Behind every small business lies a story of hard work and determination. In Mexico, thousands of women support their families through enterprises that were born out of necessity and that, over time, have become a source of stability, independence and development. Since 2017, Santander Mexico has supported enterprising women through the Tuiio programme, which aims to provide financial solutions to individuals and small businesses with more limited access to formal banking services. Its approach combines financing, savings products, insurance, financial education and digital channels to support them at the various stages of their business journey.
Microcredit represents far more than a source of financing. It is a tool that drives productive activity, strengthens small businesses and enables people to start planning with a long-term perspective. For financial inclusion to have a meaningful impact, it is not enough simply to open the door to the financial system. It is also necessary to connect banking services, credit, digitalisation and support mechanisms with the real needs of those who run or manage small businesses.
In practice, Tuiio’s approach already reaches close to 846,000 people when the households and jobs that depend on these businesses are also taken into account. This demonstrates how financing can create opportunities that extend far beyond the individual who directly receives the credit. The programme’s results show that this transformation is tangible. More than half of its female customers report an increase in their business income, while almost two-thirds say they have a more positive outlook for the future, reflecting the fact that financing not only helps address immediate needs but also builds the confidence required to plan and grow. At the same time, the benefits extend to family life. Seven out of ten women report improvements in their housing conditions, while more than half identify gains in health and wellbeing, confirming that economic impact also translates into social wellbeing.
credit facilities granted by Tuiio between 2017 and April 2026
of microcredit customers are women
insurance policies
medical assistance services
credit facilities granted by Tuiio between 2017 and April 2026
of microcredit customers are women
insurance policies
medical assistance services
Broader benefits
The transformation even reaches future generations. Through its scholarship programme, Tuiio supports the sons and daughters of its beneficiaries in continuing their education, thereby expanding opportunities for family development. All of this takes place within a model designed to make financial inclusion a responsible and transparent experience. Access to credit has a greater impact when it is accompanied by information, trust and decisions made with a full understanding of the available options.
In a country where millions of women drive the economy through small businesses, strengthening these ventures also means strengthening the families that depend on them. For many of these entrepreneurs, the greatest challenge is not a lack of talent or determination, but access to financial solutions tailored to their needs, enabling them to grow and build a more secure future. When financing becomes a source of confidence, support and genuine opportunities for growth, its impact is no longer measured solely by the amount of credit granted. Instead, it is reflected in improved living conditions, greater wellbeing and new opportunities for future generations.
