Central Bank of Bahrain directs banks to postpone repayments for six months with interest

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

In line with the royal directives by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to strengthen national efforts to overcome the economic challenges of COVID-19, and in support of the decisions of the Government Executive Committee, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister and in accordance with the recommendations of the National Medical Taskforce for Combatting the COVID-19,  the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), today issued a circular to all retail banks and finance companies to provide the option of postponing loan repayments.

The option to defer loan repayments for an additional period of six months applies to all individuals and companies until 31st December 2021.

It will apply without deferral fees, any increase in the number of instalments or increase in the interest or profit rate, provided that the interest rates applied by banks are calculated on these loans during the deferral period.

The Governor of the CBB, HE Rasheed Al Maraj, stated that these arrangements were made in consultation and coordination with the banking and financial sector to support various economic initiatives following the ongoing repercussions presented by the global spread of COVID-19, noting that the cooperation of the banking and financial sector with individual and corporate clients to postpone loan repayments in the past period has greatly contributed in alleviating the economic impacts of the pandemic, in a way that has helped stabilise financial and commercial transactions and various economic activities and maintain their sustainable growth path.