Bank Loans in Lebanon:

Half Percent of Borrowers Receive More Than Half of Loans

Bank statements reveal that the wealth is concentrated in the hands of few Lebanese and that not only the major party of deposits is concentrated with less than 1% of depositors but also the loans. The bank loans that reached around USD 65 billion at the end of 2016 were distributed among 593,757 beneficiaries. Yet, not all beneficiaries equally benefited from them as less than half percent (0.43%), i.e.2,553 beneficiaries, acquired more than half of total value of loans (55%), i.e. around USD 36 billion. Each of those beneficiaries received a loan ranging from USD 3.3 million to more than USD 7 million. It is thus established that less than half percent (0.43%) of borrowers receive more than half of loans (55%).