Category: Banking and Finance

Hatton National Bank says its shares are under-priced by the market.Hatton National Bank says its shares are under-priced by the market. This week it called an analysts conference to show that its shares are worth more than the levels reflected in the current prices. This has led to speculation that the bank could be heading […]

People’s Bank is likely to get a government capital injection via a convertible bond issue.People’s Bank is likely to get a government capital injection via a convertible bond issue. With private capital ruled out due to the policy of the current government, the Strategic Enterprise Management Agency (SEMA) has to look for other means to […]

The Department of Exchange control has imposed heavy penalties on violators of exchange control regulations.The Department of Exchange control has imposed heavy penalties on violators of exchange control regulations. The persons are believed to have helped send dollar abroad for third parties to participate in the controversial Gold Quest network marketing scheme. The highest fine […]

Conglomerate John Keells Holdings (JKH) regained its triple A status following two-year break, after clocking in impressive earnings and boosting its share capital.Conglomerate John Keells Holdings (JKH) regained its triple A status following two-year break, after clocking in impressive earnings and boosting its share capital. The premier bluechip has diversified interest in tourism, real estate, […]

Forty two year old leasing specialist Industrial Finance Ltd is coming out with a rights issue to up capital.Forty two year old leasing specialist Industrial Finance Ltd is coming out with a rights issue to up capital. The privately held company’s core capital stands at Rs.40 mn – just Rs. 10 mn short of Central […]

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has raised US$ 35 mn through a syndicated loan arranged by Standard Chartered Bank Colombo at slightly lower rate than the Sri Lankan government.Commercial Bank of Ceylon has raised US$ 35 mn through a syndicated loan arranged by Standard Chartered Bank Colombo at slightly lower rate than the Sri Lankan government. […]

Edirisinghe Trust Investments an EAP Group company relaunched its services Wednesday, venturing into the leasing business.Edirisinghe Trust Investments an EAP Group company relaunched its services Wednesday, venturing into the leasing business. ETI, a strong player in the pawning business for over 35 years, said its leasing business was only the beginning of its stride into […]

The Central Bank has opened a special bank account for Pramuka Bank’s customers to repay their loans, and issued a tough warning to willful defaulters. The Central Bank has opened a special bank account for Pramuka Bank’s customers to repay their loans, and issued a tough warning to willful defaulters. Process to liquidate Pramuka Savings […]

Sri Lanka is banking on Saudi Arabia’s tacit support to secure concessions from an upcoming OPEC Fund meeting.Sri Lanka is banking on Saudi Arabia’s tacit support to secure concessions from an upcoming OPEC Fund meeting. Saudi Arabia has been a long standing friend, says Finance Minister Dr.Sarath Amunugama and they have promised to ‘put in […]

The opposition is blaming bad economic policies for rapid price rises.The opposition is blaming bad economic policies for rapid price rises. The Treasury has made several attempts to correct macro-economic imbalances, but it has been thwarted by its own coalition partners in some cases. The Treasury has at last corrected fuel prices, preventing the build […]

Ten years ago bankers focused on decentralizing their operations.Ten years ago bankers focused on decentralizing their operations. But now technology and customer demands are driving the industry to pay more attention on centralizing their business operations. “Now the trend is towards centralization. Most of the banks in Colombo are also for that kind of thing,” […]

Government is reviving plans to use a controversial United States offer to find money for forest conservation.Government is reviving plans to use a controversial United States offer to find money for forest conservation. The Tropical Rainforest Act allows countries, which owe money to the US treasury to channel a part of it to a conservation […]