BEIRUT: Central Bank statistics show that the consolidated balance sheet of financial institutions in Lebanon reached $1.135 billion at end-May 2012, up by 3.5 percent from $1.096 billion at end-May 2011. Liabilities to the private sector went slightly down by 0.4 percent, from $284.9 million at end-May 2011 to $283.8 million at end-May 2012. Liabilities to the financial sector increased by 5.7 percent, from $433.4 million at end-May 2011 to $457.9 million at end-May 2012. The aggregate equity capital of financial institutions reached $318.5 million at end-May 2012, growing by 18.8 percent from $268 million a year earlier. On the assets’ side, financial institutions’ cash and banks item reached $426.3 million at end-May 2012, up by 10 percent from $387.5 million at end-May 2011. Claims on the private sector amounted to $575.6 million at end-May 2012, down by 0.4 percent from $578.2 million a year earlier.