Latest Updates
FinCEN Issues Frequently Asked Questions to Clarify Suspicious Activity Reporting Requirements
October 09, 2025
WASHINGTON —Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued answers to four Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to clarify certain requirements related to suspicious activity reports (SARs). By issuing these FAQs, FinCEN is ensuring financial institutions are not needlessly expending resources on efforts that do not provide law enforcement and national security agencies with the critical information they need to detect, combat, and deter criminal activity. FinCEN issued the FAQs jointly with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
“SARs should deliver better outcomes by providing law enforcement the most useful information—not by overwhelming the system with noise,” said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley. “Compliance requires real resources, and that’s why prioritization is crucial. At Treasury, we will continue to reform our Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism framework to de-prioritize low-value activity and direct compliance resources towards the most significant threats to our country.”
The FAQs clarify regulatory requirements relating to structuring SARs, continuing activity reviews, and a financial institution’s decision not to file a SAR and were informed by feedback from financial institutions. The answers to these FAQs can assist financial institutions with their compliance obligations while enabling institutions to focus resources on activities that produce the greatest value to law enforcement agencies.
SAR FAQs: https://www.fincen.gov/system/files/2025-10/SAR-FAQs-October-2025.pdf
On September 30, 2025, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) published in the Federal Register a 60-day notice to renew the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number assigned to existing Bank Secrecy Act regulations at 31 CFR 1010.520.
Specifically, the regulations require that, upon receiving an information request from FinCEN, a financial institution must search its records to determine whether it maintains or has maintained any account or engaged in any transaction with an individual, entity, or organization named in the request. If a financial institution identifies an account or transaction named in the request, it must report such information to FinCEN in the manner and timeframe specified in the request.
The notice is required under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) to give the public an opportunity to comment on existing regulatory requirements and burden estimates. FinCEN is also seeking public comments to an updated methodology designed to improve the accuracy of cost and time estimates under the PRA.
FinCEN encourages the public to review this notice and provide comment on or before December 1, 2025.
Federal Register Notice: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2025-18928/agency-information-collection-activities-proposals-submissions-and-approvals-renewal-without-change
FinCEN Seeks Comments on Proposed Survey of the Costs of AML/CFT Compliance
September 29, 2025
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on a proposed Survey of the Costs of Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Compliance. The proposed survey seeks to gather information on the direct compliance costs incurred by non-bank financial institutions (such as casinos and card clubs; money services businesses; insurance companies; dealers in precious metals, precious stones, or jewels; operators of credit card systems; and loan or finance companies) with AML/CFT compliance requirements and, to the extent these expenses overlap with those of other activities (such as fraud monitoring), the amount attributable to AML/CFT compliance. Responses will aid in understanding the financial impact of these regulations and will be used to shape deregulatory proposals consistent with the Executive Orders of the Trump Administration. Responses will not be used for supervisory or enforcement purposes. Written comments are welcome and must be received on or before December 1, 2025.
Federal Register Notice: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2025-18918/agency-information-collection-activities-proposals-submissions-and-approvals-survey-of-the-costs-of
Proposed Survey: https://www.fincen.gov/survey-costs-amlcft-compliance
09/05/2025
FinCEN Updates: FinCEN Issues Guidance to Financial Institutions on Cross-Border Information Sharing
Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is issuing guidance to encourage and promote appropriate, voluntary cross-border sharing of information between and among financial institutions, including appropriate foreign financial institutions. The guidance aims to help combat the threats posed by money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit finance activity, including from drug trafficking organizations, foreign terrorist organizations, and fraudsters. The guidance clarifies that while financial institutions are prohibited from sharing Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), as well as information that would reveal the existence of a SAR, the Bank Secrecy Act and its implementing regulations generally do not prohibit cross-border information sharing. FinCEN is issuing the guidance in consultation with staffs from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and National Credit Union Administration.
Among other goals, this guidance furthers the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets report, “Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology,” by supporting greater information sharing.
Guidance: https://www.fincen.gov/system/files/2025-09/Crossborderguidance-508C.pdf
08/28/2025
FinCEN Issues Advisory and Financial Trend Analysis on Chinese Money Laundering Networks
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is raising the alarm on Chinese money laundering networks (CMLNs), which pose a significant threat to the U.S. financial system. FinCEN is issuing: (1) an …
08/19/2025
Treasury Extends Effective Dates of Orders Issued Under New Authority to Counter Fentanyl
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) extended the effective dates for orders issued on June 25, 2025,…
08/19/2025 | Federal Register Notice
Imposition of Special Measures Prohibiting Certain Transmittals of Funds Involving CIBanco S.A., Institución de Banca Multiple, Intercam Banco S.A., Institución de Banca Multiple, and Vector Casa de Bolsa, S.A. de C.V.; Extension of Effective Date
08/18/2025
Treasury Issues Request for Comment Related to the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act
WASHINGTON–The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a Request for Comment required by the GENIUS Act, which furthers the Administration’s policy of supporting the responsible growth and use of digital assets, as outlined in Executive Order (E.O.) 14178 on “Strengthening American Leadership in…
08/06/2025
READOUT: FinCEN Convenes Public-Private Partnership to Promote Innovation and Address Fraud and Scam Risks in the Digital Assets Ecosystem
WASHINGTON — On July 15, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) brought together Treasury components, law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, regulatory technology companies, and trade groups to share insights on driving…
08/05/2025 | Guidance
Exemptive Relief Order to Delay the Effective Date of the Investment Adviser Rule
08/04/2025
FinCEN Issues Notice on the Use of Convertible Virtual Currency Kiosks for Scam Payments and Other Illicit Activity
WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a Notice urging financial institutions to be vigilant in identifying and reporting suspicious activity involving…
07/31/2025 | Guidance
Exemption Order Related to TIN Collection and Customer Identification Program Requirements (FRB)
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Treasury Announces Postponement and Reopening of Investment Adviser Rule
In order to ensure efficient regulation that appropriately balances costs and benefits, the US Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) today is announcing its intention to postpone the effective date of the final rule establishing…
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Treasury Extends Effective Dates of Orders Issued Under New Authority to Counter Fentanyl
WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) extended the effective dates for orders issued on June 25, 2025, prohibiting certain…
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This week, as part of its public-private information sharing Exchange program, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) launched a new series entitled “Combating and Obstructing Money Movements Associated with Narcotics and Drug…
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FinCEN Permits Banks to Use Alternative Collection Method for Obtaining TIN Information
WASHINGTON—To provide banks with greater flexibility in fulfilling compliance obligations, today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an order permitting banks…
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Treasury Issues Unprecedented Orders under Powerful New Authority to Counter Fentanyl
Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued orders identifying three Mexico-based financial institutions—CIBanco S.A., Institution de Banca Multiple (CIBanco), Intercam Banco S.A., Institución de Banca Multiple