Regulatory Alerts2025-10-27 | 13761Exceptional exemptions from banks required investments
The Central Bank of Lebanon issued Intermediary Decision No. 13761 to amend Basic Decision No. 13217 regarding exceptional exemptions from banks' mandatory investments. The amendment excludes the value of foreign-currency Lebanese Treasury bonds (Eurobonds) held in portfolios from the mandatory investment ratio and prohibits banks subject to this article from selling them, while permitting sales provided the proceeds are prioritized for liquidity requirements under Basic Decision No. 13335 and for financing commercial and investment operations rather than operating expenses. This decision takes immediate effect upon issuance and is published in the Official Gazette.
Intermediary Circular No. 744 for Banks
A copy of Intermediary Decision No. 13761 dated October 27, 2025, concerning the amendment of Basic Decision No. 13217 dated April 9, 2020, concerning exceptional exemptions from banks' mandatory investments, attached to the main Circular No. 150.
Beirut, October 27, 2025
Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon
Karim Salam
Intermediary Decision No. 13761 Amending Basic Decision No. 13217 dated April 9, 2020
The Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, Pursuant to the Monetary and Credit Law, particularly Articles 70 and 174 thereof, And pursuant to Basic Decision No. 13217 dated April 9, 2020, and its amendments concerning exceptional exemptions from banks' mandatory investments, And pursuant to the decision of the Central Council of the Central Bank of Lebanon adopted in its meeting held on October 1, 2025,
Decides as follows:
Article One: The text of the third paragraph of "Article Three" of Basic Decision No. 13217 dated April 9, 2020 is repealed and replaced with the following text: « The value of Lebanese Treasury bonds in foreign currencies (Eurobonds) held in portfolios is not included in this ratio, and banks subject to the provisions of this article are prohibited from selling these bonds. Banks subject to this article may sell Lebanese Treasury bonds in foreign currencies (Eurobonds), provided that the proceeds from the sale are used first as follows:
- To secure liquidity to meet the requirements of Basic Decision No. 13335 dated June 8, 2021, for one year.
- To finance their commercial and investment operations, provided that they are not used to finance operating expenses. »
Article Two: This decision takes effect immediately upon issuance.
Article Three: This decision is published in the Official Gazette.
Beirut, October 27, 2025 Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon
Karim Salam