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The lack of long-term bank credit is a constraint on the development of Cameroon's firms. However, empirical studies on this subject are scarce. This paper aims to determine the impact of long-term bank debt on firms' performance. The sample consists of 99 Cameroonian firms covering the period 2001–2005. Results show that long-term bank debt impacts performance negatively. This invites a discussion of the necessary levers that might make banks take greater care of their relationships with firms as regards credit.