BDL’s Foreign Reserve Assets Stand at $11.5B after an $18.55M Increase in the Last Two Weeks of October 2026, BDL Raises 158 Withdrawals to $1,200 and 166 Withdrawals to $600

According to Banque du Liban’s (BDL) balance sheet, the Central Bank’s total assets decreased by 1.79% Year-on-Year (YoY), reaching $92.85B by end-October 2026.

Furthermore, the gold account, representing 39.63% of BDL’s total assets, decreased by 0.39% yearly to reach $36.80B by end-October 2026. In addition, BDL foreign reserve assets, consisting of 12.35% of total assets fell by 3.40% YoY and stood at $11.5B by end-October 2026. Moreover, foreign reserve assets increased by $18.55M in the last two weeks of October 2026.

On the liabilities front, financial sector deposits, representing 85.39% of BDL’s total liabilities, decreased by 5.50% annually and reached $79.3B by end-October 2026 compared to last year, of which more than 90% are denominated in dollars. Moreover, public sector deposits, representing 11.49% of BDL’s total liabilities, increased by 25.90% yearly and reached $10.7B by end-October 2026. Lastly, currency in circulation outside of BDL, consisting of 0.66% of BDL’s total liabilities, fell by 24.79% annually to reach $612.43M by end-October 2026.

Furthermore, on November 3, 2026, Banque du Liban issued Intermediate Circulars No. 780 and 781, introducing amendments to Basic Circulars No. 158 and 166, respectively. Under Circular No. 780, the monthly withdrawal limit was increased from $1,000 to $1,200, of which $800 can be withdrawn in cash and $400 can be spent through bank cards at point of sale (POS) terminals. Similarly, Circular No. 781 raised the monthly withdrawal limit from $500 to $600, allowing depositors to withdraw $400 in cash and spend the remaining $200 through bank cards at POS terminals. These amendments, effective December 1, 2026, aim to provide depositors with greater access to their funds while encouraging electronic payments amid Lebanon’s ongoing financial challenges.

BDL Total Assets, Foreign Assets, Gold and Currency in Circulation by End-October 2026 ($M):

_{Sources: BDL, BLOM Bank}