{{Firstname|Good morning}}, this week we explore Carlos Slim’s Inbursa’s sixty year legacy of leadership, the growing impact of artificial intelligence on North American finance, and the World Cup draw in Washington that brings a rare sense of unity as border communities confront intensified enforcement and a tense political season.

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Last week I had the privilege of joining Carlos Slim and his family along with many friends from business and government to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Banco Inbursa. It was a reminder that true leadership is measured not only in financial results, but in consistency, discipline and faith in the country you serve. Since working with Mr Slim beginning in 2011, I have seen firsthand how Inbursa was built: patiently, thoughtfully and always with Mexico at the center.

Marco Slim’s remarks captured this perfectly. He described his father as a builder of companies, teams, ideas and solutions, someone who believes that nothing is ever finished and everything can be improved. That mindset, more than capital or scale, is what allowed Inbursa to remain stable during global crises, innovate through technological shifts and become one of the most efficient financial groups in the country.

As we look forward, my view is that institutions with this culture of permanent evolution are the ones that will thrive. The next sixty years will demand agility, digital strength and human leadership that understands technology not as a threat, but as a multiplier of opportunity. Inbursa is well positioned for that future because its foundation was built by a mindset that never stops learning and never stops building.

Watch the tribute video here:
https://youtu.be/jhNW1TNSulw?si=2tItnU5_-eEgOGZj

The anniversary of Inbursa made one idea very clear to me. The next chapter of North American finance will not be defined by who has the most branches or the largest balance sheet. It will be defined by who can best integrate artificial intelligence into every part of the financial ecosystem.

AI is already reshaping the continent. It is eliminating friction in compliance, speeding up credit decisions and making cross border payments more efficient. It is improving loan quality, expanding access to capital for small businesses and helping banks detect fraud before it happens. Remittances are processed with greater speed, transparency and lower cost, directly improving household stability.

My view is that we are only at the beginning. The institutions that will lead North America in the years ahead are those that understand AI as a tool for democratizing opportunity. Mexico, the United States and Canada have a narrow window to align standards, share best practices and build digital infrastructure that strengthens the entire region. If we coordinate, we can lead globally. If we do not, others will write the rules.

AI is not replacing financial leadership. It is elevating it. The leaders who combine human judgment with technological intelligence will set the pace for the next sixty years of economic integration.

Last week’s World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., brought global football into sharp focus. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest in history with 48 teams competing across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Co-hosts Mexico, Canada and the United States are positioned as Group A, Group B and Group D leaders, respectively, setting the stage for a summer of sport that will literally bring the continent together in ways we have never seen before.

For fans throughout Mexico and the United States, this will be more than a tournament. Mexico will kick off the World Cup in Estadio Azteca on June 11 with its match against South Africa, a powerful symbol of pride, heritage and international connection.

The United States will play group stage games against Paraguay and Australia, with a fourth opponent to be determined through the European playoff process. Canada’s national team will also compete in Group B alongside Qatar and Switzerland, marking a celebration of the sport that touches hearts from Toronto to Tijuana.

These fixtures stretch across 16 host cities including Los Angeles, Seattle, Toronto and Mexico City. With 104 matches spanning June 11 through July 19, the tournament promises moments of joy, tension and shared experience unlike anything else on the global stage.

From my perspective, this World Cup is a rare opportunity for our countries to celebrate unity and human connection. Sports have a unique way of dissolving borders in the hearts of people. It brings families together, sparks conversation across generations and creates memories that transcend politics and headlines.

That matters in a moment when too many families in our communities still feel terrorized by aggressive enforcement practices such as ICE raids. I firmly believe that the World Cup’s spirit of unity, cooperation and collective joy can help shape a cultural momentum toward ending practices that have instilled fear for far too long. A tournament that brings nations and people together with love and celebration can also inspire us to imagine a calmer, more humane approach to policy and community relations in 2026 and beyond.

United by sport, we have the chance to move forward as neighbors and communities who aspire to build, not break, the bonds that make our region strong.

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