Category: Banking and Finance

WASHINGTON, September 16, 2013 (AFP) – The World Bank must be more selective and flexible in its work as its faces rising financial constraints and challenges from rivals, according to an internal strategy document seen Monday.The choices include greater risk-taking, cutting back on bureaucracy and adapting commercial-like work with the private sector, moves which would […]

Sept 13, 2013 (LBO) – A ‘AAA(lka)’ rating of Sri Lanka’s Dialog Axiata has been confirmed by Fitch Ratings with a stable outlook.“Dialog’s rating reflects Fitch’s expectations that its 83 percent-parent, Axiata Group Berhad of Malaysia (Axiata), is likely to provide support if required, given operational and strategic linkages between the companies,” the rating agency […]

Sept 12, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state-run Bank of Ceylon will sell 8.0 billion rupees of junior debt to boost regulatory capital. Fitch Ratings said it had given the debt an ‘AA(lka)’ expected rating. The bond is rated one notch below Bank of Ceylon’s national rating of ‘AA+(lka)’ because as regulatory Tier II debt […]

Sept 10, 2013 (LBO) – Bad loans rose across Sri Lanka’s listed banks as economic conditions weakened and defaults in gold loans took their toll, but capital remained strong, and loan to deposit ratios were narrowing, an equities research report said.A report by CAL Research said gross NPL ratios of banks had risen 72 basis […]

Sept 06, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s main opposition has warned that several finance companies are taking public deposits without meeting minimum statutory requirements, saying action was needed prevent disasters. “It is well known to the regulators and financial analysts that several finance companies who are still taking public deposits are on the verge of […]

Sept 04, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Sampath Bank is planning a branch in Myanmar and is expecting 20 percent credit growth this year despite tighter economic conditions, a top official said. “Our intention is to have a presence overseas,” managing director Aravinda Perera said. “We are looking at Myanmar.” The bank already has a […]

Sep 02, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s commercial bank credit to private borrowers hit a 10 months high in July after a reserve ratio cut, while credit to state and state enterprises also surged, official data shows.Only the April fiscal data has so far been released. State cash flow gaps however can also occur due […]

Aug 27, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Nations Trust Bank expects loan growth to pick up towards the end of the year but the lender will be cautious and maintain liquidity, a top official said. “We estimate some revival in credit demand by fourth quarter of this year,” NTB chief executive Renuka Fernando told an […]

Aug 21, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s private sector credit utilization is higher than bank loan data suggest due to structural changes that are taking place this year, a senior central bank official said.During the first six months of the year credit to private business and individuals from commercial banks rose 74.6 billion rupees, down […]

Aug 19, 2013 (LBO) – Credit to the state spiked in June 2013 to 36.7 billion rupees, up from only 5.7 billion in May, crowding out loans to private citizens to 11.5 billion rupees from 18.3 billion a month earlier, official data showed. Central Bank credit to government fell to 233.2 billion rupees in June […]

Aug 15, 2013 (LBO) – The capital of Sri Lanka’s state-run People’s Bank will be increased to keep pace with higher business volumes information minister Keheliya Rambukwelle said.As a first step the cabinet of ministers had approved changes to its governing law to increase its authorized capital to 50 billion rupees. A change will also […]