Port-au-Prince, March 9, 2026.- The Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) has taken a decisive step in the regulation of the financial system with the publication on March 9 of the circular CIR.: BRH/IF/2026/131. This text, based on the G20 and World Bank international standards, sets strict standards of protection for users. Financial institutions are now required to ensure fair treatment, ban unfair terms and ensure full transparency on the real costs of their services.
One of the major advances of this circular is the precise definition and the formal prohibition of « abusive terms ». Banks can no longer unilaterally change rates or fees without clear prior information. Similarly, practices such as « forced tied sale », which requires a customer to purchase an unsolicited product to access a service, are now prohibited. HRB also prohibits the levying of inactivity charges on dormant accounts and counting charges on gourd deposits.
The circular enshrines the fundamental right to information. Before any commitment is made, the institution must submit a « Key information document » the risks, costs and, above all, the overall effective interest rate to allow comparison between tenders. This requirement of transparency extends to advertising, which must now be balanced, truthful and explicitly mention any restrictions on promotional offers.
In the digital age, HRB enhances the security of users by strictly regulating the processing of personal data. The consent of the client must be « free and informed »excluding any tacit or presumed agreement. In the event of a dispute, each institution has an obligation to establish an internal mechanism for the prompt, fair and totally free handling of complaints, thus giving consumers a genuine right to redress.
This reform requires a change of culture on the boards of directors, now responsible for adopting comprehensive consumer protection policies. Institutions must not only train their staff, but also rigorously supervise their distribution agents and sub-agents. In case of non-compliance, the sanctions are designed to restore public confidence in a more inclusive Haitian financial system and respect citizens' rights.
W.A.
