vehicles, securitizations, credit guarantees, and governance schemes for businesses and families. The operation also serves as a reminder of past market movements: in 2020, CI Banco absorbed a significant portfolio acquired from a global player, highlighting the depth and complexity of this line of business in the country.

For the banking system, transferring this portfolio may imply increased specialization and operational efficiency in a service that has low capital consumption, but requires high standards of control. The CNBV and the Financial Intelligence Unit continue to scrutinize processes involving know-your-customer policies, ultimate beneficiaries, and transaction monitoring; at the same time, Mexico continues aligning its regulatory framework with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations, in coordination with authorities from other countries.

On the macroeconomic front, the integration is taking place during a cycle of still elevated interest rates and inflation that has moderated compared to the peaks of 2022–2023, as Banxico (the central bank) cautiously proceeds with a gradual easing process. Recent exchange rate volatility and global uncertainties around rates and trade call for prudence, but nearshoring continues to drive industrial and logistics projects that require trust structures to anchor investments, manage collateral, and channel financing.

For clients, an orderly transfer minimizes operational and legal risks in long-term contracts. For the market, the operation strengthens competition in trust services relative to larger banks and specialized players. The use of advanced analytics in compliance provides efficiency, although it also presents challenges in model governance, data quality, and cybersecurity—areas that regulators are closely monitoring.

Looking ahead, the integration’s performance will depend on the regulatory timeline, the ability to retain specialized talent, and the speed at which processes are standardized without disrupting relationships with corporate and wealth clients. The evolution of the investment cycle linked to supply chain relocation, housing, and public works—where trusts often play a coordinating role—will also be a determining factor.

In short, the transfer of CI Banco’s trust portfolio to Multiva represents a significant consolidation move in a business centered on trust and compliance. The success of the transition will rest on operational execution, the strength of anti-money laundering controls, and the ability to capitalize on demand spurred by nearshoring, in an environment of still-high interest rates and exchange rate volatility.