News & market updates

CRIB delivered 8.9 million credit reports in 2024 and reported 14.8 million active credit records, covering 81% of Sri Lanka's adult population. It secured clearances to allow MSMEs and the public to use movable assets as collateral and expanded digital data sources, including gold loans.

Seylan Bank PLC’s Islamic Banking Unit won the 'Islamic Finance Deal of the Year' at the SLIBFI Awards 2025 for sole financing via a Diminishing Musharaka of a 10 MW solar project in Batticaloa costing over LKR 2.3 billion. The SPV Sooryashakthi is owned by Solar Universe, a JV of Vidullanka PLC and Windforce PLC.

Brand Finance published Sri Lanka's 100 Most Valuable Brands for 2025, ranking Bank of Ceylon top with a brand value of Rs.57,411m; Commercial Bank, Dialog and People’s Bank follow the top positions. The list covers firms across banking, telecoms, FMCG, healthcare, hospitality and other sectors.

nVentures, a MAS‑licensed Singapore VC, has invested over $1.5m in six Sri Lankan startups and helped secure commercial ties, including a co‑branded card with HNB, CEFT integration with Seylan Bank, and debt financing from DFCC.

Seylan Bank ran a series of regional SME development forums across Colombo, Matara, Gampaha, North Central and Galle to boost financial literacy, export readiness, digital market access and support for women entrepreneurs. Events included sponsoring the "Sale Up" program and collaborating with the Export Development Board and local partners.

nVentures became the first MAS-licensed foreign VC active in Sri Lanka, channeling over USD 1.5 million into local startups. The firm has backed six ventures and secured commercial partnerships involving local banks, including HNB (co-branded card with Nanosoft), Seylan (CEFT integration) and DFCC (debt financing for MintPay).

Colombo market extended its positive streak to nine days as the ASPI rose about 34 points (0.17%) on turnover of Rs.5.28 billion. Key contributors included MELS, SEYB, CTC, ACL and SAMP; ACL rose Rs.6.50 while Access Engineering fell 30 cents, and foreigners were net sellers of Rs.36.2m.

Colombo bourse closed marginally higher as the ASPI rose 0.17% to 19,566.15, led by capital goods and bank stocks. John Keells reported a Rs.803.7mn loss in the June quarter and Ceylon Cold Stores' June-quarter net fell 7% to Rs.1,092.7mn.

Seylan Bank reported June-quarter profit of 2.76 billion rupees, up 25% year-on-year, with EPS of 4.35 rupees, driven by lower provisions and higher fee income. For the six months to June the group reported profit of 5.44 billion rupees (EPS 8.56), up 19.9%.

Seylan Bank recorded PAT of LKR 5,489 Mn in 1H 2025, a 20.41% year‑on‑year increase. PBT was LKR 8,444 Mn (+15.18%), NIM fell to 4.52%, it raised LKR 15 Bn in Tier‑2 debentures and Fitch upgraded its national rating to A+(lka).

Seylan Bank (SEYB.N0000) reported PAT of Rs. 5,489 million for 1H 2025, up 20.41% y/y, with PBT of Rs. 8,444 million (+15.18%). Capital adequacy was 16.85%, Stage 3 ratio improved to 1.76% with 81.82% coverage, NIM fell to 4.52%, and the bank raised Rs. 15 billion in Tier-2 debentures; Fitch upgraded its national rating to A+(lka).

Seylan Bank held the Ultimate Sports Quiz 2025 organized by its Sports Club, with Kalubowila Branch winning the Challenge Shield; the top three teams received prizes from CEO Ramesh Jayasekara.

DFCC Bank launched Sri Lanka's first 20-year fixed-rate home loan, offering the 20-year fixed product from 13% and home loan rates starting at 9.5%. The product includes up to 30-year terms, personalised repayment plans and full disbursement in as little as ten working days.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher, ASPI up 0.79% (151.15 pts) at 19,243.08 and S&P SL20 up 0.57% at 5,689.62. Top contributors included DFCC, Carson Cumberbatch, NDB and NTB; banking stocks led turnover (Rs1.3bn) and the central bank kept the policy rate at 7.75%.

Colombo market closed a healthy week: ASPI +2.3%, S&P SL20 +3.1%, average daily turnover Rs.9.88bn and net foreign inflow Rs.373.9m. Key contributors included Central Finance, Hayleys, John Keells, Sampath and Singer; John Keells rose to Rs.25.50 while HNB fell to Rs.358.50 and Seylan (non-voting) rose to Rs.66.30.

Seylan Bank's Rs15bn debenture issue was oversubscribed, receiving Rs23,882,010,000 in subscriptions; the rupee-denominated, Basel III-compliant subordinated debentures were rated A-(lka) by Fitch.

ASPI hit a record closing of 18,838.39, up 297.13 points (1.60%) on turnover of Rs. 9.49 billion. Banking-led activity (31% of turnover) drove the rise, with Sampath, Seylan (non-voting), Pan Asia, John Keells, Melstacorp and Commercial Bank among the top contributors.

Seylan Bank PLC's Basel III-compliant Tier II listed debenture issue of up to Rs.15 billion was oversubscribed on the opening day. Proceeds will strengthen Tier II capital, reduce maturity mismatches and expand lending to SMEs, exporters and agriculture.

Colombo bourse rebounded as ASPI rose 0.8% (145 pts) to 18,142 on turnover of Rs.7.8bn, led by strong activity in Capital Goods and Banking; CTHR, DOCK, AEL, RIL and JKH were among top positive contributors.

Colombo stocks closed marginally down, with the ASPI falling 0.23% to 18,100 and the S&P SL20 down 0.22% to 5,347. Seylan Bank received in-principle CSE approval for a Rs15bn Basel III debenture issue, and Tal Lanka Hotels listed 32,228,524 ordinary voting shares after a private placement.

Government launches a Rs.6.5 billion concessionary loan scheme (1–15 Nov 2025) offering up to Rs.50 million per borrower at 7% interest to SME paddy millers and cooperatives to stabilise paddy prices; 15 state and private banks, including HNB, COMB, SAMP, DFCC, NDB, NTB, ABL, SEYB, CBNK and PABC, will disburse the funds.

Seylan Bank held Vesak cultural events: its annual Bethi Gee ceremony at Seylan Tower on 9 May 2025, its ensemble performed at the Buddhi Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya, and it hosted the 9th Maha Ice Cream Dansela at its head office on 12 May 2025.

Fitch assigned an 'A-(lka)' final rating to Seylan Bank PLC's proposed LKR15 billion Basel III subordinated debentures. The notes (5- and 10-year maturities) will be listed on the CSE and proceeds are intended to strengthen Tier 2 capital, support loan growth and reduce maturity mismatches.

Seylan Bank PLC finished second runner-up in the Governor’s Challenge Trophy 2025; People’s Bank won the quiz held on 9 June 2025 at Galadari Hotel during the CBSL 75th anniversary celebrations.

Seylan Bank PLC signed an MoU on 10 April with Amana Takaful General PLC to distribute Amana Takaful's motor, health, fire and property insurance products through Seylan's branch network nationwide. The partnership aims to expand insurance access and strengthen Seylan's bancassurance offerings.

Seylan Bank honoured eligible MEGA REWARDS current and savings account customers at the Wedding Show 2025, presenting rewards for occasions including weddings, surgeries and hotel packages to long-standing account holders.

Seylan Bank has launched a pre-approved lease for vehicle imports that can cover import duties and offers competitive Letter of Credit commissions, exclusive leasing and insurance discounts, plus dedicated advisory and doorstep/express services.

DFCC Bank says Sri Lanka banks are using excess US dollar balances to finance Indian firms via syndicated loans and GIFT City, with Hatton National, NDB, Seylan, Pan Asia, Commercial Bank and Sampath participating (e.g., Satin Creditcare's $100m GIFT City loan).

Seylan Bank (SEYB.N0000) is supporting the National Industry Expo 2025 (19–22 June at BMICH) and will offer tailored SME and exporter banking solutions, including refinance facilities.

Seylan Bank launched Phase 2 of its Seylan Eco Solar Loans and special SME working capital loans, offering facilities from LKR25m–100m (solar loans up to LKR100m) with headline fixed rates of 11% p.a. for initial periods and variable AWPLR+1% thereafter; solar loans have up to seven-year repayment.