THE MARKET
For generations of Sri Lankans, Bank of Ceylon (BOC) has never felt like simply a bank. It is the place where a child opens his or her first savings account, where families plan their futures, and where businesses turn to in moments of hope and hardship.
Long before banking became fast and digital, BOC became familiar and trusted through presence, patience and reliability. Through independence, growth, crisis and recovery, the bank has remained steady and is now known as the ‘Bankers to the Nation’ – a role built not by words but action.
BOC serves the entire country under one roof: from daily wage earners to professionals, and from small traders to multinational companies, millions of Sri Lankans bank with the same institution.
Its reach extends across villages, towns and cities, supporting individuals, MSMEs, corporates and state institutions alike. This wide customer base reflects a simple belief: banking should be accessible to everyone while remaining strong, disciplined and competitive.
ACHIEVEMENTS
In 2025, Bank of Ceylon was recognised as Sri Lanka’s Most Valuable Brand by Brand Finance, reclaiming the top position across all sectors. This recognition followed global valuation standards and independent research.
Internationally, the bank continues to lead. It is the highest ranked Sri Lankan bank among the Top 1000 Banks in the World by The Banker magazine, and has been named Bank of the Year in 2021, 2023 and 2024.
Its Islamic banking arm earned Islamic Retail Bank of the Year – Asia 2025 while the BOC Youth Loan Scheme received national recognition for empowering young entrepreneurs and supporting economic growth.
In 2025, BOC proudly earned 34 awards both locally and internationally, reaffirming its excellence, leadership and trusted reputation, both in Sri Lanka and on the world stage.
HISTORY
The strength of Bank of Ceylon lies in its solid financial foundation. With one of the largest asset bases in Sri Lanka’s banking sector, BOC supports national development through lending, investment and trade.
Its liabilities, mainly customer deposits, represent something even more important: public confidence built over decades. This balance of strength and trust allows the bank to remain stable during uncertain times and supportive when the nation needs it the most.
BOC was established in 1939, when access to finance was limited. From its inception, it carried a national responsibility by supporting agriculture, trade and enterprise. Post-independence, the bank became a key driver of economic progress, financing infrastructure, industries and regional development. Its expanding branch network brought banking into communities across the island, building relationships that have lasted generations.
The iconic Bank of Ceylon head office in Colombo became a symbol of confidence and stability. Even today, in remote regions and island communities, BOC often remains the main link to formal banking. It is also the only Sri Lankan bank with branches in four foreign countries, thereby connecting the nation to the world.
THE PRODUCT
While its roots are deep, Bank of Ceylon continues to move confidently into the future. And digital banking is now a key part of this journey: today, BOC exceeds eight million digital users, reflecting the growing trust in secure, convenient and modern banking solutions.
The BOC Flex App plays a central role in this transformation, offering a single platform that enables customers and non-customers to manage their transactions seamlessly.
Innovation at Bank of Ceylon extends beyond digital banking. The bank has introduced agricultural drone based fertilisation projects, helping farmers apply fertiliser more efficiently while reducing wastage and environmental impacts.
BOC connects generation to generation, adapting its communications to how people live, listen and engage, and speaking to them in ways that matter. Youth are reached through digital platforms, social media and mobile first communication aligned with modern lifestyles. Traditional channels such as television, radio, and print media remain important for families and senior citizens, where clarity and familiarity matter most.
To stay connected with foreign customers and Sri Lankans living overseas, the bank actively uses WhatsApp, digital messaging platforms and AI assistance, ensuring easy access across borders. Across all generations, communication is built on trust, consistency and reassurance, reinforcing Bank of Ceylon’s role as a lifelong financial partner – not just a service provider.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
In 2025, BOC issued Sri Lanka’s largest sustainability bond worth Rs. 20 billion, reflecting strong market confidence. Environmental initiatives include beach clean-up programmes, turtle conservation projects and efforts to reduce plastic waste through the introduction of biodegradable cards.
The bank also supports deforestation prevention across 80 hectares while actively promoting renewable energy with 100 BOC branches contributing four megawatts of solar generated electricity to the national power grid.
Bank of Ceylon extends its commitment to education by awarding scholarships worth 30 million rupees each to students who pass the Grade 5 Scholarship examination and students who gain university entrance following the GCE Advanced Level examination annually. Innovations such as the e-calendar initiative reduce paper usage, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
PROMOTION
Many Sri Lankans begin their banking journey with Bank of Ceylon as children. As life progresses, this relationship grows into loans for education, housing finance, savings, cards and daily banking services. Young entrepreneurs receive support through the BOC Youth Loan Scheme, which has helped over 11,000 young people in a single year.
Businesses across sectors benefit from working capital, trade finance and corporate banking solutions. Through its Business Revival and Rehabilitation Unit, the bank has revived over 550 struggling businesses, turning distressed loans into successful recoveries.
Corporate social responsibility at Bank of Ceylon goes beyond its obligations; it assumes care for the environment, communities, education, culture, sports and future generations. Moreover, contributing Rs. 500 million to national recovery efforts such as ‘rebuilding Sri Lanka’ demonstrates the bank’s commitment beyond finance.
BRAND VALUES
In 2025, Brand Finance valued Bank of Ceylon at 57.4 billion rupees. With over 16.2 million customer accounts and more than 2,300 banking touchpoints, the bank reaches almost every Sri Lankan household.
Its leadership as the country’s top banking brand for over a decade reflects consistency, trust and relevance. BOC is more than Sri Lanka’s largest bank – it is a partner through life, a pillar in times of need and a constant presence across generations.
