US authorizes transfers to liquidate CIBanco in Mexico

The US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued an amendment allowing fund transfers needed for Mexico to liquidate CIBanco, accused of money laundering. This follows the bank's voluntary request to revoke its banking license. The Institute for the Protection of Bank Savings confirmed the process for paying guaranteed obligations.

The US Treasury Department announced that, from the publication of the amendment in the Federal Register, previously prohibited fund transfers are authorized if incidental and necessary for Mexico's government to liquidate CIBanco.

"All fund transfers prohibited by the previous order, but incidental and necessary for the Government of Mexico to liquidate CIBanco, are authorized," the official statement said. Two conditions apply: the designated liquidator must deem them strictly necessary, and they must not violate other laws.

In June 2025, FinCEN designated CIBanco a "primary money laundering concern" linked to illicit opioid trafficking, providing services to cartels including the Gulf Cartel, Beltrán-Leyva and Jalisco New Generation. Transfer prohibitions took effect on October 20, 2025, after two deferrals.

CIBanco requested the CNBV to voluntarily revoke its multiple banking authorization after Multiva acquired its fiduciary business in September. The IPAB reported that authorities revoked the license and approved payment of guaranteed obligations.

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