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CIBanco's collapse leaves billions in dispute as liquidation drags on

A bank once tied to organized crime now fights to settle debts—while shrinking its workforce by 700. Can FinCEN's relief speed up its messy demise?

,   and  Administrator
2 min read
The image shows an old Mexican banknote from 1914 with a red and black design on it. The note is a...
The image shows an old Mexican banknote from 1914 with a red and black design on it. The note is a 1 peso bill with a white background and a red border. The text on the note reads "Mexico" and "1 Peso" in bold black lettering.

CIBanco's collapse leaves billions in dispute as liquidation drags on

CIBanco entered voluntary liquidation in October 2025 after severe reputational damage tied to organised crime transactions. The bank has since faced multiple legal challenges, including lawsuits and creditor claims totalling billions of pesos.

Since the process began, its branch network has shrunk, and its workforce has been cut by over 700 employees. The liquidation process has seen CIBanco disburse 4.051 billion pesos (around $230 million) to 89% of its clients. However, creditor claims continue to mount, with at least 1.8517 billion pesos and $7.2 million still in dispute. Among the largest claims is one from Óscar Manuel Herrejón Caballero, demanding 800 million pesos. Continental Automotive Mexicana is also seeking 613.9 million pesos, while Hersuma Asesores and TRESE have filed claims for 47 million pesos and 148.6 million pesos (plus $7.2 million), respectively.

In parallel, CIBanco has worked to ease restrictions imposed by the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Since November 2025, the bank has negotiated to modify these constraints, which had blocked the sale of subsidiaries flagged by U.S. authorities. On April 13, FinCEN relaxed some of these limits, potentially speeding up the liquidation.

Legal battles have further complicated the process. The Institute for the Protection of Banking Savings (IPAB) filed 11 amparo lawsuits by March 31, 2026, challenging precautionary freezes and labour-related measures on CIBanco’s accounts. The bank’s operations have steadily declined, with its branch network reducing from 215 to 160 and its workforce falling from 2,460 to 1,704 employees. The liquidation of CIBanco remains ongoing, with creditor disputes and legal hurdles still unresolved. FinCEN’s recent easing of restrictions may help accelerate the sale of subsidiaries and the distribution of remaining assets. The bank’s downsizing and payouts to clients mark significant steps in winding down its operations.

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