Category: Banking and Finance

Feb 19, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s The Finance Company Plc’s lost 510 million rupees in the December 2012 quarter up from a loss of 17 million rupees a year earlier, while nine month losses were 1.26 billion rupees, interim accounts showed. The firm reported earnings of 3.18 rupees for the quarter. In the nine […]

Feb 09, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s DFCC Bank group’s fell 15 percent to 795 million rupees in the December 2012 quarter from a year earlier, dragged down by lower fee income, interim accounts showed. A dividend that came from Commercial Bank of Ceylon in which the group has a large stake in the December […]

Feb 08, 2013 (LBO) – An ‘AAA(lka)’ rating of Sri Lanka’s Standard Chartered Bank has been confirmed by Fitch Ratings, with a stable outlook, based on it being part of a lender that has a higher international rating.Fitch says an appeal on a 27 billion rupee fine, which is higher than its equity, imposed by […]

Feb 08, 2013 (LBO) – A 15-strong mob who stormed into a branch of state-run Bank of Ceylon has left two injured, Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry said, calling for extra security for other entities connected to the island.A mob armed with knives, clubs, and iron rods had stormed the Bank of Ceylon branch at Poonamallee […]

Feb 06, 2013 (LBO) – HSBC has appointed Patrick Gallagher as chief executive for Sri Lanka and Maldives replacing Nick Nicolaou. The new appointment will take effect from April 30, 2013, subject to regulatory approval, the firm said in a statement. Martin Tricaud, currently managing director, global head of multinationals, global banking and markets, will […]

Feb 06, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Seylan Bank said it will sell up to 2.0 billion rupees in 5-year debt unsecured debt yielding as much as 15.5 percent a year, which will be free of withholding tax under new budget proposals. The bank is selling unsecured, subordinated debt which can be used to boost […]

Feb 05, 2013 (LBO) – International Finance Corporation, a unit of the World Bank has injected 75 million US dollars (9.6 billion rupees) as a subordinated loan to Commercial Bank of Ceylon which will boost its debt capital. The money will come as a 10 year loan from IFC Capitalization Fund, an asset management company […]

Jan 02, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Credit Information Bureau (CRIB) and World Bank arm International Finance Corporation is boosting credit access to small businesses by making it easier to offer movable assets as collateral. “This initiative will make it easier for small businesses and entrepreneurs with few fixed assets to obtain the financing they […]

Feb 01, 2013 (LBO) – Profits at Sri Lanka’s People’s Leasing and Finance, the country’s largest non-bank lender fell 35.8 percent to 534 million rupees in the December 2012 quarter from a year earlier interim accounts show. Deposits from customers rose 42 percent to 12.3 billion rupees. The group reported earnings of 32 cents per […]

January 31, 2012 (LBO) – Rising banking system leverage in Asia-Pacific is increasing rating pressure for banks in the region, Fitch Ratings said. Strong credit growth across the region, particularly in China, is driving the region’s credit-to-GDP up towards its 1998-1999 peak. Credit growth in APAC has accelerated since 2007 due to underlying economic growth […]

Jan 19, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Vallibel Finance Ltd has been rated ‘BB+’ with a stable outlook by RAM Ratings Lanka. “Vallibel’s ratings are moderated by the increasing trend in new non-performing loans (NPLs) in recent times, coupled with its unseasoned loan portfolio, given aggressive loan Growth,” RAM Ratings Lanka said. “The ratings are, […]

Jan 16, 2013 (LBO) – Razik Zarook a lawyer and a former chairman the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment, has assumed duties as chairman of state-run Bank of Ceylon, Sri Lanka’s largest commercial lender by assets.Zarook had enrolled in the Bar in 1969 and had run the CWE under then trade and shipping minister Lalith Athulathmudali, Bank […]