Bank of Ceylon (UK) savings rates — compare every account, plus switch offers and guides

Who they are

Bank of Ceylon is a state-owned commercial bank in Sri Lanka , and one of the oldest financial institutions on the island. It opened its first overseas branch in London in 1949 to help handle international business for the bank and the Sri Lankan government. That London business operated as a branch for 60 years before being converted into a subsidiary in 2010, and is now authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and regulated by both the PRA and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Bank of Ceylon (UK) Limited - known as BOCUK - is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Ceylon, Sri Lanka, and has a single office in the UK. It is a small, specialist institution. Its business model focuses on wholesale banking, trade finance, correspondent banking services, and commercial and buy-to-let loans within retail banking. It has a particular affinity with the Sri Lankan diaspora community in Britain, serving the UK-Sri Lanka corridor since 1949.

Savings accounts

DepositScout does not currently hold any savings product data for Bank of Ceylon (UK). This means it does not appear in our rate tables at present, so we cannot make any direct rate comparisons here.

That said, the bank does offer deposit products in its own right. Fixed Term Deposits are available for a term of your choice ranging from 3 to 60 months, with amounts from £1,000 to £500,000, and interest is paid in full at maturity. There is also a personal savings account: it requires a minimum initial deposit of £250, with interest calculated daily and credited twice a year, in June and December. You would need to contact the bank directly for current rates, as these change over time.

Is it right for you?

Bank of Ceylon (UK) is a niche proposition. If you are looking for a mainstream easy access account, an ISA, or a competitive fixed-rate deal to compare against the wider market, it is unlikely to be the right fit - our live rate tables are the best place to find those.

Where it makes more sense is for customers who value a relationship-based approach and a direct connection to Sri Lanka, whether for remittances, trade finance, or community ties.

On the safety front, the bank participates in the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), making regular contributions into it. FSCS protects eligible deposits up to £120,000 per eligible person, per bank - a limit that rose to £120,000 on 1 December 2025. Bank of Ceylon (UK) holds its own separate UK banking licence, so your FSCS allowance here is not shared with any other UK brand.

For a full picture of what is available across the market right now, use the live rate comparison on this page.