If the creation of the Audi-Saradar Banking Group was the banking event of 2004, BLC Bank is the bank that has arguably made the most progress in 2005. In economic terms, the role of BLC Bank might be as remarkable or unremarkable as that of any other Lebanese bank of similar size in the sector, in which it ranked 12th by total assets and, with customer deposits of $1.52 billion at year-end 2004, rating highly in what is lately considered the Beta Group of banks (deposits between $500 million and $2 billion). At such a ranking and size, a player is significant enough by the proportions of the domestic economy but would make for not much more than a wallflower in the dancehalls of regional and international finance. Furthermore, BLC’s growth prospects are not obviously apparent, while, if the truth be told, the fate of BLC Bank is still undecided
