OBS_VALUE: Law No. 9724, which entered into force on 5 September 2019, allows the provision of banking services by branches of foreign banks. While the law is already in force, it includes a transitional period of 1 year for the elaboration of implementing regulations, and until these are issued a branch may not operate. See: http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busqueda/Normativa/Normas/nrm_texto_completo.aspx?param1=NRTC&nValor1=1&nValor2=89556.