The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has announced an investment of up to US$250 million in Scotiabank Mexico to expand access to housing finance for women. The initiative aims to address Mexico’s significant housing deficit while reducing the gender gap in mortgage access, supporting broader economic growth and social inclusion. Mexico faces a shortage of approximately nine million housing units, with women disproportionately affected by limited access to formal mortgage products.
The investment seeks to remove structural barriers that prevent women, particularly those in rural and low-income communities, from securing housing finance. Currently, only a small share of women in Mexico have access to mortgage products compared to men, highlighting persistent inequalities in financial inclusion. By strengthening Scotiabank Mexico’s capacity to offer tailored housing finance solutions, the initiative aims to promote equal opportunities and contribute to more inclusive economic development.
This transaction represents IFC’s first engagement with the Scotiabank Group in Mexico and underscores a shared commitment to job creation, gender equality, and sustainable economic development. IFC and Scotiabank view access to safe and affordable housing as a foundation for economic opportunity and social well-being, with the potential to close gender gaps and establish inclusive growth models that can be replicated across the financial sector.
Beyond improving access to housing, expanded mortgage financing is expected to generate significant employment and economic activity. Each financed home stimulates construction, renovation, and related supply chains, creating jobs for skilled and unskilled workers while strengthening local economies. This multiplier effect supports broader development outcomes by linking housing finance with employment generation and community growth.
Aligned with the government’s Plan México, the investment will enable Scotiabank Mexico to enhance its mortgage offerings and better address the challenges women face when purchasing a home. IFC and Scotiabank anticipate that the initiative will act as a catalyst, encouraging other financial institutions to adopt similar approaches and expand housing finance access for women across Mexico.
