Bank 
						in Lebanon
						
						 Central 
						bank
						
						Banque du Liban 
						- The Central Bank of Lebanon The Lebanese 
						central bank and monetary authority, with control over 
						bank supervision and regulation.
						Banque du Liban (BDL) (Arabic: 
						مصرف لبنان, French: Banque du Liban) is the central 
						bank of Lebanon. It was established on August 1, 1963 
						and became fully operational on April 1, 1964. It is 
						currently headed by Riad Salameh, who was named the 
						Middle East's best central bank governor by Euromoney in 
						2005.
						
						One of the main responsibilities of the bank is issuing 
						Lebanon's currency, the Lebanese Pound. Other 
						responsibilities include maintaining monetary stability, 
						regulation of money transfers, and maintaining the 
						soundness of the banking sector. Banking is a very 
						important part of Lebanon's economy with over 100 
						different banks, which makes the role of Banque du Liban 
						particularly important. It currently owns 99.37% of the 
						shares of Lebanon's national carrier, Middle East 
						Airlines. However, plans call for it to sell its stake 
						in the airline by 2008 as part of government plans to 
						privatize many institutions.
						
						The government has recently launched an ambitious 5-year 
						economic reform program in hopes to cut the country's 
						debt. The outcome of the reform program will largely be 
						dependent on Banque du Liban.
						
						Besides the main branch in Beirut, it has branches in 
						Aley, Baalbeck, Bikfaya, Jounieh, Nabatiye, Sidon, 
						Tripoli, Tyre, and Zahle.
						
						
						 Major 
						banks
						Bank of Beirut S.A.L.
						BLOM Bank S.A.L.
						Byblos Bank S.A.L.
						Crédit Libanais S.A.L.
						Federal Bank of Lebanon S.A.L.
						Fransabank S.A.L.
						Citibank, N.A.
						Audi Saradar Bank S.A.L
						
						
						 Other 
						banks
						
						B.L.C. Bank S.A.L.
						Al-Mawarid Bank S.A.L.
						Arab Investment Bank S.A.L.
						Bank Al Madina S.A.L.
						Banque BEMO S.A.L.
						Banque de la Bekaa S.A.L.
						Banque de l’Habitat S.A.L.
						Banque de l’Industrie Et Du Travail S.A.L.
						Banque Lati S.A.L.
						Banque Misr Liban S.A.L.
						BBAC S.A.L.
						Creditbank S.A.L.
						FFA Private Bank
						Finance Bank S.A.L.
						First National Bank S.A.L.
						MEAB S.A.L.
						Méditerranée Investment Bank S.A.L.
						Near East Commercial Bank S.A.L.
						Société Générale de Banque au Liban S.A.L.
						
						
						 Foreign 
						banks