Category: Banking and Finance

HSBC became the only foreign bank to have its own primary dealer operation when the bank invested Rs.150 mn to start one.rn rnBank officials say starting a primary dealer was logical as the bank otherwise had to go through other dealers to access the primary market.rn rnHSBC also says the license will help them offer […]

A new law aims to hold ministers responsible for meeting performance targets while keeping spending under control.rn rnThe proposed Economic Management Law will require ministers to submit annual and quarterly accounts on time. Violators of the law will have their funding cut in the latest government effort to curtail spending and hold legislators responsible for […]

The Central Bank has reported Pramuka Bank quote s alleged financial irregularities to the CID, Bribery Commission and Labour Dept., while the Attorney General quote s Dept filed charges against the bank quote s key officials on Friday.rn rnActing on the tip of alleged fraudulent activities, the Criminal Investigation Dept. swooped down on Pramuka Savings […]

Sri Lanka quote s smaller banks are intensifying their efforts to attract investors following the Pramuka affair.rn rnNon endash performing loans are affecting smaller banks more than the bigger banks.rn rnMarket speculation was high on Thursday that Sampath Bank may be involved in a possible deal to strengthen Union Bank.rn rnThe exact role to be […]

Pramuka Savings & Development Bank plans to set up a special internal audit team, after its Chairman Rohan Perera stepped down following a Board Meeting late Tuesday.rn rnThe board has appointed existing Director Udaya Nanayakkara as Chairman, but it is not clear whether Mr. Perera remains as President and CEO of the bank troubled bank.rn […]

Businessmen Rajah Mahendra Nanayakkara and his company Ishara Traders has acquired controlling stake of Lanka Orix Leasing Co.(LOLC) at the close of a voluntary offer.rn rnRegistrars to the offer SSP Corporate Services said Nanayakkara has bought up a further 23.35 percent from Powick Finance Ltd.at Rs. 52 per share. Ishara Traders now control a little […]

The Seylan Merchant Bank (SMB) Group has reported a healthy growth in profits for the nine months ending September 30, 2002, compared to the corresponding period of last year. rnrnIn results released this week, the SMB group reported a pre-tax profit of Rs 7.1 million, a growth of 116 percent compared to the loss of […]

State-run Bank of Ceylon has opted to wind up two of its less profitable overseas branches as part of a strategy to concentrate on core business.rn rnOperations in Kathmandu were closed down recently, while the Karachchi office will cease early next year, top officials said.rn rnHowever, Bank of Ceylon will continue its presence in the […]

The Technical Evaluation Committee under the cabinet appointed tender board quote s supervision has begun evaluating final bids for the Sri Lanka Insurance Corp.sale, PERC said Monday.rn rnThe government plans to dispose 90 percent of its stake in the insurance giant later this month.rn rnThe competitive sales process for SLIC began in July, but the […]

The banking sector is planning to pass down a 10 percent Value Added Tax imposed on it from next year.rn rnLending rates are expected to go up proportionately when the tax is charged on the net profit and employee related expenditure. rn rnBut, the question troubling most borrowers is how much additional interest will they […]

The race to grab the lion quote s share of Sri Lanka Insurance Corp. has narrowed down further with just three firms sending their financial and technical bids.rn rnSources close to the deal said that Janashakthi Insurance Ltd., Commercial Bank/DFCC Bank consortium and Aitken Spence/Stassens/Distilleries Corp. consortium had sent in their proposals when bids closed […]

Central Bank has recommended the strengthening of foreclosure laws to fix the bad debt problems in local banks.rn rnParate laws, which allow banks to auction off properties pledged against loans are to be strengthened.rn rnThe scope of the Parate laws will also be extended to cover finance companies and specialised banks.rn rnThe amendments to the […]