On how conventional banks are integrating digital solutions How would you assess the potential of digital banking to boost financial inclusion in developing economies? MICHEAL GORRIZ: In Africa, where Standard Chartered opened eight digital banks in 2018-19, the cost to serve is a crucial determining factor when offering banking services. A large part of the continent is underbanked primarily…
Interview:Indrajit Coomaraswamy How will the Active Liability Management Act affect the country’s public debt? INDRAJIT COOMARASWAMY: In the past, government borrowing for any given year was limited to the cash flow requirement specified in the Appropriation Act. However, the Active Liability Management Act of 2018 provides for additional borrowing to build buffers specifically for the purpose…
Interview:Dilshan Wirasekara How has domestic volatility impacted capital flows, and how can market players mitigate this risk? DILSHAN WIRASEKARA: Sri Lanka has experienced significant shifts in interest rates and exchange rates, in addition to high levels of foreign debt and a debt-to-GDP ratio of almost 80% that led to major volatility in the domestic market. These conditions in 2018 were…
Major changes are on the horizon in the Sri Lankan insurance industry, with much of the groundwork laid for future growth in recent years. A government focus on regulatory improvements, the modernisation of processes, consolidation and further investment in human resources point to continued opportunities for expansion in the sector. While the performance of the life insurance segment has been bumpy,…
After a positive second half of 2017 Sri Lanka’s capital markets experienced considerable headwinds in 2018, with a variety of external and internal factors behind the buffeting. The impacts of macroeconomic issues, increasing competition in terms of investment options, political uncertainty, turbulence in global energy prices and moves by the US Federal Reserve could be seen in both equity and bond…
Sri Lanka’s banks are currently experiencing considerable change. Regulatory matters are a prominent concern, alongside the ups and downs of loan growth and economic policy. A careful balancing act is being performed as a result, with those able to tread the narrow path recording healthy bottom lines and continued service expansion in 2018. The year ahead will likely see this trend continue. There…
The period of easily raising funds from abroad seems to be coming to an end for emerging markets around the world. Amid rising interest rates in the US and increased competition for capital flows, portfolio managers are becoming more selective with where they invest. One way for developing nations to ensure that their financial markets can continue to attract foreign funds and remain sustainably…
Sri Lanka’s banks are currently experiencing considerable change. Regulatory matters are a prominent concern, alongside the ups and downs of loan growth and economic policy. A careful balancing act is being performed as a result, with those able to tread the narrow path recording healthy bottom lines and continued service expansion in 2018. The year ahead will likely see this trend continue.…
After a positive second half in 2017 Sri Lanka’s capital markets experienced considerable headwinds in 2018, with a variety of external and internal factors behind the buffeting. The impacts of macroeconomic issues, increasing competition in terms of investment options, political uncertainty, turbulence in global energy prices and moves by the US Federal Reserve could be seen in both equity…
Major changes are on the horizon in the Sri Lankan insurance industry, with much of the groundwork laid for future growth in recent years. A government focus on regulatory improvements, the modernisation of processes, market consolidation and further investment in human resources point to continued opportunities for expansion in the sector. While the performance of the life insurance segment…
