MEXICO CITY (CNN) — Mexicans in the United States sent home 12.2 percent less money this past August than they did in August of last year, the Banco de Mexico said Wednesday.

That translated into remittances of $1.9 billion, versus $2.2 billion during the same month last year, said the bank, which blamed tough economic times in the United States for the decline.

August’s tally quickens a trend — during the first eight months of the year, remittances fell 4 percent to $15.6 billion, the statement said.