HNB launches new priority and digital banking centres in Kurunegala

• Targets rising demand for access to convenient digitized services
• Enterprise growth in the region a major factor behind introduction of priority services
• HNB business cards distributed at launch to top enterprise SME customers in the region

Sri Lanka’s most customer friendly bank, HNB PLC announced the continued expansion of its extensive Customer Centre network with the launch of a new, fully- automated, Electronic Banking Centre together with a new Priority Circle branch at its Kurunegala customer service centre.

Part of a continuing strategy centered on digital innovation and customer service excellence, the launch of HNB’s new Digital Banking Centre is aimed at providing customers with an extensive array of tech-enabled banking products and services, while the new Priority Circle Centre will offer streamlined and highly personalised banking experience catering to the high net-worth clients in the region.

Senior management together with several of the bank’s most prominent customers in the region were also in attendance at the launch event. Commenting on the upscaling of its value proposition in the Kurunegala region, HNB, Manging Director/CEO Jonathan Alles said: “In addition to serving as the commercial capital of the North Western Province, Kurunegala is also renowned for well-established industry and enterprise – being home to two of Sri Lanka’s most active graphite mines while also serving as a regional hub for coconut cultivation.

“We believe that if provided with the right mix of optimized banking services and innovative, personalised products, HNB can further assist in the development of economic opportunity, while supporting retail customers to uplift their standard of living and pursue their ambitions. Our goal with the establishment of our latest Priority Circle and the parallel launch of our extensive array of digital services is to deliver banking beyond transactions. In that regard, we look forward to partnering with corporate and retail customers in the region to ensure that the Kurunegala region is able to reach its highest potential.”

In a special segment of the launch ceremony, HNB Business cards were also presented to several of the bank’s top enterprise customers from the Kurunegala region. Designed to empower the country’s most dynamic enterprises with complete digitization and comprehensive, secure management of organizational transactions, in partnership with Mastercard. The card can be authorized as a substitute to petty cash payments, and is capable of handling any transaction locally and internationally thus enabling high level employees of business entities to conveniently and reliably manage their personal expenses at home or abroad – excluding payment for the import of goods for commercial purposes.

Situated at the No 06 St Anne’s Street Kurunegala, HNB’s state-of-the-art new Electronic Banking Centre will offer a complete range of banking and electronic banking facilities to corporate and retail clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; including automated cheque deposits, real time transactions, digital account opening facilities and much more.

Meanwhile, the bank’s exclusive Priority Circle facility will enable a new paradigm in retail banking in the region; providing a comprehensive range of services that offers the bank’s most exclusive customers an host of valuable benefits including access to attractive interest rates on deposits and advances, a free travel card, internet and mobile banking facilities, competitive rates on foreign currency issuance, and a comprehensive range of Wealth and Legal advisory services.

Operating across 251 branches island-wide HNB today stands as Sri Lanka’s largest, most successful and most innovative private sector commercial bank. The bank continues to win local and international accolades in recognition of its outstanding efforts in building a new paradigm of digitally empowered banking in Sri Lanka.  Since making its first appearance on the prestigious Banker Magazine’s list of Top 1,000 banks, HNB has today soared the top of the list among Sri Lankan banks in addition to being recognized as Bank of the Year 2018 and being awarded Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka for the 10th time at the Asian Banker Awards. HNB also stands as the first local Bank in Sri Lanka to receive an international rating on par with the sovereign from Moody’s Investor Services while maintaining a national long term rating of AA – (lka) from Fitch Ratings Lanka Ltd.