The Central Bank of Lebanon reported that payments to depositors under Circulars 158 and 166 reached USD 6.109 billion through the end of March 2026. The central bank funded USD 4.183 billion, or 68.46%, while commercial banks covered USD 1.926 billion, or 31.54%. The circulars provide more than USD 2.5 billion in cash dollars annually to depositors whose funds have been restricted since the banking crisis began in October 2019. A total of 578,770 depositors had benefited by the end of March, of whom 266,166, or 46%, had fully recovered the deposits held in their designated subaccounts. Monthly payments declined by 0.73% to USD 240.4 million in March from USD 242.2 million in February, with the central bank covering 88.2% of the March amount. Applications totaled 610,624, and all beneficiaries of Circular 158 whose eligible deposits were USD 40,200 or less had recovered their full savings by the end of April 2026.
Central Bank of Lebanon2026-05-11
Central Bank of Lebanon reports USD 6.109 billion in depositor payments under Circulars 158 and 166
The Central Bank of Lebanon reported USD 6.109 billion in payments to depositors under Circulars 158 and 166 through March 2026, including USD 4.183 billion funded by the central bank. The measures had benefited 578,770 depositors, with 266,166 fully recovering the deposits in their designated subaccounts. All Circular 158 beneficiaries with eligible deposits of USD 40,200 or less had recovered their full savings by the end of April.