![]() | This article is an autobiography or has been extensively edited by the subject or by someone connected to the subject.(April 2025) |
Karim A. Souaid | |
---|---|
Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon | |
Assumed office March 2025 | |
Preceded by | Wassim Mansouri |
Personal details | |
Born | 1964 (age 60–61) Qartaba,Mount Lebanon |
Children | 3 |
Education | St. Joseph University and Harvard Law School |
Occupation | Financial expert,private equity investor |
Karim A. Souaid (born 1964 in Qartaba,Mount Lebanon) is a Lebanese financial expert,private equity investor,and banking governance specialist and,as of March 2025,Lebanon's Central Bank governor.
He was the founder and managing partner of Growthgate Equity Partners,a private equity firm focusing on investments in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the broader MENA region. Souaid is recognized for his opposition to Hezbollah's influence in Lebanon's financial system.
Souaid was born in Qartaba,Mount Lebanon,in 1964. He holds an LL.B. from St. Joseph University (Lebanon) and an LL.M. from Harvard Law School,where he specialized in U.S. banking regulations. His master's thesis focused on the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933,a landmark U.S. law separating commercial banking from speculative investment banking. [1] Souaid also completed executive programs at Harvard Business School in corporate valuation and restructuring. [1] [2]
In 2006,Souaid founded Growthgate Equity Partners,an alternative asset management firm specializing in private investments across the GCC and MENA regions. [1] [3] Under his leadership,Growthgate has established itself as a prominent player in mid-market private equity investments,managing assets worth over $1.7 billion as of 2019. [4] [2]
From 2000 to 2006,Souaid served as managing director of Global Investment Banking at HSBC Bank (Middle East). During this time,he led several high-profile transactions:
Before transitioning to finance,Souaid worked as a corporate finance attorney from 1989 to 1995 in New York City law firms specializing in securities offerings,IPOs,and M&A transactions. [1] [2]
Souaid experience in banking regulations across U.S.,Lebanese,and international frameworks. His work includes advising on Lebanese bank IPOs and compliance with Banque du Liban regulations. He chaired the Audit Committee of an Emirati bank operating in Lebanon,ensuring adherence to Basel III standards and other international regulatory frameworks. His expertise extends to public sector financial transactions,including drafting privatization laws and structuring capital market transactions across the Middle East. [2]
In March 2025,he was appointed Governor of Lebanon's Central Bank following discussions about reforming the country's financial sector. [5] [6] [7] He officially took office on 4 April 2025. [8] His appointment is seen as a step toward combating illicit financing linked to Hezbollah and restoring confidence in Lebanon's banking system. [5] [9] The reform challenges he faces are:
Souaid is married with three children and holds Lebanese citizenship. [15]