Regulatory Alerts2026-01-09 | 13792The Application of Law 347 Dated 6/8/2001 concerning the Regulation of Money Dealers
The Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon issued Interim Decision No. 13792 to amend Article Thirteen of the Executive Regulation governing money dealers institutions, explicitly prohibiting them from conducting financial and banking transactions via electronic payment means unless compliant with specific prior decisions. The decision repeals all existing approvals for such transactions and grants affected institutions a six-month grace period to regularize their operational status. It takes effect immediately upon issuance and is published in the Official Gazette, thereby aligning money dealers' electronic payment activities with the regulatory framework established under Law No. 347 of August 6, 2001.
Circular No. 751
for Money Dealers Institutions
We enclose a copy of Interim Decision No. 13792 dated January 9, 2026, concerning the amendment of the Executive Regulation of the Law Regulating the Money Dealers Profession attached to the Basic Decision No. 7933 dated September 27, 2001, subject of the Basic Circular for Money Dealers Institutions No. 3.
Beirut, January 9, 2026 Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon Karim Saeed
Interim Decision No. 13792
Amendment of Basic Decision No. 7933 dated September 27, 2001
The Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, pursuant to the provisions of Law No. 347 dated August 6, 2001 concerning the Regulation of the Money Dealers Profession, and pursuant to Basic Decision No. 7933 dated September 27, 2001 and its amendments concerning the Executive Regulation of the Law Regulating the Money Dealers Profession, and pursuant to the decision of the Central Council of the Central Bank of Lebanon adopted in its meeting held on January 7, 2026,
has decided the following:
Article One: The following paragraph (4) is added to "Article Thirteen" of the Executive Regulation of the Law Regulating the Money Dealers Profession attached to Basic Decision No. 7933 dated September 27, 2001, its text being: « -4 Money dealers institutions are prohibited from conducting financial and banking transactions using electronic means subject to Basic Decision No. 7548 dated March 30, 2000 and its amendments, and Interim Decision No. 13790 dated January 9, 2026 concerning providers of electronic payment services. All prior approvals granted to money dealers institutions in this regard are hereby repealed, and the concerned institutions are granted a period of six months to regularize their status.»
Article Two: This decision shall take effect upon its issuance.
Article Three: This decision shall be published in the Official Gazette.
Beirut, January 9, 2026 Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon
Karim Saeed