Category: Banking and Finance

Dr. Ranee Jayamaha succeeded Mr. P.M.Nagahawatte, Deputy Governor who retired from the Central Bank on April 18, 2004.This is the first time a lady has been appointed to hold this position of the Bank.Dr. Jayamaha has been in the Bank for 32 years with wide experience in the Economic Research Department, Banking Development Department and […]

National Development Bank (NDB) picked up a 29 per cent stake in its associate company NDB Bank (NBL), as part of its strategy to merge with the commercial banking entity.Fridays acquisition effectively takes NDBs stake in the commercial banking operation to 51.5 per cent and above the 30 per cent takeovers and mergers code threshold.rn […]

The Central Bank left its key short-term rates unchanged on Thursday, but cautioned that a higher than estimated budget deficit, from 6.8 per cent to 7.3 per cent of GDP could pressure the governments borrowing programme.The overnight repurchase rate (repo rate) was kept at 7.00 percent and the reverse repurchase rate (reverse repo) at 8.50 […]

Fitch Ratings upgraded its rating for Bank of Ceylons (BOC) Implied Long-term unsecured Senior Debt to SL AA (S L Double A) from a SL AA- (S L Double A minus), reflecting the State baking giants financial profile over the last couple of years.SL AA long-term rating denotes a very low expectation of credit risk. […]

Life Insurance Corporation of India is planning to offer a 20 percent stake of its local subsidiary to the public soon.LIC India Managing Director told LBR that the company would also be listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange after the IPO.rn rnBoth major shareholders of the company, LIC and the Bartleets Group will reduce their […]

Fitch Ratings Lanka on Tuesday re-affirmed the SL AAA (Triple A) national rating assigned for National Savings Banks implied long-term unsecured senior debt.rnrn SLrnAAA long-term rating denotes a very low expectation of credit risk. The ratingrnindicates a very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.rnThis capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.rn NSBsrnrating […]

Sri Lankas top banks emerged stronger in a year of exceptional performance in 2003.Helped by what the Central Bank calls a lquote heroic attempt at fiscal discipline by the Treasury, SrirnLankas banks have rebounded strongly from the economic crises that hit the country in the laternnineties.rn rnPredictably Commercial Bank led the pack on several key […]

Hatton National Bank is coming out with an Employee Share Ownership Plan to reward staff and give them a sense of partnership.HNBs Chairman/CEO Rienzie T Wijetilleke says around five percent of its issued share capital will be allocated for the ESOP scheme.rn rnThe banks Rs. 715 mn issued share capital comprises of Rs. 550 mn […]

Travel exchange specialist Travelex will scale up operation in Sri Lanka to tap into the potential of the peace fueled growth in tourism.Sri Lanka is part of the firms strategy along with entering the Indian market in Nov.2003, to tap into the US$ 1.5bn travel market in South Asia.rn rnTravelex, a company that caters to […]

Standard Chartered will leverage Commercial Banks nationwide branch network to sustain growth in its credit card business. rnrnThe deal will allow Standard Chartered credit card holders to pay into over 117 Commercial Bank branches along with nine of its own branches. rn rnCredit Card holders with Commercial Bank accounts can also use the Comserv internet […]

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (ICASL) – the countrys auditing standard setting body – is trying to lift the countrys accounting standards a notch higher by embedding Social Responsibility Reporting (SRR) into annual financial reporting.As it is Sri Lanka has one of the strongest legal infrastructure in place when it comes to […]

Hatton National Bank has appointed Rienzie Wijetilleke as new Chairman of the Bank. Wijetilleke will continue as Managing Director.The post fell vacant after former Chairman Chrisantha Cooray passed away recently.rnrn