MBSL proposes two listed debenture issues in 2013

Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka PLC, raised over Rs 1.7 billion through Debenture Issues, for Alliance Finance Company PLC and Bank of Ceylon.

In 2012, Alliance Finance Company raised a sum of Rs one billion through its Debenture Issue which was opened in June 2012, and Bank of Ceylon, raised a sum of Rs six billion through Unsecured Subordinated Redeemable Debentures for the purpose of enhancing the Capital Adequacy Ratio & Single Borrower Limit and to minimize the risk and gap exposure in the bank's assets/liability portfolios. MBSL supported Bank of Ceylon by raising Rs 700 million for its parent’s debenture.

Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka PLC is raising Rs 2 billion in January 2013 through a listed debenture issue and Commercial Credit and Finance PLC will raise upto Rs 500 million by a listed debenture issue. Both are offered by MBSL considering the recent budget incentives -interest income earned from investing in bonds and debentures listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange to be exempted from Withholding Tax and Income Tax. The Commercial Credit and Finance PLC debenture will open on January 23, 2013.

The money raised from this issue will be utilized to improve the Tier 2 and to improve strategic developments. MBSL’s debenture will support its business expansion and settlement of short term borrowings. For both issues Corporate Advisory & Capital Markets Division of Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka PLC acts as the managers & registrars.