Sampath Bank PLC recently announced its entry into the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program (TSCFP), a partnership aimed at widening access to trade finance across Sri Lanka.This strategic move is said to benefit a broad spectrum of international trade customers, from large corporates to emerging businesses.

The partnership was formalised at the Sampath Bank Head Office in Colombo, where the Managing Director Designate of Sampath Bank, Sanjaya Gunawardana and ADB’s Sri Lanka Country Director, Takafumi Kadono, signed the agreement in front of senior leaders from both organisations.

“ADB is pleased to partner with Sampath Bank under the TSCFP, reaffirming our commitment to strengthening Sri Lanka’s private sector and building a resilient financial ecosystem. Through this collaboration, ADB and Sampath Bank will unlock greater access to trade finance for businesses engaged in international trade, driving business growth and regional integration”, said Takafumi Kadono, Country Director for Sri Lanka.

Through this initiative, trade finance instruments issued by Sampath Bank will now qualify for ADB’s credit guarantees. This development is expected to lower the risk associated with cross-border transactions and draw in more international banking partners. As a result, Sampath Bank will be able to offer a stronger lineup of trade finance solutions that are timely, competitive, and sustainable, delivered to a broader range of businesses.

“Joining the TSCFP now is a timely development as revitalising trade is key to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery. This partnership enables us to extend our support to exporters and importers, while advancing our mission of inclusive and sustainable growth”, said Sanjaya Gunawardana, Managing Director Designate at Sampath Bank.

Backed by ADB’s AAA credit rating, the TSCFP operates through a global network of over 200 partner banks and has, since 2009, supported more than 121,000 transactions worth approximately USD 77 billion across Asia, playing a pivotal role in enhancing trade flows in emerging markets.

Sampath Bank has already begun a close collaboration with ADB, participating in the program’s capacity-building efforts designed to upgrade trade finance operations through enhanced risk management strategies and streamlined procedures.

The partnership is expected to catalyse Sri Lanka’s participation in regional and global trade, supporting importers and exporters in expanding their businesses and achieving new milestones in international markets.

The post Sampath Bank Joins ADB Trade Finance Program to Boost Sri Lanka’s Global Trade appeared first on Newswire.

Sampath Bank has once again been recognised as Sri Lanka’s Best Retail Bank and Best Commercial Bank by the UK based World Finance magazine at the World Finance Banking Awards 2025. This marks the 11th year the Bank has received this prestigious dual honour, a testament to its unwavering commitment to excellence, customer centric innovation and sustainable growth.

First receiving the titles in 2014, Sampath Bank has continued to redefine banking excellence in Sri Lanka, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in retail and commercial banking. These accolades acknowledge not only the Bank’s strong financial performance, but also its consistent efforts to create more value for customers, empower businesses and contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic development.

Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Sanjaya Gunawardana, Managing Director– Designate, Sampath Bank PLC, said, “This recognition belongs to everyone who has placed their trust in Sampath Bank, including our customers, employees and other stakeholders. It reflects the collective resilience, forward-thinking spirit, and integrity that continue to define our journey. As we celebrate this milestone, we remain deeply focused on elevating the banking experience and shaping a future-ready financial ecosystem for all Sri Lankans.”

The World Finance Banking Awards, renowned for their rigorous selection criteria and global perspective, evaluate financial institutions on innovation, operational excellence, service delivery and leadership in sustainability. Winning these two key categories for over a decade highlights Sampath Bank’s ability to consistently stay ahead of the curve while maintaining stability and reliability in a changing landscape.

As the Bank marks over ten years of continued excellence on this global stage, it reaffirms its commitment to being a trusted financial partner, delivering intelligent, accessible and inclusive solutions that help individuals and businesses thrive.

The post Sampath Bank Achieves 11thWin as Sri Lanka’s Best Retail and Best Commercial Bank appeared first on Newswire.