IFC Helps Sri Lankan Banks Manage Risk in Tough Times

IFC Helps Sri Lankan Banks Manage Risk in Tough Times

In New Delhi:
Minakshi Seth
Phone: +91 11 4111 1000
E-mail: mseth@ifc.org


Colombo, Sri Lanka, March 19, 2009─IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is working and sharing knowledge through workshops with bank executives in Sri Lanka and other South Asian countries to help them understand and better manage risks in the wake of the global financial crisis.

IFC hosted a workshop today in Colombo, Sri Lanka, following successful sessions in India and Bangladesh. The crisis response workshop, “Managing Risks in Good Times and Bad,” discussed coping strategies and best practices for managing risks during tough times. Participants included senior managers of financial institutions, rating agencies, audit and consulting firms from Sri Lanka and Maldives.

The program covered the current state of global financial markets, risk management in financial institutions, operational risks, and insurance as a tool to finance risks. Participants shared experiences on risk management and implications of financial sector policy changes in developed and emerging markets, particularly in response to the turbulent and rapidly changing financial environment. The lessons learned can guide practitioners and bankers on strengthening their operations and identifying potential risks.

“The financial crisis has taken a global form, affecting people’s livelihoods directly and indirectly all over the world,” said Per Kjellerhaug, IFC Regional Manager for South Asia.

Michael Higgins, IFC Principal Banking Specialist, said, “Poor risk management practices have resulted in the current financial crisis, causing a severe credit crunch, and banks need to win back investors’ trust.”

The workshop helped the banking industry discuss liquidity, risk management practices, risk mitigating approaches and early warning signals to watch out for. Global banks dealing with severe events especially need to correctly assess risk and address them by insurance or other means.

Lakshmi Shyam Sunder, IFC Director for Corporate Risk Management emphasized that good risk management is not about mechanically adopting best practices but it is about the right balance between elements such as independence and active judgment.

IFC is planning other workshops across South Asia and working closely with banks in the region to help structure robust risk management systems. The effort is part of IFC’s wider strategy to support private sector growth to help create jobs and opportunity.

To learn more about IFC’s activities in South Asia, visit www.ifc.org/southasia.

About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group creates opportunity for people to escape poverty and improve their lives. We foster sustainable economic growth in developing countries by supporting private sector development, mobilizing private capital, and providing advisory and risk mitigation services to businesses and governments. Our new investments totaled $16.2 billion in fiscal 2008, a 34 percent increase over the previous year. For more information, please visit www.ifc.org.