Payment methods in Lebanon

Asia

4methods

2banks

Lebanon's banking sector collapsed in 2019, freezing depositors' accounts and triggering a severe crisis of confidence in formal financial institutions.

Market takeaways

Lebanon's banking sector collapsed in 2019, freezing depositors' accounts and triggering a severe crisis of confidence in formal financial institutions.
The Lebanese Pound has suffered extreme hyperinflation; many commercial transactions now occur in US dollars.
E-wallets like Suyool have emerged as practical alternatives, enabling money transfers without relying on frozen bank accounts.
Visa announced Google Pay support for BLOM Bank and BLF cardholders, signalling continued investment in digital payment capability.
Cash on delivery and USD cash payments dominate e-commerce and retail in the absence of reliable electronic payment infrastructure.

Population

~5.5M

Online population

~4.2M

Payment method breakdown

Market data coming soon.

Card scheme breakdown

Market data coming soon.

Cross-border e-commerce

Market data coming soon.

Featured payment methods in Lebanon

All payment methods available in this market, sorted by prominence.

whish.money

whish.money is a Lebanese financial-services and e-wallet provider with a nationwide agent network, supporting online payments, transfers and bill payment. Operator: Whish Money. Est. users: Large network, 900+ branches/agents (2024).

Suyool

Suyool is a Banque du Liban-licensed electronic wallet enabling money transfers to any Lebanese mobile number, cash deposits and withdrawals at over 700 BOB Finance points across Lebanon, bill payments and QR-code merchant payments. Operating outside the frozen banking system, Suyool has become one of the most practical digital financial tools available to Lebanese consumers during the economic crisis.

Suyool Visa card

The Suyool Visa Card is a physical and virtual debit card linked directly to the Suyool e-wallet, enabling cardholders to make in-store and online purchases wherever Visa is accepted. It provides a mechanism for Suyool wallet holders to spend their balance at merchants that require card payments, extending the utility of the wallet ecosystem beyond QR and transfer-based payments.

Google Pay Integration

Visa announced support for Google Pay for cardholders of BLOM Bank and Bank of Lebanon and the Gulf (BLF), reflecting continued development of mobile payment capabilities in Lebanon despite the financial crisis. This integration allows eligible cardholders to make contactless and online payments via Google Pay where accepted, leveraging existing Visa card infrastructure.

Featured banks in Lebanon

All banks operating in this market, sorted by prominence.

Bank Audi Lebanon

Beirut, Lebanon

Bank Audi was Lebanon's largest bank before the 2019 financial crisis. It continues to operate under severe restrictions alongside the deeply distressed banking system.