People’s Leasing and Financial Services, an NBFI embroiled in a major financial scandal, plans to rebrand as Sonar Bangla Lease Finance PLC to overcome its negative image. The institution, affected by the Tk3,500 crore fraud orchestrated by PK Halder, aims for revival through a High Court-appointed board. The revival strategy includes a name change, fresh capital injection, loan recovery, and effective asset utilization.
The audited report for 2021 reveals a significant impact from defaulted loans, constituting 99% of total disbursements. To repay depositors, the NBFI recovered Tk150 crore, maintaining Tk30 crore as fixed deposits. Seeking Tk100 crore from the government, People’s Leasing aims for partnership-based earnings sharing.
Share trading suspensions may be lifted with regulatory compliance. As of December 2021, total deposits are Tk2,661 crore, with outstanding loans at Tk1,206 crore. The extraordinary general meeting on December 26 will seek shareholder approval for the rebranding.