October, 14, 2026
Fitch Ratings has assigned Sampath Bank PLC's (AA-(lka)/Stable) proposed Sri Lankan rupee-denominated Basel III-compliant subordinated debentures of up to LKR10 billion a final National Long-Term Rating of 'A(lka)'.
The proposed debentures, which will mature in five and seven years, will be listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange. The bank plans to use the proceeds to supplement its Tier 2 capital base to maintain capital adequacy compliance as well as to support loan book growth.
The proposed debentures will qualify as Basel III-compliant regulatory Tier 2 capital. The debentures include a non-viability clause that states they will convert to ordinary voting shares upon the occurrence of a trigger event, as determined by the Governing Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
The final rating is the same as the expected rating assigned on 10 September 2026 and follows the receipt of documents conforming to information already received.
Fitch rates the proposed Basel III Tier 2 debentures two notches below the bank's National Long-Term Rating of 'AA-(lka)'. This reflects Fitch's baseline notching for loss severity for this type of debt and our expectations of poor recoveries. There is no additional notching for non-performance risks, as the proposed debentures do not incorporate going-concern loss-absorption features.
Sampath's National Long-Term Rating is used as the anchor rating for this instrument because the rating reflects the bank's standalone financial strength and best indicates the risk of the bank becoming non-viable.
Fitch affirmed Sampath's ratings on 17 August 2026. See our latest rating action commentary, Fitch Affirms Sampath Bank at 'AA-(lka)'; Outlook Stable , for the key rating drivers and sensitivities.
A downgrade of the bank's National Long-Term Rating will lead to a downgrade of the subordinated debt rating.
An upgrade of the bank's National Long-Term Rating will lead to an upgrade of the subordinated debt rating.
14 August 2026
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