Central Bank of Lebanon

Mansouri Sets Fixed Dollar Rate at LBP 89,500

Lawmakers deflect responsibility by shifting the decision on the dollar exchange rate to the Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL), a move criticized by economic experts as an evasion of addressing pressing financial issues, notably the plight of depositors. This reflects a persisting corrupt climate apparent in various numbers reported by the Central ...

Mansouri Clashes with the Association of Banks on Circular 151

Acting Governor of the Central Bank, Wassim Mansouri, has agreed with the Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL) to discuss the replacement of Circular 151. This would enable beneficiaries to receive a monthly cash payment of $150. Yet, based on the information available from Tuesday's meeting at Lebanon’s Central Bank (BDL), perspectives between ...

New Measures for Account Holders in Lebanese Pounds

The statements of Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, made on the sidelines of the Davos forum, about the impeding recovery of bank deposits have keyed up the online community, triggered various interpretations, and stirred up confusion among the public. Caretaker PM Najib Mikati announced from Davos that "a clear program detailing how ...

End-of-Service Indemnities, Unnecessary Battles

What once was a social safety net, represented by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), is no longer. Despite the good will of NSSF Director-General Mohammad Karaki, the calculation and withdrawal process of end-of-service indemnities continue to pose a complicated contention. Unfortunately, it is the employees, who are the most vulnerable, ...

Mansouri: No Change in Banking Relations With the UAE

Wassim Mansouri, Acting Governor of the Central Bank (BDL), said on Friday that banking relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would be maintained in their current form. "There have been no modifications or changes," he said in a statement issued in response to rumors that circulated, on Thursday, in some media and on social networks that ...

Lebanon's Central Bank Acknowledges Deferred Losses

Lebanon’s Central Bank (BDL) announced in a statement on Thursday the suspension of "seigniorage," or procedure of assessing the profit or loss made on producing a currency, and the commencement of collaborative efforts with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to review its Safeguards Assessment methodology. When approached by This is Beirut ...

Sayrafa Rate Fixed at LBP 89,500: What's Changing?

Without prior notice, Lebanon’s Central Bank (BDL) announced on Monday evening (December 18), by means of a simple statement, a new rate for the dollar on its Sayrafa exchange platform. It set the rate at 89,500 Lebanese pounds (LBP) to the dollar, marking an increase of LBP 4,000 from the rate that has been in effect since last ...