The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has reaffirmed its dominant position in Sri Lanka’s banking sector by winning two prestigious awards at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026, being named both the ‘Best Bank in Sri Lanka’ and ‘Best ESG Bank in Sri Lanka’. This dual accolade reflects the bank’s commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, which are integral to its operations.
In awarding the title of Best Bank in Sri Lanka, Euromoney recognized the bank’s ability to merge scale, profitability, and significant impact within the financial system during a recovery phase. The bank’s impressive financial results for 2025 included a pre-tax profit exceeding Rs. 89.38 billion and total assets reaching Rs. 3.26 trillion. Additionally, it maintained a robust capital and funding position, achieving a return on equity of 19.5% and one of the most efficient cost-to-income ratios in the industry.
Supporting this recognition, the bank exhibited remarkable growth and maintained its market leadership, with loans surpassing Rs. 2.028 trillion and total assets growing by 16.8%. It was also the first bank in Sri Lanka to achieve a market capitalization exceeding US$ 1 billion, bolstered by its ESG-focused strategies that have enhanced investor confidence. The bank has prioritized digital innovation, introducing Sri Lanka’s inaugural Google Pay service and AI-driven credit assessment for SMEs, while also expanding internationally with a representative office in Dubai’s DIFC. Its leadership in SME financing, asset management, and operational efficiency has further reinforced its successful ESG-first approach.
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The recognition as the Best ESG Bank in Sri Lanka complements the primary award, highlighting the bank’s extensive commitment to sustainable and responsible banking practices. Euromoney acknowledged its pioneering role in green finance, notably through the issuance of a Rs. 15 billion Green Bond—the largest in Sri Lanka—which supports projects in renewable energy, sustainable transportation, and green building initiatives.
The bank’s dedication to ESG principles is supported by a strong emphasis on financial inclusion, SME growth, and outreach to rural areas. It commands a 20% market share in SME lending and has allocated over Rs. 335 billion to this sector in 2025. Initiatives such as agency banking, mobile banking services known as ‘Bank on Wheels’, and targeted microfinance programs, including the ‘Dirishakthi Value Chain’ initiative, have enhanced access to financial services for underserved communities.
Moreover, the bank prioritizes women’s empowerment and inclusive banking through its ‘Anagi’ brand, providing tailored products and supporting numerous women with financial education, skills enhancement, and health initiatives. These efforts are augmented by substantial investments in corporate social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and community development, with projects aimed at education, healthcare, climate action, and disaster relief. Notably, the ‘Trees for Tomorrow’ project resulted in the planting of over 12,500 trees in 2025.
The Euromoney Awards for Excellence, established over 30 years ago, are recognized as the leading standard for achievement in the global banking sector, honoring institutions that exhibit leadership in innovation, performance, and strategic vision.
Commercial Bank was the first bank in Sri Lanka to surpass a market capitalization of US$ 1 billion. It was ranked as the top Sri Lankan bank in the 2026 edition of the Top 1000 World Banks report published by The Banker magazine in the UK. With the highest capital base among Sri Lankan banks, it stands as one of the leading private sector lenders in the country. The bank has been recognized as the most respected and awarded bank in Sri Lanka, leading in digital innovation and achieving the status of the nation’s first fully carbon-neutral bank.
The bank operates more than 270 strategically located branches and maintains an extensive network of automated machines across the island. It boasts the widest international presence among Sri Lankan banks, with 21 branches in Bangladesh, a majority stake in a Tier I bank in the Maldives, a microfinance firm in Myanmar, and a representative office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Its wholly-owned subsidiaries, CBC Finance PLC and Commercial Insurance Brokers (Pvt) Limited, also provide a variety of financial services through their dedicated branch networks.
