How healthy is the banking sector in Lebanon and is public debt a cause of concern?
The Lebanon banking sector has grown markedly over the last years with total assets nearing $120 billion as at the end of the first quarter of 2010, customer deposits exceeding the $99 billion mark and loans to the private sector firming at $25.79 billion. The banking sector remains highly liquid with the loans to deposits’ ratio standing at 26.01% as at end of the first quarter of 2010, thanks to banks’ prudent lending policies and stringent regulations of Banque Du Liban.
