CAL celebrates 15 years of success as Sri Lanka’s leading full service investment bank

Capital Alliance, Sri Lanka’s leading full service investment bank recently celebrated 15 years of success at the helm of the financial services sector. Over the years, CAL has grown from strength to strength, emerging as the country’s leading investment bank and a pioneer in innovation in the finance industryCAL’s diverse portfolio of service offerings has grown exponentially and the company has consistently been able to deliver world-class solutions and develop productsthat effectively meet the growing needs of its clients.

The company’s ethos of being ‘the preferred partner in financial markets’ is built on the deep relationshipsit enjoys with its clients, regulators and stakeholders alike. Driven by thesepartnerships, which have been built over 15 years, CAL has helped blue-chip conglomerates, family owned businesses and individual investorsto grow their businesses, earn superior returns and meet their complex financial objectives. CAL does not believe in providing ‘cookie cutter’ solutions, instead the company carefully evaluates and considers the diverse needs of each client, and thereafter crafts the most suitable solution to effectively meet their specific needs.

Having commenced operations as a secondary dealer in government securities, CAL became a primary dealer in 2003, thereafter branching out into Investment Banking, Stockbroking and most recently into Investment Management. CAL’s Investment Management unit has in a short period of time, become the largest unit trust manager in the country and currently manages a portfolio, which is valued at overRs. 30bn in assets. Its unique equity product, the Quantitative Equity Fund continues to prosper and comfortably outperforms the market. The company’s Investment Banking arm hasadvised on several landmark fundraising and M&A transactions, emerging as the undisputed market leader in IPOs, listed debentures and M&A advisory services. Some of CAL’s milestone accomplishments in this field include the issue-manager role it played in Sri Lanka’s largest post-war IPO for People’s Leasing Company PLC,which raised Rs. 7bn and the issue manager role it played in the first single-digit interest rate debenture issue for DFCC Bank which raise a total of Rs.5bn. The company also advised Hemas Holdings PLC in 2014 on the sale of its controlling stake inHemas Power PLC.

CAL is also the leading non-bank primary dealer in government securities, making markets across all maturities. In 2014, this market leadership was extended to corporate debt as well with a dominant share exceeding 50%. CAL’s Independent Research armhasfocused heavily on researching current trends and market conditions in order to ensure that the company makes significant returns on its investments and transactions. In 2014, the company’s Research team won the gold prize for ‘The Best Equity Research Report’ and the team’s excellence in research continues to help its clients stay well aware of the latest trends and developments in local and global markets.

Commenting on CAL’s 15 years of operations in Sri Lanka, Ajith Fernando, Managing Director of CAL stated, “We are immensely proud to celebrate our 15th anniversary. Over the last 15 years, CAL has celebrated many important milestones and has continuously changed the game in all service areas, primarily due to our relentless commitment to serve our clients and meet their needs. As a result of our efforts to deliver excellence to our clients, we have also been able to pioneer many innovative new products and set the industry standard in the areas of compliance and best practices. Our intention has always been to secure lasting relationships built on trust and superior advice. It is the ability to attune and align ourselves to our clients’ needs that has enabled CAL to become a dynamic force in Sri Lanka’s investment and finance arena today. The success of the company must also be attributed to CAL’s talented team of professionals who have truly helped deliver best-in-class solutions and haven taken the company to new heights.”

Ajith Fernando, the Managing Director of CAL is well renowned for his contributions to the corporate world and society at large. In 2013, he co-founded the ‘Around the Pearl’ initiative, which on an annual basis raises funds to support children suffering from cerebral palsy. The CAL team is well known in the industry for their commitment, critical thinking capabilities and their ability to consistently deliver the very best returns for their clients. Key members of the CAL team include Gihan Hemachandra, Chief Executive Officer, CAL Treasurieswho heads CAL’s Primary Dealership arm and Kishan Vairavanathan, Chief Executive Offer, CAL Partners who heads the company’s Stockbroking, Investment Management and Investment Banking units. With a wealth of experience and the ability to use insights to gauge and meet client needs, the CAL team is well-poised to continue the company’s momentum of growth.

Capital Alliance (CAL) is continuously striving to become the preferred partner in financial markets. Having commenced operations in October 2000, CAL has established itself as a leading player in the financial markets of Sri Lanka. The company specializes in the origination, trading and investment of debt and equity securities and this mix of expertise and services allows CAL to offer integrated and customized solutions to its customers across the entire financial spectrum. The company strives to build lasting relationships with all of its clients, in order to acquire an in-depth understanding of their needs and goals. CAL has built a reputation for itself as a market leader, by consistently delivering excellence in execution, world-class research and product innovation.