From Supermarkets to Smart Banking: Cargills Bank Marks 11 Years of Innovation

July 1, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Asoka Pieris – Chairman, Cargills Bank and Senarath Bandara - CEO, Cargills Bank
Asoka Pieris – Chairman, Cargills Bank and Senarath Bandara – CEO, Cargills Bank

Cargills Bank proudly marks its 11th anniversary, celebrating over a decade of inclusive and transformative banking that continues to reshape access to financial services across the island.

Established in 2014 with a mission to empower progress in every Sri Lankan life it touches, the Bank has steadily grown into a trusted financial institution, redefining convenience and accessibility in banking.

At the heart of Cargills Bank’s success is its innovative supermarket banking model, a first of its kind initiative in Sri Lanka. This model integrates financial services into the daily lives of customers by placing banking facilities within the Cargills Food City supermarket network. Today, the Bank operates 26 branches and over 530 agency banking points, ensuring a widespread and inclusive presence across both urban and rural areas.

Serving a diverse customer base including individuals, small businesses, and corporates Cargills Bank offers a comprehensive suite of financial products. Its supermarket banking channel is not only a convenient solution for retail banking but also plays a critical role in corporate services, offering efficient cash management and collection solutions.

Cargills Bank continues to invest in digital innovation, delivering secure, user friendly platforms for online and mobile banking. Its remittance services have become a reliable bridge for Sri Lankans overseas to support their families, enhancing cross border financial connectivity.

Despite facing industry wide challenges over the past year, Cargills Bank remains committed to progress through resilience, transparency, and stakeholder trust. The Bank’s continued success is driven by its values, dedicated employees, loyal customers, and supportive partners.

This commitment was reflected in several recent accolades, including:

  • Merit Award for Technology Resilient Company of the Year – Digital Trust Awards 2024

  • Silver Award – CA Sri Lanka TAGS Awards 2024

  • Special Recognition – SLITAD People Development Awards 2023/24

These honours underscore Cargills Bank’s dedication to technological advancement, good governance, and human capital development.

Looking to the future, the Bank aims to support Sri Lanka’s economic recovery by responding to the evolving financial needs of individuals and businesses alike. Backed by a strong capital base and a disciplined growth strategy, Cargills Bank is positioned to make an even greater contribution to the nation’s development.

In keeping with its purpose driven ethos, Cargills Bank has expanded its CSR and sustainability initiatives, including:

  • Infrastructure donations to under-resourced schools

  • Financial literacy programs for marginalized communities (e.g., waste collectors)

  • Environmental awareness campaigns to promote green banking

  • Youth-focused outreach to instill responsible saving habits early

To commemorate this milestone, Cargills Bank is also rolling out special customer offerings such as high yield fixed deposits, exclusive card promotions, attractive loan packages, raffle draws, and personalized investment planning tools further enriching the financial journeys of its customers.

Reflecting on the journey, Senarath Bandara, Managing Director/CEO of Cargills Bank, shared:

“As we celebrate 11 years since our founding, I am filled with gratitude for the trust placed in us by our customers, partners, and team. Our journey has been one of both challenges and progress but through it all, we’ve remained true to our mission of making banking more inclusive, accessible, and impactful. Looking ahead, we are committed to being a resilient and responsible financial partner in Sri Lanka’s future. Together, we will continue to grow stronger.”

As it enters its second decade, Cargills Bank reaffirms its commitment to innovation, inclusive progress, and the belief that banking can be a powerful force in uplifting communities across Sri Lanka.