Good Governance & Strong Economy See Canadian Bank Snap up Cambodia's ABA Bank

In a strong show of confidence in the Cambodia banking sector and the galloping Cambodia economy the National Bank of Canada (NBC) has paid US$103 million to increase its equity in Advanced Bank of Asia (ABA Bank) from 42 per cent to 90 per cent.

The increased investment raises the Canadian bank’s holdings in ABA Bank to $148 million and is the first time that a North American financial institution has taken a majority share in a Cambodian bank.

NBC first expressed interest in ABA Bank in 2014 with the purchase of a 10 per cent stake. In September 2014 it raised its shareholding in ABA Bank to 30 per cent, before increasing that to 42 per cent in January 2015.

Established in 1996, ABA bank has 1,300 employees and 35 branches that manage $928 million in assets. In 2014 and 2015 The Banker named ABA Bank as ‘Cambodia’s Bank of the Year’, while Euromoney awarded it the title of ‘Best Bank in Cambodia’.

Askhat Azhikhanov, ceo of ABA Bank described the acquisition by the NBC as one of ABAs major milestones since founding, made more auspicious coming during its 20th anniversary year.

National Bank of Canada's Karen Leggett and ABA Bank's Askhat Azhikhanov announcing the increased Canadian shareholding. — National Bank of Canada’s Karen Leggett and ABA Bank’s Askhat Azhikhanov announcing the increased Canadian shareholding. Photo: Supplied

“It demonstrates our strong position in the market, and our partner’s confidence in the strategy and growth of ABA Bank. The latest capital injection gives us unprecedented market opportunities and the ability to deliver more to our clients”.

In 2015 ABA Bank’s net profit increased more than 133 per cent from a year prior going from $7.5 million in 2014 to $16 million in 2015.

According to Mr Azhikhanov the capital injection from the NBC will sustain ABA’s robust growth rates and boost its geographical expansion while maintaining adequate capital level.

“Our strategy will not change. We will continue to extend our branch network and will follow our strategy with separate focus on micro-, small and medium enterprises on the lending side and retail, corporate and institutional clients on the funding side”, he added.

Good Governance A Major Factor

According to Karen Leggett, NBC executive vice-president, the Canadian financial institution is constantly on the lookout for long-term investment opportunities in high growth markets.

“Cambodia, which is known for its strong economic prospects, was a natural fit.” ABA Bank caught our attention immediately. From the outset, we felt that this well-established institution, with good governance standards, would be a partner of choice.

“We both share a common view of matters such as: A commitment to local development; A willingness to offering the best quality of service possible; A dedication to creating value through digital banking solutions.

“NBC commenced operation more than 150 years as a financial institution by and for entrepreneurs. We have helped tens of thousands of businesses to get started, to grow, and prosper. We see a synergy with the way in which ABA Bank has done the same in Cambodia and we are delighted that the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) and the government has approved our application”, she said.

According to banking industry sources the acquisition of ABA Bank is expected to add 17 cents to NBCs diluted earnings per share for the 2016 financial year which ends October 31, including a 12 cents per share gain following a revaluation of its earlier investments in ABA Bank.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is to help the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) to strengthen corporate governance among banking and financial institutions in Cambodia Photo: John Le Fevre

The NBC-ABA Bank news came just one day ahead of an announcement that the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the NBC had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen corporate governance among banking and financial institutions in Cambodia.

Kyle Kelhofer, IFC country manager for Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam said the IFC will assist the NBC to enhance its regulatory, supervisory and enforcement capabilities to “improve transparency and risk management in the banking sector.”

Simultaneously the NBC will work with the IFC to develop a corporate governance code which will outline best practice procedures to be followed by banking and financial institutions across Cambodia.

These first two phases will be followed up with a series of public seminars to raise awareness of the new principles of corporate governance in the Cambodia banking sector.

According to Mr Kelhofer these measures will “help banking and financial institutions mitigate lending risks and increase access to finance for both businesses and individuals, which will in turn contribute to further sustainable economic development of Cambodia”.

The NBC’s deputy director general of Banking Supervision, Rath Sovannorak, said the expectation is that the project will “send a strong message about the banking sector’s commitment to further improve upon its corporate governance practices and thus integrate into the global financial system”.

Related:

National Bank of Canada becomes major shareholder of ABA Bank (The Phnom Penh Post)
National Bank Acquires a Controlling Stake in Cambodian Lender (Bloomberg)
National Bank Takes Controlling Interest in ABA Bank of Cambodia (MarketWatch)
National Bank to Receive Support from IFC (Khmer Times)

Good Governance, Strong Economy See Canadian Bank Snap up Cambodia’s ABA Bank added by John Le Fevre on May 13, 2016
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John Le Fevre

Thailand editor at AEC News Today

John is an Australian national with more than 40 years experience as a journalist, photographer, videographer, and copy editor.

He has spent extensive periods of time working in Africa and throughout Southeast Asia, with stints in the Middle East, the USA, and England.

He has covered major world events including Operation Desert Shield/ Storm, the 1991 pillage in Zaire, the 1994 Rwanda genocide, the 1999 East Timor independence unrest, the 2004 Asian tsunami, and the 2009, 2010, and 2014 Bangkok political protests.

In 1995 he was a Walkley Award finalist, the highest awards in Australian journalism, for his coverage of the 1995 Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) Ebola outbreak.

Prior to AEC News Today he was the deputy editor and Thailand and Greater Mekong Sub-region editor for The Establishment Post, predecessor of Asean Today.

In the mid-80s and early 90s he owned JLF Promotions, the largest above and below the line marketing and PR firm servicing the high-technology industry in Australia. It was sold in 1995.