Salim Sfeir
Salim Georges Sfeir | |
|---|---|
| Born | Beirut, Lebanon |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, financial expert |
| Known for | Chairman and CEO of Bank of Beirut S.A.L; Chairman of the Association of Banks in Lebanon |
Salim Georges Sfeir is a prominent Lebanese–Swiss banker and financial expert, holding the positions of chairman and CEO at Bank of Beirut S.A.L since 1993. Additionally, he has led the Association of Banks in Lebanon as its chairman since June 29, 2019.
Early life and education
Born and raised in Beirut, Sfeir completed a Bachelor of Social Science in economics at the Université de Montréal and later obtained an MBA from the University of Detroit Mercy. He has contributed as a lecturer at various academic institutions in Lebanon, such as Lebanese University, Beirut University College, Haigazian College, l’Université Saint-Joseph, and Le Centre d’études bancaires.
He holds trustee positions at both the Lebanese American University (LAU) and the University of the Holy Spirit (USEK), where he serves as vice-chairman on the board of trustees. Furthermore, he is a board member of AMIDEAST and acts as vice-chairman for the American Friends of the Middle East based in Beirut.
The School of Business Administration at USEK honors him through the naming of the Salim Sfeir Building. He has been awarded honorary doctorates from USEK as well as from the American University of Science and Technology (AUST).
Career
Sfeir’s professional journey in finance began with the Bank of Nova Scotia, where he eventually acquired its London operations. By 1980, he had taken on the role of Deputy General Manager at Bankmed in Beirut. In 1983, he founded Wedge Bank (Middle East), serving as its General Manager, and later established Wedge Bank Switzerland in 1987, assuming duties as CEO and vice chairman.
A significant milestone was achieved in 1993 when he led a management buy-in of Bank of Beirut, which subsequently expanded its presence to nine countries spanning four continents.
Together with His Beatitude Bechara Boutros Al Rahi, patriarch of the Maronite Church, Sfeir co-founded the World Maronite Foundation for Integral Development, aimed at rallying financial support from Lebanese citizens and expatriates worldwide.
In 2019, he was unanimously chosen to chair the Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL), a role he retained through reelections in both 2021 and 2023.
Honours and awards
Among his many international accolades are:
- The inauguration ceremony for the Library at the Pontifical Maronite College in Rome
- The Medal of Saint Maroun bestowed by Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros El Rai
- An Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters Honoris Causa awarded by Lebanese American University
- Appointment as Knight Commander in the Pontifical Order of Pope Saint Sylvester
- The National Order of the Cedar Medal presented by President Michel Suleiman
- The Medal from the Maronite Patriarchate conferred by the Maronite Patriarch of Antioch