Nicolas Sbeih, 13/03 20:36 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Yes, indeed, we also have our sacred cows, those perpetual taboos that must never be tampered with, those economic incests of the sphere of power. To illustrate this sacred herd, here is a small sample that is far from exhaustive. 1- The Gold. Every so often, we proudly boast that the Central Bank (BDL) holds 288 tons of it (currently worth $17 ...
This Is Beirut, 13/03 16:33 - Reading : less than a minute
The Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL) issued a statement on March 13, 2024, highlighting its commitment to fostering international relations and enhancing cooperation with global markets. "Based on the policy of openness and development, the Head of Emerging Markets at Morgan Stanley London, Ralph al-Raheb, visited BDL and held a meeting with Acting ...
Liliane Mokbel, 08/03 21:56 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
For those wondering when the bank dollar exchange rate is going to increase, it is becoming increasingly clear that it won't happen anytime soon. It's a complete mystery. The causes are many. The government, the Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL) and the Ministry of Finance continue to pass the blame, leaving depositors frustrated. None of them is ...
This Is Beirut, 01/03 13:01 - Reading : less than a minute
In an interim circular bearing number 693 dated 29/2/2024, the Banque du Liban (BDL) made a temporary adjustment to the operating conditions of financial companies operating in Lebanon. Circular 693, which refers to the decision adopted by the Central Council of the Banque du Liban, which met on February 28, 2024, commands financial companies to ...
Liliane Mokbel, 16/02 21:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
The Council of State's decision to invalidate the article related to the suppression of a significant portion of the state's foreign currency commitments to the Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL), as outlined in the government's economic recovery plan dated 20/5/2022, brings some relief to depositors and bankers. However, questions concerning the ...
This Is Beirut, 15/02 17:36 - Reading : less than a minute
Circular 166, which allows certain depositors to withdraw $150 a month from their accounts, came into force on Thursday. Those concerned can now submit their applications to the banks. Lebanon's Central Bank (BDL) has informed banks of the application mechanism and sent them the form to be used in order to lift the banking secrecy of the accounts ...
Nicolas Sbeih, 15/02 09:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
The chaos that has prevailed over the Lebanese financial sector for four years has recently jumped to a new level. It has become an economic concept, just like capitalism or socialism. And it is governing the country. The newly-coined concept of “financial chaos” involves this sticky mess surrounding the value of the lollar, the dollar, ...
Liliane Mokbel, 14/02 10:31 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
On Tuesday, the administrative court ruled on the dispute between the Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL) and the State. The Council of State invalidated the government's plan to abolish bank reserves at the Banque du Liban (BDL). A major blow, which calls into question the validity of the banking resolution proposed by the government. On ...
Maurice Matta, 13/02 22:59 - Reading : 6 minute(s)
In its final "constitutional" session before transitioning into a caretaker government, on May 20, 2022, Najib Mikati’s Cabinet endorsed a plan for financial and economic recovery. It included a document titled "Strategy for Financial Sector Revitalization," which, in its third clause, outlined the cancelation of a significant portion of the ...
This Is Beirut, 13/02 21:31 - Reading : 6 minute(s)
On Tuesday, the State Council overturned a government decision, part of its “recovery strategy,” which would have destroyed the banking sector and deprived depositors of their funds. The State Council annulled on Tuesday a decision taken by the Council of Ministers in May 2022 as part of its financial recovery strategy. This decision would ...
Liliane Mokbel, 05/02 20:58 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
The Central Bank's (BDL) first deputy governor Wassim Mansouri issued on Saturday Circular 166 on exceptional measures for the gradual repayment of bank deposits made in foreign currency after the date of 10/31/2019. Mansouri specified that Circular 166 was adopted after he had obtained the opinion of the Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL), ...
This Is Beirut, 03/02 14:18 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
The acting governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL), Wassim Mansouri, communicated on Saturday the amendments made to Circular 151 through a new circular, Circular 166. Following Friday's meeting of the BDL Central Council, Mansouri announced two decisions concerning the repayment of foreign currency deposits and the conversion of foreign ...