BDL moves to allow mothers to open accounts for their children

BEIRUT — Banque du Liban (BDL) has ordered banks to allow mothers to create accounts for their minor children, according to a circular issued Friday.The central bank said the measure comes within the framework of efforts by the National Commission for Lebanese Women to empower women and strengthen their role in society.The move would give mothers the sole right to operate these accounts until the minor reaches the age of 18."In the event of the mother’s death or loss of legal capacity, the father, as legal guardian, may not operate the account except with authorization from the competent court," the circular said.Previously that authority was only reserved to fathers, a reflection of broader inequalities that persist in the country, where women still cannot pass Lebanese nationality to their children....