Business Banking

NTB to expand and refurbish branch network

Nations Trust Bank PLC stated their plans of the wide expansion and refurbishment of their branch network this year. This was announced as the Bank unveiled their new branch located in Nawala this month, thereby increasing the Bank’s total branch network to 32.

The Nawala branch which is located in the near vicinity of the bridge and the town area, offers the residents of the area and its environs quick and easy access.

The month of February also saw the commencement of the refurbishment/relocation programme with two branches namely Moratuwa and Mahabage relocated to more spacious and convenient premises and Pettah branch being refurbished.

All these branches now offer customers a smart and luxurious environment in which to undertake their daily banking requirements.

Director/Chief Executive Officer Nations Trust Bank PLC, Zulfiqar Zavahir commenting on the branch expansion plans said, “We place great importance in providing greater convenience and flexibility to our customers, and our expanding branch network offers this and more.

As a Bank that pioneered 365 day banking, we understand the customer need for convenience - this flexibility and innovation has greatly improved the banking experience of our valued customers. With the refurbishment of our branches as well as the opening of new branches, we are pleased to continuously keep raising the bar.”

“This year our focus will be on offering unprecedented and unparalleled levels of customer convenience. This seems a high standard to set ourselves, but as a part of the service industry and being the young energetic and dynamic bank that we are, we are confident in being able to usher in an elevated level of banking services that simplify our customers lives,” he added.

As a bank that pioneered 365 day banking, branches will be open for business from Monday to Sunday including holidays, and will offer a comprehensive array of banking services and products such as Inner Circle, Private Banking, Savings and Current Accounts, American Express Credit Cards, Leasing as well as Business Banking solutions.

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HSBC empowers women

In pursuit of uplifting and empowering the lives of many, HSBC stepped in to enrich the lives of urban women entrepreneurs through its micro-finance programme under the corporate social responsibility initiative.

The first Project was launched in June 2005 under the title “Empowering 200 tsunami affected Beeralu Lace producers” in Mirissa.

Partnering with South Asia Partnership Sri Lanka (SAPSRI) to revitalize the dying legacy of Beeralu, HSBC introduced a microfinance programme to provide financial assistance to help these women re-start their business.

Although the microfinance project started off as a response to the devastation caused by the Tsunami, the project aimed at uplifting the industry by exploring new creative designs in order to create a more lucrative market for an industry that had an old-fashioned image.

Continuing to promote the efforts of women entrepreneurs in the rural communities of Sri Lanka, HSBC entered into their second project ‘Empowering Urban Women Entrepreneurs’ in June 2006, in collaboration with South Asia Partnership Sri Lanka (SAPSRI).

Under this theme a similar microfinance programme was introduced to raise the income level of women living in the under-privileged urban areas of Colombo and its suburbs to achieve sustainable livelihoods.

HSBC committed Rs. ten million to the microfinance project that helped to empower 400 low income families from the urban ghettos of Mutuwal and Kirulapone who were engaged in small businesses such as sewing and selling clothes, garments, linen, lunch packets, food items, fish and etc.

A series of financial literacy workshops titled “Soduru Manpethata Vimasumak” were lined up in September 2006 to further support these women beneficiaries to equip themselves with financial know how to drive their businesses more effectively and efficiently.

The workshops were conducted in partnership with SAPSRI, teaching them how to calculate their cost/expenditure, asses their level of profit, reduce cost, saving methods and market their products more successfully.

The success of the project resulted in 400 familied women generating better income, improving their businesses in a significant manner and gaining greater knowledge of managing their finances through formal banking transactions.

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ComBank offers instant ATM/Debit cards

An instant, over-the-counter ATM cum debit card is now on offer to those who open accounts with the Commercial Bank of Ceylon in a new initiative by the country’s benchmark bank to enhance convenience and speed of service.

With immediate effect, all new accountholders will have the option of receiving pre-created Master or Visa Debit Cards as soon as they open their accounts, eliminating the need to return to the bank to pick up their cards on a later day.

The only difference in the new cards would be their appearance and the fact that they will not be personalised with the owner’s name. Instead, each card will have a number that is linked to the card holder’s account.

In all other respects, these instant cards would carry the same features, benefits and acceptance as the personalised cards locally and internationally, the bank officials said.

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HSBC Nugegoda Branch opened

HSBC reopened its refurbished Nugegoda branch at Nugegoda recently. The branch was officially declared open by the chief guest, Chief Executive Office-designate for HSBC Sri Lanka and the Maldives Nick Nicolaou, in the presence of customers residing in the area. Chief Operating Officer for HSBC Sri Lanka Sriyan Cooray, Head of Personal Financial Services for HSBC Sri Lanka Simon J Williams and special invitees were amongst those present at the reopening.

Nicolaou said, “Nugegoda is considered a booming business hub with a diverse population, and reopening of the Nugegoda branch with modern amenities, coupled with many services will help customers enjoy a truly world class banking experience”.

Located along the main road, in the heart of Nugegoda, the branch has been expanded for the ease and convenience of both customers and staff.

Designed according to the latest HSBC Group standards, the branch and its staff will be better equipped to handle the volume of business efficiently, undoubtedly making banking an even greater pleasure than before, for all HSBC customers.

This attractively designed branch is equipped with a Day and Night Automated banking centre - which will be in operation on a 24-hour basis.

ATM and Internet banking services and Easy Pay machines coupled with ample parking provides easy access and convenience to customers. Special facilities have also been introduced in order to increase accessibility for customers with limited mobility.

The objective of the new design concept is to turn branches into sales outlets. Some of the features under this design is a reception area to make customers feel at home upon entering the branch and to give them the assistance they require.

New meeting rooms and reduced teller areas will help foster a greater focus on customer service representatives. The branch also has an advertising wall, with colourful visuals, making banking a more pleasant and cheerful experience.

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Seylan secures employment for graduates

Edward Weerasinghe Kelaniya Group Corr.

‘Inspiring the Next Career Fair and Personal Development Programme’ for 2008 organised by the Career Guidance Unit of the University of Kelaniya was held recently at the University of Kelaniya.

The chief guest and the sponsor Liyonie Seneviratne, Directress of Seylan Bank quoting Franklin Roosevelt said that” we cannot always build the future for our youth but we can build them to face the future”.

Just prior to the beginning of the 21st century at a Unesco World Conference on higher education, the head of the Sri Lankan delegation in his address stated that in Sri Lanka only a very small percentage of the population was able to enter universities as full time students since opportunities were limited. Those who were successful in entering were some of the most intelligent students in Sri Lanka. He also further expressed his concerns as to how their future should be moulded after graduation.

To address such issues Universities are now setting up Career Guidance programmes of this nature.

The career guidance unit of this University as I understand was formed with the objective of enhancing the quality of professional skill of students whilst strengthening its links between students and the corporate sector”, she said.

Under this programme it is expected to tie up with the private sector to secure employment for those students to suit their qualifications, she said.

Career guidance programme is projected enabling the undergraduates to choose their career based on his/her ability, desire and available opportunities, she said.

Many of the Ceylinco Group Companies are eager to recruit students for their institutions. Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Sunanda Madduma Bandara said that the university authorities will encourage this type of projects.

The Project Chairman Dr. M. P. Deeyamulla said that the next Career Fair seeks to bring together hundreds of new graduates and firms to the forefront.

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HSBC at over 700 access points islandwide

HSBC expanded its distribution channels to over 700 access points, with comprehensive services aimed at making banking more convenient. This move comes in the wake of HSBC’s alliance with many Sri Lankan partners namely The Sri Lanka Post, Singer Sri Lanka, Cargills Ceylon Ltd, Lanka Bell, Abans and Commercial Bank.

204 Singer Sri Lanka showrooms, 111 Cargills supermarkets, 60 Lanka Bell outlets, 11 Abans showrooms, 156 Post offices and 164 Commercial Bank branches are located in the Northern, North-Central, North- Western, Eastern, Central, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and Southern provinces, including major cities - Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Chilaw, Batticaloa, Nuwara Eliya, Homagama, Badulla, Ratnapura, Galle, Matara, Tangle, Monaragala and many others. Through these affiliations customers now have the convenience of direct access to HSBC from over 700 access points to perform multiple banking transactions.

“Our intention is to ensure that our valued customers who do not reside in close proximity to a HSBC branch, are not unduly hassled. It is with this purpose that we tied up with several other organisations with a wider outreach to assist them to perform their banking in their own locality. I am happy to say that this service is working really well, as our customers living in the suburbs and remote parts of the country have responded very positively to this initiative”. (Chief Executive Officer for HSBC Sri Lanka and the Maldives, David J.H. Griffiths said)

The advantages of this service are that it enables cash payments to HSBC credit cards at all 706 service points around the country. Through 156 selected post offices, customers are also allowed to deposit cash and cheques in to their personal HSBC accounts as well as to HSBC credit cards. HSBC customers also have the added benefit of paying their credit card bills by cash or by Commercial Bank cheques at Commercial Bank branches and ATM’s.