UPDATE 2-NDB fraud estimated at astounding Rs. 13.2 billion

(ADDs new info from NDB statement on Monday and statement from Central Bank)

The fraud at the NDB Bank perpetuated by some employees with the assistance of outside parties has been estimated at an astounding Rs.13.2 billion, substantially higher than the earlier estimate of Rs.380 million, the bank said on Monday in an intimation to the Colombo Stock Exchange. It is probably one of the biggest bank frauds in recent times.

The fraud was initially reported on Thursday April 3. The bank said on Monday that customer balances remain intact as per the investigations carried out. “The bank remains well capitalized with sound levels of liquidity. The bank’s day-to-day operations continue without disruption,” the statement said, adding that the bank, with the assistance of law enforcement authorities are making every effort to recover the said funds. The bank CEO was due to meet the media at a briefing on Monday afternoon to provide more details of the fraud.

In a separate media release, the bank said in the worst-case scenario, its financial impact is estimated to result in an unaudited Loss after Tax for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 of approximately Rs. 4.0 billion, after making full provision for the maximum loss expected from this incident.

The bank reported a net profit after tax of LKR 11.0 billion for the year ending December 31, 2025, with a Q4 2025 net profit of Rs. 3.5 billion. The unaudited Total Asset Base of the bank, which is approximately Rs. 990.0 billion as at March 31, 2026, would be impacted by 0.7 per cent.

“The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has been kept fully informed. The Central Bank has extended appropriate regulatory support and oversight, within its mandate, to assist the Bank in maintaining adequate levels of liquidity and capital, to ensure smooth functioning and stability of the bank. In line with regulatory direction, the cash dividend payable to shareholders on April 6, 2026 (today) has been suspended, while the scrip dividend will proceed as planned,” the statement said adding that the Board of Directors will appoint an independent forensic auditor to conduct a thorough and impartial review of the fraud.

The Central Bank, in a separate statement said it has carried out a preliminary assessment of the financial impact on the basis of the information provided by NDB and is satisfied that notwithstanding the reported loss, the prudential ratios relating to capital adequacy and liquidity continue to be at levels above the minimum regulatory requirements.

“In the event of necessity, NDB will also be able to access temporary liquidity available from Central Bank to banks under the provisions of the relevant laws and schemes already in place,” it said.