WASHINGTON – In a significant development indicating ongoing diplomatic talks, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has provided a multi-week extension to three Mexican financial institutions that are under investigation for their involvement in money laundering activities linked to illicit fentanyl traffickers.
The Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) revealed the extension on August 19, 2025, which shifts the effective date of its prohibitive orders to October 20, 2025. These orders, which were first issued on June 25, would prevent U.S. financial institutions from processing specific funds transfers associated with the Mexico-based banks CIBanco, Intercam, and Vector Casa de Bolsa.
The initial orders, enacted under the authority of the Fentanyl Sanctions Act and the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, identified the three institutions as having a “primary money laundering concern” due to their involvement in exacerbating the opioid crisis. They were initially scheduled to take effect in July but had been previously postponed to September 4.
According to FinCEN, this latest extension reflects “continued steps taken by the Government of Mexico to meaningfully address the concerns raised.” This includes the Mexican government’s temporary management of the affected institutions to ensure regulatory compliance and prevent illicit finance.
“Treasury and the Government of Mexico continue to make progress in joint efforts to safeguard our financial institutions and economies from terrorist cartels and their money laundering activities,” said FinCEN Deputy Director Jimmy Kirby. “This close partnership plays a critical role in Treasury’s comprehensive efforts to protect the U.S. financial system from criminal abuse.”
The extension provides covered U.S. financial institutions with additional time to prepare their compliance systems should the orders ultimately take effect. The Treasury Department stated it will continue to coordinate closely with Mexican officials and will “carefully consider all facts and circumstances” regarding the final implementation of the measures.
