Category: Banking and Finance
Mark Up
Sate insurance giant Sri Lanka Insurance Corp. (SLIC) posted a provisional Rs. 753 mn profit for 2002, despite rising reinsurance premiums.Net earnings in 2001 were Rs. 1.16 bn, an unusual year when it booked heavy investment income of Rs. 700 mn. rn rnThe company earmarked for privatisation next month said its premium income grew by […]
Green Talk
The International Finance Corp (IFC) has offered a US$ 10 mn term loan facility to strengthen Commercial Banks lending portfolio.ldblquote We are finalising the terms and conditions, and the funds will go towards our medium-term dollar loans and other foreign currency lending facilities, dblquote Commercial Banks DGM, Ranjith Samaranayake told LBO. rn rnSri Lankas largest […]
Fresh Notes
Capitalising on recent budget initiatives, Nextventures Ltd, is seeking Rs. 300 mn through a private placement to start a new fund.Nextventures Fund One (Pvt) Ltd is a close-ended fund with a five-year life period.rn rnThe fund will mainly invest in lquote knowledge and technology based companies like software, e-commerce, networking, wireless, Internet infrastructure and so […]
Safe Hands
Commercial Bank of Ceylon has floated a share ownership trust called Jaycey Trust Services to acquire and hold shares on behalf of its employees.In a statement to the Colombo Stock Exchange, the bank said SEC rubber stamped the deal last week to buyback 5 percent of its shares held by Sri Lanka Insurance Corp at […]
Profits Mirage
Peoples Bank reported a billion rupee in profits last year, the largest in its history.The bank has managed to now cut in half its negative net worth over the last two years.rn rnBut top management in an exclusive interview warned that profit numbers were not entirely due to an improvement in the banks performance.rn rnldblquote […]
Citibank First
Citibank became the only foreign bank to get a credit rating on the local scale when they made public their AAA rating. The bank says the rating obtained for franchise reasons will also be useful if the government makes it mandatory for commercial banks to make public their credit ratings.rn rnldblquote It is still not […]
Independent Opinion
Commercial Bank plans to tap the market for Rs. 4 bn with the backing of an issue rating from Fitch.The bank already has an AA+ rating for its senior debt.rn rnCommercial Bank says the issue rating which could be a notch lower than its senior debt rating will be made public.rn rnldblquote Whatever the rating, […]
On The Edge
Peoples Bank is waiting for a fresh lquote letter of comfort from the Treasury to sign off its 2002 financial statements.The Treasury last issued the letter on April 3 2002, but subsequently withdrew it, with the hope of finding fresh investors for Peoples Bank.rn rnThe bank has halved its Rs. 6 bn negative networth, after […]
Last Round
A top IFC official who is on a routine visit to Sri Lanka, signed the deal this evening.rn rnUnder the agreement, IFCs will be represented on Commercial Banks board by a single board seat.rn rnCommercial Bank will also buy back 5 percent of its shares held by SLIC to start an employee share trust.rn rnBoth […]
Riding High
Citibank NA Sri Lanka branch topped the honours list by securing a SL AAA (Triple A) national rating from Fitch Ratings Lank for its implied unsecured senior debt.This is the first time a local bank has secured a Triple A rating from Fitch Ratings Lanka (FRL).rn rnldblquote A Triple A rating means we are resilient […]
High Jump
Commercial Bank of Ceylon Ltd on Wednesday notched a 25 percent profit growth and said it was taking a bold step to move towards triple bottomline reporting.Sri Lankas most profitable private bank said its turnover topped Rs. 8.1 bn, and post tax profits clocked in Rs. 1.3 bn during the period under review.rn rnldblquote We […]
Hurry up
Pramuka Bank Stakeholders Association is urging Central Bank to quickly give the information required by Janashakthi Capital for their restructure proposal, before the firm loses interest.ldblquote The more the Central Bank delays, the more difficult it will be to do anything, dblquote says Stakeholders Association President Sunimal Dabrera. ldblquote These people may also lose interest. […]
