par Nicolas Sbeih, 11/07 09:45 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
After delving into the topic of banks, let's assess the current state of their regulatory body, Lebanon’s Central Bank (BDL). Overall, the outcome is somewhat meager. However, we will refrain from preempting conclusions before outlining the pros and cons of this interim governorship, now in its one-year tenure. We will partially rely on ...
par Maurice Matta, 23/07 11:46 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Since August 1, 2023, Lebanon’s Central Bank (BDL) liquid foreign currency reserves have steadily increased from $8.573 billion to $9.9 billion by June 2024, marking an average monthly growth of $120 million under the new leadership. This development occurs under Lebanon's Central Bank policy of not financing the government with currencies, ...
par Liliane Mokbel, 30/07 12:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
According to Majd al-Masri, the president of the Syndicate of Money Changers in Lebanon, there is no actual shortage of dollar bills in the Lebanese market. He asserts that the delays in fulfilling customers' currency exchange requests are due to a logistical issue that will soon be resolved. Mr. Masri reassures that fears of a dollar shortage are ...
09/08 12:28 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
According to Lebanon’s consolidated commercial banks’ balance sheet, total assets declined annually by 10.4% to stand at $104.32B by June 2024 amid BDL’s adoption of a new exchange rate of LBP 89,500 per USD, effective 31/01/2024. On the assets side, currency and deposits with the Central Bank represented a high figure of 78.38% of total ...
par Maurice Matta, 14/08 09:43 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Wassim Mansuri, the Acting Governor of Lebanon's Central Bank (BDL), is set to travel to Washington, D.C., in the first week of September, in an attempt to shield Lebanon from being placed on the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) gray list, which monitors countries for financial crimes. His visit comes just days before a critical meeting where ...
par This Is Beirut, 19/08 17:16 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
The Secretary General of the Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL), Fadi Khalaf, indicated that despite the significant efforts made by the Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL) to avoid including Lebanon on the gray list, and keep the banks clear from thorough monitoring of transfers, major challenges remain. He stressed that Lebanon is still under ...
par Liliane Mokbel, 04/09 18:51 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Bank loans are back, but the criteria for accessing them are stricter in terms of candidate eligibility, loan purpose, amount, and repayment period. Contrary to popular belief, these loans are not available due to fresh deposits in foreign currencies. Such deposits are tightly protected and regulated by a series of circulars issued by the ...
par Maurice Matta, 05/09 16:38 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Wassim Mansouri, Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL), is meeting in London with officials from correspondent banks that interact with Lebanese banks. The goal is to address potential impacts of any negative decisions taken by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) ahead of its crucial meeting to assess countries' compliance with ...
par Maurice Matta, 12/09 18:38 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Wassim Mansouri, the Acting Governor of Lebanon's Central Bank (BDL) has concluded his meetings with correspondent banks in London, returning with reassurances that these institutions will continue to cooperate with Lebanon, regardless of the anticipated decision by the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) on October 24. However, the risk of Lebanon ...
par Liliane Mokbel, 23/09 12:39 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
The surge in gold prices has substantially benefited the Banque du Liban (BDL), resulting in a considerable increase in the value of its gold reserves. An auditing firm, appointed by BDL’s commissioner for Foreign Affairs with the coordination of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), conducted an inventory on November 24, 2022, which ...
par Maurice Matta, 02/10 11:54 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
On October 1, 2024, a new directive from acting Lebanese Central Bank (BDL) Governor Wassim Mansouri, following a Central Council resolution on September 25, 2024, came into force. The order compels banks to triple cash withdrawal limits for beneficiaries of Circulars 158 and 166 throughout October. This exceptional, one-time decision ...
