The headquarters of the Association of Banks in Lebanon in Beirut, Aug. 7, 2025. (Credit: Philippe Hage Boutros/L’Orient-Le Jour)
The Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL) convened an emergency meeting on Thursday, after all member institutions received a letter on Tuesday from Banque du Liban (BDL, central bank) Governor Karim Souhaid.The letter instructed banks to provide detailed information on transfers abroad carried out by bankers, their spouses and children between July 1, 2019, and Jan. 1, 2023.This move was requested by Public Prosecutor for financial crimes Judge Maher Cheaito, per the banking secrecy lifting law passed in April.BDL attached a copy of the judge’s request, dated Nov. 18, to its letter, instructing banks to implement it in full and simultaneously provide BDL with a copy of the requested data.The information must be transmitted in encrypted form on a USB drive within 15 days. BDL also reminded banks of their obligation to comply with all...
The Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL) convened an emergency meeting on Thursday, after all member institutions received a letter on Tuesday from Banque du Liban (BDL, central bank) Governor Karim Souhaid.The letter instructed banks to provide detailed information on transfers abroad carried out by bankers, their spouses and children between July 1, 2019, and Jan. 1, 2023.This move was requested by Public Prosecutor for financial crimes Judge Maher Cheaito, per the banking secrecy lifting law passed in April.BDL attached a copy of the judge’s request, dated Nov. 18, to its letter, instructing banks to implement it in full and simultaneously provide BDL with a copy of the requested data.The information must be transmitted in encrypted form on a USB drive within 15 days. BDL also reminded banks of their obligation to comply with all...
