Pocket Banking

Celltel subscribers who bank with Sampath Bank can virtually carry their bank in their pockets, through an innovative SMS-based facility launched this week.Cell Banking SMS is an advanced, secure mobile communications link provided to all Celltel GSM users jointly by Celltel and Sampath Bank, to provide an instant real-time transaction facility that can be activated […]

Who Is The Winner?

A consortium of state institutions led by the Bank of Ceylon (BoC) has expressed interest in taking over undercapitalised Peoples Bank. The National Savings Bank (NSB) and the Employees Trust Fund (ETF) together with BoC have expressed interest in Peoples Bank according to highly placed sources.rn rnConglomerate John Keells Holdings is also said to be […]

EPF, ETF Merger

The two state pension funds, the EPF and the ETF are going to be merged next year in a bid to draw on synergies between the two.A consultant is expected to be appointed by the end of this month to look at how best to merge the funds that together will manage over Rs.320 bn.rn […]

Magic Touch

Rising IT superstar, Millennium IT is heading for a US$ 5 mn net profit this year, after clinching top clients for its innovative line of products.The firm is hoping to make its Nasdaq debut by 2006, but is also keen to list on the Bombay Stock Exchange.rn rnMillennium Information Technologies (MIT) designs and develops capital […]

Big Brothers Help

MERC Bank is hoping to expand its loan book by leveraging on DFCC Banks balance sheet.DFCC Bank, which acquired a 90 percent slice in the trouble MERC Bank for Rs.600 mn, says they can recoup their investment within the next 18 months.rn rnldblquote We are looking at MERC increasing its loan book by about three […]

On Target

NDB Banks post tax profits surged 46 percent for the first six months of 2003 and said it was on target to merge with National Development Bank (NDB) by the end of this year.rnrnrnrnrnrnFinancial Highlights for the six months ending June 30rnrnrnrnrn The long-awaited mergerrnwith its parent NDB is now awaiting a firm nod from […]

True Profits

Rising profits from ground handling and an accounting policy change helped SriLankan Airlines buck the international trend to report a Rs. 2.1 bn (US $ 21mn) group profit for the financial year ending March 2003, but its air transport operations are still in the red.rnrnrnrnrnrn2003rnrnrnrnrn Withoutrnthe profits of its catering subsidiary, the airline on its […]

Safe Bet

Nations Trust Bank has secured a SL A- national rating from Fitch Ratings Lanka for its long-term unsecured senior debt.SL A- long-term rating denotes a low expectation of credit risk.The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered strong. rn rnThis capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic […]

Making It Work

rnrnrnrnrnrnNew Page 1rnrnrnrnrn Sources said Bank of Ceylon,rnNSB, Commercial Bank and John Keells Holdings are keen to invest.rn The government is currentlyrnlooking at disposing its entire stake in Peoples Bank as a single unit, asrnagainst the earlier decision of splitting it into three units.rn However, Peoples Banksrnheavy Non-Performing Loans (NPL) portfolio would be transferred into […]

Index Link

The treasury of Sri Lankas first development bank snapped up bulk of a two index linked commercial paper issues this week, betting that the stock market would not move up in the next three months.The two Rs. 50 mn issues by LOLC and Mercantile Leasing closed Tuesday, when the All Share Price Index (ASPI) of […]

Revenue Options

The Accounting Watchdog plans to charge a cess from firms it audits accounts, beginning next year.rnrnrnrnrnrnNew Page 1rnrnrnrnrn Plansrnare also underway to direct auditors to ensure firms doing over Rs. 5 mn sales arnyear, file their accounts with the regulator.rn ThernSri Lanka Accounting & Auditing Standards Monitoring Board (SLAAMB) Act,rnsays the watchdog can run on […]

Skyward Mobility

SriLankan Airlines tied mobile usage to its frequent flyer rewards programme endash Skywards, tying up with local mobile operator Dialog GSM. The partnership will offer Skywards members reduced rentals and free services along with other special privileges in using the mobile network including frequent flyer miles calculated on the total spend.rn rnSriLankan officials say the […]

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