DFCC Bank marks 70 years of partnering Sri Lanka’s MSMEs

Wednesday, 20 August 2025 12:44 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

In celebration of its 70th anniversary, DFCC Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Sri Lanka. For seven decades, the bank has stood alongside resilient entrepreneurs, whether in fields, workshops, or small businesses, providing more than just capital, but belief, mentorship, and continuity, it said in a statement.

This commitment was recently reinforced at the CMA Sri Lanka Business Excellence Awards 2025, where several MSMEs supported by DFCC Bank were recognised for innovation, sustainability, and community impact.

With decades of experience in development banking, DFCC Bank has consistently evolved to meet the needs of MSMEs, offering personalised support and long-term financial solutions that reach deep into communities across Sri Lanka.

DFCC Bank Vice President – Head of Business Banking Pradeep Alwis said: “We have always believed that financial services must be tools of transformation. For MSMEs, this means more than access to credit. It means networks, knowledge, and being truly seen and supported for their economic value.”

Today, DFCC Bank’s MSME portfolio spans rural and urban Sri Lanka, across agriculture, manufacturing, services, and emerging green industries. Through key partnerships, including with USAID and the US International Development Finance Corporation, the bank has expanded access to finance for underserved entrepreneurs, particularly women and youth.

Notable initiatives include DFCC Vyapara Hamuwa, a mobile, community-based business development program launched in 2023, and DFCC Krushibala, a tailored agricultural loan scheme that offers concessional rates and capital for modernisation, from solar irrigation to post-harvest infrastructure. In 2025, the bank also secured $ 12 million in funding from Symbiotics to promote renewable energy adoption among SMEs.

Beyond financing, DFCC Bank’s relationship-driven model remains a cornerstone of its strategy. With over 50 MSME officers nationwide, the bank said it meets entrepreneurs on the ground, offering support in navigating business planning, funding applications, and financial literacy. These officers function as advisors and enablers, extending high-trust, high-touch service in a fast-changing economic landscape.

Throughout periods of national crisis, DFCC Bank has offered refinance schemes backed by multilateral institutions, enabling businesses to recover, reinvest, and grow. These efforts are carefully designed to be inclusive, with special focus on women-led and youth-driven enterprises.

“The businesses we support are not built on privilege, but on persistence,” added Alwis. “We are proud to walk with them not just as financiers, but as true partners in transformation.”