Nations Trust Bank PLC saw its profit after tax jump to Rs 15.6 billion for the first half ended 30 June 2026, a sharp climb from the Rs 4.6 billion recorded in just the first quarter. That means the second quarter delivered the bulk of the earnings surge.
The primary driver? A completed takeover of HSBC Sri Lanka’s retail banking portfolio. That acquisition pushed overall asset growth to 26% and generated a one-time tax credit that boosted the bottom line.
Net interest margins held steady at 5.58% during the period. Meanwhile, the bank kept its Net Stage 3 Ratio at a disciplined 1.05%, signaling tight control over credit quality. Return on equity reached 31.33%, reflecting both the larger scale and stronger earnings momentum created by the deal.
Hemantha Gunetilleke, Director and CEO of Nations Trust Bank, framed the results as evidence of a broader transformation. He pointed to the expanded customer base, a more substantial balance sheet, and fresh growth avenues as key factors. He also credited the bank’s business model, customer relationships, and consistent execution across consumer, commercial, and corporate segments.
Gunetilleke described the HSBC retail acquisition as a strategic milestone that will continue to lift performance. The integration puts the bank in a position to deepen its focus on serving customers across all its business lines while capitalizing on the newly acquired portfolio.
