The Association of Banks in Lebanon issued the following statement: On September 15, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Association of Banks in Lebanon convened with all its members and, after being informed by the management of the concerned banks about the details of the recent events, condemned in the strongest terms what the involved employees and their clients were subjected to, as well as the continuous verbal and physical assaults faced by bank employees on a daily basis.
The Board of Directors, which confirmed that the gathered banks are dealing positively with the special humanitarian cases of some depositors, firmly rejects under any excuse or reason the violation of the dignity of its employees and clients, or allowing them to be threatened regarding their safety or used as hostages, while employees are providing service to all depositors in these difficult circumstances in a manner aimed at ensuring equality among them, against attempts to monopolize deposits by some aggressors.
The Board urges the state, with all its political, security, and judicial apparatuses, to assume its minimum responsibilities regarding the deterioration of the security situation and not to be lenient with those disrupting it, and to bring them to the competent courts for fair trials. It should be noted that banks will no longer hesitate to pursue aggressors to the end.
The Board of Directors, fully aware of the risks faced by bank employees and their clients, will be forced to take precautionary measures to ensure their safety. The association apologizes in advance to clients for any inconvenience or delays that may arise from the application of these measures, as their safety and the safety of its employees is its top priority in the current difficult circumstances facing the country. Banks reserve all their rights to take whatever they deem appropriate in this regard to protect the interests of their employees and depositors.
Everyone must realize that these assaults are not the solution, but rather the solution lies in the state's responsibility to expedite the provision of a comprehensive and just solution for all citizens.
