This is Beirut - Central Bank of Lebanon

BDL Takes Action: Ban on Transactions with Al-Qard Al-Hassan & co.

This is Beirut, 14:50 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Banks Banque du Liban Central Bank of Lebanon

The circular (No. 170) published by the Banque du Liban, accompanied by Basic Decision No. 13335, marks a decisive turning point in regulating the Lebanese financial sector. By formally banning banks and financial institutions from any relationship with unauthorized entities, particularly the association Al-Qard Al-Hassan, the Banque du Liban is ...

BDL Orders Institutions to Accept Old US Dollar Notes

This is Beirut, 08/07 18:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Banque du Liban Central Bank of Lebanon

The Banque du Liban (BDL) has issued a directive requiring all banks, financial institutions, money exchange companies and electronic money transfer firms operating in Lebanon to accept all authentic US dollar banknotes, regardless of whether they are from older or newer series. In a statement released on Tuesday, the central bank emphasized that ...

BDL Issues Circular to Regulate Foreign Transfers

This is Beirut, 01/07 18:15 - Reading : less than a minute

Banks Banque du Liban Central Bank of Lebanon lebanon

Banque du Liban (BDL) issued Circular No. 169 on Tuesday, introducing new restrictions on the transfer of deposits abroad in a bid to promote fairness among depositors amid Lebanon’s ongoing financial crisis. Under the new directive, banks are prohibited from transferring deposits outside Lebanon without prior approval from BDL. The measure is ...

Souhaid Concludes Reform-Focused Consultations in Paris and Washington

This is Beirut, 30/06 16:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Washington International Monetary Fund Banks Central Bank of Lebanon Karim Souhaid

Central Bank Governor Karim Souhaid wrapped up a round of high-level technical consultations in Paris and Washington focused on advancing structural reforms in the banking sector, according to a statement issued by Banque du Liban (BDL). The meetings aimed to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive reform plan supported by legislative and ...

Central Bank of Lebanon’s Governor Proposes a Specialized Body for Bank Restructuring

Maurice Matta, 28/06 15:00 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Banks Central Bank of Lebanon International Monetary Fund

The subcommittee of the parliamentary Finance and Budget Committee, chaired by MP Ibrahim Kanaan, continues its review of the draft Banking Sector Restructuring Law. The discussions are centered on resolving divergences between the government's proposal, the IMF’s recommendations, and the proposals presented by Central Bank of ...

BDL Raises Monthly Withdrawal Limits

This is Beirut, 18/06 15:50 - Reading : less than a minute

Banks Banque du Liban Central Bank of Lebanon Lebanon

The Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL) announced on Wednesday a one-year extension of Circulars 158 and 166, initially set to expire on June 30, 2025. The decision, which comes amid a prolonged financial crisis, aims to address the pressing needs of depositors and help preserve social stability. As part of the extension, BDL also increased the monthly ...

Government Breaks 8-Year Deadlock: Major Diplomatic and Economic Reforms

This is Beirut, 16/06 17:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

International Monetary Fund Banks Central Bank of Lebanon Israel Joseph Aoun Lebanon Palestine Nawaf Salam Joe Raggi

In a landmark session held on Monday at Baabda Palace, the Cabinet ended an eight-year stalemate by approving a sweeping reshuffle of diplomatic appointments, signaling what officials described as a return to institutional order within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Meeting since 10:30 AM, the Council of Ministers approved the full list of new ...

Key Appointments at Banque du Liban Still Pending

Maurice Matta, 05/06 16:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Banque du Liban Central Bank of Lebanon International Monetary Fund Banks Joseph Aoun

The terms of the four vice-governors of the Lebanese Central Bank (BDL) will expire on June 11, along with those of the chairman and members of the Banking Control Commission, as well as three experts on the Capital Markets Authority. In line with Article 18 of the Code of Money and Credit, the governor of BDL is appointed by decree for a ...

In Search of Lebanon’s Financial and Economic Taif Agreement

Johnny Kortbawi, 03/06 18:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Banks Central Bank of Lebanon economy finance

Lebanon’s economic crisis cannot be measured solely by the six years since its visible eruption in September 2019. Its roots extend much further back—to 1992 and the first government formed after the Taif Agreement. This period marked the beginning of Lebanon’s modern economic policies, shaped by the country’s financial establishment with ...

Al-Qard al-Hassan: The Bank that Dodges Bombs but Not Audits

This is Beirut, 27/05 21:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Banks Hassan Nasrallah Central Bank of Lebanon Hezbollah Israel

Al-Qard al-Hassan, a financial institution linked to Hezbollah and operating through 34 branches in areas controlled by the militia, has recently drawn attention for its role in the group’s financial operations. The Israeli think tank Alma Research and Education Center, which focuses on security issues in northern Israel, has provided ...

BDL Issues Statement on Legal Measures and Financial Transparency

This Is Beirut, 22/05 15:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Banks Banque du Liban Central Bank of Lebanon Finances Parliament Lebanon

Lebanon’s Central Bank (BDL) announced in an official statement that it remains committed to transparency and integrity within the financial sector. It is actively pursuing legal procedures in collaboration with specialized law firms across several European countries and other international jurisdictions. This effort aims to initiate judicial ...

83 Draft Laws Submitted, Only One Passed

This Is Beirut, 15/05 12:00 - Reading : 7 minute(s)

Banque du Liban Beirut International Airport Central Bank of Lebanon Hezbollah Internal Security Forces

On Thursday, May 15, MPs gathered at Nejmeh Square for a legislative session with an exceptionally heavy agenda: 83 draft laws were submitted for review, underscoring a chronic governance crisis oscillating between institutional paralysis and reform efforts. Only one law was approved by the end of the session: an amended law criminalizing ...