In light of Decree No. 2009-15197 (published in the Official Gazette dated 15 July 2009), the Treasury may provide sureties to credit guarantee institutions affiliated with a bank, as defined in Article 3 of the Banking Law, and/or to financial leasing companies licensed under the Financial Leasing Law on the condition that a protocol is signed between the Treasury and said beneficiaries. This Decree aims to counter the risk of non-payment of credits borne by credit guarantee institutions and financial leasing companies acting as guarantors for small and medium businesses. Potential beneficiaries are to submit their applications within a specified period of time. Furthermore, the Decree sets out the maximum amount of sureties per beneficiary that may be provided by the Treasury.