BSP Financial Group (ASX:BFL) acknowledged a statement by James Marape, the prime minister of Papua New Guinea, that the lender "remains a trusted and indispensable partner" for the country and that it will continue to service and maintain government accounts, with no drastic shifts in the existing arrangements, according to a Friday Australian bourse filing.
The bank said it is committed to engaging with the Papua New Guinea Government, regulators, and other stakeholders to "support financial stability, economic growth, and financial inclusion," and that it does not expect a material impact on its 2025 financial results.
Papua New Guinea recently decided to reintroduce the National Banking Corporation, which Marape said was envisioned as a development instrument to "complement, not compete with, existing commercial banks."
Marape also noted recent movements in the lender's share price on both the Papua New Guinea and Australian bourses, describing them as short-term market reactions.
BSP Financial Group's shares jumped past 7% in recent trading on Friday.