1953 | Establishment of the bank

The Bank is incorporated as Banque Belgo-Libanaise sal, a partnership between Michel Sehnaoui & Sons, Banque Belge pour l’Etranger and Compagnie Belge de Banque et de Gestion

1969 | SGLEB

Société Générale acquires a 25% stake in Banque Belgo-Libanaise, establishing Société Générale Libano-Européenne de Banque sal (SGLEB).

1991 | Société Générale increases its shareholding

Société Générale purchases the shares of Société Générale de Banque-Bruxelles in Lebanon and Cyprus. Société Générale’s stake in SGLEB rises to 50%.

1996 | Sogelease Liban sal is established

Sogelease Liban sal (financial institution specialized in leasing) is incorporated as a subsidiary of SGLEB.

1999 | Acquisition of Fidus

The Bank acquires a majority stake in Fidus sal, a leading financial institution in Lebanon, that specializes in brokerage, consulting, and portfolio management.

2000 | Regional and domestic growth

SGLEB is the first banking institution in Lebanon to enter the Jordanian market by acquiring a 37.3% stake in the Middle East Investment Bank (MEIB) and taking control of its management.

SGLEB acquires Inaash Bank sal.

Sogecap sal, a subsidiary specialized in life insurance activities, is incorporated.

2001 | SGLEB becomes SGBL

Société Générale Libano-Européenne de Banque sal becomes Société Générale de Banque au Liban sal (SGBL).

The Bank starts an offshore branch in the free zone in Syria.

Centre de Traitement Monétique (CTM), a card processing company, is established by the Bank (50%) and Banque Libano-Française (50%).

2002 | SG Cyprus starts onshore activities

SG Cyprus, the Bank’s sister company, starts operating as an onshore bank.

2003 | Société Générale de Banque – Jordanie

SGBL becomes the majority shareholder of MEIB; the subsidiary’s name becomes Société Générale de Banque – Jordanie (SGBJ).

2006 | Sehnaoui Group raises its share in SGBL

Despite the ongoing strategic partnership binding SGBL to Société Générale, Société Générale France deconsolidates its Lebanese subsidiary’s accounts from Société Générale Group. In this framework, Sehnaoui Group increases its shareholding from 50% to 81%.

2007 | Antoun Sehnaoui is appointed Chairman and CEO

The Bank´s board of directors appoints Antoun Sehnaoui as the new Chairman and CEO of SGBL, following a redistribution of shares among the Sehnaoui family members.

2008 | Closure of the SGBL offshore branch in the free zone in Syria

Closure of the SGBL offshore branch in the free zone in Syria

2009 | Acquisition de Société Générale Cyprus

La SGBL acquiert une part majoritaire dans le capital de Société Générale Cyprus qui devient Société Générale Bank – Cyprus (SGBCy).

2010 | SGBL pursues its regional expansion

In 2009, SGBL acquires a majority stake (57.7%) in Société Générale Cyprus which becomes Société Générale Bank – Cyprus (SGBCy). This stake is raised to 100% in 2010.

In 2010, SGBL raises its stake in SGBJ, its Jordanian subsidiary, to 85%.

2011 | Acquisition of certain assets and liabilities of the Lebanese Canadian Bank (LCB)

SGBL acquires certain assets and liabilities of the Lebanese Canadian Bank, thus strengthening its position among the top rated banks in Lebanon.

This operation is in line with SGBL Group’s development strategy in Lebanon and abroad, and ensures SGBL strong operational synergies, particularly in the interconnection of its network, as well as the complementarity of its products and clients, whether individuals, companies or institutions.

2017 | Liberty International Bank (LIB)

Opening of Liberty International Bank (LIB), the Group’s subsidiary in the financial free zone Abu Dhabi Global Market

2017 | Agreement with KBL European Private Bankers

SGBL signs an agreement with KBL European Private Bankers (KBL epb) concerning the acquisition by SGBL of KBL Richelieu bank in France and KBL bank Monaco.

2018 | Acquisition of Banque Richelieu France, Banque Richelieu Monaco and Richelieu Gestion by SGBL

This group of companies, with an aggregate amount of assets under management of US$ 3.6 billion, is steered by Compagnie Financière Richelieu (fully owned by SGBL) which manages this platform of private banking and asset management.

2018 | Acquisition of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) by SGBJ

Societe Generale de Banque – Jordanie (SGBJ) acquired First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) operating in Jordan under the name of National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) as part of its strategic efforts to expand its operations and clientele, increasing its network to 19 branches and its off-site ATMs to 26.

2019 | Liberty International Bank Limited becomes Banque Richelieu GCC Limited

Liberty International Bank Limited becomes Banque Richelieu GCC Limited.

• 1950 - 19691950 - 1969
• 1970 - 19991970 - 1999
• 2000 - 20092000 - 2009
• 2010 - 20192010 - 2019