The Banking Executive Magazine - November 2024

Fund for Development and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic De- velopment. The Lebanese Council of Ministers tasked the Council for De- velopment and Reconstruction (CDR) with negotiating these loans to secure the necessary resources, en- suring sustained support for citizens and fostering sustainable develop- ment. WHAT STRATEGIES DOES BANQUE DE L’HABITAT EMPLOY TO ENSURE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF NEW FUNDING SOURCES, BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL? Banque de l’Habitat follows a com- prehensive and diversified strategy to secure sustainable financial re- sources by enhancing funding at the local, regional, and international lev- els. Domestically, the bank relies on certificates of deposit as a key fund- ing source, supported by legislative initiatives such as Decree No. 9812, which mandates insurance compa- nies to deposit guarantees with the bank. Additionally, Minister of Labor Mr. Mustafa Bayram raised the ceiling for certificates of deposit for individuals and companies, strength- ening the bank’s capacity to support low- and middle-income families. Internationally, we have built strate- gic partnerships with reputable or- ganizations, including the U.S. Agency for International Develop- ment (USAID), UN Habitat, the Eu- ropean Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the French Devel- opment Agency. These partnerships expand funding opportunities under favorable terms, enabling the bank to effectively support Lebanese families and contribute to economic and so- cial stability in the country. WHAT ARE THE MAIN OBSTACLES FACING BORROWERS, AND HOW CAN THEY BE ADDRESSED? One of the main challenges lies in administrative complexities associ- ated with real estate records, as the required documentation often hin- ders borrowers’ ability to access loans. We call upon the Ministry of Finance to take decisive steps to re- solve these issues and simplify pro- cedures. Achieving joint cooperation among all relevant stakeholders is es- sential to overcoming these chal- lenges and enabling Lebanese citizens to secure adequate housing that meets their needs and enhances their social stability. WHAT DOES THE EXCELLENCE AWARD RECEIVED BY BANQUE DE L’HABITAT SIGNIFY FOR ITS POSITION AMONG ARAB BANKING INSTITUTIONS? Receiving the Excellence Award from the World Union of Arab Bankers is a prestigious honor that reflects recognition of our ongoing efforts. This award, earned among more than 300 Arab banks and finan- cial institutions, underscores our ability to fulfill our commitments and achieve our goals despite economic challenges, further enhancing our leadership position in the Arab bank- ing sector. WHAT SETS BANQUE DE L’HABITAT APART FROM OTHER LEBANESE BANKS, PARTICULARLY IN HOUSING LOANS? Banque de l’Habitat distinguishes it- self through its exclusive specializa- tion in housing loans, a sector that many Lebanese commercial banks have abandoned due to the current crises. Furthermore, we have taken proac- tive steps to ensure transparency and integrity in all our operations. In collaboration with Ms. Joelle Fawaz, Chairwoman of the Legislative and Consultation Committee, we adopted the use of cross-border ac- counts to ensure that loan funds are transferred in US Dollars through ac- counts outside Lebanon. This meas- ure enhances the transparency of our operations and ensures the highest levels of financial security for both borrowers and funding institutions, reaffirming our commitment to pro- viding reliable and sustainable solu- tions that meet long-term needs. the BANKING EXECUTIVE 36 ISSUE 190 NOVEMBER 2024