The U.S. sanctions CIBanco, Intercam, and Vector: Does this affect you if you're a customer?

Washington vs. Mexico Financing: The U.S. Treasury Department has launched a harsh money laundering charge against three major Mexican institutions: CIBanco, Intercam Banco, and Vector Casa de Bolsa. As of this action, which will be executed within 21 days, transfers to or from these entities through U.S. institutions or convertible cryptocurrencies are prohibited.

But how does this affect the millions of Mexicans who operate with these institutions? What will happen to their savings, investments, and international transfers? Here's what we know.

The measures stem from the Fend Off Fentanyl Act, a U.S. government strategy to curb the financing of fentanyl trafficking and other illicit operations. According to the Treasury, the sanctioned institutions were allegedly involved in suspicious transactions, including transfers to China that could be linked to illicit activities.

In response, the U.S. government banned North American financial institutions from any interaction with CIBanco, Intercam, or Vector, including wire transfers or cryptoassets.

According to attorney Michel Levien, who specializes in anti-money laundering and financial transparency, the immediate effects for clients in Mexico are limited.

"The clients of these institutions are not directly affected, unless they operate from the United States or through banks there," he noted.

That is, users who only operate in Mexico can continue to use their accounts normally, for now.

Levien warns that if the trials in the U.S. and Mexico move forward, they could lead to:

• Million-dollar fines
• Asset forfeiture
• Suspension of activities
• Possible dissolution of the institutions involved

Maribel Vázquez, a money laundering prevention specialist, emphasizes that there is no reason for panic, but there is reason for vigilance:

"The worst that can happen is that users act desperately. They withdraw their money without checking the context. We have to wait."

Here comes the trickiest point. If a customer wants to send money to the United States from one of these institutions, the transaction will no longer be accepted on the other side as soon as the sanction is triggered.

Customers who rely on these transfers should seek alternative banking options or urgent financial advice.

Key data as of April 2025:

• CIBanco
  • Assets: $143.4 million pesos (+27% annually)
  • Credit portfolio: $15.8 million
  • Fundraising: $46.1 million
• Intercam Bank
  • Assets: $92.6 million pesos (+35.5%)
  • Credit portfolio: $21.7 million
  • Fundraising: $40.6 million
• Vector Stock Exchange
  • Assets: $44.2 million pesos
  • Net result: $25 million
  • Managed accounts: 56,549 (AMIB)

1. Do not withdraw money in bulk or impulsively.
2. Stay abreast of legal developments in both countries.
3. Seek legal or financial advice if you have international operations.
4. Diversify portfolios or accounts if you depend on these institutions.

🇲🇽 What does the Mexican government say?

So far, neither the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV) nor the Ministry of Finance have issued an official position, although a joint response is expected in the coming days to avoid a crisis of confidence in the Mexican financial system.

The sanctions imposed by the United States on CIBanco, Intercam, and Vector are serious, but not definitive. They do not constitute direct intervention or immediate closure, but they are a warning sign that all users should take seriously.

Avoiding panic, staying informed, and acting with financial intelligence will be key in the coming weeks.