CB steps up support for finance and leasing companies

Wednesday, 1 April 2020 02:35 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reduces liquid asset requirements to ease stresses that may be caused by loan defaults, large cash withdrawals
One year extension to meet core capital requirements
Defer minimum capital adequacy requirements to July 2021 and July 2022
Deadlines on submission of statutory returns relaxed
Companies advised to diligently monitor risk profiles and resources, CB pledges to do same

The Central Bank yesterday expanded measures for finance and leasing companies to support businesses and individuals hit by the COVID-19 outbreak, by reducing liquid asset requirements, extending capital requirement deadlines and deferring capital adequacy requirements.

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) decided to introduce a number of measures to provide flexibility to Licensed Finance Companies (LFCs) and Specialised Leasing Companies (SLCs) facilitating them to support businesses and individuals affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

In line with this initiative, implementation of several regulatory measures such as capital enhancement will be deferred, while certain regulatory measures will be relaxed as a temporary step, giving due consideration to the imminent threat faced by LFCs and SLCs.

Accordingly, the Monetary Board decided to introduce the following extraordinary measures to provide further space for LFCs/SLCs to assist COVID-19 affected businesses and individuals on an urgent basis:

a. Reduction of maintenance of liquid asset requirement for time deposits, savings deposits, and borrowings, to ease liquidity stress faced by LFCs/SLCs due to sudden withdrawal of cash by depositors and non-repayment of loan rentals

b. An extension of one year to comply with minimum core capital requirements. Accordingly, timeline of 01.01.2020 and 01.01.2021 already set for the enhancement of capital up to Rs. 2 billion and Rs 2.5 billion will be extended until 31.12.2020 and 31.12.2021, respectively.

c. Defer the enhancements of minimum capital adequacy requirements due by LFCs/SLCs on 01.07.2020 and 01.07.2021, for a further period of one year until 01.07.2021 and 01.07.2022 respectively.

Further, it has been decided to relax deadlines on submission of statutory returns, and accordingly all LFCs/SLCs are informed to submit statutory returns to the Department of Supervision of Non-Bank Financial Institutions within two weeks of the commencement of normal business operations of such LFCs/SLCs. The CBSL is currently in the process of ascertaining the possibilities for granting liquidity support under Sri Lanka Deposit Insurance and Liquidity Support Scheme for LFCs, if required.

LFCs/SLCs are advised to diligently monitor their risk profile and resources during this period, while the Central Bank will continue to closely monitor the liquidity and capital positions of LFCs in order to detect any early warnings of stress to ensure safety and soundness of the non-banking financial institutions sector.