Last update: 28 August 2020
6 min read

BDL Regulated Brokers in Lebanon

Do you need to find the best BDL regulated brokers online? You’re in luck – our experts have years of experience in hunting down the top brokers regulated by BDL, and they’re ready to share their knowledge with you.

Trading in Lebanon is possible, and the best option for anyone looking for brokers in Lebanon is to find one which is licensed and regulated. Wherever you may be located, it is important to choose a broker that is regulated as this is the best way to safeguard your investment. And it’s always better to choose a broker that has been licensed in your home country. There are a number of regulatory bodies, and some are more recognized than others. But for Lebanese traders, the regulatory body you need to be concerned with is the Banque du Liban.

Read on to find out more about the best brokers regulated by BDL, plus a selection of excellent international brokers below:

Best and most trusted forex brokers in April 2024

Choosing the best BDL regulated broker

While we wouldn’t wish something bad on any of you, it is possible that you could fall victim to a scam. Say, for example, the broker you have chosen mistreats you as a client. The only remedial course of action is to apply your rights under the appropriate regulations and laws.

Most countries, including Lebanon, have guidelines for forex brokers. As the regulatory body responsible for brokerage firms is the BDL, you can feel pretty confident the rules and regulations are strictly adhered to. As such, you can expect your complaint to be investigated thoroughly. That’s why all the best brokers in Lebanon are BDL regulated.

Why regulated brokers in Lebanon are safer

With so many brokers in Lebanon to choose from, you’re probably wondering why all the best are BDL regulated brokers. To understand the important role of the BDL, we need to examine a bit of broker history.

The trading industry has expanded in a huge way, and nowadays there are a large number of brokers to choose from. Unfortunately, not all brokers are cut from the same cloth. For a minority, the only goal is to take your money. But most are reliable and trustworthy brokers who want to make your trading experience as enjoyable as possible.

Generally, the most reliable and trustworthy brokers will be licensed and regulated by a regulatory body. And this applies wherever you may be in the world. However, the fact a broker is regulated by a regulatory agency is not the be-all and end-all. Regulation is a good starting point, but it’s not enough on its own.

What is the Banque du Liban and its duties?

Banque Du Liban LogoBank of Lebanon, also known as BDL or Banque du Liban, is the central bank of Lebanon. It was created in 1963 and became fully operational the following year. The bank has several functions including the issuance of Lebanon’s currency. It is also responsible for the country’s financial stability, regulating money transfers, and ensuring the integrity of the banking sector.

In Lebanon, the banking sector is possibly a little different than anywhere else in that there are more than 100 different banks. This means the Banque du Liban a very important part of the whole economy. The BDL has some very specific goals including:

  • Safeguarding economic and monetary stability
  • Protecting the reliability of the banking sector
  • Developing financial markets and money
  • Developing and regulating money transfer operations, such as electronic transfers
  • Developing and regulating payment systems and instruments
  • Developing and regulating the clearing and settlement operations of different financial and payment instruments and marketable bonds

The BDL has been given its powers by law, along with the privileges required to fulfill those roles in respect of exchange rate stability. It is able to intervene in the foreign exchange market by buying and selling foreign currencies. It can also control bank liquidity by making adjustments to discount rates, participate in the open markets, and determine credit facilities to banks and financial institutions.

Another thing the BDL is able to do is regulate banks’ credit in respect of volume and types of credit. It does this by imposing a credit ceiling, directing credits for specific purposes or sectors and generally governing credits. BDL regulated brokers are granted a license by the Banque du Liban, as well as banks, money dealers, financial institutions, leading companies, mutual funds, and other types of brokerage firms.

Location and stability

Two important factors to consider are where the regulatory body is based, and the stability of the country. The main reason for opening a trading account is to secure your capital and earn a good return. Your initial capital plus any additional profit will accumulate in the country you have chosen to trade in. Therefore, it’s important to understand the economy and financial situation of said country. There is possibly no worse scenario than waking up one morning and finding the local government has seized all your funds.

Of course, there a number of countries with much stricter regulatory standards. But you should be aware of those which apply to the broker you are choosing. After all, the regulations are generally in place for your benefit, along with a number of other reasons, of course. The stricter the control, the better protection you’ll enjoy.

Making a complaint about a BDL regulated broker

From time-to-time, you will feel aggrieved by a broker. If you feel the matter is serious enough to warrant an official complaint, head to the official BDL website. From here, you’ll find it easy to get in touch via physical letter or telephone.

How to find out if a broker is BDL regulated

If you want to check whether a broker in Lebanon is regulated by the Banque du Liban it is very easy and should take just a few minutes. There is, however, a bit of a drawback if Arabic is not your native language.

There is a list of regulated entities available on the BDL website and it is a simple task to run your finger down the list. If the broker you’re considering doesn’t feature in the list, check whether it is regulated by another regulatory body. If there is nothing which even hints to a license, get in touch with the broker to ask the question “Who are you regulated by?”. If an answer is not forthcoming then give this particular broker a wide berth. If some regulatory details are shared, always spend a few minutes checking the details on the regulatory body’s website.

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