Salim Sfeir

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Salim Sfeir
EducationUniversité de Montréal
University of Detroit
OccupationsBanker, financier
FatherGeorges Salim Sfeir
RelativesArchbishop Pietro Sfair (great uncle) Cardinal Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir (cousin)

Salim Georges Sfeir is a Lebanese – Swiss banker and financier. He is the chairman and Chief Executive of Bank of Beirut S.A.L in Beirut, Lebanon since 1993 and the chairman of Association of Banks in Lebanon since June 29, 2019.[1]

Early life and education

Salim Sfeir was raised in Beirut. He received his B.S.S. degree in economics from the Université de Montréal and his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Detroit Mercy.[2] As an educator, Sfeir lectured at Lebanese University, Beirut University College, Haigazian College, l’Université Saint-Joseph and Le Centre d’études bancaires.

In the years to follow, he was appointed trustee on the board of directors of the Lebanese American University (LAU), Beirut and Byblos; vice-chairman of the board of trustees of the University of the Holy Spirit (USEK);[2] member of the board of trustees AMIDEAST; and vice-chairman of the American Friends of the Middle East, Beirut.

Sfeir has been associated with the newly commissioned Salim Sfeir Building at the School of Business Administration at USEK, the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, being awarded an honorary degree at USEK.[3]

Career

Sfeir began his career in finance with the Bank of Nova Scotia. (Years later he would acquire the Bank of Nova Scotia branch in London.) By 1980, he had joined Bankmed in Beirut as Deputy General Manager. Three years later, he formed Wedge Bank (Middle East) as General Manager, and in 1987 launched Wedge Bank Switzerland as Chief Executive and vice chairman.[4][5]

In 1992, a group of businessmen headed by Sfeir purchased Bank of Beirut. Sfeir would later become the Chairman-General Manager. Following the purchase, the bank expanded from five branches within Lebanon to nine countries on four continents.[6]

In 2014, alongside Bechara Boutros Al Rahi, the patriarch of the Maronite Church, Sfeir founded the World Maronite Foundation for Integral Development, a philanthropic organisation that aims to promote development in Lebanon.[7][8]

In 2019, Sfeir was unanimously elected as chairman of the Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL). He was reelected for three additional mandates in 2021, 2023 and 2025. [9]

Sfeir was the subject of protests in 2023, when the Lebanese pound crashed amid the Lebanese liquidity crisis. Protestors tried to gain access to his home, as they accused banks of obstructing economic reforms.[10]

Honours and awards

Sfeir has been recognized through many honors internationally, including:

See also

References

  1. "Salim Sfeir slated to chair Association of Banks".
  2. "Dr. Salim Sfeir". Holy Spirit University of Kaslik.
  3. "Salim Sfeir, docteur honoris causa de l'USEK". L'Orient le Jour. 16 April 2014.
  4. "People: Bank of Beirut SAL (BOB.BY)". Reuters UK. Archived from the original on 2019-03-27.
  5. "Salim Sfeir chairman/CEO, Bank Of Beirut". Bloomberg.
  6. "BoB in 9 countries and 4 continents". Bank of Beirut.
  7. "About us". World Patriarchal Maronite Foundation for Integral Development. Retrieved 2026-04-16.
  8. "World Patriarchal Maronite Foundation Fundraising Dinner". The Middle East Times. 2015-07-21. Retrieved 2026-04-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. "Salim Sfeir réélu à la tête de l'Association des Banques du Liban". 29 June 2021.
  10. Chehayeb, Kareem (2023-02-16). "Protesters in Beirut smash banks as Lebanese pound spirals". Associated Press.
  11. "Inauguration de la Bibliothèque Salim Sfeir pour le patrimoine maronite à Rome". L'Orient le Jour. 14 February 2017.
  12. "El Rai Honors Sfeir with Medal of Saint Maron". Association of Banks in Lebanon. 15 December 2011. Archived from the original on 2019-03-27.
  13. "LAU announces its 2017 commencement honorary degree recipients". Lebanese American University. 29 May 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  14. "The Pope bestowed upon Dr.Sfeir". Lebanese Forces. 2 March 2016.
  15. "Patriarch RAÏ awards Salim Sfeir the Medal of the Maronite Patriarchate". Association of Banks In Lebanon. Archived from the original on 2019-03-27. Retrieved 27 March 2019.