Central Bank Circular No. 13741

To Banks and Bank Supervision Delegates

We enclose a copy of Central Bank Circular No. 13741 dated August 14, 2025, concerning the amendment of Basic Decision No. 13262 dated August 27, 2020, regarding exceptional measures to reactivate the work of banks operating in Lebanon, attached to Basic Circular No. 154.

Beirut, August 14, 2025

Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon

Karim Saeed

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Central Bank Circular No. 13741

Amendment of Basic Decision No. 13262 dated August 27, 2020

The Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon,
Pursuant to the Monetary and Banking Law, particularly Articles 70 and 174 thereof, Pursuant to Basic Decision No. 13262 dated August 27, 2020, and its amendments regarding exceptional measures to reactivate the work of banks operating in Lebanon, Pursuant to the decision of the Central Council of the Central Bank of Lebanon taken in its session held on August 13, 2025,

Has decided the following:

Article One: The text of the first and second paragraphs of Article Three of Basic Decision No. 13262 dated August 27, 2020 is repealed and replaced as follows:

«Every bank must maintain an external account free from any obligations to its correspondents abroad, not less than 3% of the total foreign currency deposits held by it as of June 30, 2025.
Banks found in a non-compliant status with the provisions of the first paragraph of this Article are granted a deadline until June 30, 2026 to regularize their status.»

Article Two: This decision takes effect upon its issuance.

Article Three: This decision is published in the Official Gazette.

Beirut, August 14, 2025

Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon

Karim Saeed