Peru, Chile and Argentina Enter a New Phase of Growth Driven by Real-Time Payments, ACI Worldwide Report Finds

Why It Matters

Real‑time payments are emerging as a catalyst for GDP expansion and inclusion, reshaping Latin America’s financial landscape and creating opportunities for banks, fintechs, and regulators.

Key Takeaways

• Argentina's real‑time payments could add $19.3 bn GDP by 2028.
• Peru expects $376 million GDP boost and 1.4 million new bank users.
• Chile's adoption aims for $740 million GDP lift and 83k added accounts.
• Brazil's Pix shows $49.9 bn GDP impact, setting regional benchmark.
• Colombia's Bre‑B could bring 5.1 million into formal banking.

Pulse Analysis

The ACI Worldwide study highlights how instant‑payment infrastructure is transitioning from a niche service to a core economic engine across Latin America. By modeling efficiency gains—faster settlement, lower transaction costs, and reduced payment failures—the report translates these operational benefits into macro‑level outcomes. Argentina, Peru and Chile each sit at different stages of adoption, yet all are projected to generate hundreds of millions in formal GDP and onboard millions of previously unbanked consumers, echoing the transformative effects seen in Brazil’s Pix and Colombia’s Bre‑B systems.

For financial institutions, the forecast signals a strategic imperative: invest in interoperable, real‑time rails to capture new revenue streams and meet rising consumer expectations for instant transactions. Fintech firms stand to benefit from the expanded ecosystem, as faster payments enable innovative services such as real‑time lending, dynamic pricing, and seamless cross‑border commerce. Regulators, too, must balance oversight with the agility required to sustain rapid rollout, ensuring that inclusion gains are matched by robust consumer protections and fraud mitigation.

The broader regional impact extends beyond the three highlighted markets. As real‑time payments become standard, supply‑chain efficiencies improve, SMEs gain quicker access to working capital, and digital commerce accelerates. Stakeholders attending the Chile Fintech Forum will likely discuss how to replicate Brazil’s scale and Colombia’s inclusion success, positioning Latin America as a burgeoning hub for next‑generation payments technology. This momentum suggests that by the end of the decade, real‑time payments could be a primary driver of economic resilience and growth across the continent.