About Us
Shaping the Way Sri Lankans Bank
From its inception, Sampath Bank has sought to make banking convenient, inclusive and affordable by leveraging technology. Commencing operations in 1986, the Bank pioneered new products and services that transformed how Sri Lankans bank, leading the country into the digital era of banking.
- Incorporated as Investment & Credit Bank Ltd.
- Commencement of business on 15th May 1987 with Mr N U Jayawardena as the first Chairman and Mr Janaka Silva as General Manager.
- Launch of cheque guarantee scheme.
- Introduced extended banking hours until 3.00 p.m. for the first time in Sri Lanka.
- Sampath Bank became the first bank in Sri Lanka to operate a multi-point network of Automated Teller Machines (ATM), democratising convenient banking.
- Launched Mastercard to Sri Lanka (under license from Mastercard International incorporated in USA).
- Pioneered launch of the Uni-Banking System to Sri Lanka.
- Pioneered launch of Sri Lanka’s first-ever standalone ATM at Liberty Plaza shopping complex.
- Sampath Bank becomes one of the first local banks to join the SWIFT network.
- Commenced operations of Sampath Centre Ltd, a subsidiary of Sampath Bank that owns and operates the Head Office building at Nawam Mawatha.
- Launched the TELEBANKING facility.
- Headquarters relocated to No. 110, Sir James Peiris Mawatha, Colombo 02.
- Launched the Debit Card in association with CIRRUS and MAESTRO, signifying another first in South Asia.
- Launched “Sampathnet” internet banking facility (later rebranded as ‘Sampath Vishwa’).
- Pioneered launch of “Call Bank”, mobile banking service in partnership with Dialog GSM.
- Commenced operations of SC Securities (Pvt) Ltd, a subsidiary of Sampath Bank.
- The first Sri Lankan organisation to achieve the “Quality Approved Status” of best practice, awarded by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
- Introduced Visa Platinum Credit Cards to Sri Lanka.
- Sampath Bank footprint expands with 10 new branches opened during the year.
- First bank in Sri Lanka to introduce “One day clearing”.
- Pioneered launch of Sri Lanka’s first ever Cheque Imaging & Truncating (CIT) site.
- Commenced operations of Sampath Leasing & Factoring Ltd. (later rebranded as ‘Siyapatha Finance PLC’), a fully-owned subsidiary of Sampath Bank..
- Commenced operations at Sampath Information Technology (IT) Solutions Ltd, a fully-owned subsidiary of Sampath Bank.
- Sampath Bank footprint grows further with 13 branches (3 Branches and 10 Personal Banking Centres) opened.
- ATM network reaches 150 machines across the island.
- 100th Branch opened in Kandy.
- Launch of VISA Mini Debit Card, a first in South Asia.
- Sampath Bank becomes the third largest private sector bank in Sri Lanka in terms of total assets.
- Opened 10 branches across the island in a single day - a first in the local banking industry.
- Introduced the online real time Cheque Deposit ATMs - a first in South Asia.
- Powered the nation’s largest ATM network - Access enabled to nearly 1,500 ATMs island-wide.
- Sampath Bank celebrates its silver jubilee, marking 25 years of service to the nation.
- Pioneered launch of “Cardless Cash ATM” technology to Sri Lanka.
- Pioneered launch of “Visa payWave” enabled cards to Sri Lanka.
- Launch of the drive-thru ATM.
- Pioneered launch of Slip-less Banking to Sri Lanka.
- Sampath Bank’s asset base crosses the Rupees One Trillion mark.
- Pioneered launch of “Touchless Cash Withdrawals” to Sri Lanka.
- Launch of the “eZ Banking” service in partnership with Dialog Axiata PLC, to promote financial inclusion among unbanked and underbanked rural populations.
- First local bank to partner with Paycorp International (Private) Limited to facilitate real-time payment and settlement using any LankaQR enabled apps and digital wallets.
- First Sri Lankan bank to introduce e-commerce facilitation services with direct connectivity to the UnionPay International payment gateway, payment processing solution, and payment aggregator services.
- Launch of a groundbreaking new interface to enable remote Accounts Opening via QR, an industry first that greatly simplifies the account opening process.
- Sampath Bank becomes one of the first local banks to receive approval by the State Bank of India to facilitate trade with India in INR.
- Launch of the “Sampath Export Partners” initiative to support export oriented SMEs and startups.
- Establishment of special counters for USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Japan, China and India at the Bank's International Trade desk to assist in handling trade documentation.
- Introduction of a new self-management feature on Sampath Vishwa Retail to enable customers to uplift FDs and effect full/partial settlement of loans.
- Sampath Vishwa Retail reached a significant milestone by recording 1 Million customers.
- Sampath Bank reached the milestone of One Trillion Rupee Deposits.
- Completion of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) certi"cation.
Our 38-year journey transformed banking in the country as we led the way in financial inclusion, putting banking services literally at the fingertips of Sri Lankans. Our efforts were recognised with awards and accolades from both local and global institutions as we pioneered products and channels to deliver affordable and convenient banking solutions. A loyal customer base and an inspired team have powered our growth enabling us to cross the Rs 1 Trillion in assets in just 33 years, the shortest time taken to reach this milestone by a local bank. We look forward to nurture our legacy of reimagining banking to support our country’s growth and integration to global opportunities.