The U.S. Treasury Department on 25 June named CIBanco, Intercam Banco and Vector Casa de Bolsa as “primary money-laundering concerns,” alleging the firms processed millions of dollars for Mexican drug cartels involved in the fentanyl trade. The designation, issued under anti-money-laundering powers and due to take effect within 21 days, bars U.S. financial institutions from maintaining accounts or conducting transactions with the three entities. Mexico’s banking regulator reacted a day later, placing CIBanco and Intercam under temporary managerial intervention on 26 June and extending the measure to Vector hours later. The Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores (CNBV) replaced each firm’s management and assumed day-to-day control to safeguard depositors and investors while the allegations are reviewed. Finance Minister Edgar Amador Zamora said the takeover was a preventive move after the banks showed funding-line strains following the U.S. action. Collectively the three institutions account for less than 1 % of domestic deposits, and the broader financial system remains stable, he told reporters. The Association of Banks of Mexico echoed that assessment, saying there is no systemic risk. FinCEN’s order cites transfers of at least US$9 million and meetings between bank executives and cartel members as evidence the institutions routed funds for the Sinaloa, Gulf and Jalisco cartels, including payments for chemical precursors from Asia. All three firms deny wrongdoing and say they will cooperate with Mexican and U.S. authorities. Market analysts warn the sanctions could curtail the firms’ access to dollar funding and damage confidence even if Mexican authorities ultimately clear them. CIBanco holds roughly US$7 billion in assets, Intercam about US$4 billion, and Vector manages close to US$11 billion for clients, making them mid-sized players in Mexico’s financial sector.