Operation Roaring Lion assistance program

• Mortgages—a housing loan (only a first home or those upgrading their home), no limit on amount
• Consumer credit—at a cumulative amount of up to NIS 100,000
• Business credit—at a cumulative amount of up to NIS 2 million (for a business with revenue of up to NIS 25 million per year)

A debit balance (overdraft) of up to NIS 30,000 in a current account of the owner of a business with annual revenue of up to NIS 25 million, who served in the reserves during all or part of the period between February 1, 2026 and April 1, 2026—the debit balance that is part of the credit facility approved by the bank, including when the bank allowed the customer to deviate from the credit facility in accordance with the provisions of Proper Conduct of Banking Business Directive no. 325.

The period for submitting the request is March 16, 2025–April 16, 2026. Note that banks that want to advance the entry into force of the framework, or the date to submit the request, may do so and shall update customers accordingly. Note that the customer will be able to submit a request to be included in the framework until April 16, 2026.

The benefit is not granted automatically. In view of the adjustments required at the customer level, express consent is required from the customer as well. In addition, in regard to part of the eligible population, the bank does not know if the customer belongs to such group. Therefore, at times it will require a declaration by the customer or the presentation of appropriate documentation, in line with the bank’s decision. Regarding small corporations, in accordance with the characteristics that the bank will publish.

Customers interested in deferring payments and that are eligible for these benefits can contact the bank via its website/application/phone center/bank branch and submit the request to defer loan payments.

The framework’s terms apply to those whose home has been damaged and is unfit to serve as a residence and who have been evacuated from their home by an authorized government function.

With regard to homes that have been damaged: Beyond applying the framework on owners of a single home who live in the property itself, we clarify that the following two population groups are included in the first-circle group that is eligible for deferral without interest or fees:

1. If a customer owns one home and does not live in it, and the home he owns was damaged and the people living in it had to be evacuated, there is an option to defer mortgage payments, at any amount, and consumer loan payments up to NIS 100,000 for a period of 3 months without being charged interest or fees.
2. Renters who live in a property that was damaged and were evacuated, are able to defer their consumer loans for a cumulative amount of up to NIS 100,000 for a period of up to 3 months, without being charged interest or fees

The framework does not apply to a borrower who is in legal proceedings. Regarding a borrower who is in arrears at the date of the publication of the framework, but who is not in legal proceedings, a deferral will be allowed up to a period that does not exceed 180 days from the date the arrears began or until 3 months from the date the request was submitted, the earlier of the two.

In such a case, the payment date may be deferred within the framework for all the loans. The same principle applies as well with regard to business credit.

As part of the framework, it is possible to defer payments on consumer loans at a cumulative amount of up to NIS 100,000.

In this case, the sum of the 2 loans exceeds NIS 100,000. Therefore, the bank can include in the framework only the higher of the two loans, for a total of NIS 75,000, and will defer the payment in respect of it in accordance with the term of the framework. The same principle applies as well with regard to business credit.

The framework does not apply on parts of loans, but rather only on consumer loans up to a maximum of NIS 100,000, or up to a cumulative amount of NIS 100,000.

The same principle applies as well with regard to business credit.

The framework does not include loans with third-party participation, or loans that were granted by nonbank entities.

The bank will publish the information on its website and will also clarify to the customer the manner of implementing the deferral before obtaining the customer’s consent and applying it.

Deferring loan payments for the eligible population includes deferring interest and principal payments that were to have been paid during the deferral period, in accordance with the customer’s original amortization table.

The loan deferral for the eligible population in accordance with the framework is without additional interest charges in respect of the deferred payment. The interest that has already accrued in line with the amortization table will be charged. Indexation to the CPI is up to the individual bank.

Deferring payments is intended to assist in providing immediate cash flow relief for the customers. If the customer can continue to comply with his undertakings, the objective of the deferral becomes redundant. This is also correct in circumstances in which the deferral is without interest or fees, as the customer is still required to repay the payments that were deferred.

In addition, a deferral can have markedly significant consequences, such as increasing the total monthly amount and extending the lifespan of the loan in certain cases. Customers deferring mortgage payments should closely examine the impact of the consequences on the existing insurance coverage (life insurance and property insurance) within the framework of the mortgage.

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria for a mortgage or loan deferral under the "Roaring Lion" framework, you may contact your bank and request a deferral for the mortgage or other loan in accordance with the bank’s applicable terms.

As previously announced, the framework will remain in effect until April 16, 2026. The Bank of Israel is closely monitoring developments and will consider whether adjustments or an extension of the framework are necessary, if circumstances warrant.

You may contact the Ombudsman at the bank where your account is held. If you are not satisfied with the bank’s response, you may contact the Consumer Enquiries and Inspections Unit at the Banking Supervision Department by phone at 02-655-2680.

The assistance framework has been adopted by all the banks. Credit card companies offer various reliefs to their customers with the goal of helping them deal with the ramifications of Operation Roaring Lion. Information on this can be found on the companies’ websites.

In coordination with the Accountant General, the framework applies to government backed loans. For additional details, you can enter the website for the fund for loans for small and medium sized businesses backed by the government, at the following link: https://govextra.gov.il/mof-gloans/homepage

You are required to present an authorization from an accountant/tax consultant/declaration verified by a representing lawyer, of inactivity at the business facility during part or all of the business days in which the business facility is active in routing times during Operation Roaring Lion, which began on February 28, 2026.

Attached please find a link to the proposed wording for the declaration that can be submitted by the business’s accountant. The wording was formulated in coordination with the Institute of CPAs in Israel.