RAKBANK signed agreement of a five-year US$15 million long term loan facility to Seylan Bank, a financial institution based in Sri Lanka. Seylan Bank has secured the loan for general expansion of its portfolio growth in Foreign Currency Banking Unit (FCBU). The long term funding would also assist in further improving the Asset Liability Management (ALM) gap in Seylan’s FCBU Book.
This is Seylan’s first long term financial agreement with financial institutions based in the Middle East, which reflects strong investor confidence in the Bank’s operations and future growth potential. The loan facility was recently signed at the Capital Club in Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC). Attending the ceremony were Kapila Ariyaratne, Seylan Bank Chief Executive Officer, and Peter England, RAKBANK Chief Executive Officer, along with other senior representatives from RAKBANK and Seylan Bank.
Peter England, RAKBANK CEO, said: “We are delighted to have partnered with Seylan Bank to support their general expansion plan of the Foreign Currency Banking Unit. This long term financing allows us to diversify our asset book into various geographies while introducing Seylan Bank to the region.”
Commenting on the signing, Kapila Ariyaratne, Seylan Bank Chief Executive Officer said: “We are extremely pleased to sign up on this partnership as the Bank’s first long term financial agreement with the Middle East market, which reflects strong investor confidence in Seylan Bank’s operations and future growth potential.”
RAKBANK, also known as the National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah, is one of the UAE’s oldest and most dynamic financial institutions. Founded in 1976, it underwent a major transformation in 2001 as it rebranded into RAKBANK and shifted its focus from purely corporate to retail and small business banking. In addition to offering a wide range of retail banking services, the Bank increased its lending in the traditional SME, Commercial, and Corporate segment in recent years.
The Bank also offers Islamic Banking solutions, via RAKislamic, throughout its 35 branches and its Telephone, Online, and Mobile Banking channels.
RAKBANK is a public joint stock company headquartered in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX).