News & market updates

HNB FINANCE PLC reported PAT of Rs. 620.43 mn for H1 FY2025/26, up 129% YoY. PBT rose 160% to Rs. 1,645.7 mn as gross income climbed 29% and loans grew 36% (leasing +57%); assets, deposits, ROE and EPS also improved.

HNB PLC reported Group PAT of Rs 34.7 Bn for the nine months to Sep 2025, up 47% YoY (Bank PAT Rs 31.5 Bn, +42%). Loans grew by Rs 287.7 Bn (Bank Rs 262.6 Bn), group assets exceeded Rs 2.6 Tn, net Stage 3 ratio fell to 1.36%, Tier I 16.74% and LCR 227.45%.

Hatton National Bank group posted a Q3 (Sep 2025) net profit of Rs 11.03 billion, up 53%, with EPS of Rs 19.30. Nine-month profit was Rs 33.4 billion (up 46%); loans rose 26% to Rs 1,391 billion and deposits grew 10% to Rs 1,932 billion.

HNB Finance PLC (HNBF.N0000) won five awards at the SLIM NASCO Awards 2025 in the Financial Services Provider category, including a gold in Sales Supervisor and several bronze awards across sales roles, highlighting the firm's sales team performance and recognition.

The Northern Investment Summit 2026 will be held 21–22 Jan in Jaffna to attract investment into the Northern Province, backed by government, India mentorship and private partners; Hatton National Bank is partnering to provide finance and support capital access.

L B Finance PLC appointed microfinance specialist Ravi Tissera as an Executive Director. He is founder CEO of LOLC Microcredit, ex-CEO of Early Dawn Microfinance (Myanmar) and has previously held board roles at HNB Finance and Seylan Bank.

Hatton National Bank hosted the inaugural Sri Lanka FinTech Summit 2025 at BMICH, where Visa launched 'Visa Accept' in Sri Lanka to enable merchants to accept card payments via smartphones without extra hardware. The two-day forum gathered regulators, banks, startups and policymakers to discuss digital payments, blockchain, AI and financial inclusion.

HNB Finance (HNBF) signed an MoU with Indra Traders on 15 Aug 2025 to offer exclusive vehicle leasing solutions and customer benefits, including competitive leasing rates, multi-year warranties, discounts on spare parts and complimentary labour services.

HNB Finance PLC completed its 'Financial Literacy for Development' workshops in Wennappuwa and Nawalapitiya, hosting over 200 MSME participants. The sessions covered business account and debt management, cost control and profit reinvestment, and participants received the company's Financial Literacy for Growth manual and awards for innovative ideas.

Hatton National Bank partnered with IHH Healthcare’s Sri Lanka office to run patient education sessions on orthopedics across Negombo, Kandy and Jaffna. The program covered trends such as robotic-assisted joint replacement, minimally invasive surgery and image-guided injections.

Hatton National Bank MD Damith Pallewatte is leading the Sri Lanka FinTech Summit 2025 (Sept 24–25) to coordinate a national fintech ecosystem, targeting measures like 95% financial inclusion by 2030 and $100m in near-term fintech investment; workstreams will focus on SME lending, KYC interoperability, blockchain pilots and cross-border payments.

HNB FINANCE PLC ran 'Financial Literacy for Development' workshops in Wennappuwa and Nawalapitiya, training over 200 MSME participants. Sessions covered business account management, debt and cost control, awarded innovative ideas, and participants received the company's Financial Literacy for Growth manual.

ASPI rose 143.73 points to 20,714.80 as turnover hit Rs.11.1bn, led by banking stocks and conglomerates with top contributors JKH, HNB, SAMP, BUKI and NDB. Banking accounted for 39% of turnover and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.1.1bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up, ASPI +0.70% to 20,714.80, driven by sustained investor interest in banks and diversified financials. Top contributors included John Keells, Hatton National Bank, Sampath Bank, Bukit Darah, National Development Bank and HNB Finance, with market turnover Rs11.14bn.

Hatton National Bank (HNB) reported H1 2025 Group PAT up 42.5% to Rs 23.16 Bn and Bank PAT up 37.9% to Rs 21.19 Bn, with group assets topping Rs 2.5 Tn. Asset quality improved (Net Stage 3 1.59%), Tier I at 18.42% and LCR 271.54%.

HNB group PAT rose 42.5% to Rs.23.16bn in 1H 2025, with bank PAT up 37.9% to Rs.21.19bn. Group assets topped Rs.2.5tn, loans and deposits grew strongly, Net Stage 3 improved to 1.59%, and capital and liquidity ratios stayed well above regulatory minima.

CSE director Ray Abeywardena said Sri Lanka's exchange rate stability is providing investor confidence and predictability. He credited prudent policy, improved external sector performance and steady foreign investment and tourism receipts for the stability.

HNB CEO Damith Pallewatte outlines HNB's plan to channel private capital into agrimodernisation and exporters, targeting 30,000 Agripreneurs under HNB Sarusara. He cites 4.8% GDP growth in 1Q25 and an 800bp policy‑rate cut since 2023 as supporting conditions.

The Association of Professional Bankers hosted a panel at the Bank of Ceylon where CISOs from Commercial Bank and Hatton National Bank and other experts discussed strengthening cyber risk supervision and digital resilience for the banking sector.

Colombo market hit a record ASPI of 18,541 (up 380 pts, 2.09%) as turnover reached Rs.10.22bn, led by banking stocks and John Keells. Foreign investors were net sellers (net outflow Rs.1.2bn) and the banking sector accounted for 27% of turnover.

HNB Finance PLC (HNBF) launched HNBF Online Banking in June 2025, a free mobile and web platform offering account management, real-time payments, bill settlement, e-statements and biometric security for 24/7 digital banking access.

HNB Finance PLC (HNBF) launched HNBF Online Banking in June 2025, a digital platform offering account management, real-time payments, bill settlement, e-statements and biometric security. The app includes automated payments, streamlined account opening and virtual customer support.

LankaPay CEO Channa de Silva said the Fintech Forum aims to position Sri Lanka as a regional fintech hub, noting Rs.1.3tn in cash circulation and Rs.34tn in digital transactions last year and urging bank–fintech partnerships to boost rural financial inclusion.

ASPI rose 1% (205 pts) to a record 17,740 as turnover hit Rs.6.85bn. Diversified Financials led activity (20% of turnover) with Food, Beverage & Tobacco and Capital Goods also active; HNB Finance, Sunshine, Hemas and Dipped Products were among the top gainers.

HNB Finance (HNBF) reported Profit Before Tax of Rs. 2.2 billion for FY24/25, a 112% increase year‑on‑year. The company also posted a 27% rise in lending to Rs. 50.3 billion, strong growth in gold loans (65%) and leasing (64%), an oversubscribed rights issue and a Fitch upgrade to A(lka) (Stable).

Colombo market rallied as the ASPI rose 2% (a 344-point gain) to 17,536 and the S&P SL20 gained 1.66%, with turnover near Rs.6 billion. Capital Goods, Banking and Diversified Financials led activity; several listed names including John Keells, HNB Finance and Pan Asia saw strong participation and price gains.