Regulatory Alerts2025-03-27 | 13712Investment of Banks in Foreign Currencies at BDL
The Central Bank of Lebanon, acting through Governor Dr. Wissam Al Mansouri, issued Intermediary Decision No. 13712 on March 27, 2025, to amend the mandatory deposit rate for foreign currency time deposits from 14% to 11%. This reduction mandates that all operating banks deposit the difference at the Central Bank, which will exclusively utilize these funds to secure liquidity requirements under Basic Decisions 13335 and 13611. The amended provisions take immediate effect upon issuance and are formally published in the Official Gazette.
Intermediary Circular No. 731
To Banks
We enclose herewith a copy of Intermediary Decision No. 13712 dated 2025/3/27 concerning the amendment of Basic Decision No. 7926 dated 20/09/2001 (Mandatory Bank Deployments) attached to Basic Circular No. 86.
Beirut, on March 27, 2025
Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon Acting
Dr. Wissam Al Mansouri
Intermediary Decision No. 13712
Amendment of Basic Decision No. 7926 dated 20/09/2001
The Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, pursuant to the Monetary and Exchange Law, particularly Articles 70, 79, and 174 thereof, and pursuant to Basic Decision No. 7926 dated 20/09/2001 and its amendments concerning mandatory bank deployments, and pursuant to the decision of the Central Bank Council taken in its meeting held on 19/02/2025,
hereby decides as follows:
Article One: The beginning of Clause (1) of Article One of Basic Decision No. 7926 dated 20/09/2001 is repealed and replaced with the following text: «-1 All banks operating in Lebanon shall deposit at the Central Bank of Lebanon, in exchange for the interest rates that the latter grants on foreign currency time deposits, a rate of 11% instead of 14% from the following elements denominated in foreign currencies:»
Article Two: Clause (2) with the following text is added to Article One of Basic Decision No. 7926 dated 20/09/2001: «-2 The difference resulting from the reduction stipulated in Clause (1) above shall be used by the Central Bank of Lebanon, exclusively, to secure the liquidity required in accordance with the provisions of Basic Decision No. 13335 dated 08/06/2021 (Basic Circular No. 158) and Basic Decision No. 13611 dated 02/02/2024 (Basic Circular No. 166).»
Article Three: This decision shall take effect upon its issuance.
Article Four: This decision shall be published in the Official Gazette. Beirut, on March 27, 2025
Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon Acting
Dr. Wissam Al Mansouri