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2026-01-23 | 13800

ATMs and Credit Cards

The Central Bank of Lebanon issued Circular No. 757 and Decision No. 13800 to amend Basic Decision No. 7299 regarding Automated Tmation Machines and credit/debit cards. The directive permits licensed banks, financial institutions, Lebanese and foreign companies, and POS network operators to operate ATMs in suitable locations without counting head office or branch machines toward the operational limit, provided external machine counts do not exceed five times the number of branches. Furthermore, it mandates annual reporting to the Central Bank and Banking Control Commission within fifteen days after year-end, with immediate effect upon issuance.

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Central Bank Circular No. 757 ——————————————————

To Banks, Financial Institutions, Lebanese and Foreign Companies Licensed to Issue Settlement, Payment, or Credit Cards, and to Institutions Operating Point of Sale (POS) Networks

We hereby enclose a copy of Central Bank Decision No. 13800 dated January 23, 2026, concerning the amendment of Basic Decision No. 7299 dated June 10, 1999 (Automated Tmation Machines and Credit/Debit Cards), attached to Basic Circular No. 63.

Beirut, January 23, 2026

Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon Karim Saeed

Central Bank Decision No. 13800 —————————————————— Amendment of Basic Decision No. 7299 dated June 10, 1999 Concerning Automated Tmation Machines and Credit/Debit Cards

The Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, Pursuant to the Monetary and Exchange Law, particularly Articles 70 and 174 thereof, Pursuant to Law No. 133 dated October 26, 1999, concerning the functions of the Central Bank of Lebanon, Pursuant to Basic Decision No. 7299 dated June 10, 1999, and its amendments concerning Automated Tmation Machines and Credit/Debit Cards, Pursuant to the resolution of the Central Council of the Central Bank adopted in its meeting held on January 21, 2026,

Decides as follows:

Article One: The text of both Item (1) and repeated Item (1) of Article One of Basic Decision No. 7299 dated June 10, 1999 is repealed and replaced as follows: « (1) Banks and financial institutions are permitted to operate an Automated Tmation Machine in a location they deem suitable, provided that:

  • The number of machines operated outside the head office and branches shall not exceed five times the number of these branches, in addition to the head office.
  • Automated Tmation Machines operating within the head office and branches are not included in the aforementioned limit, regardless of their number.
  • The Central Bank and the Banking Control Commission shall be notified annually, within a maximum deadline of fifteen days after the end of each year, regarding the number and locations of these machines.»

Article Two: This decision shall take effect upon its issuance. Article Three: This decision shall be published in the Official Gazette. Beirut, January 23, 2026

Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon Karim Saeed

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