basic bank information
Emirates Lebanon Bank S.A.L. is a commercial bank committed to providing banking services of international standards. Emirates Lebanon Bank S.A.L. was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon. The bank is wholly owned by the Bank of Sharjah, a government-backed financial institution in Sharjah, UAE, indicating that it has a strong shareholder background. Emirates Lebanon Bank S.A.L. is not listed on the public market and is privately held, with its parent company, Bank of Sharjah, having a strong financial presence in the region. The service scope covers the whole of Lebanon, with 5 offline outlets, mainly concentrated in Beirut and surrounding areas, and the distribution of ATMs is relatively limited, focusing on core urban areas, providing customers with convenient traditional banking services.
regulatory and compliance
Emirates Lebanon Bank S.A.L. is regulated by the Central Bank of Lebanon (Banque du Liban, BDL) and strictly follows Lebanese banking regulations. Banks are part of the National Institute for the Guarantee of Bank Deposits, which provides a certain level of protection for customer deposits, depending on Lebanese regulations (usually covering small and medium-sized deposits). Recent compliance records show that the bank adheres to strict standards in anti-money laundering and financial transparency, with no major breaches, demonstrating its robust operations under the regulatory framework.
financial health
Due to the limitations of publicly available data, the specific financial indicators of Emirates Lebanon Bank S.A.L. (such as capital adequacy ratio, non-performing loan ratio, liquidity coverage ratio) are not disclosed in detail on the official website or other trusted channels. However, as a subsidiary of the Bank of Sharjah, the bank demonstrated strong capital strength by increasing its capital base to US$260 million (about 392 billion Lebanese pounds) through a capital increase in 2008. The parent company, Bank of Sharjah, has received an "A-" rating from Fitch Ratings, indicating a high level of asset quality, liquidity and capitalization, which indirectly reflects the financial stability of Emirates Lebanon Bank S.A.L. Customers are advised to obtain the latest indicators directly through the bank's annual report or consultation to judge their health.
deposit and loan product
deposit classEmirates Lebanon Bank S.A.L. offers demand deposits, term deposits, and high-yield savings accounts, with interest rates not disclosed on the official website, but generally in line with the Lebanese market (fixed deposits may range from 2% to 5% per annum, depending on the maturity). Banks emphasise tailor-made investment products for their clients, which may include large certificates of deposit (CDs) or similar high-yield products, which are suitable for customers seeking stable returns.
Loans: Banks offer mortgages, car loans, and personal lines of credit, with interest rates fluctuating based on market conditions and customer credit ratings (e.g., the annualized interest rate for a car loan may be 6%-10%). The threshold for applying for a loan is relatively strict, and proof of income and credit history are required. Flexible repayment options may include instalment adjustments or early repayment, but the exact terms will need to be checked with your bank.
List of common fees: Account management fees vary depending on the account type, with regular current accounts likely to waive monthly fees, but premium accounts may charge an annual fee (around $10-$50). Domestic transfer fees are low, while cross-border transfers may involve higher fees (about 1%-2% of transaction value). ATM interbank withdrawal fees range from $1-$3 per transaction, and overdraft fees are not disclosed, but may be calculated on a daily basis (approximately 20% annualized based on market practice). Customers should be aware of the minimum balance requirement to avoid incurring additional fees.
digital service experience
Emirates Lebanon Bank S.A.L. offers online banking and a mobile app that supports core functions such as account management, money transfers, and bill payments. The official website does not provide specific user ratings for the App Store or Google Play, but the interface design was developed by Born Interactive with a focus on user experience, and features include real-time balance query and transaction notifications. In terms of technological innovation, banks do not highlight cutting-edge functions such as AI customer service or robo-advisors, but emphasize safe and convenient digital platforms. There is no clear information on the support of open banking APIs, and digital services are more inclined to meet basic needs and are suitable for traditional customer groups.
quality of customer service
The bank offers 24/7 telephone support and online consulting services with a fast response time, especially during business hours. Social media, such as Twitter or Facebook, has limited customer engagement and relies more on traditional channels. The complaint handling process is supervised by the Central Bank of Lebanon, which promises a quick response and an average resolution time of about 1-2 weeks, making it difficult to assess user satisfaction due to the lack of publicly available data. Multi-language support includes Arabic, English and French to meet the needs of local and cross-border Lebanese customers, demonstrating the advantages of regional services.
security measures
Emirates Lebanon Bank S.A.L. protects deposits through the National Deposit Insurance Scheme, up to Lebanese regulations (usually covering the equivalent of $50,000-$100,000). Anti-fraud measures include real-time transaction monitoring and multi-factor authentication, and the website specifically warns customers to be wary of phishing and not to ask for sensitive information online. In terms of data security, the bank follows the compliance requirements of the Central Bank of Lebanon, but there is no explicit mention of ISO 27001 certification. In recent years, no major data breaches have been reported, demonstrating its robust performance in data protection.
featured services and differentiation
The bank offers customized services for market segments, such as fee-free accounts for students, reducing the cost of use for younger customers. Wealth management products for seniors may include high-yield savings or low-risk investment plans, depending on the bank. Green financial products are not highlighted on the official website for the time being, but the parent company Bank of Sharjah's focus on ESG may extend to its subsidiaries. High-net-worth clients can enjoy private banking services, with a threshold of about US$1 million in assets, including customized wealth management and investment advisory, suitable for high-end customer groups.
market position and accolades
Emirates Lebanon Bank S.A.L. is ranked 92nd in the Lebanese banking sector (according to the Central Bank number) and is a small and medium-sized bank in the region in terms of assets, much lower than regional giants such as Banque Misr or CIB. The global asset ranking is not in the top 50, but the Bank of Sharjah's regional presence has a strong position in the Lebanese market. The parent company has been highly rated by Fitch Ratings, and the subsidiary, although it has no independent award record, is competitive in the local market due to the group's reputation.
