HNB Life PLC yesterday announced a formidable financial performance for the six months ended 30 June 2026, successfully translating the strategic momentum of its recent corporate rebranding into tangible financial growth.
The official transition to the HNB Life identity on 6 April 2026, symbolised by its distinctive wing icon, has resonated profoundly within the market, underscoring the Company’s unwavering commitment to cultivating trust-based relationships and delivering enduring, long-term value.
The Company recorded a Life Gross Written Premium of Rs. 12.34 billion for the first half of the year, marking an outstanding growth of 43% against the Rs. 8.63 billion achieved in the corresponding period of 2025. This top-line expansion was mirrored by a 44% surge in Net Earned Premium, which reached Rs. 11.71 billion, reflecting high policy persistency and an accelerated rate of new business acquisition. Furthermore, total net income expanded by 34% to Rs. 15.96 billion, fortified by disciplined underwriting practices and a robust interest and dividend income of Rs. 4.10 billion.
Profit after tax was Rs. 434 million without any surplus transfer from the Life Insurance Fund, which usually takes place after the actuarial valuation at the end of the year, thereby reflecting the intrinsic operational strength of the business. Crucially, the Company fulfilled its fundamental promise to policyholders by disbursing Rs. 3.99 billion in net insurance benefits and claims, a notable increase from the Rs. 1.90 billion recorded in the same period last year. This substantial disbursement underscores HNB Life’s steadfast commitment to honoring its obligations with profound empathy and integrity, ensuring that policyholders are supported during their most critical times of need.
The Company’s financial position remained exceptionally resilient. Total assets grew to Rs. 72.71 billion as of 30 June 2026, advancing from Rs. 68.44 billion at the close of 2025. Financial investments expanded to Rs. 65.84 billion, while the Life Insurance Fund witnessed a significant accumulation, reaching Rs. 55.69 billion. This continuous build-up of long-term policyholder funds, supported by a sturdy total equity base of Rs. 11.15 billion, provides a formidable capital foundation to support sustainable future expansion.
Chairman Stuart Chapman said: ‘The first half of 2026 stands as a defining epoch for HNB Life, characterised by a historic corporate transition and resolute financial execution. The launch of our new identity in April was more than a change which is cosmetic in nature; it was a strategic reaffirmation of our core purpose within the Hatton National Bank Group. Delivering a 43% growth in Gross Written Premium. Amid this transition is a clear validation of the trust our customers place in our brand and the stability we draw from our parent network. We remain resolute in our capacity to build upon this robust foundation alongside HNB General Insurance Ltd.’
Executive Director and CEO Lasitha Wimalaratne said: ‘Our first-half performance is a testament to the strategic clarity and operational discipline we have meticulously cultivated over the past few years. The rebranding initiative has not only galvanised our distribution channels but also deepened our resonance with the communities we serve. By placing genuine empathy at the forefront of our customer experience, guided by the fundamental principle of treating our policyholders precisely how we would wish to be treated, we are fostering a trust-based ecosystem that transcends mere transactional growth.’