Paving the road to progress: Seylan Bank’s vision for economic and business growth through SME expansion

Mr. Ranil Dissanayake Deputy General Manager  (Branch Credit) of Seylan Bank

In the following interview, Ranil Dissanayake Deputy General Manager (Branch Credit) of Seylan Bank, explains the holistic approach the ‘Bank with a Heart’ leverages to amplify the business potential of the country’s SME landscape. His discussion examines the importance of partnerships, trust, and technology in transforming the sector to ensure its long-term success. 

Q What is Seylan Bank’s stance on the country’s SME sector? 

We’ve always recognised their potential and maintained a vision of supplementing SMEs with the tools they need to thrive. Our longstanding commitment to SMEs is a vital part of our identity as ‘The Bank with a Heart’.

We collaborate with trade chambers, local authorities, and development agencies to offer SMEs a one-stop support system. We also work with Apex Bodies in conducting capacity building programs, workshops, financial literacy programmes, and product awareness sessions for SME clients as value added services.

Q How has Seylan Bank evolved its approach to better serve SMEs in today’s economy?

Our goal is to become the bank of choice for SME entrepreneurs not only through credit disbursement but also by building enduring relationships based on trust and understanding. The SME platform we’re building is meant to catalyse impact through job creation, business scaling, and skills development.

As part of leveraging meaningful partnerships that will further benefit SMEs, we recently collaborated with the National Credit Guarantee Institution Ltd. (NCGIL) to amplify Sri Lanka’s first national-scale, risk-sharing credit guarantee scheme. We’re now able to offer loans based on business viability and cash flow through this scheme—not just security. It’s a significant development in ensuring accessible credit facilities for the SME sector.

Q Could you elaborate on the NCGIL initiative and how it is transformative for SMEs?

The scheme helps resolve the sector’s biggest issue: collateral. 

We were early adopters of the scheme and ensured our team was trained to guide clients through the process. Backed by the Government of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Finance, and the Asian Development Bank, it guarantees nearly 67% of qualifying loans ranging from LKR 500,000 to 25 million, allowing us to focus on an entrepreneur’s potential. However, we don’t just lend. We co-create business roadmaps by offering training, networking opportunities, and policy advocacy. Our goal is to align the scheme with national development goals. We prioritise women-led businesses, environmentally conscious ventures, agriculture, tourism, IT, and export-oriented companies. Our aim is to make finance more accessible and strategic, so that credit extends into measurable economic development. 

We’ve also embedded performance metrics within our branches and business teams to ensure this is a full-scale shift in how we support SMEs. Ultimately, we seek to ensure SMEs are not only creditworthy but also strategically positioned for long-term success.

Q What could you add about the role technology plays in enabling SME growth at Seylan Bank?

Our Automated Loan Originating system reduces processing times and increases efficiency. Through internet payment gateways, merchant portals, and Seylan Pay, we enable SMEs to accept payments in multiple formats, improving cash flow and customer reach.

Similarly, our data driven approach allows us to better understand client needs and deliver personalised financial solutions. Particularly through its ability to harness data, increase operational efficiency, and predict shifts across the economic landscape to better meet business needs. This allows us to develop a proactive stance to support our clients whenever the need arises.  

We’ve also introduced mobile-based financing, cardless withdrawals, and will soon launch cashback features to boost transaction volumes and customer satisfaction. We’re also exploring credit scoring based on non-traditional data to unlock access for thin-file borrowers and young start-ups.

Q How is Seylan Bank managing credit risk while still supporting SMEs during economic downturns?

We prioritise credit risk management in our SME approach. This includes analysing detailed viability assessments, cash flow trends, and sector-specific risks. We’ve adopted predictive analytics to monitor portfolio health in real-time.

At the heart of this, however, is our relationship with clients. We proactively reach out and provide technical and advisory support on financial infrastructure, debt management, and enterprise sustainability. We’re also integrating our retail and business banking offerings to ensure SMEs have access to the full suite of financial solutions.

Q How does Seylan Bank’s internal culture align with its external commitment to SMEs?

As ‘The Bank with a Heart’, the needs of our customers is a priority. We invest effort into building relationships on a foundation of trust, communication, and reliability. We’ve embedded SME advocacy into our performance culture. Relationship Managers are evaluated not just on volumes disbursed, but on portfolio quality and client success. 

Our frontline staff are empowered to act as advisors, not just processors. We train our teams to understand evolving sector dynamics, credit assessment techniques, and cultivate the emotional intelligence needed to build lasting relationships. 

Q What is Seylan Bank’s long-term vision for SME banking?

As the backbone of the country’s economic growth, we recognise that any effort directed at developing the sector yields great benefits for the rest of the country. Consequently, the two are fundamentally linked. However, we believe SMEs represent more than simple contributors to the country’s GDP. Regardless of location or size, they often require access to tools and knowledge that can determine success both locally and globally.  Our growth as a bank has focused on creating a platform that addresses these gaps and supports these businesses. With the right tools, we believe their success will be inevitable and undeniable.