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Lebanon’s Housing Bank Indemnifies Depositors for Up to $75 Million
In a move aimed at bolstering depositor confidence, Lebanon’s Housing Bank has announced that it will indemnify depositors for up to 75 million Lebanese pounds per depositor.
About the Housing Bank
The bank, which is managed by a board of seven members designated by decree, was established in 1977 and is owned 20 percent by the Lebanese state. The remaining 80 percent is owned by the private sector.
Main Purpose
The Housing Bank’s main purpose is to grant loans to Lebanese citizens seeking to purchase, construct, renovate, complete or revamp real estate property in Lebanon.
Transactions Between Affiliates
Lebanese banking laws and regulations do not provide a unified definition of an “affiliate.” However, various circulars define an affiliate as a company controlled by the bank through ownership or voting rights.
- There are no specific limitations on transactions between a bank and its affiliates, except for conflict-of-interest restrictions set out in the Commercial Companies Law (CML) and the Code of Commerce.
- These restrictions prohibit granting loans to board members, major shareholders or their family members without prior approval from the bank’s general assembly and sufficient collateral.
Regulatory Challenges
The Lebanese banking industry is currently facing several regulatory challenges, including:
- The impact of Lebanon’s first-ever sovereign debt default in March 2020
- Ongoing economic, financial, political and social crisis
- Growing supranational regulations focused on anti-money laundering (AML) and countering the financing of terrorism
Consumer Protection
Banks in Lebanon are subject to consumer protection rules, which include provisions related to contract treatment between banks and consumers. However, these provisions do not supersede specific laws and regulations applicable to the banking sector.
- The Central Bank of Lebanon has issued several circulars aimed at protecting consumer rights, including a 2015 circular that sets communication guidelines for products and services offered by banks and financial institutions.
Future Changes
In the coming years, it is expected that legal and regulatory policies will focus on addressing the effects of Lebanon’s economic, financial, political and social crisis. This may include changes to capital control restrictions and other measures aimed at stabilizing the banking industry.