HNB continues capital raising spree
HNB PLC yesterday entered into an agreement with the German
Development Finance Institution, DEG to raise US$ 25 million through a
eight year subordinated loan which forms part of tier II capital of the
bank. The funds raised would be utilised to finance the growth in small
and medium enterprises which is one of the most important sectors
supporting the post conflict growth in Sri Lanka.
Dr Ranee Jayamaha, Chairperson of HNB and Dr. Hubertus
Pleister, Director Asia of DEG exchanging the agreement.
From left Matthias Goulnik, Vice President Asia-DEG, .Jens
Plötner Ambassador of Federal Republic of Germany, Rajendra
Theagarajah, Managing Director/CEO- HNB, Jonathan Alles,
Deputy Chief Executive Officer - HNB and Nihal Kekulawala,
Senior Deputy General Manager – Strategy and Compliance HNB
look on |
The loan agreement was signed in Colombo by Dr. Ranee Jayamaha,
Chairperson and Rajendra Theagarajah, Managing Director/CEO of HNB and
Dr. Hubertus Pleister, Director Asia at DEG and Matthias Goulnik, Vice
President Asia at DEG. With the signing of the agreement, the total
capital and long term debt raised by HNB during the past 10 months
surpasses Rs. 21.5 billion.
At the signing ceremony, Dr Ranee Jayamaha said “we are delighted to
partner with DEG in this all important agreement to raise long term tier
II capital for the future growth of the Bank.The funds raised from DEG
will not only boost the loanable funds available to HNB but also form
part of a solid foundation in fostering the medium to long term growth
of the bank. This demonstrates the confidence the foreign investor
community has placed on HNB as the bank has been successful in raising
foreign funds totalling to US$ 75 million within a period of one month
in 2012”
Rajendra Theagarajah said “This transaction is unique, as HNB is one
of the very first banks to raise tier II capital, denominated in US
dollars with a long term tenure of eight years and clearly demonstrates
HNB’s ability to raise long term funds from a well reputed overseas
source at a highly attractive rate of interest and is no doubt a
testament to the strong and stable growth recorded by the bank in the
recent years.” Dr. Pleister added: “With our commitment, we will
strengthen Hatton National Bank PLC thereby enabling it to further
expand its financial offer. At the same time,we are fostering the
financial sector in Sri Lanka, facilitating the access to long-term
investment capital especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.
These enterprises are a major engine behind economic growth,
particularly in developing countries.This is why the promotion of these
enterprises is a special concern for DEG.”
DEG, a subsidiary of Germany’s KfW, is one of the largest European
development finance institutions for long-term project and company
financing. For 50 years, DEG has been financing and structuring the
investments of private companies in developing and emerging economies.
DEG invests in profitable projects that contribute to sustainable
development in all sectors of the economy, from agriculture to
infrastructure and manufacturing to services. It also focuses on
investments in the financial sector in order to facilitate reliable
access to capital locally.DEG’s aim is to establish and expand private
enterprise structures in developing and transition countries, and thus
create the basis for sustainable growth and a lasting improvement in the
living conditions of the local population. |