News & market updates

NDB Wealth Management, a fully owned subsidiary of National Development Bank (NDB.N0000), hosted an investor forum in Kandy focusing on the low interest rate environment and emerging investment opportunities. Company executives highlighted renewed capital market prospects post-2022 crisis and urged long-term, risk-aware portfolio positioning.

Colombo's ASPI plunged 797.77 points (3.51%) to 21,904.14 as global oil prices surged over 20% after West Asia supply shocks. Major negative contributors were Commercial Bank, John Keells, Hatton National Bank, Sampath Bank and National Development Bank, with heavy selling in banks (Rs.1.86bn).

New private sector borrowing from Sri Lanka’s banking sector fell to Rs. 82.6 billion in January 2026, an 11-month low, while domestic commercial bank lending dropped to Rs. 108 billion (nine-month low); total outstanding private sector debt rose 26.3% YoY to Rs. 10.3 trillion.

NDB Wealth hosted an exclusive investor forum and networking session in Kandy, discussing the low interest rate environment and emerging investment opportunities. Speakers highlighted macro stabilization, improving liquidity and chances across equities and fixed income while stressing disciplined long-term asset allocation.

National Development Bank PLC partnered with Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo as Exclusive Banking Partner for Chinese New Year celebrations (25 Feb–1 Mar), offering NDB PRV Signature/Infinite cardholders 25% and Platinum cardholders 15% savings on the dinner buffet.

The ASPI rose 1.13% to 22,833.53 as Colombo stock market extended its rebound in a second session, with turnover near Rs.5.7bn and foreign net inflows of Rs.189.4m. Gains were led by John Keells, DFCC, NDB and Commercial Bank, with HNB Finance among top turnover contributors.

National Development Bank (NDB) received Colombo Stock Exchange approval in principle to list Rs 16 billion of debentures, issuing 120 million Tier-2 Basel III-compliant GSS+ bonds (11.50%, 11.04% and 11.85%) at Rs100 each. Subscription opens March 10; issue is rated BBB+(lka) by Fitch and managed by NDB Investment Bank.

The ASPI rose 256.12 points (1.13%) to 22,833.53, with the S&P SL20 up 68.14 points to 6,425.80; heavyweight contributors included John Keells, DFCC Bank, NDB, Dialog Axiata and Commercial Bank, and turnover was Rs.5.68bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up 1.13% to 22,833.53, led by gains in John Keells, DFCC and National Development Bank while Senkadagala Finance fell 10.66%. National Development Bank received CSE approval in principle to list Rs.16 billion of debentures at 11.50%, 11.04% and 11.85%.

Senior bankers at the Association of Professional Bankers convention urged caution, prioritising balance-sheet discipline—liquidity, capital buffers, and managing interest-rate and FX exposure—over rapid expansion. Speakers also highlighted selective growth, risk-adjusted returns, and greater use of digital capability and sustainable debt instruments.

National Development Bank PLC reported FY2025 profit after tax of LKR 11.0bn, an all-time high (LKR 9.0bn in 2024) and doubled on a normalised basis excluding 2024 ISB one-offs. Net loans and deposits expanded ~26.7% and 10.4% (normalised), ROE improved to 13.5% and EPS was LKR 25.90.

NDB Bank led a Negombo Lagoon clean-up under its “Adopt a Lagoon” programme, removing more than 3,000 kg of non-biodegradable waste. About 50–60% of mixed waste will go to the Kerawalapitiya Waste-to-Energy plant and PET bottles will be recycled.

Banks across Sri Lanka are intensifying AML/CFT controls ahead of the country's third mutual evaluation, warning a negative outcome would damage financial credibility and access to funding. Leading banks such as DFCC and HNB report system upgrades, AI-backed transaction monitoring, stronger KYC/UBO processes and mock evaluations.

AIA Group says it is optimistic about Sri Lanka's insurance market and aims to help the IRCSL double the market in five years. AIA met regulators, committed Rs.50 million to a national initiative, and engaged bancassurance partners including NDB, DFCC and Commercial Bank to expand insurance access.

AIA Insurance Lanka launched 'Vision X', a strategic blueprint to deepen bancassurance partnerships and deliver a digital-first customer experience, highlighting ties with NDB, DFCC, Commercial Bank and Pan Asia Bank.

AIA Insurance Lanka launched 'Vision X', unveiling a bancassurance strategic blueprint and celebrating partnerships with banks including NDB, DFCC, Commercial Bank and Pan Asia, highlighting a digital-first customer experience and strengthened long-term collaboration.

ASPI rose 0.80% (190.27 pts) to 23,900.11 and the S&P SL20 gained 1.38% to 6,710.33, led by strength in large-cap banking stocks. Market turnover was over Rs.5.6bn, foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.167.6m, with HNB, SAMP, COMB, DOCK and NDB among top positive contributors.

NDB Wealth (National Development Bank PLC) opened its second branch in Kandy, expanding its regional wealth management and investment services into Sri Lanka's Central Province.

HNB MD/CEO Damith Pallewatte highlights HNB’s Sarusara agripreneur programme (15,000 participants to date, 30,000 target) and a 2026–2030 strategic plan. He warns of banking-sector challenges (liquidity, asset quality, digital risk) and urges ecosystem-building across exports, agriculture, tourism and digital services.

Home Lands launched four new resort apartment projects totaling 1,000 units in Greater Colombo. Five partner banks (Commercial Bank, HNB, Sampath, NDB and DFCC) are supporting the Home Lands Wealth Builder payment plan, offering flexible financing including up to 100% funding.

The Association of Alternate Financial Institutions appointed its new 2026/27 board, with Siddeeque Akbar as President. AAFI's membership includes Commercial Bank, L B Finance, NDB, Seylan Bank and Hatton National Bank.

NDB Investment Bank (part of the NDB group) acted as exclusive financial adviser and arranger to raise $40m for Maldives Airport Company to refinance part of the capex for a new passenger terminal. Hatton National Bank (lead bank and facility agent) and Nations Trust Bank were other lead lenders in the syndicated facility.

NDB Bank launched Visa’s Card Present Connect (CPC) in Sri Lanka — the first implementation in Visa’s South Asia market — enabling merchants to accept EMV chip, contactless and mobile wallet payments via SmartPOS, low-cost readers or tap-to-phone. The solution aims to lower costs, speed onboarding and help NDB scale acquiring services.

Home Lands will launch 1,000 brand-new resort-style apartments across four projects at a property investment roadshow on 8 Feb, with five banks (Commercial Bank, HNB, Sampath, NDB and DFCC) offering up to 100% financing and flexible payment plans.

IFC proposes up to $20m to support John Keells' South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT) capacity expansion to fund new ship-to-shore cranes. The funding will use IFC’s MCPP with a parallel lender; IFC also announced a separate $166m SME financing package via NTB, Commercial Bank and NDB.

NDB Wealth, the wealth-management arm of National Development Bank PLC (NDB.N0000), opened its second branch in Kandy to expand regional investment and advisory services. Clients at the new office can access unit trusts, portfolio management and stockbroking via NDB Securities.

National Development Bank (NDB.N0000) partnered with Visa to launch Card Present Connect, an in-person digital payment acceptance solution powered by Cybersource — the first implementation of its kind in Visa South Asia. The solution supports EMV, contactless and mobile wallet payments on Android SmartPOS, reducing costs and simplifying onboarding for SMBs and acquiring banks.

Ceylon Land and Equity PLC appointed Kishan Vairavanathan as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Vairavanathan is currently an Independent Non-Executive Director of Galle Face Capital Partners and has held senior roles at Janashakthi, Capital Alliance and NDB stockbrokers.

NDB Bank has launched Visa's Card Present Connect (CPC) in Sri Lanka, a Cybersource-powered in-person payment acceptance solution for SMBs using Android SmartPOS. The offering supports EMV, contactless and mobile wallets and aims to lower costs, speed onboarding and simplify deployment for acquiring banks.

National Development Bank PLC (NDB.N0000) said it has expanded its partnership with the IFC to include a Risk Sharing Facility, an unfunded trade finance guarantee and advisory support to strengthen transaction banking, supply-chain finance and climate risk management, targeting SMEs and exporters.