A public bank rather than a Crédit Municipal
The service, called PSG for prêt sur gage, is not provided by a municipal pawnbroking institution but by the Banque de Développement Local (BDL), a public bank whose head office is at 5 rue Gaci Amar, Staouéli, in the wilaya of Algiers.
Only gold is accepted
BDL only takes gold jewellery or gold items as pledges. Silverware, watches, paintings and electronic devices are not part of the published offer, unlike French institutions, whose list of items accepted as pledges is much broader.
A reference price of 15,000 DA per gram
On 9 October 2026, BDL's PSG page displayed a reference price of 15,000 DA per gram of gold, with no update date. The amount takes account of the weight, this price and an appraisal at the branch.
PSG minimum and maximum amounts
The loan starts at 15,000 DA, the equivalent of one gram, and is capped at 3,000,000 DA, corresponding to 200 grams. The bank publishes no percentage of the value lent, unlike France, where a decree sets a numerical ceiling.
A 7.50% rate and a 1% custody fee
The interest rate is 7.50% a year, plus a custody fee of 1.00%. Both accrue pro rata by the day, even after the due date. Compare with our analysis of the interest rate on a pawn loan.
Six months, renewable up to three years
The initial term is six months. The contract can be renewed up to a maximum of 36 months, provided the interest and custody fees due are paid. This ceiling exceeds the two years allowed for a pledge with a French institution.
Early repayment and lost contracts
Borrowers may repay before the due date; interest and fees are then owed pro rata. If the contract is lost, BDL charges duplicate fees whose amount is not shown on its page: you have to ask at the branch.
Who can borrow from BDL
Three conditions apply: being an Algerian resident, being at least 19 years old and holding an account with BDL. No proof of income is requested, which brings the scheme close to the French principle of a loan granted without any income requirement.
Eight branches listed on the PSG page
BDL names El-Annasser and Harrichet in Algiers, Annaba, Bordj Bou Arréridj, Constantine, Oran, Es-Senia near Oran, and Sidi Bel Abbès. Branch codes range from 172 for El-Annasser to 479 for Sidi Bel Abbès.
A network growing since 2023
On 18 December 2023, BDL opened a pawn loan branch in Bordj Bou Arréridj, presented as the seventh in the network. The current page lists eight, so one more has opened since then, with no published date.
What happens to unredeemed gold
After the due date and reminders, unredeemed items may be sold at auction in accordance with the regulations in force. The bank's page does not mention any surplus (boni), unlike the rules for the auction of a pledged item in France.
Comparison with neighbouring Tunisia
In Tunisia, it is the State's Recettes des Finances that lend on hallmarked gold, at an annual rate of 8% and up to a limit of 300 dinars. Algeria has opted for a banking model, with much higher amounts.
Reference institution and branches
- Banque de Développement Local (BDL), service PSG: Algerian public bank offering pawn loans on gold in eight branches, from 15,000 to 3,000,000 DA.
- BDL, agence PSG de Bordj Bou Arréridj: Pawn loan branch opened on 18 December 2023, in the 183/1008 district, then presented as the seventh in the network.
- Siège de la BDL à Staouéli: Head office given on the official website, 5 rue Gaci Amar, Staouéli, Algiers; pledges are deposited at PSG branches.
Getting a PSG loan from BDL
- Open an account with the Banque de Développement Local if you do not already have one, a prerequisite for any pawn loan application.
- Gather a valid identity card, a birth certificate extract and proof of residence, then go to one of the eight listed PSG branches.
- Have the gold jewellery weighed and appraised; the amount follows from the weight, the reference price per gram and the appraiser's opinion.
- Sign the six-month contract, noting the due date, the 7.50% rate and the 1% custody fee calculated by the day.
- At the due date, repay to recover the gold or pay interest and custody fees to renew, up to 36 months.
- Keep the contract safe: losing it incurs duplicate fees, and reminders precede any sale at auction.
Pricing published by BDL
| Item | Value published by BDL | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Interest rate | 7.50% a year | Pro rata by the day, read on 9 October 2026 |
| Custody fee | 1.00% | Pro rata by the day, including after the due date |
| Gold reference price | 15,000 DA per gram | Update date not shown |
| Loan amount | 15,000 to 3,000,000 DA | That is 1 to 200 grams of gold |
| Duplicate contract | According to the bank's schedule | Amount not published online |
Documents required for a pawn loan in Algeria
- Valid identity card
- Birth certificate extract
- Valid proof of residence
- An account opened with BDL
- Gold jewellery or gold items to pledge
- No proof of income: it is not required
Mistakes to avoid with BDL's PSG
- Turning up with silverware or a steel watch: BDL's PSG offer covers only gold jewellery and gold items.
- Forgetting that interest and the custody fee keep accruing day by day after the due date, which increases the cost of any delay.
- Arriving without a BDL account: opening an account with the bank is a condition of access to the pawn loan.
- Assuming any sale surplus will be paid back: the PSG page says nothing about it, so ask the branch before signing.
- Mislaying the loan contract, which incurs duplicate fees whose amount is not published on the bank's website.
Algerian pawn loans in questions
Which bank offers pawn loans in Algeria?
The Banque de Développement Local, a public bank, offers pawn loans, known as PSG, on gold jewellery or gold items. The service is available in eight branches, in Algiers, Annaba, Bordj Bou Arréridj, Constantine, Oran, Es-Senia and Sidi Bel Abbès.
What is the pawn loan rate at BDL?
BDL displays an interest rate of 7.50% a year and a custody fee of 1.00%, calculated pro rata by the day, figures read on 9 October 2026. These charges also accrue after the due date, and early repayment remains possible.
How much can you get for a gram of gold in Algeria?
The reference price published by BDL is 15,000 DA per gram of gold, with no update date. Loans range from 15,000 DA for one gram to 3,000,000 DA for 200 grams, after appraisal at the branch.
How long does a BDL pawn loan last?
The contract is concluded for six months. It can be renewed up to 36 months in total, provided the interest and custody fees due are paid each time. Beyond that, without repayment, the items may be sold at auction.
Do you need proof of income for a pawn loan in Algeria?
No. BDL requires you to be an Algerian resident, at least 19 years old and to hold an account with the bank, then to provide an identity card, a birth certificate extract and proof of residence. No proof of income is required.
General information, up to date as of October 2026 and non-contractual: always check the terms with the Crédit Municipal or the institution concerned.