Alliance Finance delivers robust 1Q despite challenging economic conditions

Alliance Finance Company PLC (AFC), the first company in South Asia to achieve the endorsement of “a holistic sustainability certified value driven financial institution” concluded the first quarter of the financial year 22/23 with a resilient performance amidst inimical domestic and external environs which impacted the country.
The first quarter of the financial year severely impacted the business climate due to the increase in market interest rates, lower credit demand, increased fuel prices and shortages in supplies. The country also defaulted its foreign debt payments resulting in the country being downgraded by external rating agencies.  Sharp depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee and a significant increase in headline inflation also negatively impacted the economic activity of the country at large.

Despite the external challenges, the company reported a solid 54 percent increase in total Interest Income while doubling its profit after tax for the quarter in comparison to the same period last year. It is noteworthy that the said performance was reported by the company during a period of adverse economic conditions after making a significant amount of provisions prudently by way of Management overlays in addition to the modeled Impairment provisions. Further, the company also accounted for significant increases in cost of funds and operating expenses due to the upsurge in fuel prices and the resulting adverse inflationary impact. AFC was also able to maintain its loan book although the industry recorded a contraction. Performing better than the industry, the company was also able to maintain its Gross NPL ratio at 4.87 percent during the most challenging economic conditions experienced post independence thus reflecting the success of its triple bottom line business philosophy and the reduced risk of its portfolio as a result of focusing on the financing of the smaller rural economies in the country.

The company’s deposit base grew significantly from Rs.14.6 billion to Rs.17.8 billion during the first three months of the financial year clearly demonstrating the high level of Investor confidence in the AFC franchise. The company also maintained a robust core capital ratio of 11.74 percent and total capital ratio of 15.24 percent as against the minimum core capital ratio of 7 percent and total capital ratio of 11 percent stipulated by the regulator.
Truly inspired by the triple bottom line, AFC continues its strong commitment towards sustainability as the country navigates through its most difficult times experienced thus far. AFC’s annual budget has allocated 8 percent of its previous year’s Profit After Tax on social and environmental sustainability initiatives.