Regulatory Alerts2026-05-21 | 13821Conditions for Conducting Lending Operations as per the Provisions of Articles 183 and 184 of the Code of Money and Credit
The Central Bank of Lebanon issued Circular Decision No. 13821 to amend Basic Decision No. 12174, suspending new Knowledge and Experience Permits for "Lending Accounts" (Constatours) while granting existing ones a one-year deadline to convert into licensed financial institutions. The decision mandates that non-compliant Constatours face permit revocation, operational restrictions, and potential legal prosecution under Articles 200 of the Code of Money and Credit and 770 of the Penal Code, with the Central Council empowered to grant exceptional extensions. Effective immediately upon issuance and publication in the Official Gazette, this framework ensures a structured transition for lending entities into the formal financial institution registry.