Fitch places 12 SL Non-Bank Financial Institutions on Rating Watch Negative

April 27, 2022 at 9:18 AM

Fitch Ratings has placed the National Long-Term Ratings of 12 Sri Lankan non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) on Rating Watch Negative (RWN). 

The entities are:

Finance and Leasing Companies:

– Bimputh Finance PLC (Bimputh)

– CBC Finance LTD (CBCF)

– Central Finance Company PLC (CF)

– Fintrex Finance Limited (Fintrex)

– HNB Finance PLC (HNBF)

– LB Finance PLC (LB)

– Mercantile Investments and Finance PLC (MIF)

– People’s Leasing & Finance PLC (PLC)

– Sarvodaya Development Finance Limited (SDF)

– Senkadagala Finance PLC (Senka)

– Siyapatha Finance PLC (Siyapatha)

Securities Firm:

– Asia Securities (Pvt) Ltd (ASPL)

The Ratings Agency said the RWN reflects heightened downside risks to the NBFIs’ credit profiles amid increased economic and financial-market volatility in Sri Lanka. 

This risk is exacerbated by the deteriorating sovereign credit profile (Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR): C, Long-Term Local-Currency IDR: CCC) and the ensuing risks to the stability of the financial system.

Fitch says it will review the National Ratings of financial-institution subsidiaries of Sri Lankan corporates that are not included above separately if needed. (NewsWire)