The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has solidified its position as a market leader within the National Credit Guarantee Scheme, having provided the highest total loan disbursement among all participating financial institutions.
This achievement was marked by the National Credit Guarantee Institution Limited (NCGIL) awarding its 2,000th guarantee to the Commercial Bank, acknowledging the bank’s significant role in the initiative.
The involvement of Commercial Bank in this national program emphasizes its strong support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) throughout the country, with particular attention given to women-led businesses through the ‘Liya Shakthi’ initiative introduced by NCGIL. With around 600 guarantees issued, representing nearly one-third of all loans made under the National Credit Guarantee Scheme, the bank has facilitated loans amounting to Rs. 2.97 billion, highlighting its leadership in fostering MSME growth.
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Mr. S. Ganeshan, Deputy General Manager of Personal Banking at Commercial Bank, commented on this landmark achievement: “Achieving this milestone in such a brief timeframe demonstrates the efficacy of the national framework and the determination and potential of entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. Our bank is dedicated to enhancing access to financial resources through innovative partnerships and customized solutions that extend beyond traditional lending. We aim to not only provide capital but also to support sustainable growth for SMEs through advisory services, capacity-building initiatives, and financial inclusion programs that generate lasting economic benefits.”
The National Credit Guarantee Scheme, initiated by NCGIL, aims to broaden financing access for entrepreneurs who possess viable business models and a reliable repayment capacity but lack the necessary collateral for conventional bank loans. Supported by partial credit guarantees, the scheme permits participating financial institutions to offer unsecured loans, including specialized sub-schemes like ‘Liya Shakthi’ for women entrepreneurs, thereby tackling one of the major barriers to business expansion.
NCGIL, with the Sri Lankan Government as its primary shareholder, collaborates with 13 Shareholder Financial Institutions (SFIs), including Commercial Bank, to promote cash flow-based lending and stimulate credit access for underserved sectors of the economy.
The partnership between Commercial Bank and NCGIL is part of a comprehensive strategy to enhance development banking in Sri Lanka through innovative lending frameworks and strategic partnerships that reduce risk while improving access to financing.
For instance, the bank’s ‘Diribala’ facility is tailored to assist growth-stage enterprises with flexible repayment options that align with business cash flows, competitive interest rates, and broad eligibility criteria that encompass SMEs, agriculture, and emerging sectors. This is complemented by risk-sharing arrangements with entities like NCGIL, enabling the bank to provide loans to businesses without traditional collateral, thus facilitating better capital access for MSMEs and agricultural ventures.
In addition to its lending activities, the bank is committed to promoting financial inclusion through various initiatives such as agency banking and mobile ‘Bank on Wheels’ services that make banking more accessible to underserved populations. Comprehensive capacity-building programs, including financial literacy training, advisory services, and entrepreneurship development, further support these efforts. Specialized agri-financing and microfinance solutions are also available, tailored to meet the requirements of smallholders and low-income entrepreneurs, reinforcing the bank’s dedication to inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Commercial Bank was the first bank in Sri Lanka to achieve a market capitalization exceeding US$ 1 billion. It was recognized as the top-ranked Sri Lankan bank in the 2026 edition of The Banker magazine’s prestigious Top 1000 World Banks ranking. The bank boasts the largest capital base among Sri Lankan banks and holds the title of the largest private sector lender in the country. Ranked No. 1 in the Business Today Top 40, Commercial Bank is acknowledged as the most respected and awarded bank in Sri Lanka, recognized for its leadership in digital innovation and is the nation’s first fully carbon-neutral bank.
With over 270 strategically placed branches and a comprehensive network of automated machines across the island, Commercial Bank also maintains the largest international presence among Sri Lankan banks. This includes 21 branches in Bangladesh, a majority stake in a fully established Tier I Bank in the Maldives, a microfinance company in Myanmar, and a representative office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Additionally, the bank’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, CBC Finance PLC and Commercial Insurance Brokers (Pvt) Limited, provide a variety of financial services through their own branch networks.
Photo caption: Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka; Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe MP, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; representatives of NCGIL; and Mr. S. Ganeshan, Deputy General Manager of Personal Banking at Commercial Bank, during the presentation of the 2000th NCGIL guarantee to Commercial Bank.
Source: Financial Chronicle Biz English | Sri Lanka Business News.
