Business
Mission focus helps ComBank Group end tough 2021 with solid growth
The Commercial Bank Group has ended 2021 with gross income of Rs 163.675 billion, an improvement of 7.70%, with interest income accounting for more than 80% of the top line in a year of mixed fortunes.
The Group, comprising the Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC – Sri Lanka’s largest private sector bank – its subsidiaries and the associate, reported interest income of Rs 132.818 billion for the year ended 31st December 2021, reflecting a growth of 7.04%. With interest expenses for the year reducing by 9.31% to Rs 66.402 billion, the Group achieved net interest income of Rs 66.416 billion, an increase of 30.56%.
The final quarter of the year saw interest income growing by 17.84% to Rs 36.592 billion and accounting for more than 83% of the Group’s three-month gross income of Rs 43.625 billion, which was up 13.76% over the fourth quarter of 2020. This was despite interest expenses increasing by 4.30% to Rs 17.709 billion in the final quarter due to an increase in interest rates.
Total operating income for the year under review grew by 21.98% to Rs 93.598 billion, and the Group’s impairment charges and other losses increased by 17.37% to Rs 25.140 billion.
Net operating income for the full year improved by a healthy 23.77% to Rs 68.458 billion, but grew by a comparatively lower rate of 7.89% to Rs 17.504 billion due to the higher impairment charges provided in the fourth quarter, the Bank said. Total operating expenses increased by 12.93% to Rs 29.658 billion consequent to an increase in personnel expenses following the signing of a Collective Agreement effective January 2021, while general cost increases resulted in other operating expenses for the year growing by 18.01% to Rs 9.638 billion.
Operating profit before VAT on Financial Services grew by a noteworthy 33.58% to Rs 38.801 billion and the Group’s VAT on Financial Services for the year increased by 28.99% to Rs 5.845 billion, while profit before income tax for the year improved by 34.41% to Rs 32.957 billion. With income tax charges increasing at a relatively lower rate of 16.60% to Rs 8.667 billion due to the reduction in the income tax rate, the Group posted a profit after tax of Rs 24.290 billion for the year, achieving a growth of 42.16% before providing for the proposed Surcharge Tax, which had not been enacted in Parliament at the time of reporting. It has therefore not been provided for in the year reviewed.
Taken separately, Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC reported a profit before tax of Rs 32.001 billion for the year under review, achieving a robust growth of 36.11% and profit after tax of Rs 23.606 billion, recording an improvement of 44.17%.
Commenting on these results, Commercial Bank Chairman Justice K. Sripavan said: “The performance of the Group can be described as exceptional when the external challenges of the year are factored in. Our focus on the core mission and the needs of the hour resulted in emphasis being placed on enhancing customer experience, and we are proud of the ways in which our teams served with utmost dedication, putting our customers first as they have done for the past 101 years.”
Commercial Bank Managing Director and Group CEO S. Renganathan pointed out that the Bank was able to improve on its key performance ratios in 2021, to become even more financially stable and better-positioned to continue its mission as a systemically important bank. “In the face of uncertainty, we continued to build on our last year’s momentum and relief programs, emerging as the leading lender for COVID-19 relief among private sector banks in Sri Lanka,” he said. “We have continued to demonstrate remarkable operating resiliency throughout the pandemic through customer focus, digital engagement and operational excellence.”
Total assets of the Group grew by Rs 221 billion or 12.54% over the year to reach Rs 1.983 trillion as at 31st December 2021.
Gross loans and advances of the Group increased by Rs 133 billion or 13.83% to Rs 1.095 trillion, recording a monthly average growth of Rs 11 billion over the 12 months.
Total deposits of the Group recorded an improvement of Rs 186 billion or 14.46% in the 12 months reviewed at a monthly average of Rs 15.5 billion to reach Rs 1.473 trillion as at 31st December 2021.
A noteworthy achievement of the year under review was the continuing improvement of the Bank’s CASA ratio, an industry benchmark. For the year ended 31st December 2021, the Bank’s CASA ratio stood at 47.83% improving from 42.72% at the end of 2020.
Elaborating on some of the highlights of the income performance for the year under review, the Bank said that net fee and commission income of the Group improved by a steady 24.64% to Rs 12.242 billion, while net other operating income grew by 28.72% to Rs 10.002 billion, helped by exchange gains of Rs 1.4 billion. The Group posted a net gain of Rs 1.936 billion from trading and a net gain of Rs 3.002 billion from de-recognition of financial assets, the latter figure reflecting a decline due to a reduction in gains from the sale of Treasury Bonds and Sovereign Bonds.
In other key indicators, the Bank’s basic earnings per share improved by 33.49% from Rs 14.81 to Rs 19.77, while its net assets value per share increased to Rs 138.08 from Rs 134.67 as at end 2020.
CEAT Kelani Holdings has been adjudged the Best Tyre Manufacturer in the ‘Component Manufacturer’ Category at the country’s inaugural Automobile Industry Awards presented by the Automobile Industry Council (AIC) of Sri Lanka, in a significant endorsement of the company’s leadership in the country’s fast-evolving vehicle assembly sector.
The awards were presented at Temple Trees at a ceremony attended by government ministers, senior public officials, industry leaders and stakeholders from across Sri Lanka’s automobile ecosystem. Conceived as a national platform to recognise excellence, innovation and sustainability, the awards evaluate performance across criteria including technology, market impact, customer satisfaction and industry leadership.
CEAT Kelani’s recognition reflects its commanding position in the Original Equipment (OE) tyre segment, where the company supplies tyres for more than 90% of the vehicles assembled in Sri Lanka. Having entered the local vehicle assembly industry in 2012 with its first OE tyre supply, CEAT has rapidly established itself as the preferred tyre partner for assemblers, supplying over 150,000 OE tyres annually across a diverse range of vehicles including cars, SUVs, motorcycles, scooters, buses and commercial vehicles.
Today, CEAT tyres are fitted as original equipment on more than 30 locally assembled vehicle models spanning 11 global brands, underscoring the confidence placed in the company’s product quality, consistency and performance.
The company’s leadership in this segment is reinforced by its achievement of IATF 16949:2016 certification, making it the first tyre manufacturer in Sri Lanka to secure this globally recognised automotive quality standard. This certification affirms CEAT Kelani’s capability to meet the stringent requirements of international automotive OEMs while optimising supply chain efficiency and reliability.
CEAT tyres supplied to vehicle manufacturers undergo rigorous validation processes and have demonstrated superior performance across key parameters such as safety, durability, braking efficiency, ride comfort and noise reduction. Low rolling resistance and minimal vibration further enhance driving efficiency and user experience, aligning with global expectations of modern mobility solutions.
Beyond its industrial impact, CEAT Kelani also contributes significantly to the national economy. By manufacturing tyres locally, the company helps conserve valuable foreign exchange through import substitution, while sourcing 100% of its natural rubber requirements domestically, supporting the livelihoods of more than 10,000 rubber cultivator families.
The Automobile Industry Council, the apex body representing Sri Lanka’s automobile sector, was established under the joint leadership of key government ministries and operates as a private-sector-led, not-for-profit organisation. Its mandate includes driving sustainable growth, strengthening industry competitiveness and fostering collaboration between public and private stakeholders.
Reinforcing its commitment to delivering premium lifestyle value and rewarding experiences to its customers, the Commercial Bank of Ceylon has unveiled a significant enhancement to its Max Loyalty Rewards platform, enabling its cardholders to convert reward points into airline miles through a strategic integration with the national carrier’s ‘FlySmiLes’ programme and the frequent flyer programmes of other airlines.
Effective immediately, holders of Commercial Bank Premium and Platinum credit cards and Elite debit cards can seamlessly convert their accumulated Max Loyalty Rewards Points into FlySmiLes miles, unlocking faster access to flights and travel privileges with SriLankan Airlines.
The upgrade also encompasses other international frequent flyer programmes, broadening the global travel options available to eligible cardholders by extending the reach of the platform across multiple international travel networks, the Bank said.
The move represents a decisive step in elevating the everyday utility of credit and debit card spend, allowing routine transactions to translate directly into meaningful travel rewards. With SriLankan Airlines expected to be the preferred choice for the majority of customers, the partnership with the national carrier anchors the proposition, offering both familiarity and tangible value in the conversion of points to miles.
To mark the launch, Commercial Bank is offering a highly competitive promotional conversion rate of six Max Loyalty Rewards Points to one FlySmiLes mile, valid through 31st December 2026. The Bank said this market-leading rate significantly accelerates the journey from daily spend to international travel, enhancing the appeal of the Bank’s card portfolio.
Commenting on this latest development, Hasrath Munasinghe, Chief Operating Officer of Commercial Bank, said the enhancement reflects the Bank’s continued focus on delivering differentiated value to its customers. “Max Loyalty Rewards points are among the most valuable benefits offered to our cardholders, turning everyday spending into rewarding experiences,” he said. “Commercial Bank is also the first and only Bank to offer Max Loyalty Rewards points to both credit and debit cardholders, extending these benefits beyond credit cards. By partnering with SriLankan Airlines and other global carriers, we have significantly strengthened the Max Loyalty Rewards platform. Our cardholders can now think beyond conventional rewards and convert their everyday spending into memorable travel experiences. This is about enabling them to go further, more often, with greater ease.”
The airline miles conversion feature is available at no additional cost to eligible cardholders, with no enrolment or processing fees. Access is fully integrated into the existing Max Loyalty Rewards platform, allowing users to log in with their current credentials, view balances, and convert points instantly alongside standard merchant redemptions.
C.W. Mackie PLC has appointed Mangala Perera as its new Group Chief Executive Officer (Group CEO), strengthening its senior management team with an experienced corporate leader with over 26 years of cross-industry experience.
Perera, who has served as a Director of C.W. Mackie PLC since April 2, 2012, currently holds the position of Executive Director – Group Chief Operating Officer of the company. He has held senior roles in marketing and general management both locally and internationally.
In addition to his responsibilities at C.W. Mackie PLC, Perera serves as Managing Director of Sunquick Lanka (Private) Limited and holds directorships at Sunquick Lanka Properties (Private) Limited, Kelani Valley Canneries Limited, Ceymac Rubber Company Limited and Ceytra (Private) Limited. He is also a Non-Executive Director of Phoenix Industries Limited.
Perera’s academic and professional credentials span multiple disciplines, including a Master’s degree in Financial Economics from the University of Colombo, a BSc (Hons.) Special Degree in Marketing Management from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business and Financial Management from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.
He is also a visiting lecturer in Postgraduate Studies in Management at the University of Colombo and the University of Kelaniya, and contributes to several national-level project committees and professional judging panels as an active marketing practitioner.
Beyond the corporate sector, Perera has been involved in sports administration and previously served as President of the Sri Lanka Mercantile Volleyball Federation, where he played a key role in promoting volleyball and beach volleyball in Sri Lanka.
The company said the appointment reflects its continued focus on strengthening leadership and driving future growth.
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