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National Savings Bank surged its PBT by 192.4% during 1Q2024

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Chairperson Dr. Harsha Cabral P.C. (L) / General Manager/CEO Shashi Kandambi (R)

National Savings Bank began 2024 with a growth momentum, achieving Rs. 3.4 Bn Profit After Tax (PAT) for the first quarter with an impressive increase of 221.8% over the same period last year. Followed by two years of financial hardships, the Bank has reverted its regular financial performance showing the balance sheet strength backed by 100% government guarantee and demonstrating the strong management skills and dedication of employees at all levels.

Downward trajectory in the market interest rates made a positive impact on NSB’s profit and loss statement by lowering cost of funds. The Bank reported a Net Interest Income of Rs. 14Bn for the first three months of the year, an upswing of 79% compared to the same period in 2023. Prevalent low interest rates in the financial market abridged the Bank’s Interest Expense by 18% to Rs. 39 Bn compared to reduction of Interest Income by 4.3% to Rs. 53 Bn which became the major contributor to increase in the Net Interest Income.

Fee and Commission Income increased by 35% which was mainly contributed by Fee and Commission by Cards and Service charges. Commission Income from Trade and Remittance also increased by 17% demonstrating the expansion of Remittance business during the period.

Net Gain from Trading and Net gains/(losses) on derecognition of financial assets through OCI also increased by 85% and 416% respectively mainly due to Trading income from Fixed Income Securities and Realized Gain from Treasury Bills and Treasury Bonds.

The Bank made an impairment charge of Rs. 270 Mn for the period concerned which is a reduction of 11.2% compared to the first quarter of 2023. The Impaired Loan (stage 3) Ratio and Impairment (stage 3) to Stage 3 loans stood at 2.42% and 52.93% respectively indicating the financial resilience and robust controlling mechanisms followed by the Bank. These strategic actions paved the path to increase the bottom line and highlighted the Bank’s dedication to maintaining stability in challenging economic environments.

Accordingly, the Bank reported an operating profit before taxes of Rs. 8.1Bn with a notable increase of 158. 4% despite the increase in operating expenses by 33.2% to Rs. 7.3Bn.

Taxes on financial services increased by 98% to Rs. 2.2 Bn which led to a Profit Before Tax of Rs. 5.8Bn which is a significant 192.4% YoY growth. Income Tax expense increased by 160% up to Rs. 2.5Bn for the three months period of the financial year 2024 resulting in a Profit after Tax of Rs. 3.4Bn with a 221.8% remarkable growth.

Total Assets of the Bank reported Rs. 1.68Tn at the end of first quarter of 2024 with a marginal decrease of 0.3% on account of reduction in the Loans and Advances portfolio. Total Deposits amounted to Rs. 1.5Tn with a marginal increase of 0.9%.

Commenting on the Bank’s performance, Chairperson Dr Harsha Cabral PC said “the resilience of our Bank has been a critical factor in navigating the challenges of the current economic landscape. Our ability to adapt and thrive amid market fluctuations speaks volumes about the strength and stability of our institution”.

General Manager /CEO, Ms Shashi Kandambi commented that “With all the obstacles and hardships faced during last two years, 2024 is a game changing year for National Savings Bank. Our strategic initiatives have yielded significant results, underscoring our commitment to excellence and sustainable growth. Our key operational indicators and performance ratios continued to be robust, demonstrating our strong financial health and operational efficiency. These positive results reinforce our position as a responsible corporate citizen, and we are confident in our ability to build on this momentum in the coming quarters”. She added that “we remain committed to delivering value to our customers, shareholders, and the community”.

Key Performance Indicators

In terms of profitability, liquidity, and capital ratios, the National Savings Bank is exceptionally well-positioned. The Bank reported a Net Interest Margin of 3.34% at the end of first three months of 2024. Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE) stood at 1.39% and 16.31% respectively showcasing resilient performance. Regulatory Liquidity Coverage Ratio (Rupee), Liquidity Coverage Ratio (All Currency) and Net stable Funding Ratio stood well above the regulatory minimum requirement of 100% at 308.33%, 304.7% and 183.12% respectively. Tier I and Total Capital Adequacy ratios by the end of Q1 2024 stood at 21.074% and 23.372% far above the regulatory minimum levels of 8.5% and 12.5% respectively.

(NSB)



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Business, economic heavyweights converge in Colombo

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Senior business leaders, economists and international development experts, alongside the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, will headline the Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026, organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on 12 and 13 October at the Shangri-La Colombo.

The Summit will open with a keynote address by T. Krishnakumar, Chief Executive Officer, Reliance Consumer Products Ltd, who brings more than four decades of experience in the consumer brands and FMCG sectors. Having previously served as President of Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, with extensive experience in building businesses and driving growth across emerging markets, Krishnakumar, more popularly known as Kk, now leads Reliance Consumer Products as it expands across categories and builds new customer, partnership and market opportunities.

Day 2 will bring together four international perspectives across discussions on economic resilience, regional connectivity, sector growth and digital transformation.

Lilia Aleksanyan, Senior Country Economist for Sri Lanka at the Asian Development Bank, will open the day’s discussions with a focus on Sri Lanka’s economic resilience. Her work covers the country’s macroeconomic outlook, policy advice and macro-fiscal and financial-sector reform. Her international policy experience also includes roles at the French Ministry of Finance and the French Central Bank.

The Summit will then turn to Sri Lanka’s connections with regional markets, with P. D. Singh, Chief Executive Officer, India & South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank, delivering the keynote for the session on trade corridors and value chains. Singh counts close to three decades of experience in banking and finance, with senior leadership roles spanning Standard Chartered, JPMorgan Chase Bank and HSBC.

The Sector Deep Dives will bring international perspectives to discussions on healthcare and energy.

Tushar Shroff, Chief Financial Officer, Zydus Lifesciences Ltd, will deliver the keynote for the healthcare discussion, drawing on more than three decades of experience in corporate finance, strategic investment and financial transformation. His career spans senior finance and leadership roles with ABB, Piramal Healthcare, Intas Pharmaceuticals and Vedanta Group, giving him a broad perspective on the business and investment decisions shaping the healthcare sector.

For the energy-focused deep dive, Edore Onomakpome, Regional Infrastructure Industry Manager for Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal at the International Finance Corporation, will bring extensive experience in infrastructure investment and project finance across emerging markets. Since joining IFC in 2013, she has held senior roles across Africa and South Asia, including managing IFC’s infrastructure portfolio across 16 countries.

The Summit will conclude its keynote programme with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who will deliver the keynote for “Nation Building in the Digital Age.” The Prime Minister also oversees the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, bringing a direct policy perspective to discussions on digital transformation, innovation, education and the skills needed for a changing economy.

Together, these perspectives will bring regional, international and policy insight to SLEIS 2026 as Sri Lanka considers how to strengthen economic resilience, attract investment, deepen regional connections and develop new sources of growth.

Held under the theme “Positioning Sri Lanka in a Changing Global Economy: Resilience, Reform, and the Future of Economic Policy,” SLEIS 2026 will take place on 12 and 13 October 2026 at the Shangri-La Colombo.

The Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026 is supported by its valued sponsors and partners. Platinum Sponsor – Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka, Gold Sponsor – VISA Worldwide (Pvt) Ltd., Bronze Sponsor – South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt) Ltd., Strategic Development Partner – Asian Development Bank, Telecommunication Partner – Dialog Telecommunication, Television Partner – Dialog Television, Session Sponsors – David Pieris Motor Company (Pvt) Ltd., Hemas Holdings PLC, Sunshine Holdings PLC, International Construction Consortium (Pvt) Ltd., Microsoft Sri Lanka (Pvt) Limited, Official Logistics Partner – Hayleys Advantis Limited, Official Airline – SriLankan Airlines Ltd., Official Hospitality Partner – Shangri-La Colombo, Airline Partner – China Eastern Air Holding Co. Ltd.

Registrations for SLEIS 2026 are now closed. The Ceylon Chamber looks forward to welcoming participants to the discussions on Sri Lanka’s future trajectory on 12 and 13 October.

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Commercial Bank launches ‘Prestige’ banking for HNW clients

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Sharhan Muhseen, Chairman of Commercial Bank flanked by Sanath Manatunge, Managing Director/CEO and Hasrath Munasinghe, Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer at the launch of Commercial Bank Prestige Banking

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has launched ‘Prestige’, a three-tier banking proposition aimed at high-net-worth (HNW) clients, combining wealth management, advisory services and lifestyle benefits.

The initiative replaces the bank’s existing ‘Elite’ private banking brand with Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond tiers, designed to cater to customers according to their wealth profiles and banking relationships.

The bank said Prestige would provide dedicated relationship managers, priority branch services, preferential rates on loans and deposits, enhanced card privileges, family banking programmes and offshore account solutions.

Its wealth and investment management services include access to capital-protected income solutions, dual-currency investments, institutional deals and estate and portfolio governance.

Clients will also have access to specialist financial and corporate advisory services, including assistance with international relocation, overseas property and capital repatriation.

The programme includes lifestyle benefits such as VIP airport lounge access, travel concierge services, property management and medical coordination, as well as access to selected art and culinary events.

The bank said its flagship Prestige banking residence at R.G. Senanayake Mawatha, Colombo 07, had been refurbished, with the service to be extended to other economically important cities.

Commercial Bank Managing Director/CEO Sanath Manatunge said Prestige was intended to support customers in managing their wealth, business interests, family needs and long-term legacy.

Existing Elite clients are being transitioned to the new programme, the bank said.

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Ceylinco Life rewards 80 sales achievers with overseas tours

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Ceylinco Life has rewarded 80 members of its sales force with overseas tours to Vietnam and China for their outstanding performance in the company’s 2025 sales competitions.

The group comprised 62 sales achievers who travelled to Vietnam and 18 who visited China.

The Vietnam tour included visits to Hanoi’s Ho Chi Minh Complex, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Hoan Kiem Lake. The group also travelled to Ha Long Bay, where they went on an Aurora Cruise and explored attractions including Sung Sot Cave, Luun Cave and Titop Island.

The tour also featured a sunset party aboard the cruise, with music and refreshments.

The 18 achievers who travelled to China visited several of Beijing’s major historical and cultural attractions, including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. They also took a boat ride on Kunming Lake.

A highlight of the China tour was a visit to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, including a round-trip cable car ride. The group also attended an acrobatic show at Chaoyang Theatre and visited the Panda Garden at Beijing Zoo.

The company said the tours were organised to recognise and reward sales personnel for their performance and achievements.

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