BANKING

HSBC, best overall bank for cash management in Asia

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited celebrated a raft of regional awards for its Global Payments and Cash Management products and services in Asia-Pacific. HSBC received key awards from financial publications in 2008, and in many cases, retained the winning titles for a number of years running.

For the sixth consecutive year, HSBC has won the Best Overall Bank for Cash Management in Asia, awarded by Global Finance magazine in the category of Best Treasury and Cash Management Banks and Providers 2008.

Head of Global Payments and Cash Management Asia-Pacific, John Laurens, noted “The Best Overall Bank for Cash Management in Asia award reinforces HSBC’s industry leading position and I am particularly delighted that we have won this award for the sixth year in a row.

Our success in securing new mandates, the strong demand for our innovative solutions and the high regard in which our sales and service specialists are held by our clients is a testament to our leadership of the cash management industry in Asia.”

Financial-i has awarded HSBC the ‘Most Innovative Cash Management Provider in Asia’ for the second consecutive year.

The Leaders in Innovation awards provide recognition for banks shaping the delivery of business solutions in wholesale transaction banking and demonstrating an ongoing commitment to innovation.

HSBCnet, the bank’s global Internet banking channel, enables the delivery of exceptional payments and cash management solutions and is widely recognised for its cutting edge technology.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Sri Lanka Trevine Fernandopulle, said “HSBC Sri Lanka has been a leading provider of cash management services for over a decade.

With the most experienced and qualified team in the market, HSBC is known for its commitment to providing tailor made cash management solutions.

NDB Bank enlightens parents on child abuse

The abuse of children is repeatedly highlighted in the media and thousands of children are said to be traumatised by physical, sexual, and emotional abusers or by caregiver’s and custodians who neglect them.

Child abuse is as common, as it is shocking. The scars can be deep and long lasting, affecting not just the abused children but society as a whole.

“The Prevention of Child Abuse Trust” was established to support the work that is being done by the Sate and non-State agencies to reverse the trend and to lend a helping hand to victimised children.

The Trust is committed to building awareness, providing aid, and inspiring hope in those involved in efforts to prevent abuse and neglect of the nation’s children.

NDB Bank handles the administration of the Trust, which is managed by independent Trustees. The Bank’s CEO and the Commissioner of the Probation and Child Care Services Department are ex-officio Trustees.

Making the public aware of child abuse is a crucial need. Parents and guardians are often ignorant about this pressing issue. Identifying this need NDB Bank through its CSR initiative Prevention of Child Abuse Trust together with the

“Department of Probation and Child Care” recently conducted several awareness programs at school level. The most recent of the programmes were held at the Aluthgama Maha Vidyalaya, Roman Catholic School in Hanwella and S.K.K. Sooriayachichi Maha Vidyalaya in Kadawatha. Nearly 200 parents participated in the programs from each school.

At the Ganelanda Raja Maha Viharaya in Thalawathugoda too over 150 parents in the pre-schools area were present.

At the scope of the programs covered what sort of conduct constituted Child abuse and how it impacts on children.

NTB relocates leasing centre in Bandarawela

Nations Leasing, recently relocated its Bandarawela branch to a more spacious and convenient location at Badulla Road, Bandarawela.

The Leasing Centre was formally declared open by the Chief Guest Chairman, Bandarawela Urban Council, Nalin Sooriyage, in the presence of the Bank Staff and customers.

Addressing the gathering at the opening, Chief Executive Officer Nations Trust Bank PLC Zulfiqar Zavahir said, “Having had a strong presence in Bandarawela for the past nine years, we are delighted to offer our valued customers the opportunity to continue to enjoy the leasing services offered by the Bank at a more convenient location which offers greater access and facilities.

With more services and products to be made available at this branch shortly, customers can look forward to enjoying a comprehensive range of financial services and solutions under one roof through this new branch.”

The Bandarawela branch serves as a key hub to the customers of the area, extending as far as Nuwara Eliya, Ragala, Ampara, Embilipitiya, Badulla and surrounding areas.

Special remittance service from Seylan

Seylan Bank entered into a business co-operation agreement with Korea Exchange Bank (KEB), to provide a special and an unparalleled remittance service to Sri Lankan migrant workers.

Korea Exchange Bank is the leading Bank in Korea which provides specialized services for migrant workers. As per the co-operation agreement reached, the Korea Exchange Bank will offer remittance services through their 326 branch network and over 9,000 ATM outlets.

Sri Lankan migrant workers to Korea can now enroll with this scheme through Seylan Bank’s office at the Foreign Employment Bureau and enjoy a host of remittance services jointly offered by the Seylan Bank and Korea Exchange Bank. Seylan-KEB arrangement provides the migrant worker a free mobile phone (LG) on a very low call rate package with the feature of remitting money, a cheque/debit card to operate the account and effect remittances through the ATM.

The transactions could be carried out in Sinhala or English. Seylan Bank will operate a mother tongue “Help Centre” at Korea Exchange Bank, Itaewon branch for Banking needs and support of the thousands of Sri Lankan migrant workers.

The migrant workers will immensely benefit through the “Thilina Sayura” Grant scheme and attractive interest rates on Foreign Currency savings and fixed deposits, all purpose flexible loans and housing loans offered by Seylan NRFC.

Seylan Bank will use their long relations with Korea Exchange Bank to enhance its market share on migrant worker remittances to Sri Lanka from Korea through this high-tech, user friendly and innovative remittance channel.