Category: Banking and Finance
Commercial Bank wins 19th global finance ‘Best Bank in Sri Lanka’ award
(PRESS RELEASE) The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has been adjudged Sri Lanka’s Best Bank in 2019 by the USA-based Global Finance magazine, giving the Bank its 19th such accolade from this entity alone. Global Finance’s just released list of ‘Best Banks in Asia Pacific 2019’ names Commercial Bank in a pantheon of banking giants of […]
‘s EXIM Bank for Central Expressway
Mar 22, 2019 (LBO) – The Export- Import Bank of China (EXIM Bank) has agreed to provide a concessional loan amounting to US 989 million dollars covering 85 percent of the contract price, for the Central Expressway Project – Section 1 from Kadawatha to Meerigama. The loan is the single largest loan approved by the […]
Sri Lankan Banks manage capital impact of SLFRS 9
Mar 22, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lankan banks have been able to manage the capital impact of first-time adoption of SLFRS 9 accounting standards, in line with our expectations, due to capital infusions ahead of full implementation of Basel III, satisfactory profitability buffers and the four-year phasing-in period, Fitch Ratings says. Sri Lanka adopted SLFRS 9 […]
Dispute avoidance in construction contracts a must in developing countries
Mar 22, 2019 (LBO) – Standing dispute adjudication boards in construction projects should seriously practice their role in dispute avoidance in contracts,Malith Mendis, country representative of the Dispute Resolution Board Foundation said. They should encourage open communication between the parties at meetings and should request that senior off-site personnel from both the employer and the contractor […]
‘s NBFIs pressured by weak economic growth and vehicle sales
Mar 21, 2019 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings expects Sri Lankan non-banking financial institutions (NBFI) to continue to face pressure on asset quality and profitability in the medium term. The ratings agency says a slowdown in Sri Lanka’s economic activities and lacklustre growth in the sector’s core vehicle-financing segment continue to weigh on NBFI’s financial profiles. […]
Opinion: Evolving trends in banking that enhances customer experience
Mar 19, 2019 (LBO) – Envisioning the future of banking convenience Seylan Bank’s Deputy General Manager- Retail Banking, Tilan Wijeyesekera discusses the evolving trends in banking that enhances customer experience Tilan currently leads Retail Credit, Digital Banking, Personal loans, Housing loans, Card centre, Marketing, Sales, Pawning, Service quality and Call Centre and Bancassurance departments at Seylan […]
President to launch National Action Plan for combating bribery and corruption today
Mar 18, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena will launch a National Action Plan for combating bribery and corruption, Monday. Four handbooks will also be released alongside the launch which will explore the factors that would shape the course of combating bribery and corruption in the nation. The handbooks are: draft proposal on gift […]
‘s banks aggressively raising capital without adequate disclosure?
March 17, 2019 (LBO) – Banking institutions over the last few months seem to be making an aggressive push to raise capital through rights and debenture issues. Almost all banks in Sri Lanka are in the midst of some capital raising exercise. LBO has reported extensively on the subject of rights issues in the following […]
Sri Lanka reserves at USD 6.9Bn at end 2018: Trade deficit declined
Mar 14, 2019 (LBO) – The trade deficit declined significantly in December 2018 (year-on-year) with a notable deceleration in import expenditure, data shows. Exports grew by 1.4 percent while imports fell by 15.3 percent in December 2018 (year-on-year), the Central Bank of Sri Lanka said. Total exports of goods grew by 4.7 per cent in 2018 […]
SL fiscal consolidation plans challenging without policy effectiveness and faster growth
Mar 12, 2019 (LBO) – Achieving Sri Lanka’s deficit and debt targets will be challenging without a significant increase in fiscal policy effectiveness and faster Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, a rating agency said in a statement. ‘Sri Lanka’s ambitious fiscal consolidation targets – when the country has not had a fiscal deficit below 5.0 […]
Budget 2019 will empower people and nurture poor: Fin Min
Mar 05, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Budget – 2019 will focuses on Enterprise Sri Lanka empowering the people and nurturing the poor, the Finance Ministry said. Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera will present the Government’s delayed Budget for 2019, today. The Finance Ministry has outlining its targets said it plans to increase public revenue to 17 […]
‘s Basel III sub debt final A(lka)
Feb 28, 2019 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings has assigned National Development Bank’s proposed Basel III-compliant subordinated debentures a final National Long-Term Rating of ‘A(lka)’. The notes, which total up to 6.5 billion rupees with maturities of five years, include a non-viability clause and qualify as regulatory Tier II capital for the bank. The bank plans to […]