WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced new tools to help banks and other financial firms manage artificial intelligence cybersecurity risks, while also releasing fresh data on foreign investment flows, issuing updated guidance on a major corporate tax, setting the 2026 G20 finance calendar, and unveiling new sanctions targeting violence in Sudan and cartel-linked fraud.
What This Means for You
- Treasury is releasing new AI resources for financial institutions, including a shared AI “lexicon” and a risk management framework tailored to the sector.
- Colleges, consumers, and businesses may see ripple effects from Treasury actions on corporate minimum tax compliance and major new sanctions tied to conflict and fraud.
- The United States’ G20 host year will include finance meetings in Washington and Asheville, and a leaders summit in Miami in mid-December.
AI Tools Aimed at “Secure And Resilient” Adoption
Treasury said it has concluded a major public-private effort to strengthen cybersecurity and risk management for AI in financial services as part of the President’s AI Action Plan, with six resources to be released in stages throughout February.
“As this Administration has made clear, it is imperative that the United States take the lead on developing innovative uses for artificial intelligence, and nowhere is that more important than in the financial sector,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. “This work demonstrates that government and industry can come together to support secure AI adoption that increases the resilience of our financial system.”
Treasury said the work was coordinated through the Artificial Intelligence Executive Oversight Group, a partnership involving the Financial and Banking Information Infrastructure Committee and the Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council. Treasury described the effort as focused on practical tools that institutions can use to manage AI-specific cybersecurity risks, with workstreams spanning governance, data practices, transparency, fraud, and digital identity.
“Treasury brought public- and private-sector partners together to develop practical tools that can effect real change in the financial sector through the AIEOG,” said Cory Wilson, deputy assistant secretary of the Treasury for cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection. “These resources are designed to help institutions, particularly small and mid-sized institutions, harness the power of AI to strengthen cyber defenses and deploy AI more securely.”
William S. Demchak, PNC chairman and CEO and an AIEOG executive member, said the partnership “took an important step to address complex challenges posed by AI” and that institutions “are now positioned to harness the full power of this transformative technology.”
New AI Lexicon And Risk Framework Released
Treasury also announced two new deliverables intended to standardize AI terminology and guide risk-based governance in financial services: a shared Artificial Intelligence Lexicon and the Financial Services AI Risk Management Framework.
“Implementing the President’s AI Action Plan requires more than aspirational statements, it requires practical resources that institutions can use,” said Derek Theurer, who is performing the duties of deputy secretary of the Treasury. “By establishing a common language for AI and a tailored framework for managing AI risks in financial services, these deliverables help protect consumers while supporting responsible innovation.”
Treasury said the lexicon is meant to reduce confusion across regulatory, technical, legal, and business teams by defining key AI concepts and risk categories. The risk framework adapts the NIST AI Risk Management Framework to financial services, focusing on operational, regulatory, and consumer protection considerations.
“Clear terminology and pragmatic risk management are essential to accelerating AI adoption in financial services,” said Paras Malik, Treasury’s chief AI officer. “These resources are designed to help institutions move faster with AI by reducing uncertainty and supporting consistent, scalable implementation.”
Josh Magri, CEO of the Cyber Risk Institute, said the framework “aligns closely with NIST standards” while offering “practical, scalable guidance tailored to the varying stages of AI adoption.”
Foreign Investment Flows Show Net Inflow
Treasury reported December 2025 Treasury International Capital data showing a net TIC inflow of $44.9 billion when combining long-term securities, short-term U.S. securities, and banking flows. Treasury said net foreign private inflows totaled $32.7 billion and net foreign official inflows were $12.2 billion.
Foreign residents’ net purchases of long-term U.S. securities totaled $62.9 billion, while U.S. residents’ net purchases of long-term foreign securities were $34.9 billion. Treasury said the next TIC release, covering January 2026 data, is scheduled for March 18, 2026.
Corporate Minimum Tax Guidance Targets Compliance Burden
Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service issued additional guidance on the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax, describing it as aimed at reducing compliance burdens and providing clarity.
“Democrats’ CAMT regime is a flawed, partisan experiment hatched in the minds of liberal academics who lacked practical experience. In the real world, CAMT disrupted productive business activities and added undue costs, while failing to deliver on promised tax revenues,” Bessent said. “President Trump’s Treasury Department will continue to restore sanity to tax administration, using its authority to provide clarity and to keep bureaucracy out of the way of job growth and investment.”
Treasury said it plans to re-propose the broader CAMT regulatory framework to reflect stakeholder feedback and produce final rules it described as “workable and predictable.”
G20 Finance Track Schedule Includes Asheville Meetings
Treasury announced the schedule and priorities for the 2026 G20 Finance Track, including plans to host finance ministers and central bank governors in Asheville, North Carolina.
“Thanks to President Trump’s pro-growth economic policies, the United States’ economy is reaching historic heights, and as the G20’s Finance Track lead Treasury will leverage America’s demonstrable economic success and bring the G20 back to its core mission by undertaking a streamlined, results-oriented approach for the group,” Bessent said.
Treasury listed in-person finance track meetings for April 16 in Washington, D.C.; August 29-30 in Asheville for deputies; August 31 to September 1 in Asheville for finance ministers and central bank governors; and October 15 in Bangkok, Thailand. Treasury said the U.S. host year will culminate with President Trump’s leaders summit December 14-15 at Trump National Doral in Miami.
“I am proud to spotlight that the United States will host the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Asheville, North Carolina,” Bessent said, adding that the location reflects an administration focus on western North Carolina’s recovery after Hurricane Helene.
Sudan Sanctions Target RSF Commanders
Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned three commanders of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces for actions tied to El-Fasher, which Treasury described as involving “ethnic killings, torture, starvation, and sexual violence.”
“The United States calls on the Rapid Support Forces to commit to a humanitarian ceasefire immediately. We will not tolerate this ongoing campaign of terror and senseless killing in Sudan,” Bessent said. “Without a swift end, Sudan’s civil war risks further destabilizing the region, creating conditions for terrorist groups to grow and threaten the safety and interests of the United States.”
Treasury said the U.S. action follows similar designations by the United Kingdom and the European Union and described the conflict as producing a humanitarian crisis with more than 14 million displaced.
Timeshare Fraud Network Linked To CJNG Sanctioned
OFAC also announced sanctions targeting a Mexico-based timeshare fraud network it said is led by Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion, including a resort, five individuals, and 17 companies. Treasury said the schemes often target older Americans and can result in life-altering losses.
“Whether through trafficking fentanyl into our borders or orchestrating timeshare fraud schemes, terrorist drug cartels like CJNG consistently victimize Americans for profit,” Bessent said. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we will continue our efforts to completely eradicate the cartels’ ability to generate revenue and terrorize Americans.”
Treasury cited FBI estimates that roughly 6,000 U.S. victims reported nearly $300 million in losses between 2019 and 2023 tied to Mexico-based timeshare fraud, and said IC3 received nearly 900 complaints in 2024 with reported losses of more than $50 million. Treasury said the enforcement action involved a Homeland Security Task Force-led investigation with multiple federal agencies and coordination with Mexico’s financial intelligence unit.
Under U.S. sanctions rules described by Treasury, property and interests in property of designated persons in the United States or under U.S. person control are blocked, and violations may lead to civil or criminal penalties.
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