News & market updates

DFCC Bank PLC acted as Lead Arranger in a $100 million syndicated social loan for India's Satin Creditcare Network Ltd. Proceeds will fund collateral-free microloans to underserved women in rural and semi-urban India under the Social Loan Principles.

DFCC Bank acted as Lead Arranger in a USD 100 million syndicated social loan for Satin Creditcare, with proceeds to fund collateral-free microloans to underserved women in rural and semi-urban India.

Daraz Sri Lanka will run its 6.6 Mid-Year Sale from June 6–10 with discounts up to 85%, free shipping and over Rs.20 million in vouchers. Several banks — Commercial Bank, DFCC, Nations Trust, NDB, Sampath and Hatton National — are payment partners offering extra savings and instalment plans.

ASPI rose 234 points (1.4%) to 17,214 on turnover of Rs.7.37bn, led by banking stocks with HNB, SAMP and COMB among top contributors. Turnover was 72% above the monthly average and foreigners recorded a net outflow of about Rs.273.6m.

DFCC Bank launched the Instant Cashback Loan, a fully digital product allowing eligible customers to obtain loans against fixed deposits in under two minutes via DFCC Online Banking (loan amounts from LKR 10,000; terms 1–60 months; coming soon to DFCC ONE app).

Colombo's ASPI rose 1.38% to 17,214.39, hitting an all-time high led by gains in banking stocks including Commercial Bank, Sampath, DFCC, Central Finance and HNB. Turnover rose to 7.3 billion and the S&P SL20 closed up 1.91%.

Colombo bourse opened June higher as ASPI rose 0.74% (125 pts) and S&P SL20 gained 1%, with turnover Rs.5.8bn and foreigners net selling ~Rs.3bn. Top turnover leaders were Access Engineering, Capital Alliance, Panasian Power, Commercial Credit and Alpha Fire, with banks and capital-goods stocks driving the rally.

Colombo ASPI rose 0.74% to 16,979.89 on Monday, led by gains in banking shares including Sampath Bank, DFCC Bank, NDB and HNB, with Access Engineering also among top contributors. Turnover was Rs 5.8bn and the S&P SL20 gained 1.07% to 5,034.92.

DFCC Bank will host the 49th ADFIAP Annual Meeting in Colombo in 2026 and received a Merit Award for Human Capital Development at the 48th meeting in Muscat. Its fintech subsidiary Synapsys signed a strategic partnership with ADFIAPNet and the Land Bank of the Philippines agreed to adopt Synapsys’ ABANX platform.

DFCC Bank partnered with TATA Motors Sri Lanka to run a vehicle leasing promotion in Jaffna, offering monthly rental plans starting from LKR 1,555. The event showcased petrol and electric passenger models and aimed to expand affordable vehicle ownership through DFCC’s flexible leasing facilities.

DFCC Bank concluded a leasing promotional campaign at the Welipenna Service Area on May 10–11, 2025, in collaboration with United Motors Lanka, promoting leasing options including monthly rentals from Rs. 1,555 for Rs. 100,000 over eight years. The on-site event focused on boosting brand visibility and customer engagement through product education and real-time support.

Ambeon Holdings PLC reported PAT of LKR 1,910 Mn for FY 2024/25, with PBT of LKR 2,260 Mn and consolidated revenue up 2% to LKR 17,522 Mn. The PAT decline of LKR 947 Mn versus the prior year largely reflects one-off gains in FY2023/24, including the 51% divestiture of Dankotuwa Porcelain.

DFCC Bank provided bottled water to over 20,000 devotees at the Sacred Tooth Relic exposition in Kandy and organised a post-event environmental clean-up, mobilising staff volunteers as part of its corporate social responsibility.

IBM will collaborate with Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC to modernise the bank’s digital infrastructure and deliver faster, more secure banking services across Sri Lanka. IBM also expressed support for Sri Lanka’s 2030 digital strategy and highlighted new hybrid AI technologies to scale enterprise AI.

Colombo Bourse opened the week higher: ASPI +0.1% and S&P SL20 +0.3% with turnover Rs. 2.6bn, led by banking stocks (Pan Asia, Commercial Bank, Seylan, HNB) and gains in John Keells and C T Holdings.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed 0.11% higher (ASPI 16,397.79) as investor confidence lifted stocks, led by gains in Hatton National Bank, John Keells, Seylan Bank, C T Holdings and Commercial Bank; turnover was 2.61 billion rupees.

HNB Group reported Q1 2025 Group PAT of Rs 11.1 Bn (up 49% YoY) and Bank PAT of Rs 10.2 Bn (up 64% YoY). The bank completed acquisition of the remaining 50% stake in HNB Investment Bank from DFCC PLC and participated in HNB Finance PLC’s rights issue; Net Stage 3 ratio improved to 1.82%.

DFCC Bank PLC concluded its Mega Town Storming Campaign across nine urban centres to boost awareness and adoption of its Current Accounts and deepen community banking relationships. The campaign mobilised frontline teams and engaged thousands through live demonstrations and personalised consultations.

DFCC Bank reported Q1 2025 Bank PAT of Rs.7.8bn, boosted by a Rs.5.018bn post-tax gain on disposal of its 50% stake in Acuity Partners. Core performance showed NII up 5%, CASA improved to 26.47% and group assets rose ~8% to Rs.765bn.

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court will accept online payments via the GovPay system, enabled through multiple bank and fintech apps including Commercial Bank, HNB, Seylan Bank, DFCC and NDB, eliminating the need for physical queues.

Supreme Court launched GovPay online payments on 15 May 2025, enabling real-time payments via multiple banking and FinTech platforms including ComBank, HNB, Seylan, DFCC and NDB. The move allows secure online payment of various court fees and aims to reduce cash transactions and queues.

DFCC Bank reported Group core business PAT of LKR 2.9 Bn and Bank PAT of LKR 7.8 Bn in Q1 2025, including a LKR 5,018 Mn post-tax gain on disposal of its 50% stake in Acuity Partners. Net interest income rose 5% to LKR 7,409 Mn, CASA improved to 26.47%, impairments fell and total assets grew ~8%, while capital ratios eased.

HNB Group reported Q1 2025 Group PAT of Rs. 11.1 billion and Bank PAT of Rs. 10.2 billion, up 49% and 64% YoY respectively. The bank posted NII of Rs. 23.7 billion, strong capital ratios (Tier 1 17.60%, total 21.89%), improved net stage 3 ratio to 1.82%, acquired the remaining 50% of HNB Investment Bank from DFCC and participated in HNB Finance PLC’s rights issue.

Colombo ASPI rose 1.63% to 16,176.10 after a US‑China 90‑day tariff pause and some positive interim/annual results lifted markets. Banking names HNB, Central Finance, Commercial Bank and Sampath led gains while DFCC fell after interim results, Dialog Finance noted fraud-related legal action and coconut exporters slipped.

DFCC Bank has partnered with Home Lands Skyline to launch a Zero Down Payment Home Loan offering 100% financing, 30% advance disbursement and loan approval/disbursement within 10 days. The facility covers purchases of Colombo city apartments and themed resort apartments and villas.

DFCC Bank was awarded the VISA Commercial Solutions Excellence Award 2025 for achieving the highest quarter-on-quarter issuance growth in Corporate Cards.

DFCC Bank group profit fell 21% to 2,992 million rupees in the March 2025 quarter amid higher operating expenses and lower gross income. Net interest income rose 5% to Rs.7.43bn, deposits grew 8% to Rs.501bn and Stage-3 impaired loans improved to 5.38%.

Sri Lanka stocks closed marginally weaker as the ASPI fell 0.06% to 15,916.17 amid lower turnover and investor caution over IMF talks, US tariff discussions and GSP+ uncertainty. HNB reported March-quarter profit up 48% to LKR 10.6 billion, while several exporters and tourism-linked stocks fell.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.53% (up 84.32 pts to 15,925.92) after the World Bank pledged US$1bn, lifting banking shares including HNB, Sampath, Commercial Bank and DFCC. Export-oriented stocks such as Teejay Lanka and Dipped Products fell as turnover dropped to LKR1.6bn.

A shareholder wrote an open letter to DFCC Bank’s board criticising the FY2024 dividend of Rs.6.00 per share (Rs.4.00 cash + Rs.2.00 scrip) and urging the board to approve a special interim dividend after a Rs.5.015 billion net gain from sale of 50% of Acuity Partners.