Regulatory Alerts2026-06-01
CBB Draft Resolutions Pursuant to Law No. (23) of 2025 Amending Provisions of the Law of Commerce
The Central Bank of Bahrain has issued draft resolutions under Law No. 23 of 2025 to regulate partial cheque payments via the Partial Cheque Payment System and standardize credit reporting procedures for returned cheques in the Bahrain Credit Reference Bureau. Retail banks and the BENEFIT Company must electronically review these proposals and submit their feedback, including nil comments, by 1 June 2026. The updated framework will streamline cheque clearance operations and improve the accuracy of consumer credit records across the financial sector.
Central Bank of Bahrain
OG/166/2026 13th May 2026
Chief Executive Officer All Retail Banks The BENEFIT Company Manama Kingdom of Bahrain
Dear Sir/Madam,
Consultation: Draft Resolutions Pursuant to Law No. (23) of 2025 Amending Certain Provisions of the Law of Commerce promulgated by Decree Law No. (7) of 1987
With reference to Law No. (23) of 2025 amending Certain Provisions of the Law of Commerce promulgated by Decree Law No. (7) of 1987, and pursuant to Article (465 bis) thereof, the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) prepared two draft resolutions regulating:
- The partial payment of cheques in relation to the Partial Cheque Payment System (“PCPS”); and
- The procedures for updating client credit information in the Bahrain Credit Reference Bureau (“BCRB”) in relation to returned cheques.
The CBB requests all retail banks and the BENEFIT Company (Benefit) to review the attached draft resolutions, and provide their feedback electronically, including “nil comments” in an editable format to consultation@cbb.gov.bh by 1st June 2026.
The draft resolutions are also available on the CBB website (www.cbb.gov.bh) under the “Open Consultations” Section.
Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
Khalid Humaidan Governor
cc: Bahrain Association of Banks (BAB)
هاتف ٩٧٣١٧٥٤٧٥٠٠+، فاكس ٩٧٣١٧٥٣٧٧٩٩+، ص.ب ٢٧، المنامة، مملكة البحرين T +973 1754 7500, +973 1754 7555, F +973 1753 7799, P.O. Box 27, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, www.cbb.gov.bh