For affluent customers, payments are no longer confined to a local landscape. Their expectations are increasingly shaped by global travel, digital lifestyles and access to world-class experiences. Meeting those expectations requires deep expertise, strong international partnerships and a clear understanding of evolving customer needs. Nations Trust Bank has spent decades building those capabilities, establishing one of Sri Lanka’s most comprehensive cards franchises while continuing to raise the benchmark in premium payments. Nations Trust Bank Senior Vice President – Cards and Consumer Assets, Niluka Gunatilake shares how the Bank continues to strengthen its premium cards proposition and shape the future of payments in Sri Lanka.

Q1: Nations Trust Bank is widely recognised for its premium cards proposition. What has enabled the Bank to establish such a strong position in this segment?

Our success has been built on deep expertise in serving affluent and high net worth customers, combined with our ability to bring world class payment propositions to the Sri Lankan market. A key differentiator is that Nations Trust Bank has the exclusive rights in Sri Lanka to issue the globally recognised American Express Centurion Line Cards, giving eligible customers access to some of the most prestigious propositions within the American Express portfolio. We have also consistently raised the benchmark for premium cards in Sri Lanka. Nations Trust Bank introduced the American Express Platinum Reserve Card; a top-tier global American Express proposition that elevated premium card standards in the local market. It stands as the most premium card proposition available in Sri Lanka today and was also the country's first metal card. More recently, we introduced the American Express Magnet Card, expanding our offering to a new generation of digitally connected and lifestyle-focused consumers. Our strong Mastercard portfolio further enhances the breadth of premium solutions available to customers. Understanding affluent and high-net-worth customers is deeply embedded in our DNA. As the first local bank in Sri Lanka to introduce Private Banking over 25 years ago, we have built decades of expertise in serving this segment and understanding its evolving needs. This expertise is reflected in the NTB Private Banking World Mastercard, a premium-tier Mastercard proposition developed for our Private Banking clientele, combining specialised banking expertise with global payment capabilities and lifestyle privileges. We also maintain longstanding relationships with Diners Club International and Visa through our acquiring business, strengthening our payments ecosystem and providing access to some of the world's leading payment networks through a single trusted banking partner.

Q2: How has Nations Trust Bank built one of Sri Lanka's most comprehensive cards franchises?

Nations Trust Bank has been Sri Lanka's number one cards issuer since 2018 and we've held that position by offering the right card for every type of customer, while constantly adapting to what people need. American Express remains our flagship premium brand, but our strength doesn't stop there. We offer a wide range of cards; debit, credit, corporate, travel and fuel cards designed to meet the needs of individuals and businesses alike. We've also grown our Mastercard portfolio, giving us a stronger presence across different customer segments and more payment options for the market. Our long-standing partnership with Diners Club International means Diners Club cardholders traveling from overseas can use their cards seamlessly here in Sri Lanka, connecting us to the wider global payments network. Visa has long been a partner in our card acceptance business, and we're now preparing to issue Visa cards, adding even more choice for our customers. It's this mix of strong global partnerships, a wide range of card products, and deep expertise in the cards business that has allowed Nations Trust Bank to maintain the number one spot in the Cards industry since 2018.But more than that, it shows our ability to keep evolving staying ahead of what customers want, today and in the future.

Q3: What did the acquisition of HSBC Sri Lanka's retail banking business mean for NTB's position in the cards market?

The acquisition brought together two of Sri Lanka's most established cards portfolios and further strengthened an already market-leading position. Nations Trust Bank entered the transaction as Sri Lanka's leading cards issuer, while HSBC Sri Lanka brought one of the country's most recognised cards portfolios. The combination has created a larger and more diversified cards franchise with greater scale, broader reach and increased strength within the affluent and premium banking segments. Beyond the portfolio itself, the acquisition was a significant demonstration of the depth of expertise within the Bank. Successfully integrating the retail banking business of a leading global bank required extensive planning, specialised knowledge and strong execution across multiple functions. It was a complex undertaking that demanded deep capabilities in cards, payments, technology, operations and customer migration. The successful completion of a transaction of this scale reinforces the strength and maturity of NTB's cards franchise and highlights the expertise the Bank has built over many years. Today, the combined portfolios provides an even stronger platform for future growth and positions us to continue leading the evolution of cards and payments in Sri Lanka.

Q4: What does it take to remain at the forefront of Sri Lanka's cards industry?

Staying ahead in the cards industry means more than just keeping up with change, but looking at what’s ahead. That takes a clear understanding of how customer needs are evolving, both in Sri Lanka and around the world, and the ability to act on that insight before the market does. This matters most for our affluent and high-net-worth customers, whose lives increasingly stretch beyond Sri Lanka's borders. Their expectations aren't shaped only by what they see here at home they're also shaped by the payment options, travel perks, digital tools and lifestyle offerings they come across in leading markets abroad. To stay relevant to these customers, we need a global outlook, paired with the ability to turn that thinking into offerings that make sense locally. As more customers go digital, travel more, and expect richer experiences, our focus is on constantly improving our card offerings, strengthening our digital tools, and adding more value through new products, benefits and experiences. We also see real opportunity to grow our payments network further. Visa has long been a key partner in our card acceptance business, and we're now moving to issue Visa cards as well; a step that will widen the range of payment options available to our customers and help us serve an even broader set of needs. Looking ahead, we'll keep combining innovation, strong partnerships and a deep understanding of the market to shape the next generation of payment solutions in Sri Lanka. We'll continue to grow our card offerings, introduce new features, and make sure our customers have access to products and experiences that match global standards while staying true to their everyday lifestyles and aspirations.