Lebanon's Bank Audi said its net profit climbed by 21.4 per cent to $161.4 million in the first half of the year, compared with the same period in 2009. The bank's 2009 H1 net profit was $132.9 million.

Lebanon's banking sector is one of the country's main strengths and strict central bank regulations have let Lebanese banks to escape the brunt of financial crisis, prompting expatriates to transfer funds to Lebanon at an above-average rate last year.-Reuters