Guide for CIBanco and Intercam customers in Mexico City after intervention

The government's intervention in CIBanco and Intercam has left thousands of customers in Mexico City with more questions than answers. Here's a practical and straightforward guide to what this crisis means for your money, your loans, and your daily banking operations.

Mexico City – The news that the Mexican government has taken control of CIBanco and Intercam Banco, two banks with a strong branch presence and clients in Mexico City, has generated understandable concern. If you are one of their clients, it is essential that you understand what is happening and what the real implications are for your personal or business finances.

The short answer is: yes, for now. The intervention of the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV) is specifically intended to guarantee the security of public deposits in Mexico. By taking control, the government becomes a kind of guarantor, seeking to prevent panic and ensure that banks can continue operating nationwide.

• Deposits and Savings: Your money in checking accounts, savings accounts, and term investments in pesos within Mexico is protected by this measure.
• ATMs and Branches: You should still be able to use ATMs, debit and credit cards, and conduct branch transactions as normal.

The hardest blow from the US sanctions is on international transactions. Beginning July 21, 2025, US financial institutions are prohibited from processing any funds transfers originating in or destined for CIBanco and Intercam in Mexico.

• If you receive remittances or payments from the US: If your family or clients send you money from the US to your CIBanco or Intercam account, that transfer will be blocked. You'll need to find an alternative bank to receive those funds.
• If you are an importer/exporter: If your company in Mexico City pays suppliers in the US or receives payments from US customers through these banks, those transactions will no longer be possible. You urgently need to migrate your international operations to another institution.
• If you have investments in dollars or abroad: Managing these investments through CIBanco, Intercam, or Vector Casa de Bolsa will be greatly complicated, as their access to the dollar-denominated financial system has been cut off.

• Stay Calm: Don't panic or make hasty decisions. The government's intervention is precisely intended to prevent a bigger crisis.
• Stay informed through official channels: Don't be misled by rumors. Consult statements from the CNBV, the Bank of Mexico, and your own bank.
• Contact your Executive: If you have complex transactions, business loans, or investments, speak directly with your account executive to understand the specific status of your products.
• Look for alternatives for dollar transactions: If you rely on U.S. transactions, start looking into and opening accounts at other banks in the capital that aren't affected by the sanctions.

"Any U.S. person initiating or processing transactions with these institutions risks violating FinCEN's orders, which may result in civil or criminal penalties," warns a legal analysis by the firm Duane Morris, highlighting the seriousness of the blockade.

This crisis is a reminder of the interconnectedness of the global financial system and how political decisions in one country can have a direct and tangible impact on the pocketbooks of citizens in another.