Saturday, July 24, 2010

Seylan Bank profits up 270% to Rs. 510.5 Mn in 1H

 Seylan Bank has posted an encouraging Rs. 510.5 Mn profit in the six months of 2010 ending 30 June recording a sharp 270% increase compared with the Rs. 137.8 Mn in the corresponding period the previous year.

The Bank's pre-tax profit in the six months ending 30 June 2010 was a staggering Rs. 809.6 Mn, up by nearly 292% from the Rs. 206.4 Mn in the corresponding period the previous year.

Among the major contributory features was the Bank's ability to increase its deposit base to Rs. 106,983 Mn as at June 2010 and growing its advances book during the six months. The bank focused on recovering non-performing advances and achieved satisfactory results which helped the NPA ratio to come down.

Chairman of the Seylan Bank, Eastman Narangoda said that these positive financial results were yet again indicative of the faith and confidence the general public of Sri Lanka have in the Seylan Bank. "Ever since the Central Bank-appointed new Board of Directors, we have been on an upward growth. Among the key reasons for the Bank's rapid turnaround in both stability and profitability are our wide-reaching Strategic Plan and aggressive recovery drive. These embraced several areas and, in turn, successfully restored investor confidence."

The Bank has substantially improved its performance indicators. Return-on-average assets have increased to 1.18% from 0.65% during 2009. Return-on-equity also has improved to 9.41% from 6.78% in 2009.

The interest margin has also seen an increase to 5.51 % compared to 5.23%. Net non-performing advances ratio has dropped to 18.38% from 22.33 as at 31 December 2009.

 "I'm happy to see the dividends being enjoyed by our thousands of shareholders today. My Board of Directors and I have always been confident that 2010 will be a record making year for the Seylan Bank. We're both determined, and will, surpass all expectations in terms of overall performance and profitability", Narangoda added.

Last year, Seylan Bank reported a Rs. 543.301 Mn Profit after Tax for 2009 representing an increase of 250% over the previous financial year. During the same period, the Bank's cost-to-income ratio showed a marked improvement decreasing from 75.79% to 67.82%, while the total capital adequacy ratio - under severe pressure during the end 2008 crisis - rose from 8.06% to 11.74% in 2009.

 "With the current  positive trend, I  am confident that the bank will  not only regain its previous position but also will see an excellent performance by the end of the year with the active participation of staff and under the able guidance of the the Board Members of varied disciplines," the Chairman added.

Seylan Bank now meets or exceeds the liquidity targets stipulated by the CBSL. These positive indicators have parallely instilled an upsurge in confidence both among shareholders and depositors both locally and overseas. The share price which returned to pre-crisis levels following the appointment of the new Board of Directors headed by veteran banker Eastman Narangoda, has continued to gain strength as the management implements, at all levels, the wide ranging initiatives set out in the Bank's aggressive strategic plan. The non-voting and voting shares of Seylan Bank traded at Rs.16.00 & Rs. 37.00 as at the end of 2009. They now trade at around Rs. 45.75 & Rs. 81.75 respectively.

The Directors of Seylan Bank are Eastman Narangoda (Chairman), R. Nadarajah (Executive Director) and Directors Nihal Jayamanne PC, Lalith Vithana, Retd. Rear Admiral B.A.J.G. Peiris, Ajith Devasurendra, Ishara Nanayakkara and Samantha Ranatunga.

 source - www.dailymirror.lk

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