The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a renewed and expanded Geographic Targeting Order (GTO) that subjects certain money services businesses (MSBs) in designated southwest border locations to enhanced reporting. Covered MSBs must file Currency Transaction Reports with FinCEN for cash transactions between USD 1,000 and USD 10,000, with the stated aim of supporting law enforcement investigations into cartel-linked illicit finance and money laundering. The expansion adds three counties in New Mexico (Bernalillo, Doña Ana, and San Juan) and additional areas of Arizona (Maricopa and Pima counties). In total, the GTO covers Maricopa, Pima, Santa Cruz, and Yuma counties in Arizona; specified ZIP codes in Imperial County (92231, 92249, 92281, 92283) and San Diego County (91910, 92101, 92113, 92117, 92126, 92154, 92173) in California; Bernalillo, Doña Ana, and San Juan counties in New Mexico; and Cameron, El Paso, Hidalgo, Maverick, and Webb counties in Texas. The GTO is effective from March 7, 2026 through September 2, 2026. MSBs newly brought into scope under the September 2025 version of the GTO have a 30-day compliance period and do not need to begin filing until April 6, 2026; for all covered MSBs, the filing deadline for these Currency Transaction Reports is extended from 15 days to 30 days for the duration of the GTO.
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network 2026-03-19
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network expands Geographic Targeting Order requiring MSBs to report USD 1,000 to USD 10,000 cash transactions in southwest border areas
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has renewed and expanded its Geographic Targeting Order (GTO) to include more money services businesses (MSBs) in specific southwest border locations, requiring enhanced reporting for cash transactions between USD 1,000 and USD 10,000. The GTO now covers areas in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas, aiming to aid law enforcement in investigating cartel-linked illicit finance and money laundering. The order is effective from March 7, 2026, to September 2, 2026, with extended filing deadlines for Currency Transaction Reports.