Lebanon
Lebanese PM asks for IMF aid as dispute with central bank grows
Governor at centre of massive economic crisis appears to condemn PM’s words as “slander”
Lebanese central bank tries to stem currency crisis
Central bank unfreezes dollar accounts at sharply reduced rate as future of banking sector is unclear
Lebanon calls for IMF aid as debt default looms
Finance minister says country may default on eurobond as central bank caps deposit rates
Lebanese governor requests more powers to deal with crisis
Salameh says financial and monetary stability at risk without new measures to regulate banks
Lebanon central bank chief calls for urgent measures to end crisis
New restrictions on foreign currency announced as prime minister says he will dissolve government
Lebanese central bank tries to stem currency weakness
Governor says central bank will ensure dollars are available for wheat, fuel and medicine
Lebanese central bank strike ‘shut down local banks’
Staff consider further strike action over rumoured salary cuts as government faces fiscal crisis
Improved political environment lends support to Lebanese pound
As new government is formed, investors become more willing to sell dollars and buy pound
Lebanese central bank orders wire services not to use dollars
Economy under strain from political division, fiscal shortfall and refugee crisis
Lebanese government reappoints Salameh as governor
Governor will face considerable pressures from political factions and the refugee crisis
Lebanese banking sector holding up, despite Syria crisis – central bank
The banking sector remains liquid and well capitalised despite a “strained” Lebanese economy, the central bank says; new compliance unit formed
Lebanon’s innovative financial operations not sustainable – IMF
Central bank used a complicated mechanism to simultaneously boost foreign reserves and improve banks’ capital positions, but it cannot be used without limit, the fund warns
Global sharia standards desirable, but impractical – Lebanon’s el Gemayel
Complete standardisation impractical, but other options are available, says Central Bank of Lebanon’s Joëlle el Gemayel; Islamic banking landscape is shifting
Hungarian central bank plans offices in New York, Buenos Aires and Beirut
Hungarian central bank formally opens Paris office; bank also runs Hamburg and Rome offices and plans to open more in New York, Buenos Aires and Beirut
Central Bank of Cyprus activates deposit-guarantee scheme for failed bank
Central Bank of Cyprus activates deposit-guarantee scheme for creditors of a bank under administration; FBME's banking licence was revoked following US allegations of money-laundering
Paper uses machine learning to nowcast GDP in Lebanon
Working paper published by IMF explores use of machine learning technique in assessing economic conditions in Lebanon, where analysis is a ‘distinct challenge’ on account of data lags
Bank of Lebanon signs memorandum of understanding with Dubai FSA
Agreement aimed at improving information sharing on financial stability issues was signed by regulators in Dubai earlier this week
No ‘credit crunch' in the Middle East after Basel I, IMF paper finds
Despite higher capital adequacy ratios, banks expanded credit and asset growth, according to new research
Lebanon’s Salame vows to apply Syria sanctions
Bank of Lebanon governor Riad Salame says Lebanese banks will not undertake any activity in Syria that might embarrass correspondent banks
Bank of Lebanon denies financial ties with Syrian regime
Governor Riad Salameh says Arab League sanctions on Syria will not apply as Lebanese central bank does not have any dealings with Damascus
Lebanese government renews governor’s term
Government gives Riad Salamah six more years in charge; term begins August 1
Lebanon’s Salameh defends scandal-hit bank
Bank of Lebanon governor Riad Salameh offers support to Lebanese Canadian Bank after accusations by US Treasury of ties to illicit activities and terrorist organisations
Lebanon’s Charafeddine: unconventional monetary policy was vital for oil exporters
Bank of Lebanon first vice-governor Raed Charafeddine says unconventional monetary policy helped oil exporting countries address financial crisis
Lebanon sets in motion plans to create SWF
Lebanese energy bill paves way for creation of sovereign wealth fund; government aide says proceeds will be managed by the Ministry of Energy and Water