Lebanon&#39;s central bank reviewing money transfers by public figures

Commercial banks in Lebanon have been ordered to review forex transfers by "politically exposed" people during the anti-government protests between 17 October and 31 December, 2019. The memo, issued by the Lebanese central bank's anti-money laundering division, also calls for any suspicious activity to be reported.

BEIRUT, Jan 16 (Reuters) - The Lebanese central bank has asked commercial banks to review transfers abroad by politically exposed people between Oct. 17 and Dec. 31, when anti-government protests led banks to block transfers out of the country, according to a circular obtained by Reuters on Thursday.

A Jan. 9 circular from the central bank's anti-money laundering unit asked banks to identify the source of funds deposited in such these accounts and to report any suspicious activity on the account.

The circular asked the banks to comply by Jan. 31.

(Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Samia Nakhoul)