Asia Securities expands investment banking capabilities through merger with YSP Advisors

Asia Securities Holdings Ltd. announced the completion of its merger with YSP Advisors Ltd., combining the capabilities of each firm to offer clients best-in-class investment banking services.

The merger will create a team with an unparalleled track record advising on mergers and acquisitions, cross-border transactions and capital raisings. With combined experience in excess of 50 years, the new Asia Securities Investment Banking Division will provide a differentiated offering through the ability to leverage its strong international as well as local investor base and deliver insight based, value-creating capital solutions for clients.

Asia Securities Holdings Ltd. is a leading financial services firm in Sri Lanka, providing clients with equity brokerage, research, investment banking and wealth management services. Its origins date back to 1990, with the founding of its subsidiary, Asia Securities Ltd. – now a top 3 equity brokerage firm in Sri Lanka. In 2015, it was acquired by a consortium led by Dumith Fernando, previously Group COO of Credit Suisse Asia Pacific.

YSP Advisors Ltd is a boutique investment bank that has built the leading franchise in cross-border M&A in Sri Lanka. The team is led by Sujendra Mather and Sharini Kulasinghe who have international and local investment banking experience completing transactions in Southeast Asia, South Asia, North America and Africa. Having built an extensive network of international and Sri Lankan investors and intermediaries, the team is well placed to advise and execute a range of capital raising and M&A transactions. 

Commenting on the merger, Asia Securities Chairman Dumith Fernando said: “We are excited by the unique value proposition this merger will offer to clients, in combining our deep and trusted relationships with the execution capabilities of YSP Advisors’ world class investment banking team.”

The combined investment banking unit has recently advised on several big-ticket transactions including the Rs. 12.6 billion sale of Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC to Hayleys PLC and the Rs. 5.7 billion sale of Atlas Axillia Co. Ltd. to Hemas Holdings PLC and notable cross border transactions include the sale of Causeway Paints Lanka Ltd. to Asian Paints Ltd. (India) and the sale of MillenniumIT ESP by London Stock Exchange Group.

Commenting on the merger, YSP Advisors Co-Managing Directors, Sujendra Mather and Sharini Kulasinghe said: “We are excited about this amalgamation which will couple our Investment Banking execution capabilities with the strong brand, relationships and platform of Asia Securities to deliver international standards of service to our combined client base.”