Virtual CLABEs

Virtual CLABEs are valid CLABE account numbers within the SPEI network that you can generate and associate with a Cobre Balance account in Mexico. Their primary purpose is fund collection: you can share these numbers with your customers so they can make transfers from any financial institution, and the funds will be credited directly to your Cobre Balance account.

How It Works

Each Virtual CLABE is an account reference linked to a Cobre Balance account. When a customer makes a SPEI transfer to that number, the transaction is processed and the funds become available in the associated Cobre Balance account. Through the Account Number column, you can identify exactly which Virtual CLABE received each transfer.

A Virtual CLABE can have two possible states throughout its lifecycle:

Enabled: The default state upon creation. The reference is active and can receive transfers.

Disabled: The state reached after deleting the reference. Any transfer sent to that number will be automatically rejected.

Key Capabilities to Keep in Mind

Multiple references per account: A single Cobre Balance account can have several Virtual CLABEs associated with it. Since the number of available Cobre Balance accounts in Mexico is limited, it is recommended to create multiple Virtual CLABEs on the same account rather than one reference per account.

Reference-level traceability: Every incoming SPEI credit transaction includes the identifier of the Virtual CLABE that received it, making reconciliation and per-customer or per-purpose tracking straightforward.

Account deletion restriction: A Cobre Balance account that has been used to create Virtual CLABEs cannot be deleted.

SPEI network operation: All transactions are processed under the SPEI standard, ensuring compatibility with any financial institution in Mexico.

How to Get Started with Virtual CLABEs in the Portal

Contact your KAM to enable this feature in the Portal

Step 1 – Verify you have a Cobre Balance account in Mexico

Having an active Cobre Balance account in Mexico (Institution: Cobre Balance Mexico 3) is a prerequisite before creating any virtual references.

Step 2 – Create a Virtual CLABE

Go to the Virtual CLABEs sub-module and click + Create Virtual CLABE.

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Step 3 – Associate the Virtual CLABE to a Cobre Balance

Select the Cobre Balance account you want to associate the Virtual CLABE with, and set an alias to easily identify it in the Portal.

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Alternatively, you can create the Virtual CLABE directly from the Cobre Balance account you want to associate it with, via the Accounts screen.

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Note: By default, up to 5 Cobre Balance accounts are allowed to have Virtual CLABEs assigned. This limit exists to control Virtual CLABE creation across your accounts. You can adjust this setting by contacting your KAM. An informational banner showing the current limit is displayed in the top-right corner of the Virtual CLABEs screen, next to the Create Virtual CLABE button.

Provide the Virtual CLABE number to your counterparties so they can initiate transfers. It can be used from any bank or financial institution connected to the SPEI network.

Step 5 – Receive and monitor funds

Funds will arrive as Credit via SPEI transactions in your Cobre Balance account. In the Transactions screen, you can check the Virtual CLABE column on each transaction to identify which Virtual CLABE account number received the funds.

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You can also monitor all transactions received by a specific Virtual CLABE from the Virtual CLABEs sub-module. Click on any Virtual CLABE in the list to open its detailed view.

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Step 6 – Delete a Virtual CLABE when needed

If a Virtual CLABE should no longer receive funds, you can delete it using the Delete Virtual CLABE option, available both in the Virtual CLABE detailed view and via the tooltip (Trash icon on the right side of each entry in the table) in the Virtual CLABEs screen. Once in Disabled state, all incoming transfers to that number will be automatically rejected. Once deleted, the Virtual CLABE cannot be reactivated.

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Extra tip – Search and filter your Virtual CLABEs

In the Virtual CLABEs screen, use the search option to filter your Virtual CLABEs by account number, alias, or associated Cobre Balance account (using the account ID).

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A new column named metadata.account_reference is also available in your reports and exports, which you can use to filter transactions associated with your Virtual CLABEs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have multiple Virtual CLABEs for the same account?
Yes. In fact, it is the recommended approach. Since the number of Cobre Balance accounts in Mexico is limited, creating multiple Virtual CLABEs associated with the same account is the best way to optimize available resources.

What happens if a customer transfers funds to a disabled Virtual CLABE?
The transfer will be automatically rejected. The customer will receive a refund according to the SPEI system's standard timelines and processes.

Can I delete a Cobre Balance account that has Virtual CLABEs associated with it?
No. Cobre Balance accounts from institution Cobre Balance Mexico 3 that have been used to create Virtual CLABEs cannot be deleted.

Are Virtual CLABEs compatible with all banks in Mexico?
Yes. Since they operate within the SPEI network, they are compatible with any participating financial institution in Mexico.

Can I reactivate a previously deleted Virtual CLABE?
No. Once deleted, the Virtual CLABE cannot be reactivated.

Virtual CLABEs

How It Works#

Key Capabilities to Keep in Mind#

How to Get Started with Virtual CLABEs in the Portal#

Step 1 – Verify you have a Cobre Balance account in Mexico#

Step 2 – Create a Virtual CLABE#

Step 3 – Associate the Virtual CLABE to a Cobre Balance#

Step 4 – Share the account number with your customer#

Step 5 – Receive and monitor funds#

Step 6 – Delete a Virtual CLABE when needed#

Extra tip – Search and filter your Virtual CLABEs#

Frequently Asked Questions#

How It Works

Key Capabilities to Keep in Mind

How to Get Started with Virtual CLABEs in the Portal

Step 1 – Verify you have a Cobre Balance account in Mexico

Step 2 – Create a Virtual CLABE

Step 3 – Associate the Virtual CLABE to a Cobre Balance

Step 4 – Share the account number with your customer

Step 5 – Receive and monitor funds

Step 6 – Delete a Virtual CLABE when needed

Extra tip – Search and filter your Virtual CLABEs

Frequently Asked Questions