NDBIB wins award at Euromoney 2012

NDB Investment Bank Limited (NDBIB) was adjudged the 'Best Investment Bank in Sri Lanka' recently at the Awards for Excellence 2012 by Euromoney, the world's premier financial markets magazine.

From left: Asia Editor of the Euromoney Magazine, Anuj Gangahar, CEO of NDB Investment Banking Cluster Vajira Kulatilaka, with the award and Editor of the Euromoney Magazine Clive Horwood.

This is a historical achievement for NDBIB as well as the country since it is the first time Euromoney has recognised an investment bank in Sri Lanka, for any award. It is also the first time an investment bank in the country has received an international accolade for excellence.

CEO of NDB Investment Banking Cluster, Vajira Kulatilaka said, "It is indeed a proud moment for us at NDBIB to receive this prestigious award for investment banking and international recognition for our pioneering efforts in developing the capital market in Sri Lanka. With this achievement, NDBIB has been able to take the local investment banking industry to global standards. It is the dream of any investment bank to receive a Euromoney award, and we are proud to have achieved it and be associated with global investment banking giants in the likes of Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, UBS, Citibank and HSBC on the same platform."

NDBIB, having spearheaded the investment banking industry in the country, was recognised by Euromoney in 2012 as the acknowledged leader in Sri Lanka for debt and equity products and corporate advisory assignments. During the year 2011, NDBIB raised over Rs. 38b in debt and equity products for its clients from varied sectors of the economy, the highest quantum of funds raised from the capital markets in the country by an investment bank, which included two record breaking IPOs on the Colombo bourse.

Last year, NDBIB also strengthened its international reach through a strategic alliance with DBS Bank, Singapore, one of Asia's largest banks, to access vibrant foreign capital markets for the benefit of its clients across a broad range of areas including, syndicated loans, project finance and equity placements.

The award for 'Best Investment Bank in Sri Lanka' was presented to Vajira Kulatilaka of NDBIB by the Editor of Euromoney Magazine, Clive Horwood, and the magazine's Asia Editor, Anuj Gangahar, at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2012 - Asia ceremony, hosted by Euromoney recently at The Conrad in Hong Kong. The ceremony was attended by top executives of global banks and financial powerhouses operating in the Asian region.

CEO of NDBIB, Darshan Perera said, "We are proud and honoured to have been selected and recognised as the 'Best Investment Bank in Sri Lanka' by Euromoney, and we look forward to continuing our quest for innovation, as we have done in the past through pioneering products such as structured debt and book building, to provide unique tailor-made solutions to our valued clients".