News & market updates

DFCC Bank completed the acquisition of Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka's wealth and retail banking business, adding approximately 50,000 customers and colleagues and taking on retail, wealth, SME, cards, lending, deposits and selected operating assets. Customers retain existing Standard Chartered account numbers, cards, PINs and payment arrangements while being migrated to DFCC's digital platforms and branch/relationship arrangements.

DFCC Bank PLC completed its acquisition of Standard Chartered Sri Lanka's retail and wealth business for LKR 3,655 million (plus taxes); the transition was effective Aug 1 and operations went live Aug 3. About 50,000 customers, 260 former SCB employees and six branches were migrated, and the deal was funded from internal capital.

DFCC Bank completed its Rs3.7 billion acquisition of Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka's Wealth and Retail business, with live operations beginning Aug 3. The deal brings 50,000 customers, six branches and 260 transferred employees; DFCC shares closed at Rs125.75 (+0.40%).

The Colombo market ended the week in red: ASPI fell 0.2% for the week and closed yesterday at 21,129.21 (‑0.09%), while the S&P SL20 was down 0.04% for the week. Market turnover was over Rs.4.3bn; main negative contributors were HNB, CFIN, DFCC, HAYL and LOLC, and foreign investors were net buyers of Rs.955.2m.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower on Friday: ASPI down 0.09% (19.50 pts) at 21,129.21 and S&P SL20 down 0.01% at 5,945.22. Market turnover was Rs 4.35 billion, with capital goods leading at Rs 1.35 billion; Hemas, Haycarb, Melstacorp and Vallibel One were positive contributors while HNB, Central Finance and DFCC were negative contributors.

DFCC Bank has introduced Sri Lanka's first ATMs and cash recycler machines offering transactions in eight languages, now available at Bandaranaike International Airport and DFCC locations in Hiriketiya, Ella and Arugam Bay, with wider rollout across its network planned.

DFCC Bank has launched Sri Lanka's first ATMs and cash recycler machines offering transactions in eight languages, now live at Bandaranaike International Airport and DFCC outlets in Hiriketiya, Ella and Arugam Bay, with a wider countrywide rollout planned.

DFCC Bank PLC has partnered with SriLankan Airlines to launch the SriLankan Airlines DFCC Visa Platinum Credit Card, offering 3,000 bonus FlySmiLes Miles on enrolment and travel benefits including priority check-in, lounge access and extra baggage allowance.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI was up 0.06% at midday (13.19 pts to 21,221.29) with market turnover LKR 358.7m and Food, Beverage & Tobacco leading turnover at LKR 201.3m. Positive contributors included John Keells, Dialog, Aitken Spence and Browns; HNB, DFCC and Ceylon Grain were top negatives; Tess Agro listed 125,000,000 shares effective July 21, 2026.

Fitch assigned DFCC Bank PLC's proposed LKR10 billion Basel III subordinated debentures an expected National Long-Term Rating of 'BBB+(EXP)(lka)'. The five-year debentures will be listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange and are intended to qualify as Tier 2 capital to strengthen the bank's capital base.

DFCC Bank ran the 'Ride for the Rosette' CSR cycling event to raise voluntary contributions for Sri Lankan leopard conservation, matching donations and directing funds to WWCT projects including the Yala Buffer Area and Hallgolla Estate.

HNB General Insurance appointed Lakshman Silva as Non-Executive/Nominee Director and Sandra De Zoysa as Independent/Non-Executive Director to its board. The appointments are intended to strengthen governance and drive digital/CX transformation as the insurer scales its platforms and customer service architecture.

DFCC Bank PLC has signed an MoU with Co-Energi to provide customers with energy audits, technical advisory and tailored sustainable financing for energy-efficiency projects. The partnership aims to help businesses lower operating costs and boost long-term resilience.

DFCC Bank held its annual Buddhanuwandana Poson Bhakthi Gee observances in Colombo and Kandy, livestreaming the programmes and hosting a Dansala at Kandy's Sri Dalada Maligawa to engage employees, customers and the public.

DFCC Bank PLC has entered a strategic partnership with MyFees.lk to expand digital payment and settlement capabilities across Sri Lanka's education sector. MyFees.lk serves 180+ institutions and over 650,000 students; the tie-up aims to simplify fee collection and develop further education-focused digital financial solutions.

Colombo market fell for a third session as the ASPI dropped 0.10% (21.79 pts) to 22,221.91 on heavy foreign net selling of Rs. 774.2 million. Top negative contributors included SPEN, SAMP, DFCC, CTC and CINS while CARG, DIAL, JKH and MELS supported the index; capital goods led turnover (55%).

Colombo Stock Exchange was flat midday with the ASPI up 0.03% at 22,229.37 and banks leading turnover at LKR 279.8m; Singer Finance said its total assets surpassed LKR 100 billion in Q1 2026/27.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed with the ASPI down 0.06% at 22,229.71 while the S&P SL20 rose 0.05% to 6,209.85; market turnover was Rs.1.52bn and capital goods led turnover at Rs.834.9m. Dialog, Melstacorp and Bukit Darah were positive contributors, Aitken Spence, DFCC Bank and Ceylon Tobacco were top decliners, crossings were recorded in Hemas, Windforce and Printcare, and SANASA Life raised Rs.500m via subordinated debentures to meet regulatory capital requirements.

Carson Cumberbatch approved a second interim dividend of Rs.7.40 per ordinary share, totalling Rs.1.45 billion and exempt from withholding tax. Colombo markets were up midday (ASPI +0.08% at 22,260.75) with Dialog, Melstacorp, Sanasa Development Bank and Sampath as top positives and Ceylon Tobacco, DFCC and Aitken Spence as negatives; turnover Rs.388.5mn, capital goods led at Rs.62.4mn.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed marginally lower as the ASPI fell 0.09% (‑19.58 pts) to 22,243.70 while the S&P SL20 rose 0.02% to 6,206.51. Market turnover was Rs 1.070 billion, telecoms led turnover with Rs 247.6 million, and the CSE delayed opening due to a technical issue.

Parenthood Global held the Mom Leaders Conference on 21 May 2026 at Cinnamon Life, recognising Top 10 Most Outstanding Mom-Inclusive Workplaces including Ceylon Tobacco Company, Hemas Holdings, DFCC Bank and National Development Bank; sponsors included Maharaja Foods and others.

Colombo bourse finished the week higher, with the ASPI up 0.21% and the S&P SL20 up 0.51%; yesterday ASPI closed at 22,409.81 and the S&P SL20 at 6,247.42. Turnover topped Rs.1.9bn with foreign net inflow of Rs.9.3m; COCR, PKME and SIL led turnover while ACL fell and Hayleys, HNB Finance, Lanka Realty and CIC posted gains.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat (ASPI +0.01% to 22,409.81) on Friday with market turnover of Rs1.91bn. Top contributors included DFCC, Melstacorp and Central Finance while John Keells, Access Engineering, Haycarb and Aitken Spence lagged; Nations Trust Bank announced allotment of its Basel III Tier 2 debenture issue and its shares closed at Rs318 (-0.08%).

DFCC Bank introduced enhanced Garusaru Loans for eligible government pensioners, offering up to a 0.5% interest concession when customers open and maintain a DFCC Junior Savings Account with savings from Rs.2,000/month or via initial deposit/standing order. The change links concessionary loan rates to savings commitments to encourage long-term financial planning for dependents.

Colombo Stock Exchange was flat in Wednesday intraday trading: ASPI down 0.02% at 22,252.79, S&P SL20 at 6,193.16 and turnover Rs 406 million, with materials leading turnover at Rs 88.6 million. Diesel & Motor Engineering declared a final dividend of Rs 40 per share; SANASA Life plans to raise up to Rs 500 million via Tier II debentures.

Colombo's ASPI fell 0.48% to 22,253.52 as investor sentiment soured over renewed Middle East peace concerns. Only 51 stocks rose vs 164 declines; turnover was ~Rs1.2bn and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs154.6m; main negative contributors were JKH, SPEN, DFCC, COMB and ACL.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down: ASPI fell 0.48% to 22,253.52 and S&P SL20 fell 0.25% to 6,199.97, with market turnover of 1.18 billion rupees. Top gainers included Vallibel Power Erathna and Hatton National Bank, while John Keells, Aitken Spence, DFCC and Commercial Bank were among the main decliners.

Emerging Women Summit in Kilinochchi drew over 200 participants, including 150+ women entrepreneurs, to strengthen access to finance, markets and business support. Organised by LIIN under the GRIT Project (funded by Global Affairs Canada), the event featured financing and market-access sessions, 40+ stalls and participation from institutions including DFCC Bank and Commercial Bank.

DFCC Bank relocated its Ratnapura branch to No. 269, Main Street, Ratnapura, offering a more accessible, spacious modern branch that continues to provide the full range of DFCC products and digital banking services.