News & market updates

DFCC Bank (DFCC.N0000), through its DFCC Aloka women's banking unit, partnered with Fonterra to empower 30 female dairy entrepreneurs with financing and business support under a Women’s Empowerment Project. The program provides working capital, preferential loans, business advisory and digital banking tools, with government and industry stakeholders involved.

DFCC Bank held an award ceremony in Bucharest to honour top users of its Lanka Money Transfer service and promote legal remittances. The grand-prize winner received a return air ticket as part of a campaign aimed at boosting formal remittance inflows to support Sri Lanka's foreign exchange reserves.

Colombo stocks rose 0.28% as the ASPI closed at 15,961.59 after the exchange shut early at 12:30pm for local government voting. Major banks were mixed—Sampath, Commercial, DFCC and NDB gained while HNB and Seylan fell—and turnover dropped to 1.4 billion rupees.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka launched the Sustainable Finance Roadmap 2.0 on 05 May 2025, setting prioritized actions for 2025–2029 to strengthen ESG risk management and finance sustainable development across banks, non‑bank financial institutions, capital markets and insurance. The roadmap was developed with IFC and EU support.

Sri Lanka’s ASPI rose 0.41% to 15,916.69 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.57% to 4,664.82 as bank and mid-cap stocks strengthened ahead of local elections; HNB, Sampath, Commercial Bank, DFCC, NDB, John Keells and Lanka Milk Foods all closed higher.

DFCC Bank (DFCC.N0000) won the VISA Commercial Solutions Excellence Award 2025 for highest quarter-on-quarter issuance growth of corporate cards, recognising significant expansion of its corporate card portfolio and leadership in corporate payments.

The CSE opened May on a mixed note as turnover hit a new high of Rs. 6 billion while the ASPI rose 52 points to 15,852; crossings in CT Holdings and Cargills dominated activity, together accounting for the bulk of turnover. Banking and food retail stocks, including Pan Asia Banking and Lankem, were also among top contributors.

DFCC Bank has partnered with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Centre for SMEs to deliver five SME transformation and market-access programmes, offering export-readiness training, financial literacy, regional workshops and tailored consultancy to up to 20 SMEs.

The SEC, with ADB technical support, released a regulatory framework enabling issuance and trading of Green, Blue, Social and Sustainability‑Linked (GSS+) bonds on the Colombo Stock Exchange, allowing sovereigns and corporates to raise capital for environmental and social projects.

ASPI rose 0.33% to 15,851.74 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.12% to 4,638.29, with John Keells Holdings the top negative contributor. Banking stocks were mostly negative (HNB, Sampath, Commercial, NDB down; DFCC, NTB up) and exporters showed mixed moves (Teejay, Hayleys Fabric, Dipped Products, Haycarb).

ASPI rose 51.80 points (0.33%) to 15,851.74 as turnover hit Rs. 5.9bn, driven by Rs. 2bn crossings in C T Holdings and Cargills. Pan Asia Banking, C T Holdings, DFCC, Melstacorp and Nations Trust were top contributors while John Keells, HNB, Commercial Bank, NDB and Access Engineering weighed on the index.

DFCC Bank (DFCC.N0000) joined the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF), committing to measure and disclose greenhouse gas emissions from its lending and investment portfolios using globally harmonised methodologies.

DFCC Bank launched the DFCC Rataviru Account, a remittance-linked savings account offering a 5% annual interest rate to support Sri Lankans working overseas. The product includes a free debit card, preferential loan/service rates, complimentary hospitalisation insurance for immediate family members, and digital access via DFCC Online and DFCC ONE.

DFCC Bank announced Anton Arumugam’s appointment as the 36th President of the Association of Professional Bankers (APB) Sri Lanka for 2025/26. DFCC also noted Paduma Subasinghe’s appointment as an APB Council Member, highlighting the bank’s continued industry representation.

DFCC Bank (DFCC.N0000) has joined the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF), committing to measure and disclose GHG emissions from its lending and investment portfolios. The membership aligns the bank with global emissions-accounting standards and supports its sustainable finance initiatives.

Sri Lanka stocks rose 0.44% after a staff-level agreement with the IMF that clears the way for about $344m in financing; the ASPI closed 69.43 points higher at 15,811.47 and the S&P SL20 rose 0.45%. Export-oriented shares led gains while selected banking stocks ended weaker.

DFCC Bank announced Senior Vice President Anton Arumugam has been appointed the 36th President of the Association of Professional Bankers (APB) Sri Lanka for 2025/26. DFCC also said Senior VP and Chief HR Officer Paduma Subasinghe was appointed an APB Council Member.

DFCC Bank PLC won two Gold awards and two Merit awards at the LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2025, including Gold for Customer Convenience (Category C) and Financial Inclusivity (Category C). The awards recognise its digital initiatives such as DFCC Virtual Wallet, DFCC MySpace kiosks and the DFCC One mobile app.

The ASPI gained 72 points (+0.5%) to 15,616 as the Colombo market bounced back, led by the capital goods sector. Turnover was about Rs.1.5 billion with net foreign inflows of Rs.35.2m; notable movers included Hemas, John Keells, Browns, Alumex and DFCC.

DFCC Bank PLC won two Gold and two Merit awards at the LankaPay Technovation Awards 2025. The awards recognise its digital banking initiatives—including DFCC One, DFCC Virtual Wallet and MySpace kiosks—for customer convenience, financial inclusivity, digital payments and ATM enablement.

Colombo market slipped for a third day as the ASPI closed at 15,544 (down ~12 points) while the S&P SL20 rose 0.05%; turnover was Rs.1.09bn, 57% below the monthly average. Food, Beverage & Tobacco led turnover, banking sentiment stayed weak; JKH, SUN, CCS rose while CFIN, DFCC and MELS lagged.

Sri Lanka stocks closed mixed: ASPI fell 0.08% to 15,543.99 while the S&P SL20 rose 0.05% to 4,608.41. Trading was volatile with Lion Brewery, Melstacorp, Central Finance, NTB and DFCC among top decliners, Haycarb and Hayleys Fiber gained and turnover was LKR 1.1bn.

Colombo bourse opened marginally negative as the ASPI fell 17 points (0.11%) to 15,600 on low turnover of Rs.1.16bn. Banking stocks led turnover (24% share) while HAYL, LION, JKH, DIPD and TJL were top negative contributors and Sampath and Lanka IOC drew buying interest.

The Trade Finance Association of Bankers held its 28th AGM on 19 February and re‑elected Shyam De Silva of Hatton National Bank as President; the body unveiled a new Vision/Mission and emphasised digital innovation, industry collaboration, global standards and professional development in trade finance.

DFCC Bank invested Rs. 500 million (half of the Rs. 1 billion issue) in Alliance Finance Company PLC’s Green Bond. The A- rated bond is listed on the CSE and LuxSE, with proceeds earmarked for renewable energy projects such as rooftop solar and solar equipment financing.

Colombo market ended the week with losses as the ASPI fell 0.6% and the S&P SL20 0.44% on low turnover of Rs. 841.2m and foreign net selling of Rs. 2.1m. Sampath, HNB, DFCC and Melstacorp were top negative contributors, while Commercial Credit, Central Finance, Lanka Milk Foods, Ceylon Cold Stores and Alumex drew buying interest.

DFCC Bank invested LKR 500 million (50% of the LKR 1 billion issue) in Alliance Finance Company PLC’s A- rated Green Bond listed on the CSE. The bond proceeds will fund renewable energy projects including rooftop solar and solar equipment financing.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.28% to 15,538.64 after a 90-day pause on US "Liberation day" tariffs sparked market uncertainty and softer volumes. Banks led losses and top negative contributors included Sampath, NDB and Malwatte (down 11.4%), while CIC and Alumex saw small gains.

A 90-day US tariff pause lifted the Colombo market: ASPI +4.74% and S&P SL20 +6.7%, boosting market capitalisation by about Rs.221bn to Rs.5.549tn on Rs.7bn turnover, led by heavy trading in Sampath Bank, John Keells, Commercial Bank and RIL Property.

DFCC Bank launched DFCC ONE, a new mobile banking app to enhance convenience, security and digital capabilities. The app includes features such as credit-card bill payments, biometric authentication, ePassbook, peek balance, OTP preferences and transfer-limit customisation.