The Banking Executive Issue - October 2025 Issue

The Architect of Financial Integrity heads from across the sector. When the US introduced new sanctions, he was the voice of reason — urging calm and stressing that adherence to international rules was essential to preserving Lebanon’s banking con- nectivity. “We respect the laws,” he reminded colleagues, emphasizing that Lebanon’s dollarized economy relies on maintaining correspondent relationships, the key to maintaining Lebanese and Lebanon link with the world. With his contribution, Lebanon’s central bank and commercial institu- tions cooperated with UAB and ABL channels to fit global directives into the local rules. Many insiders note that under the important leadership and umbrella of the UAB, Jebeyli’s steady counsel—together with the broader compliance community— helped in maintaining correspondent banking relationships. His influence also extends to dispute resolution. As a member of the UAB’s Arbitration and Mediation Center, he advised on mediating complex cross-border banking con- flicts and trained young lawyers in arbitration techniques. His advocacy for out-of-court settlements has helped nurture a more collaborative compliance mindset across Arab banks. From Morocco to Oman, young compliance officers study frame- works shaped by his early work — a reflection of how deeply his ap- proach has taken root. Wherever Arab finance intersects with interna- tional regulation, Jebeyli is often present — translating, guiding, and uniting. GLOBAL OUTLOOK AND LEADERSHIP If one theme defines Jebeyli’s career, it is his ability to move effortlessly between regional and global spheres. A Lebanese national with dual U.S. citizenship, he has lived and worked in Beirut, Paris, New York, Boston, Riyadh, Dubai, and Cairo. Over the years, he has advised governments and banks in more than 15 countries, cultivating a network that spans con- tinents and cultures. Equally comfortable discussing New York’s AML statutes or Paris’ data pri- vacy regulations, he became a trusted bridge between regulators and institutions. At Citibank, he helped guiding Arab regulators in modernizing their frameworks; at Audi, he reassured international cor- respondent banks of Lebanon’s com- mitment to compliance. In one notable example, he delivered a presentation at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on beneficial ownership transparency — distilling ISSUE 202 OCTOBER 2025 the BANKING EXECUTIVE 17 Understanding both sides of the equation is what allows true cooperation between global standards and local realities