The Crédit d'honneur scheme, launched on October 1, 2026, aims to provide financing based on honor, with at least 8% of the previous year's profits allocated to the scheme. However, not all Tunisian banks are participating. Out of 22 universal banks recorded by the Conseil bancaire et financier, several have directly stated that they are not concerned by the mechanism. These include La Banque de Tunisie et des Émirats (BTE), La Tunisian Saudi Bank (TSB), QNB Tunisia, and La Banque de financement des petites et moyennes entreprises (BFPME).
BTE, TSB, QNB Tunisia, and BFPME have officially communicated their non-participation in the Crédit d'honneur scheme. The banks' decision is based on their financial results for 2025, which play a crucial role in determining the available envelope for 2026. According to the decree n°148 of 2026, banks must allocate at least 8% of their previous year's profits to the scheme. The circulaire n°2026-08 of the Banque centrale also imposes that concerned establishments receive demands exclusively through a dedicated electronic platform since October 1.
Some banks may not have an allocated envelope for the Crédit d'honneur scheme due to their financial performance in 2025. L'Arab Tunisian Bank (ATB) is cited as one of the banks that may not participate in the scheme. According to its financial statements for 2025, published by the Conseil du marché financier, ATB recorded a net loss of 30,918 million dinars. Expert-comptable and banking sector specialist Sofiane Lourimi classifies ATB among establishments that do not have an envelope based on 2025 profits.
Citibank is also mentioned as one of the banks that will not participate in the Crédit d'honneur scheme. However, its case is different from that of ATB, as Citibank recorded a positive net result of 19,413 million dinars in 2025. The reason for Citibank's non-participation is not officially stated, and it cannot be attributed to a lack of profits.
The Conseil bancaire et financier has recorded 22 universal banks in Tunisia. While some banks have directly communicated their non-participation, others may also remain outside the scheme. The Crédit d'honneur mechanism is based on article 412 ter of the Code de commerce and decree n°148 of July 23, 2026.
The non-participation of some banks in the Crédit d'honneur scheme may be due to various reasons, including their financial performance in 2025. Banks that do not have an allocated envelope or do not meet the scheme's requirements may choose not to participate.
In conclusion, several Tunisian banks have announced their non-participation in the Crédit d'honneur scheme, citing various reasons, including their financial performance in 2025. The scheme's requirements and the banks' financial results play a crucial role in determining their participation.
Key points
- Several Tunisian banks, including BTE, TSB, QNB Tunisia, and BFPME, have officially announced their non-participation in the Crédit d'honneur scheme.
- The Crédit d'honneur scheme requires banks to allocate at least 8% of their previous year's profits to the scheme.
- Some banks, such as ATB and Citibank, may not participate in the scheme due to their financial performance or other reasons.
