This is Beirut - Central Bank of Lebanon

Wassim Mansouri Reflects on His Interim Leadership at the BDL

This is Beirut, 25/03 22:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

As the Lebanese Cabinet under Nawaf Salam prepares to appoint a new governor for the Banque du Liban (BDL), assessments on Wassim Mansouri's interim tenure since August 2023 are mixed. Some view his actions as having preserved a degree of stability amidst unprecedented political and security crises, while others argue that the stability he has ...

The Public Appointment Mechanism: An Overview

This is Beirut, 17/03 20:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Banks Central Bank of Lebanon

This is Beirut has reviewed a copy of the document outlining the mechanism set by the Council of Ministers for public appointments. According to Minister of Information Paul Morcos, this document is a preliminary draft that is expected to be finalized and approved by the Cabinet on Thursday. Here are the main points. The process is primarily ...

BDL’s Gold: An Untouchable Treasure or a Last Resort?

Liliane Mokbel, 05/03 19:10 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Banks Central Bank of Lebanon Gold Reserves Lebanon

Following the government’s policy statement and the president’s inaugural speech, it is clear that a new momentum is emerging to address the pending economic issues. Controversial proposals are emerging, notably the idea of using Lebanon's Central Bank gold reserves (BDL) to partially bridge the financial deficit. However, it is evident that ...

Ghada Aoun: Retirement Amid Judicial Controversies

Natasha Metni Torbey, 03/03 17:45 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Ghada Aoun Free Patriotic Movement Central Bank of Lebanon Judiciary Lebanon

She pursued her judicial campaign until the very last day before the official end of her tenure within the judiciary. On March 1, 2024, the prosecutor at the Mount Lebanon Court of Appeal, Ghada Aoun, who had been dismissed from her duties in May 2023 by the Judiciary’s Disciplinary Council, retired. True to her nature, however, she did not ...

Money Laundering: Efforts to Remove Lebanon from the Grey List

Liliane Mokbel, 03/03 14:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Central Bank of Lebanon International Monetary Fund Hezbollah FATF Terrorism Money laundering

The arrest this weekend of a passenger carrying $2.5 million in cash at Beirut’s International Airport marks an important step in the fight against the illegal transport of currency. This action underscores the Lebanese authorities' commitment to tightening controls and curbing such practices. Under the supervision of General Fadi Kfoury, the ...

Decline in Commercial Activity According to Beirut Traders Association – Fransabank Index

This is Beirut, 24/02 14:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Banks Beirut International Airport Central Bank of Lebanon Index

The Beirut Traders Association – Fransabank Retail Trade Index for the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4-2024) recorded a value of 31.37, indicating a modest recovery in commercial activity, accompanied by cautious optimism about short-term improvements. In contrast, the index for the third quarter of 2024 had reached 35.06, reflecting a continued ...

Figure of the Week: 113 Vacant Senior Positions in Lebanon’s Administration

Liliane Mokbel, 22/02 12:00 - Reading : less than a minute

Central Bank of Lebanon Public Administration Positions

113 senior positions within Lebanon's central administration are currently vacant and filled on an interim basis, according to sources close to the Grand Serail. This number is expected to increase by the end of 2025. Among the key positions to be filled are the Governor of the Central Bank (BDL), the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, and the ...

When Kostanian Admits Defeat and the End of Kulluna Irada’s Project!

Tony Abi Najem, 20/02 21:50 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Banks Central Bank of Lebanon Hezbollah

The article written by Albert Kostanian, published on al-Modon’s website and titled “Announcing Defeat,” stood out. He begins with the statement: “After nearly six years of media and technical battles, the time has come to announce defeat.” In this article, where every sentence could be analyzed, it is important to focus on several key ...

BDL Raises Withdrawal Limits of Circulars 158 and 166

This is Beirut, 19/02 15:50 - Reading : less than a minute

Banks Banque du Liban Central Bank of Lebanon

The Central Board of Lebanon's Central Bank (BDL) has approved an increase in withdrawal limits under circulars 158 and 166, allowing depositors to withdraw $500 and $250 per month respectively. The decision will take effect on March 1, 2025. In a statement issued Wednesday, the BDL explained that the decision aligns with its ongoing policy ...

Government Formation Delay: What Lies Ahead for Bank Withdrawal Limit Increases?

Maurice Matta, 06/02 10:55 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Banks Banque du Liban Central Bank of Lebanon

As the political situation remains uncertain, especially regarding the formation of the government, the Central Bank of Lebanon decided at the end of January to suspend its previous policy that required banks to make multiple monthly payments to beneficiaries of Circulars 158 and 166. This decision restores withdrawal limits to pre-crisis ...

All Eyes on the Ministry of Finance

Natasha Metni Torbey, 27/01 22:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Amal Banks Central Bank of Lebanon Hezbollah International Monetary Fund

The exception is not the rule. This saying does not apply to Lebanon, where for over a decade, well after the signing of the Taif Agreement in 1989, the Amal-Hezbollah duo has persistently claimed—“de facto and de jure,” as they often assert—the Ministry of Finance, one of the most coveted portfolios in the country. The reasons behind ...

BDL’s Foreign Reserve Assets Stand at $10.35B After a $210.47M Rise in the First Two Weeks of January 2025

This is Beirut, 23/01 13:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Central Bank of Lebanon Balance sheet of BDL Foreign Reserve Assests

According to the balance sheet of Lebanon’s Central Bank (BDL), the Bank’s total assets declined by 13.44% annually, to reach $93.22 billion by mid-January 2025, under the 89,500 LBP/USD official rate maintained by BDL since February 1, 2024. The fall was mainly due to the 80.60% and 24.49% year-on-year (YOY) drop in deferred open market ...

Central Bank of Lebanon