All developments
Federal ReserveBSA / AMLJuly 9, 2026

Fed Proposes Updated AML/CFT Program Rules for Banks Under AML Act of 2020

The Federal Reserve is proposing to update AML/CFT program requirements for the banks it supervises, aligning with FinCEN's own proposed rulemaking and parallel proposals from the OCC, FDIC, and NCUA — all stemming from the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020. The rule would require supervised banks to maintain risk-based programs designed to identify, assess, and mitigate illicit finance risks and generate more useful information for law enforcement. Banks with crypto or fintech partnerships should pay close attention, as updated AML/CFT program standards will likely flow through to vendor and correspondent relationships.

What to do

  • Review the Fed's proposed rule text once published, compare it against your current AML/CFT program documentation, and prepare a gap analysis — particularly around risk assessment methodology and the 'effectiveness' standard — before the comment period closes.

Who this affects

Bank / Credit UnionTrust CompanyFintech / Neobank

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Source

Read the official publication

This radar entry is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and grounded in the linked official source; always verify against the primary source and consult qualified legal counsel for jurisdiction-specific guidance.

Related developments

FinCEN

FinCEN GTO: Southwest Border MSBs Must Report Cash Transactions $1K–$10K

FinCEN has issued a Geographic Targeting Order (GTO) requiring certain money services businesses operating along the U.S. southwest border to report and retain records of cash transactions between $1,000 and $10,000 — well below the standard $10,000 CTR threshold — and to verify the identity of customers presenting such transactions. This is a significant AML/BSA escalation for covered MSBs in the targeted geography, effectively lowering the transaction monitoring and KYC trigger point for cash dealings. Non-compliance with a GTO carries the same penalties as violations of the Bank Secrecy Act.

OCC

Regulators Clarify What Banks Can (and Can't) Tell Customers About SARs

Five federal regulators — OCC, Federal Reserve, FDIC, FinCEN, and NCUA — jointly clarified the rules around SAR confidentiality when institutions communicate with customers about potentially fraudulent transactions. The statement addresses a persistent compliance tension: institutions must protect SAR confidentiality (including not 'tipping off' subjects) while still being able to warn or question customers about suspicious activity without inadvertently disclosing a SAR has been filed. Compliance officers should review customer-facing fraud communication workflows to ensure staff are not crossing the tipping-off line.

FinCEN

FinCEN Proposes Cutting Off UAE Branches of Banque Misr Over Money Laundering Risk

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FinCEN

FinCEN GTO: Banks & Money Transmitters in Minneapolis-St. Paul Must Report $3K+ Payments

FinCEN has issued a Geographic Targeting Order (GTO) requiring banks and money transmitters in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties, Minnesota to retain records and file reports on certain payments of $3,000 or more. GTOs are a targeted BSA tool used to combat money laundering in specific geographic hotspots, and non-compliance can result in significant civil and criminal penalties. Covered institutions must act quickly as GTOs typically take effect shortly after issuance.

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