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BDL's main entrance on Jan. 8, 2026. (Credit: Philippe Hage Boutros/L’Orient-Le Jour) Add as preferred on Google BEIRUT — Banque du Liban (BDL, central bank) plans to reclassify $3 billion of banks’ mandatory reserves to reflect payments it has already made to depositors, it said in a letter sent to the Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL) on Oct. 23 and later reviewed by L’Orient-Le Jour.The letter concerns payments under Circulars 158 and 166, which allow eligible depositors to gradually withdraw foreign-currency savings restricted since the economic crisis began in 2019. Both BDL and commercial banks contribute: In a May 11 statement, BDL reported covering 88.2% of the March 2026 payment, against 11.8% for banks.According to the document, the effective required reserve ratio would fall from 11% to 7.2%, subject to the necessary reconciliation and implementing decisions. Required reserves are the share of customer deposits that commercial... You have reached your article limitStay informed about a Middle East in crisis.Subscribe for $0.5/month for the first 3 months. Subscribe now Log in This article is only available to L’Orient Today subscribers. Subscribe now Log in Create a free account to continue reading this article. You’ll also receive The Morning Brief, our must-read daily digest of Middle East news. Opt out anytime Email Address Password Email Address Password I would like to receive special offers from L'Orient Today as well as selections of the best articles. Register By creating an account, you agree to the terms and conditions of use and our privacy policy. Register Or register with: Facebook
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