Central Bank statistics showed that the consolidated balance sheet of financial institutions in Lebanon reached $1.1079 billion at end-March 2012, up by 6 percent from $1.0456 billion at end-March 2011. Liabilities to the private sector went down by 5.9 percent, from $277.6 million at end-March 2011 to $261.2 million at end-March 2012. Liabilities to the financial sector increased by 15.6 percent, from $394.9 million at end-March 2011 to $456.6 million at end-March 2012. The aggregate equity capital of financial institutions reached $320.1 million at end-March 2012, up by 20.8 percent from $265.0 million a year earlier. On the assets’ side, financial institutions’ cash and banks item reached $413.7 million at end-March 2012, up by 15.1 percent from $359.3 million at end-March 2011. By The Daily Star