Mexican fintech Plata raises up to $500M in Nomura-led deal ahead of bank launch

Mexican fintech Plata has secured a $500 million financing facility arranged by Nomura Securities International, marking the largest private credit transaction to date for a fintech company in Mexico, Reuters reported. The deal comes as Plata prepares to launch full banking services following regulatory approval for a banking license in December 2024.

The financing, structured as a private credit facility, stands out for more than its size. It marks the first time a major Japanese financial institution has backed a digital finance company at this scale in Mexico. Plata said the facility builds on earlier debt arrangements with firms such as Fasanara Capital and Lumina Capital, as well as a prior bond issuance in Nordic markets. With this latest transaction, the company’s total institutional funding now exceeds $1.6 billion since entering Mexico.

“Mexican financial technology company Plata said on Monday it has raised up to $500 million in a financing deal arranged by Nomura Securities International, as it moves toward becoming a full-fledged bank,” Reuters reported.

From Startup to Digital Bank: Plata Locks In Record $500M Financing From Nomura

Founded in 2022 by former Tinkoff Bank executives Neri Tollardo, Danil Anisimov, and Alexander Bro, Plata officially launched in 2023 with a clear focus on digital banking and consumer credit for underbanked communities in Mexico. Tollardo, who serves as CEO, and Anisimov have emerged as the company’s most visible leaders as Plata scales its operations.

From the start, the company zeroed in on a single problem: limited access to fair, modern credit for a large share of Mexico’s population. Plata rolled out consumer-focused products, including Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options, cashback incentives, and flexible top-up credit features. That mix helped the platform gain traction quickly, attracting a broad and growing user base seeking alternatives to traditional banks.

For Plata’s leadership, the Nomura deal signals broader validation. “Nomura’s support is more than a financial operation; it is a sign of confidence in Mexico and in the real possibility of building modern, disciplined, technology-driven institutions from our region. It brings us closer to the launch of our banking operations and confirms that a solid model can compete globally,” said co-founder and CEO Neri Tollardo.

The timing follows a period of intense growth. In October 2025, Plata closed a $250 million equity round combining primary and secondary transactions, led by Kora Management. That round drew participation from Moore Strategic Ventures, Audeo Ventures, Spice Expeditions, Hedosophia, and other investors, doubling the company’s valuation to $3.1 billion.

Plata began operating in April 2023 with the launch of its flagship Plata Card, a cash-rewards credit card offering customizable benefits and up to 15% real-money cashback. Since then, the company has scaled quickly, reaching 2.5 million active credit customers. Its products run on proprietary AI-driven systems, and the company operates without physical branches. Plata built its core banking infrastructure in-house, giving it direct control over underwriting, product design, and customer experience.

The company reached unicorn status in March 2025 following a $160 million Series A round at a $1.5 billion valuation, also led by Kora. Its investor base now spans the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Latin America, reflecting growing global interest in Mexico’s financial technology sector, even as more than 60% of adults still lack access to formal credit.

Regulatory approval from Mexico’s Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores positions Plata to move beyond credit into broader banking services. Planned offerings include debit accounts, payroll access, and potential lending products for small and medium-sized businesses. The company was founded by former international banking executives, including Tollardo and co-founder Danil Anisimov, and employs a globally distributed team focused on STEM talent.

The funding comes amid heightened competition in Mexico’s fintech market, with players such as Nubank, Klar, and Stori pushing aggressively into digital banking and consumer credit. Plata’s ability to secure large-scale international backing signals a maturing ecosystem and growing confidence in Mexico as a base for financial innovation.

As Plata moves closer to its banking debut, the Nomura-arranged facility gives the company significant runway to expand operations and reinforce its position as one of the leading digital banks emerging from Latin America.

Plata Team