Fitch Ratings has downgraded the Maldives’ credit rating from CCC+ to CC, citing a decline in foreign reserves and the upcoming repayment of foreign debt and sukuk bonds starting next year. As of July, the country’s gross foreign reserves had fallen to 395 million USD, down from 492 million USD earlier. Domestic reports highlight growing
Sri Lanka’s banking sector outlook has stabilized, with the Central Bank’s decision to prevent dividend repatriation playing a key role in the sector’s recovery. According to Maninda Wickramasinghe, Managing Director and CEO of Fitch Ratings Lanka Ltd., Sri Lanka can expect a sovereign rating upgrade immediately after the completion of its debt restructuring. At an
Fitch Ratings has upgraded the national long-term rating of Habib Bank Limited – Sri Lanka Branch (HBLSL) to ‘AA-(lka)’, up from ‘A(lka)’. The outlook for the rating is stable. This upgrade follows the improved credit profile of HBLSL’s head office, Habib Bank Limited (HBL) in Pakistan, due to the recent upgrade of Pakistan’s sovereign rating.
Sampath Bank announced a significant financial performance for the first half of 2024, with a 45% increase in profit after tax (PAT) to Rs. 11.1 billion, up from Rs. 7.7 billion in the same period last year. The profit before tax (PBT) also saw a notable rise, reaching Rs. 18.5 billion, a 40% increase compared
Fitch Ratings has assigned Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB, A(lka)/Stable) a final National Long-Term Rating of ‘BBB+(lka)’ for its proposed Sri Lankan rupee-denominated Basel III-compliant subordinated debentures, amounting up to Rs 12 billion. This final rating aligns with the expected rating assigned on April 4, 2024, following the receipt of documents confirming previously received information.
Fitch Ratings-Colombo/Singapore-25 July 2024: Despite a 22.5% tariff cut effective from 16 July 2024, Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB, BB+(lka)/Stable) cash flow will remain sufficient to service debt, according to Fitch Ratings. The agency anticipates no immediate impact on the Sri Lankan electricity distributor’s payments to independent power producers (IPPs). The lower tariffs are supported by
Fitch Ratings has reaffirmed the ‘A-(lka)’ National Long-Term Rating for Sri Lanka’s National Development Bank Plc (NDB), maintaining a Stable outlook. This decision reflects recent improvements in the operating environment, as indicated by macroeconomic indicators. Fitch anticipates that Sri Lanka’s stabilizing economic conditions will support NDB’s ability to grow and maintain business volumes. However, the
Fitch Ratings has affirmed the ‘BBB(lka)’ insurer rating for Sri Lanka’s National Insurance Trust Fund (NITF), maintaining a stable outlook but cautioning about the Fund’s difficulty in securing timely reinsurance cover. NITF’s major revenue source is from riots, civil commotion, and terrorism (SRCCT) premiums, with claims remaining low. Key points from Fitch’s assessment include: