The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury are actively defending their anti-money laundering regulations against legal challenges from Fidelity National Financial (FNF). They contend that the impending rule, slated for implementation in December 2025, will not inflict irreversible damage upon FNF, firmly opposing FNF's plea for a preliminary injunction. This legal confrontation highlights the ongoing struggle between regulatory enforcement and industry concerns regarding compliance and economic impact.
FinCEN Defends Anti-Money Laundering Rule Against FNF Lawsuit
In a recent legal development, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, along with FinCEN Director Andrea Gacki and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, have officially responded to Fidelity National Financial's (FNF) motion for a preliminary injunction. Filed on Wednesday, their response asserts that the upcoming anti-money laundering (AML) rule, scheduled to take effect on December 1, 2025, will not cause irreparable harm to FNF.
FNF initiated its lawsuit against FinCEN and the Treasury in May 2025, challenging the AML rule that mandates title firms to report extensive details on all-cash real estate transactions. This includes personal information such as names, addresses, dates of birth, citizenship status, and identification numbers for all individuals involved, including minors, as well as payment specifics and information regarding trusts and entities acquiring properties. The rule, a directive from the Biden administration, aims to curb money laundering activities often facilitated through anonymous cash-based property purchases by criminals, corrupt officials, and terrorists.
The defendants argue that FNF's request for an injunction to delay the rule's enforcement is unwarranted and should be rejected. They emphasize that granting such an injunction would disrupt FinCEN's crucial enforcement efforts and undermine national security objectives. Furthermore, they pointed out FNF's past compliance with FinCEN's geographic targeting orders without prior objections.
In their filing, FinCEN and the Treasury assert the rule's validity and necessity. They contend that FinCEN is duly authorized to enact such regulations under the Bank Secrecy Act and that the rule is neither arbitrary nor capricious, nor does it violate the First or Fourth Amendments.
The defendants also challenged FNF's claims of irreparable harm, noting that FNF waited 361 days before seeking injunctive relief. They also countered FNF's assertion that compliance would cost title companies \"hundreds of millions\" of dollars, citing a lack of specific evidence or cost calculations from FNF and recalling FNF's previous admission that compliance costs would likely be passed on to consumers through higher fees. Given that the rule is projected to affect only about 11% of all real estate transactions, the defendants maintain that its impact is not as detrimental as FNF suggests.
The filing concludes by stating, \"Because Plaintiffs have neither shown likelihood of success on their claims nor irreparable harm, their motion should be denied.\"
FNF has also sought a motion for summary judgment, a move supported by the American Land Title Association, which filed an amicus curiae brief in solidarity.
This ongoing legal battle highlights the critical balance between regulatory oversight aimed at combating financial crime and the practical implications for businesses. It underscores the challenges of implementing broad financial regulations and the need for transparent communication regarding compliance costs and potential economic impacts. For the real estate and title insurance industries, the outcome of this case will set a significant precedent for future regulatory compliance and operational adjustments. It also reinforces the government's commitment to national security by closing loopholes that enable illicit financial activities, urging all stakeholders to carefully consider their roles in upholding financial integrity.
