Requests by the Banque du Liban and/or the Banking Control Commission of Lebanon to Lift Banking Secrecy

Circular No. 171 for Banks and Institutions Subject to the Supervision of Banque du Liban

We hereby attach a copy of Basic Decision No. 13768 dated 14/11/2025 regarding requests to lift banking secrecy submitted by Banque du Liban and/or the Banking Control Commission of Lebanon.

Beirut, 14 November 2025
Governor of Banque du Liban
Karim Saïed

Basic Decision No. 13768
Requests to Lift Banking Secrecy Submitted by Banque du Liban and/or the Banking Control Commission of Lebanon

The Governor of Banque du Liban,
Pursuant to the Monetary and Exchange Law, particularly Article 150 thereof, And pursuant to Article 7 of the Banking Secrecy Law dated 3/9/1956, And pursuant to Decree No. 1578 dated 15/10/2025, And pursuant to the decision of the Central Council of Banque du Liban adopted in its meeting held on 12/11/2025, Decrees as follows:

Article 1: All banks and institutions subject to the supervision of Banque du Liban are obligated to respond to requests to lift banking secrecy submitted to them by Banque du Liban and/or the Banking Control Commission of Lebanon, without invoking any justification or excuse of any kind.

Article 2: The requests to lift banking secrecy subject to Article 1 above include inquiries regarding any records, documents, and information pertaining to a legal or natural person dealing with any bank or institution subject to the supervision of Banque du Liban. Information may be requested retroactively, provided that the period does not exceed ten years from the date of issuance of Law No. 1 dated 24/4/2025.

Article 3: First, requests shall be directed either electronically in an encrypted and secure manner or physically in a confidential and secure manner to the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the General Manager of any bank or institution subject to the supervision of Banque du Liban. These requests must clearly contain the information and data requested for inquiry. Second, the request submitted by Banque du Liban shall be signed by its Governor or an authorized representative for this purpose, and the request submitted by the Banking Control Commission of Lebanon shall be signed by its Chairman or an authorized representative for this purpose. With regard to auditors or assessors appointed by Banque du Liban or the Banking Control Commission of Lebanon, they may request information subject to Article 2 above in accordance with their defined duties. This is done by providing Banque du Liban or the Banking Control Commission of Lebanon, as applicable, with an initial request for this purpose, which shall be attached to the request of Banque du Liban and/or the Banking Control Commission of Lebanon.

Article 4: The Chairman of the Board of Directors or General Manager of the concerned bank or institution must adopt a suitable mechanism that determines:

• The persons authorized to review incoming requests and study them, including the Head of Compliance or Compliance Officer of the concerned institution.
• The necessary procedures to be followed to fulfill the aforementioned requests, particularly regarding sending requested information via secure channels such as encrypted email.
• The precautionary measures to be taken to maintain the confidentiality of information and prevent it from falling into the hands of a third party.

Article 5: First, documents sent to Banque du Liban and/or the Banking Control Commission of Lebanon must be marked "Confidential".
Second, Banque du Liban or the Banking Control Commission of Lebanon must confirm receipt of the requested information and documents.
Third, the concerned bank or institution must maintain a register detailing the dispatch of requested information and documents and the confirmation of receipt by Banque du Liban or the Banking Control Commission of Lebanon. This information shall be kept in the concerned institution's register for at least ten years.

Article 6: Each bank and institution subject to the supervision of Banque du Liban must respond to requests from Banque du Liban and the Banking Control Commission of Lebanon subject to this Basic Decision within a period not exceeding fifteen (15) working days from the date of receipt of these requests.

Article 7: Any violation of the provisions of this Decision exposes the non-compliant bank or institution to penalties stipulated in the applicable laws and regulations, particularly under Article 208 of the Monetary and Exchange Law.

Article 8: The Banking Control Commission of Lebanon shall monitor the implementation of this Decision's provisions and determine, if necessary, the implementing measures for updating and developing the information exchange mechanism with banks and concerned institutions.

Article 9: This Decision shall take effect upon its issuance.

Article 10: This Decision shall be published in the Official Gazette.
Dated 14 November 2025
Governor of Banque du Liban
Karim Saïed