Bank of Israel introduces bank-adopted loan deferral framework for customers affected by Operation Roaring Lion

The Bank of Israel’s Banking Supervision Department has established a support framework, adopted by the banks, to provide immediate cash-flow relief for customers directly affected by Operation Roaring Lion from February 28, 2026. The programme sets minimum conditions for deferring loan payments for reserve soldiers called to duty, households evacuated or harmed, and small and micro businesses whose activity has been disrupted, while allowing each bank to offer more generous terms. Eligible households can defer mortgage payments for up to three months with no cap and without interest or fees, and defer consumer loan repayments up to NIS 100,000 for three months without interest or fees. Eligible small and micro businesses, defined as having annual turnover of up to NIS 25 million, can defer business loan repayments up to NIS 2 million for two months without interest or fees. Businesses owned by reserve soldiers also receive a two-month exemption from interest charges on overdrafts in business accounts up to NIS 30,000, applied automatically where the bank can identify active reservists and where the account had a negative balance as of March 1, 2026. Businesses that do not meet the defined criteria may still defer business loan repayments up to NIS 2 million for two months, but at the contractual interest rate. Participation is available from March 16, 2026 to April 16, 2026, with requests accepted until April 16, 2026. Banks may implement the framework earlier and may allow requests to be submitted in advance, and the framework may be extended or expanded depending on security developments and emerging needs.