NDB Investment Bank makes history at Euromoney Awards for Excellence 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.

This is a historical achievement for NDBIB as well as the country since it is the first time Euromoney has ever 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.

NDB Investment Banking Cluster CEO Vajira Kulatilaka commenting on the award stated: “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 since its inception, was recognised by Euromoney in 2012 as the acknowledged leader in Sri Lanka for debt and equity products and corporate advisory assignments.

During 2011, NDBIB raised over Rs. 38 billion in both 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, in order to access vibrant foreign capital markets for the benefit of its clients across a broad range of areas including, M&A, syndicated loans, project finance and equity placements.

The award for ‘Best Investment Bank in Sri Lanka’ was presented to Kulatilaka by Euromoney Magazine Editor Clive Horwood and the magazine’s Asia Editor Anuj Gangahar at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2012 – Asia ceremony, a gala event hosted by Euromoney held on 12 July at The Conrad in Hong Kong. The ceremony was attended by distinctive guests including top executives of global banks and financial powerhouses operating in the Asian Region.

Commenting on the award, NDBIB CEO Darshan Perera stated: “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, in order to provide unique tailor made solutions to our valued clients.”

Subsequent to a recent restructuring within the NDB group, NDBIB is now positioned as the local investment banking arm of NDB Capital Holdings PLC (formerly known as Capital Development and Investment Company PLC), the leader in providing a wide gamut of innovative capital market solutions in the areas of investment banking, stock brokering and wealth management in Sri Lanka as well as in Bangladesh.

Euromoney Magazine has been the voice of international capital markets for over 40 years, offering unique coverage on the banking sector and global equity, bond and foreign exchange markets. Its annual Awards for Excellence program has been running for 22 years and forms a benchmark for financial institutions featuring high-quality products and services across all areas of commercial and investment banking.

The selection criteria of Best Investment Bank Awards are based on both quantitative and qualitative factors over the preceding 12-month period. Euromoney’s awards for excellence cover more than 20 global product categories and best-in class awards by region and country.