Business
SMB Finance CEO predicts lending rates will fall in 2023
by Sanath Nanayakkare
Making an interesting bet on the cost of borrowing money by entrepreneurs and businesses, Supul Wijesinghe, CEO of SMB Finance predicted a fall in interest rates in 2023 or in the foreseeable future.
“Interest rates should come down next year or in the foreseeable future as a result of the measures being taken by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and other stakeholders,” he said addressing the media in Colombo recently.
He made this remark responding to a query from the media as to how his non-banking financial institution – which was recently elevated to SMB Finance from SMB Leasing – would deal with having to lend potential customers at an interest rate of over 30%.
In response he said, “When you have a 30% government borrowing rate – which is bench marked as a risk-free rate by the market, obviously lending rates would be higher than that. In such a context, entrepreneurs will surely contemplate whether they can borrow funds and operate a business with an interest rate of over 30%. This is an issue, and at present, lending is curtailed in both banking and non-banking financial institutions sector due to this reason. But I think this trend will see a favourable change in 2023 or in the foreseeable future.”
SMB Finance currently has 3 branches and they are planning to expand it to 10 branches for which approval has been sought from the CBSL.
“We should have nothing but optimism as we enter the Year 2023. We are looking to set up new branches in four provinces and how and when branches can be set up in the North and the East will be determined subsequently. It could possibly happen in 2024. We have to be mindful of our overhead costs when setting up branches because we have to deliver value to our shareholders,” he said.
When asked about SMB Finance’s growth plans for 2023, he said, “We are planning to launch several new products targeting the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector which has been adversely affected as a consequence of the country’s economic crisis. In Sri Lanka, we mainly pursue asset-based lending. SMB Finance will be looking at entrepreneurs and businesses that don’t have the required collateral, but are running a fairy good business in terms of their cash flow. For instance, I would like to tell you about one of the products we are currently offering the tea industry. There, we enter a tripartite agreement with the tea broker, tea estate/factory and SMB Finance. Through this arrangement, the payment assurances are given by the tea broker affiliated with the tea estate. This way we mitigate the default risk and also support the borrower in a sustainable way. Similarly, we will be looking at various industries producing ecological products and have a steady cash flow. We will be announcing our new product portfolio in the first quarter of 2023.”
SMB Finance PLC Chairman, Ravi Wijeratne, stated that the award of the business license to SMB reflects the Company’s strong balance sheet having a core capital well in excess of minimum requirements stipulated by the CBSL.
SMB Leasing (formerly) increased its Assert Base by over 300% from Rs. 1.5 billion to 5 billion and Shareholder Funds by 200% from Rs. 1.5 billion Rs. 3 billion over the past last three years.
For budgetary purposes, raising of domestic currency debt by the Government of Sri Lanka is mainly made through, Treasury bills and Treasury bonds. At the Treasury bill issuance held on 21 December 2022, Rs. 5,510 million was raised at the Weighted Average Yield Rates of 32.23% and 29.30%. Interest rate movements in the Treasury bill market provide a benchmark for the short-term credit market. Hence, changes in the volumes and rates in the Treasury bill market affect the cost, profitability and liquidity of financial institutions.
Central Bank’s Weekly Economic Indicators showed that Weekly Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate (AWPR) for the week ending 23rd December 2022 increased by 37 bps to 28.68 per cent compared to the previous week.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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