Summary

• LankaBangla Finance Limited has started its journey in mid-1990s as a non-bank financial institution in Bangladesh. The company got registered with Bangladesh Bank in 1997 under Financial Institution Act-1993. The journey of the company began on November 5, 1996 as a joint-venture company.
• As on December 31, 2019, total paid-up shares of the company were 513,179,641, BDT 10 each, thus paid-up capital of BDT 5,131,796,410. The shares of the company are owned by foreign institutions, local institutions, individuals, and general public. Sampath Bank PLC of Sri Lanka owns 9.47% of the company, ONE Bank Limited of Bangladesh owns 3.78% of the company, Directors of the company holds another 20.31% of the company. Thus, sponsors and/or directors hold 33.56% of the total share of the company.
• LankaBangla Finance Limited has reported gross income of BDT 8,146 million in 2020, which was BDT 10,172 million in 2019. The gross revenue has decreased by 19.91% during this year mainly due to the impacts of Covid-19. In the gross income, interest income has been BDT 5,972 million, which was BDT 7,275 million – a 17.91% decrease. The company has reported BDT 987 million in total profit after tax in 2020, which was BDT 508 a year earlier.

Company Overview

LankaBangla Finance Limited (DSE:LANKABAFIN, CSE:LANKABAFIN) has started its journey in mid-1990s as a non-bank financial institution in Bangladesh. The company got registered with Bangladesh Bank in 1997 under Financial Institution Act-1993. The journey of the company began on November 5, 1996 as a joint-venture company. Currently, it is the leading non-bank financial institution (NBFI) in the country. It is listed in both Dhaka Stock Exchange and Chattogram Stock Exchange, two bourses of the country. LankaBangla Finance Limited (LBFL) has two subsidiaries – first of them LankaBangla Securities Limited (LBSL) got registered on July 3, 1997, and the second one LankaBangla Asset Management Company Limited (LBAMCL) got registered on July 16, 2007.¹ However, there is another subsidiary of the company, commencement of which is not counted as a milestone in the company website, namely LankaBangla Investments Limited (LBIL) – a premier investment bank in Bangladesh providing corporate advisory, portfolio management services, and issue management. LankaBangla Securities Limited provides top-notch brokerage services, top-rated research information, cutting edge trading, and customer services. The other subsidiary provides asset management services to its customers. Apart from these operations, the first subsidiary of LankaBangla Finance Limited has two subsidiaries – LankaBangla Information Systems Limited (LBiSL) and BizBangla Media Limited (BizBangla).

Vision of the company is to be the most preferred financial service provider in creating, nurturing and maximizing value to the stakeholders, thereby, growing together. Mission of the company is to be a growth partner for the customers ensuring superior financing experience, to maintain a culture of meritocracy in the core of the company, to be sustainable and to ensure quality returns for the valued shareholders, and to place efforts to develop community.

The integrated service portfolio of the company includes retail financial services, corporate financial services, liability management, SME financial services, stockbroking, wealth management services, and corporate advisory. LankaBangla Finance received National Award for Best Published Accounts and Reports awarded by Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) for several consecutive years. It also received ‘Best Presented Annual Report’ award from South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) for four consecutive years (2014-2017).

LankaBangla is the only financial institution (NBFI) in Bangladesh to operate credit card (MasterCard and VISA). The product portfolio along with their commencement date is given in the following table² -

Following are the list of branches of the company along with their opening date –

The company issued zero coupon bond first on December 15, 2014 and second on December 26, 2017. On December 31, 2020, outstanding balance of zero-coupon bond of the company is BDT 105 billion, which was BDT 389 billion a year earlier. The company paid off BDT 284 billion of zero-coupon bond. First subordinate bond of the company is issued on December 23, 2018. As of December 31, 2020, the company’s outstanding balance of subordinate bond is BDT 2,201 billion, which was BDT 1,533 billion a year earlier.³

As on December 31, 2019, total paid-up shares of the company were 513,179,641, BDT 10 each, thus paid-up capital of BDT 5,131,796,410. The shares of the company are owned by foreign institutions, local institutions, individuals, and general public. Sampath Bank PLC of Sri Lanka owns 9.47% of the company, ONE Bank Limited of Bangladesh owns 3.78% of the company, Directors of the company holds another 20.31% of the company. Thus, sponsors and/or directors hold 33.56% of the total share of the company.

LankaBangla Finance has a total of 37 branches in 18 cities across the country. It has total 1,449 employees. The NBFI has a digital call centre through which it claims to have received 400,000+ calls and served 45,000+ customers. The company has deposited BDT 900.85 million in the Government exchequer as Tax, VAT, and excise duty.

Business overview

The portfolio of services of LankaBangla involves the services of all its five subsidiaries and of the parent company. Over the span of its business, the company has developed service areas which cover almost every corner of the financial services arena.

Products of LankaBangla Finance: Corporate financial services division

LankaBangla Finance provides 360-degree financial service coverage to its clients. The product and service units of LankaBangla are as follows –

• Large corporate
• Emerging corporate
• Supply chain finance
• Project, structured & sustainable finance
• Corporate liability

Large corporate

This service division provides loans to the large corporate houses in order for them to realize their vision and strategic goals. The division has expanded its footprints in the industries like Food Production and Processing, Light Engineering, Steel & Engineering, Plastic, Cables, Real Estate, Cement, RMG, Footwear and so on. The products offered by the large corporate unit are listed below –

• Lease finance
• Term finance
• Short-term finance
• Revolving finance
• Loan against TDR
• Work order finance
• Club finance
• Bridge finance

Emerging corporate

Emerging corporate unit of the company has started operation in 2019 and is working to provide services to meet the needs of emerging corporate clients. The business unit serves the clients including emerging manufacturing industries, MNCs, EPZ and EZ customer, supply chain concerns, and project developers. The service portfolio under this segment is same as that of the large corporate unit.

Project, structured & sustainable finance

Major products offered under this unit of business of LankaBangla Finance is listed below –

• Project finance
• Alternative modes of capital raising (i. e. bond, preference shares etc.)
• Offshore/DFI/low-cost structured solutions
• Green/sustainable finance
• Islamic Shariah Compliant financing solutions
• Corporate Advisory Services

Supply chain finance

This division strives to provide working capital to the businesses. Short-term working capital finance helps the businesses keep their cash management efficient. The products offered by this unit include working capital solutions against receivables, confirmed payables, credit advisory, lifting orders, collections and so on. Below are the services offered by this unit –

• Factoring finance
• Distributor finance
• Reverse factoring

Corporate liability

This unit is basically concerned with collecting corporate deposits. This constructs liability side of the balance sheet. Following are the products offered by this unit –

• Actual days deposit
• Corporate classic TDR
• Shahoj Sanchay
• Periodic return
• Earn first
• Double money deposit
• Triple money deposit
• Money builder

Products of LankaBangla Finance: Retail financial services division

This division provides financing services to the individuals. There are three difference sectors namely loan unit, card centre, and deposit. The division delivers services through 6 (six) units namely –

• Auto loan
• Home and mortgage loan
• Personal loan
• Credit card
• Retail liability
• Alternative business delivery channel

Auto loan

The auto loan unit specializes in car financing for individuals and institutions. It deals all sales, marketing, business promotional activities, and relationship management with individuals, corporate customers and auto dealers.

Home & mortgage loan

Under different terms and conditions, LankaBangla home & mortgage unit provides housing solution to the customers. The activities include sales, marketing, business promotions, and relationship management with the real estate sector. 

Personal loan

The company has different products under the category of personal loan. It offers personal loan for salaried person (Bandhan), Doctor’s loan, Teacher’s Loan (Beacon), Govt. Employee Loan (Hope), personal loan for businessman loan (Bonik), and short-term loan against lien of deposits (SOD).

Credit card

LankaBangla is the only financial institution to offer cards through its own CMS. Following are the name of the cards offered by the company –

• Master Titanium
• Master Gold
• Master Classic
• VISA Platinum
• VISA Gold
• VISA Classic

Retail Liability

This unit of the company focuses on retail deposits. Since the financial institutions cannot accept deposits like banks, they need to collect deposits through other means such as from the autonomous, government or private bodies. Below are some retail liability products listed by the company –

• Classic TDR
• Shohoj Sanchoy
• Earn First
• Periodic Return Term Deposit
• Money Builder
• Flexi Deposit
• Double Money
• Triple Money
• Quick Sanchoy
• Protiva Deposit
• Swasti Deposit

Apart from abovementioned divisions and products, LankaBangla Finance also has SME financial services division for handling CMSME (Cottage, Micro, Small, and Medium enterprise) operations. The treasure & FI division handles the money market operation, maintenance of CRR & SLR, dealings with government fixed income securities, and all other regular treasury and finance operations.

Services of LankaBangla Securities

LankaBangla Securities Limited (LBSL) is a subsidiary of LankaBangla Finance Limited. Through this subsidiary, the company runs its capital market operations. Following are some specialized services of this subsidiary.

LankaBangla Securities Limited provides brokerage services in both Dhaka and Chittagong Stock Exchange. The company provides “Trade Execution Service” for the customers. Also, this brokerage service segment includes trading in portfolio accounts maintained with LankaBangla Investments Limited and IDLC Investments Ltd, margin trading services through credit facility.

A NITA (Non-Resident Investor’s Taka Account) account in Bangladesh is an account opened for channelling foreign currency to buy and sell shares and repatriate sale proceeds. LankaBangla Securities provides NITA trading services to the non-resident Bangladeshis.

LankaBangla Securities also provides CDBL services to the clients; alongside their BO Account Opening and Maintenance services, the company provides Dematerialization and Rematerialization services.

Research services is another strong service-wing of LankaBangla Securities. It helps the clients take knowledge-based investment decisions. This research division of the company provides research reports and insights on company, industry, country and corporate valuation. The company has a dedicated wing for research which it calls Capital Market Research Department. This department issues a magazine named “Market Pulse” which is kind of popular to the readers.

Internet-based services of LankaBangla Securities has provided the customers with the option to trade remotely and trade on their discretion. The company has been running Order Management System (OMS) with the Chittagong Stock Exchange through API to provide Direct Market Access (DMA) to the dealers as well as investors. This is the first time in Bangladesh to provide DMA through Broker House instead of exchange provided application. It offers multichannel e-trading to its customers (web, mobile, client server) and advantages of Multi Asset Class (Equity, Derivatives, Bond, Commodity, etc) trading option, smart order routing, multiple exchanges and Cross Border supported application, MIS & centralized risk management. It has ability to create interfaces to other systems such as accounting systems, banking solutions and depository systems; and real time access charting with strategies, indicators and patterns.

To facilitate real-time strategies and trade execution, LankaBangla has developed multiple platforms including LankaBangla Financial Portal. This portal contains all the information regarding share prices and macroeconomic information.

Internet trading department of the company is charged with facilitating online based trading to all the B/O (beneficiary owner) account holders of LBSL. The company has two trading platforms to this effect – LankaBangla TradeXpress and DSE Mobile app. Recently, the company has switched from DSE Mobile app of Dhaka Stock Exchange to their own platform TradeXpress.

Under the wing of portal services of LankaBangla Securities, the company has launched a platform called iBroker, which can be used for applying to IPO, access portfolio statements and ledger details, and fund requisition requests online.

Products and services of LankaBangla Investments Limited (LBIL)

LankaBangla Investments Limited is a premier investment bank in the country providing corporate advisory, issue management and portfolio management services. LBIL got registered with RJSCF (Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms) on 29 March, 2010 as a private limited company. The company has inherited the merchant banking operation from its parent company LBFL, which offered the services first in Bangladesh back in 1997. LBIL has placed itself on firm roots by offering investment banking services in primary markets, and portfolio management services. This subsidiary provides following services –

• Corporate advisory
• Bond issuance
• Alternative financing
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Joint advisory services
• Issue management
• Underwriting

The company provides ‘Discretionary Portfolio Management’ services to help the investors invest without going through the hassle of keeping update with market information and making day-to-day investment decisions. The company offers three products in this case –

1. AlphaPlus (Investments Best Managed): This product means relaying the investment works to a competent portfolio manager who is attuned with upheavals of the stocks market. Efficient trade execution by LBIL team ensures optimum benefit for the clients.
2. AlphaPlus INITIAL: This product would collect money from the small investors who can neither go in the secondary market not can they invest in the fixed income securities for the income is too low. Through this product, LBIL collects the investment money and invest in the primary market with minimum risks.
3. LankaBangla Nishchinto: This is a monthly saving deposit scheme through which the investors can open an account with minimum of BDT 5,000 each month for three years and LBIL would invest the amount in selected Blue-Chip stocks, Mutual Funds and Fixed Income instruments.

Products and services of LankaBangla Asset Management Company Limited (LBAMCL)

LankaBangla Asset Management Company Limited (LBAMCL) is the official asset management wing of LankaBangla Group. LBAMCL received its licence from Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) to function as an asset management company on June 24, 2012. LankaBangla Finance Limited owns 99.99% share of this company. It has the following products –

• Close-end mutual fund operation
• Open-end mutual fund operation
• Discretionary portfolio management
• Islamic Shariah based products
• Provident fund, pension fund, gratuity fund management
• Alternative investment management
• Financial planning services

Services of LankaBangla Information System Limited (LBiS)

LBiS has started its journey on May, 2013 as a leading information technology service provider in the country. The company provides following services –

1. Virtual Office Dynamics: Based on the concept of ERP, an enterprise re-engineering solution that uses new business computing paradigms to integrate IT processes across company divisions and departments, LBiS has developed a web-based ERP namely Virtual Office Dynamic (VOD). The ERP runs in all the other subsidiaries of LankaBangla Finance Limited.
2. Market data service: This is a FIX protocol-based server-side engine. This disseminates DSE market data to subscribed FIX clients and clients can feed it to its simulation engines to demonstrate the market. This is a new concept and LBiS is the first to implement it in Bangladesh. In other words, LBiS is the pioneer in this arena.
3. Project management: This part of service offering aims at helping the small and mid-sized businesses to manage their IT infrastructures and software implementations. The expert team of engineers provides services to the clients in information technology, IT project management, systems analysis and design, and market data service aspects.
4. Consultancy: It is concerned with providing business analysis, IT audit, IT services, software procurement, and project management.
5. Cloud services: LBIS cloud service includes Software as a service (Saas), Platform as a service (Paas), Infrastructure as a service (Iaas), Data as a service (Daas) and Backup as a service (Bass).

Outsourcing and mobile application development are two other services of LBiS.

BizBangla Media Limited

This company is 92.5% owned by LankaBangla Securities Limited. The company is charged with the responsibility of publishing the country’s first Bengali daily ‘The Daily Bonik Barta’ since 2011.

Industry analysis

The financial institutions in Bangladesh faces stiff competition since the country has lax measures in ensuring a stable financial market so far. The country has 34 financial institutions alongside 61 banks. The functionality of banks and financial institutions is different with respect to collecting deposits, foreign exchange operation and issuing checks, as well as different interest rates. Latest from the industry is a liquidation of People’s Leasing and Financial Services (PLFS) in July, 2019 and in June, 2020, Bangladesh Bank issues license to Strategic Finance and Investment Limited (SFIL).

The product and service differentiation in the industry is very tough, yet there are many companies fighting for the same market share. The main challenge that a company faces in operating in this highly competitive industry is that there are limited number of fund suppliers, oftentimes limited/unsuitable investment opportunities as well. Rate of inflation after Covid-19 has been very high which rendered the rates offered by banks and NBFIs almost ineffective. For example, the deposit interest rate cap imposed by Bangladesh Bank is 6% maximum. But the latest reported inflation rate is 6.17%, which is 0.17% higher than the maximum offered interest rate. Thereby, people are becoming increasingly less interested in depositing fund with the financial institutions.

Interest rate and inflation volatility, non-performing loans remain some of the major challenges in the industry. Piling non-performing loan is a problem for the banking industry in Bangladesh on the one hand, on the other, there is liquidity abundance, which the banks and financial institutions cannot invest in proper channel. Recently, Bangladesh Bank has capped the interest rate charge of the financial institutions to 11% maximum, which is 9% for the banks.

Entering the financial market of the country is relatively easy, since the government or the central bank in Bangladesh kept the licensing procedure somewhat relaxed. In the last two years, the central bank licensed three private commercial banks and one non-bank financial institution. The product differentiation and strategic position is becoming increasingly tough for the companies.

The economic condition of the country is somewhat favourable for this industry in a sense. The country has experienced a slower growth due to Covid-19, 5.47% growth, though, yet the budget size kept growing over the years. Owing to the government’s effort to develop the infrastructure of the country, the economic activities is on a boom. Income level of the people has increased, so did purchasing power. A lower interest rate has fostered a better risk environment for the investors. The investors are given the space to seize the opportunity of growing population, rising income level, and rapid economic growth to bring about new business areas and flourish the economy further.

Some social factors are important to consider in this industry. Improved standard of living has driven the people towards availing more banking services. The government is taking every step to increase financial inclusion in the country. The population and literacy rate in the country is increasing day by day. Technology in the country is entering into the root level. The people are having better access to the smartphones, internet, and latest technologies. The development of 5G infrastructure is ongoing in the country which will help it to be marching with the latest world.

Green banking initiatives are taken in Bangladesh. The institutions are therefore directed to investigate the environmental impact of a project before financing it. There is a directive to maintain a certain percentage of agricultural loan in the total loan portfolio. One final remark about this industry is that the high regulation oftentimes become burdensome for the industry therefore, the financial institutions need to stay decisive in such situations.

Financial performance of LankaBangla

LankaBangla Finance Limited has reported gross income of BDT 8,146 million in 2020, which was BDT 10,172 million in 2019. The gross revenue has decreased by 19.91% during this year mainly due to the impacts of Covid-19. In the gross income, interest income has been BDT 5,972 million, which was BDT 7,275 million – a 17.91% decrease. The company has reported BDT 987 million in total profit after tax in 2020, which was BDT 508 a year earlier. Despite the subside in the gross revenue, the company managed to report a 94.29% growth in the profit after tax. The company has reported this high growth in profit because of lower provision maintenance and a decrease in the overall operating cost due to its reduced workforce during the year. It has shrunk its workforce from 1,804 in 2019 to 1,391 in 2020.

Total asset base of the company stands at BDT 81,835 million which was BDT 84,362 million during the end of the previous year. Net assets value (NAV) per share of the company in 2020 is BDT 18.73, which was BDT 17.60 in 2019. The growth has been due to the increase in total equity for an increase in profit during the year. Cash balance of the company in 2020 is BDT 631.53 million which was BDT 877.74 million. The company has declared a 12% cash dividend in 2020 with no associated stock dividend, which was 7% cash and 5% bonus in 2019.

Earnings per share (EPS) of the company in 2020 has been BDT 1.81, which was BDT 0.98 in 2019. Price to earnings ratio (P/E) as on May 05, 2022 is 17.18 times. Return on assets (ROA) of the company during the latest year is 1.06% and return on equity (ROE) is 8.05% during the same period. These ratios were 7.23% and 0.91%, respectively, in the previous period. Return on capital employed (ROCE) during 2020 is 1.16% which was 0.99% in the previous year. The company has reduced its amount of debt which is apparent from its debt-to-equity ratio of 5.71 times in 2020 and 6.23 times in 2019. Capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of the company is 18.83%, which is well above the regulatory requirement of 10%.

Recent developments

• LankaBangla Finance Ltd has posted a growth of 31% in terms of profit for the year ended December, 2021. Annual profit reported for this year is BDT 1,300 million compared to BDT 970 crore in the previous year. Consolidated EPS of the company stood at BDT 2.38, which was BDT 1.81 in 2020.⁴
• LankaBangla Finance Ltd and Rangs Ltd has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in April, 2022. Under the arrangement, customers of the non-bank financial institution will enjoy discounts on vehicle price, spare parts and servicing from the local industrial conglomerate.⁵
• In November, 2021, LBFL has received $21 million foreign loan from Financing for Healthier Lives DAC ($5 million), and responsAbility Investments AG ($16 million). The proceeds from the loans will mainly be utilized to lend to small and medium enterprises and finance projects which will have a positive social impact.⁶
• In March, 2022, LBFL has signed a MoU with US-Bangla Airlines whereby LankaBangla Finance Mastercard Titanium and VISA Platinum cardmember will enjoy Dhaka-Maldives-Dhaka return air ticket with exclusive price at only Tk34,999 from US-Bangla Airlines Ltd. 

1. ^ https://www.lankabangla.com/milestone/#milestone
2. ^ https://www.lankabangla.com/milestone/#milestone
3. ^ Annual Report, 2020, p.134
4. ^ https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/stocks/lankabangla-finance-posts-31-profit-growth-2021-402134
5. ^ https://www.thedailystar.net/business/organisation-news/news/lankabangla-finance-rangs-ltd-sign-mou-3006721
6. ^ https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/corporates/lankabangla-finance-receives-21-million-foreign-loan-335824