Sahara Bank, Libya's fourth-largest lender by asset size, recorded a profit in the final quarter of 2012.

The Central Bank of Libya (CBL) says it will accept applications for new Islamic banks from late April, and suggests the state will provide support for losses made on existing non-Islamic loans.

Libya's foreign exchange reserves rose to LD118bn ($94bn) at the end of 2012.

There was a flurry of interest in Gumhouria Bank shares last Thursday, producing the biggest one-day trading volume since the bourse reopened a year ago.

The US-based currency transfer service says it experienced strong growth last year, with Egypt the single-largest destination for remittances sent from Libya.

The Central Bank of Libya (CBL) plans to take the old LD20 ($16) banknote out of circulation by the end of July.

At its recent annual general meeting, the Bank of Commerce and Development (BCD) agreed to amend several of its statutes to be in line with new legislation on Islamic banking.

Libya's largest lender has opened several new Islamic bank branches.

The Central Bank has levied small fines on Aman Bank and National Commercial Bank (NCB) for breaching regulations.

The Central Bank of Libya (CBL) has denied reports that it refused a request by the National Bank of Egypt to operate in Libya.

A new LD20 ($16) banknote is to come into circulation from the end of March, says the Central Bank.

Libya's General National Congress (GNC) has voted to approve the 2013 budget of LD66.9bn ($53.5bn) after making several amendments, says the state news agency.

A representative from Grant Thornton has held meetings with Libya's General Authority for Privatisation and Investment Promotion.

The Central Bank of Libya has issued a statement denying that a stake in the National Commercial Bank (NCB) may be sold to the Bahrain-based Arab Banking Corporation (ABC).

Sadeeq al-Kabir, the governor of the Central Bank of Libya (CBL), has met representatives of Sahara Bank employees who have been protesting to demand management changes.