FinCENBSA / AMLSeptember 4, 2026

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.

What to do

Immediately determine whether any of your business locations fall within the GTO's defined southwest border geography, and if so, update transaction monitoring thresholds, reporting workflows, and KYC procedures to capture and verify cash transactions of $1,000 or more before the GTO's effective date.

Who this affects

Money Services BusinessPayments Company

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Source

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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.

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