Established in 1959, the Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL) is a professional industry association. Its key mission is to effectively promote the interests and public image of the Lebanese banking sector. It has been a leading contributor to public policies debates and legislation, in particular those related to the financial sector. In addition, it plays a crucial role as coordinator among banks on common issues regarding standards, procedures, technology, etc.

ABL responsibilities also include assisting banks and their employees, in negotiating and concluding a collective labor agreement, and resolving any problems which may arise from its implementation.

Under the leadership of an elected Board of Directors, ABL accomplishes its goals through the hard work of its professional staff, organized under a Secretariat General, and the co-operative efforts of banks’ representatives in Advisory Committees.

The support services provided to ABL members have grown over the years to include among other things:
- Advocacy & representation in public policy forums,
- Information dissemination to all interested private and public sector entities, domestic and foreign,
- Research & statistics on financial and economic issues, and
- Training & development of the banking sector’s human capital.

The Lebanese Banking sector currently employs more than 19794 individuals (end 2009) in 902 branches (end 2009) conveniently spread throughout the country, and manages the equivalent of USD 115 billion (end 2009) in assets nation-wide. ABL counts as at today 64 Banks’ Members and 6 Representative Offices of Foreign Banks. Foreign representation is important and considerable and it is either in the form of a foreign bank maintaining branches in Lebanon (9 banks) or equity stakes in several local banks. 10 foreign banks have also a representation office in Lebanon.