The market of investment funds In Mexico it has grown like never before. In five years it went from 2.5 million to more than 16 million accounts, an increase of 539%, driven by the pandemic and people’s greater awareness of the importance of protecting their money. However, “the challenge is not to save, but to do it well,” warns Hugo Petricioli, CEO of Franklin Templeton Mexico and Central America in an interview with The Economist.
“Many bank accounts are dormant, they earn zero interest and inflation eats them up every day. That is the first point we must correct,” Petricioli said.
Financial education, the great pending
For Petricioli, the problem is not in the lack of savings, but in the lack of financial education. “Mexicans do save, but often poorly. We need to compare costs, understand risks and know the products available,” he insisted.
Hugo Petricioli, CEO of Franklin Templeton Mexico and Central America.
In his opinion, Mexico maintains a significant lag in financial education compared to other countries. Despite access to the internet, citizens do not use them enough digital resources to compare funds, rates or commissions.
People do more research to buy a cell phone or a car than to choose which fund to invest in. That must change,” mentioned Hugo Petricioli.
A sector that grows 20% annually
Since 2019, the fund industry in Mexico grew at 20% annually, while the national economy barely advances 0.5 percent. In 2025, the increase was 15.52% annually, reaching 4,915 billion pesos in net asset management.
Even so, the penetration of these instruments with respect to the total population remains average. “We need more agile regulation, more pro-industry and that encourages new products, not limits them.”
Investing is not just for experts
Despite technological advances, the majority of Mexicans continue to choose debt or short-term funds, without considering higher performance instruments. “With lower rates, many bond funds have given double-digit returns, but people don’t look at them,” Petricioli said.
Compound interest transforms assets, but for that you have to start and maintain consistency.”
The manager reminds us that investing should be as everyday as brushing your teeth: a habit that is acquired from a young age and maintained throughout life.
The role of technology and Fintech
The digital platforms and the rise of Fintech have democratized access to investment. “Before opening an account took days; today you can do it from your cell phone with facial recognition,” says Petricioli.
This has allowed younger investors and unbanked sectors begin to participate. However, he warns about the risks: “A regulated fund in Cetes triple A is not the same as a promise in an unsupervised application.”
Recommendations
For those who already invest or want to start, Petricioli offers recommendations:
- Search information. “No one is going to take care of your money more than you.”
- Compare prices and commissions. They are public and transparent.
- Change institutions if there is not good care. “You are not a tree, it is not an account written in stone.”
- Understand how your advisor earns. Many only sell products. View investing as a habit, not an event.
“Taking care of your heritage is just as important as taking care of your health. Don’t leave it in the hands of others without understanding it,” he insisted.
Strategy 2026
Franklin Templeton plans to grow 25% in 2026, driven by new products and digital strategies. The objective: strengthen the culture of responsible investment and make informed savings an everyday value.
“We have to make the financial industry sexy again. Let young people see an opportunity for the future in this sector. Taking care of your money is taking care of your freedom“, concluded Petricioli.
