News Briefs- (22-12-2017)

Jamuna Bank opens 117th branch in Munshiganj
Jamuna Bank Ltd opened its 117th branch at Binodpur of Panchashar in Munshiganj recently. Chairman of Jamuna Bank Foundation Nur Mohammed inaugurated the branch as the chief guest. Jamuna Bank Managing Director and CEO Shafiqul Alam presided over the programme. Additional Managing Director Mirza Elias Uddin Ahmed was present as special guest. High officials of the bank and local dignitaries attended the programme.— Statement

UCB inaugurates new branch in Manikganj
United Commercial Bank Limited (UCB) opened its 173rd branch in Manikganj on Wednesday. Bazal Ahmed, Director of UCB, inaugurated the branch as the chief guest. In his speech, Bazal Ahmed said, "A diversified and constant change is a common phenomenon in banking service; UCB is committed to providing the best service adopting with this change." Among others, Additional Managing Director of UCB Ahsan Afzal along with other senior officials of the bank were present at the branch opening ceremony. — Statement

Sri Lankan stocks end steady near 8-month low
Sri Lankan shares ended steady on Thursday, near an eight-month low hit in the previous session, as losses in oil palm and telecommunications offset gains in banking and diversified stocks. The Colombo Stock Index ended 0.03 per cent firmer at 6,323.52, edging up from its lowest close since April 11 touched on Wednesday. Trading was muted ahead of the holiday season, with turnover hitting a 10-month low. "The dull sentiment is continuing with the year-end holidays coming in," said Atchuthan Srirangan, senior research analyst at First Capital Holdings PLC. "Most of the investors and brokers are already on holiday and trading is taking place on very low volumes. We expect low turnover to continue for the next few days." Shares in Ceylinco Insurance Plc ended 2.9 per cent up while those in Melstacorp Plc rose 1.9 per cent. Sri Lanka Telecom Plc fell 1.4 per cent while Hatton NationAl Bank Plc ended 0.7 per cent weaker. Turnover stood at 134.7 million rupees ($880,967.95), the lowest since Feb. 1 and well below this year's daily average of 933.3 million rupees.— Reuters