Exclusive to Lebanon Debate
Lebanon Debate: Please enter your phone number to continue, and we will send you a verification code via SMS to confirm your participation. Enter the verification code that was sent to your phone. In a new step related to the deposits file and depositors’ rights, Banque du Liban issued two intermediate decisions yesterday, Tuesday, amending the withdrawal mechanism under Circulars 158…
Machine translation of an attributed source excerpt. Consult the original report to verify details. Translated from original reporting in another language.
Lebanon’s deposit restrictions: how withdrawal limits changed
Access to bank deposits became restricted in October 2019. Successive Banque du Liban circulars created limited repayment channels; higher monthly allowances do not mean unrestricted access to the remaining balance. Here are the milestones behind today’s withdrawal headlines.
The banking crisis restricted depositors’ ability to use their money freely, particularly foreign-currency deposits. The restrictions began in 2019, before the crisis deepened in 2020.
Banque du Liban · 11 May 2026 ↗Following the February decision, the monthly allowance rose to $500 under Circular 158 and $250 under Circular 166. These were programme limits for eligible depositors, not a universal $500 withdrawal entitlement.
Credit Libanais Economic Research Unit · February 2025 ↗The monthly totals became $1,000 under Circular 158 ($800 available as cash plus $200 for card purchases) and $500 under Circular 166 ($400 cash plus $100 for card purchases). The extra card allowances could not be withdrawn as cash.
Bank Audi · cash and card breakdown ↗
Bank of Beirut · effective 1 December 2025 ↗
3 November 2026 announcement · effective 1 December
Lebanon Debate reports that the new decision raises the card-only allowance; cash limits stay unchanged. The announced monthly amounts are:
| Circular | Cash: before → after | Card only: before → after | Total: before → after |
|---|---|---|---|
| 158 | $800 → $800 | $200 → $400 | $1,000 → $1,200 |
| 166 | $400 → $400 | $100 → $200 | $500 → $600 |
The increase is scheduled for December, not immediately. These remain limited repayments of existing deposits.
Lebanon Debate · 3 November 2026 ↗Sources checked: 2026-11-04
