Figures issued by Banque du Liban (BdL) show that the Lebanese banking sector had 719 local and foreign branches at the end of June 2024, constituting declines of 42 branches (-5.5%) from 761 branches at end-2023 and of 95 branches (-11.7%) from 814 branches at end-June 2023, as well as decreases, of 298 branches (-29.3%) from 1,017 branches at end-June 2021, and of 458 branches (-39%) from 1,177 branches at end-June 2019.  Commercial banks had 700 local and foreign branches at the end of June 2024 compared to 741 branches at end-2023, 793 branches at end-June 2023, 881 branches at end-June 2022, 996 branches from the end of June 2021, and 1,156 branches at end-June 2019.  Further, medium- and long-term banks had 19 branches in Lebanon at the end of June 2024, compared to 21 branches a year earlier.  In parallel, commercial banks operating in Lebanon had 45 branches outside the country at the end of June 2024, compared to 46 branches at the end of 2023, and relative to 49 branches at end-June 2023, to 53 branches at end-June 2021, and to 77 branches at end-June 2019.  The breakdown of commercial banks' branches shows that banks had 655 local branches at the end of June 2024, down by 40 branches (-5.8%) from 695 branches at the end of 2023, by 89 branches (-12%) from 744 branches at end-June 2023, by 288 branches (-30.5%) from 943 branches at the end-June 2021, and by 424 branches (-39.3%) from 1,079 at end-June 2019.  There were 341 branches of commercial banks in Beirut & its suburbs that accounted for 52% of total branches in the country at the end of June 2024, followed by 130 branches in Mount Lebanon (19.8%), 72 branches in South Lebanon (11%), 69 branches in North Lebanon (10.5%), and 43 branches in the Bekaa region (6.6%).  Also, nine foreign commercial banks operating in the country had 18 branches and four Islamic banks had 12 branches at end-June 2024. In addition, there were seven e-branches that offer banking services through interactive and automated machines at end-June 2024.  Further, there were 46 commercial banks in the country at the end of June 2024, unchanged from a year earlier, as well as 13 medium-and long-term banks operating in Lebanon at end-June 2024 relative to 14 banks at end-2023 and 15 banks at end-June 2023. In parallel, 37 financial institutions had 66 branches in Lebanon at end-June 2024, relative to 40 financial institutions with 69 branches at end-June2023. (ICE BEIRUT)

Fonte notizia: Byblos Bank, March 3 - 8, 2025