The U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has postponed by 45 days the start of restrictions that would bar American financial institutions from conducting certain transactions with Mexican lenders CIBanco, Intercam Banco and brokerage Vector Casa de Bolsa. The sanctions, initially due to take effect on 21 July, are now scheduled for 4 September 2025. FinCEN said the reprieve follows “additional steps” by the Mexican government to address concerns that the three firms helped launder proceeds for drug-trafficking cartels. Mexico’s authorities placed the institutions under temporary administrative management, strengthened regulatory oversight and began transferring parts of their trust operations to the state development bank Nacional Financiera to protect customers and creditors. Washington had designated the firms on 25 June as “primary money-laundering concerns” under measures targeting fentanyl-related illicit finance, alleging they moved funds linked to groups such as the Sinaloa and Jalisco Nueva Generación cartels. Once in force, the U.S. order will prohibit domestic banks from executing most fund transfers that involve the three entities. Mexico’s Finance Ministry and President Claudia Sheinbaum welcomed the extension, describing it as the result of sustained dialogue with U.S. officials and insisting the broader Mexican banking system remains sound. FinCEN said it will continue to monitor compliance and could adjust the timeline again depending on future developments.