Management Studies and Economic Systems

Management Studies and Economic Systems

Lebanon's Banking Sector 2000–2023: Resilience, Adaptation, and Challenges in Economic, Political, and Regional Landscapes

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Jean Elia 1
Nada Jabbour Al Maalouf 1
Joseph Serghani 2
Mohamed Balouza 3
Chadia Sawaya 1
1 CIRAME Research Center, School of Business, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon
2 Faculty of Business Administration, Modern University for Business and Science (MUBS), Lebanon
3 Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Lebanese University, Lebanon
Abstract
Banks have always been a vital player in the Lebanese economy. In this report, a detailed overview of the Lebanese banking sector's (LBS) performance extending 23 years, between 2000 and 2023, will be discussed, addressing a significant gap in the literature. Previous research has focused on specific timeframes or isolated aspects of the sector, such as its post-war recovery or short-term performance. None have systematically examined its evolution over this extended period. By leveraging extensive data from Bilanbanques reports and other sources, this study captures the sector's trajectory through critical political, economic, and regulatory transformations. The findings reveal how the LBS navigated recurring crises, including the 2019 financial collapse, declining depositor confidence, and the prolonged impact of political instability and fiscal mismanagement. Despite temporary stability achieved through regulatory measures, the sector remains burdened by liquidity challenges and structural inefficiencies. This paper's significance lies in its holistic approach to understanding the interplay between governance, economic resilience, and financial performance, offering valuable insights for policymakers and developing economies.
Keywords
Lebanese Banking Sector (LBS)
Challenges
Resilience
Liquidity
Crisis
Stability
Management Studies and Economic Systems
Volume 10, 1/2
Winter 2026
Pages 29-53