Banking

Sampath Bank makes Avurudu Genu Denu ‘unforgettable’ this year

Sampath Bank usually rewards its customers during the Sinhala and Hindu New Year period, and this year is no exception. However, there’s something extra special this year.

Tharaka Ranwala, Deputy General Manager Marketing and Business Development of Sampath Bank explained about this year’s New Year prizes and surprises in a recent interview. Excerpts:

Q: Could you briefly explain the history of Sampath Bank’s Avurudu Ganu Genu?

A: Sampath Bank started rewarding its customers during Avurudu Ganu Denu eleven years ago. Though certain Banks used to reward its customers on numerous occasions, even at that time, there was a tremendous response for Sampath Ganu Denu.

Q: What reasons do you attribute for such a response?

A: The main reason is the recognition of Sampath Bank by the public.

Sampath Bank was introduced as ‘Our Bank’. The Bank’s ability to showcase Sri Lankan identity along with technological advancements, attracted customers.

Another reason would be the usefulness and quality of New Year gifts.

We don’t give items that are to be kept as ornaments. Our gifts are extremely useful for day-to-day life.

Q: Let us talk about Sampath’s Ganu Denu this year.

A: This year, we thought of giving our valued customers special prizes that could be really felt and “unforgettable”. This year, Sampath customers engaged in Avurudu Ganu Denu, stand a chance of winning a 55-inch Samsung Smart TV.

A person who deposits Rs. 50 000 in a Sampath Savings Account during the period April until April 14 will get three chances to win this TV.

Those who deposit Rs. 15 000 will get one winning chance.

Q: How many TVs are to be given through this year’s Avurudu raffle draw?

A: There’s an opportunity to win 10 TVs. The draw will be held on April 18 during the ‘Nuga Sevana’ telecast on National Television.

The winners will also be notified through letters officially.

Q: Sampath Bank branches are located island wide. In case the winner is from a distant location, will he or she have to come to Colombo to collect the prize?

A: Not at all. Softlogic too has its extensive branch and dealer network spread island wide. So, we have made arrangements for the winner to collect his or her prize from the nearest Softlogic outlet.

Usually, every Sampath account holder engaged in Avurudu Ganu Denu receives a gift. But doesn’t the new system limit it for a few?

Not at all. Just like during previous years, those who deposit Rs. 50 000 will receive a valuable Wall Clock while a traveling bag will be given for Rs. 15 000 deposits.

I need to particularly elaborate on the special features of the Wall Clock that’s specially manufactured and imported for Sampath Bank. The clock contains a digital board that displays time, in addition to the normal time display.

The date and temperature too are displayed. It also comes with the Wadsco warranty. The traveling bag given could be used for both Beach Pack and Party purposes.

Q: What’s the message you wish to convey to customers finally?

A: Yes, this year too up to April 14, Sampath customers stand the chance of winning by depositing cash in Savings Accounts (including Children’s Saving Accounts) at any of Sampath Bank branches. All our branches will be opened on April 14 from 9 am to 12 noon for Avurudu Ganu Denu.

Lankaputhra Development Bank shifts to new premises

To serve its customers efficiently Lankaputhra Development Bank (LDB) Kandy branch shifted to a spacious and convenient location at Sirimavo Bandaranaike Mawatha, Kandy. (Opposite Kingswood College)

Chairperson Lankaputhra Development Bank Mrs Lumudiniy Kulatunga graced the occasion as the Chief guest. The branch is planning to offer many new services to cater to the needs of their valued customers.

The Kandy branch was opened in 2008 to serve the customers of the Central Province and some of the loan schemes of the bank were tailor made to suit the needs of customers in different districts in the province.

For example the Govi Navodaya loan scheme was introduced to uplift the farmer community of Nuwara eliya.

In addition a loan scheme to support self employment projects, to improve the living standards of the plantation community was also introduced.

Lankaputhra Development Bank a fully fledged government Bank was opened to strengthen the local economy by supporting the entrepreneurs of the country. The bank has initiated many loan schemes to support the Small and Medium scale entrepreneurs in the country. In addition to the savings scheme for children with attractive interest rates, leasing and pawning services are also offered by the bank.

At present the bank has branches in Colombo, Hambantota, Polonnaruwa, Kegalle, Kandy, Wennappuwa, Trincomalee and Batticaloa.

The bank is planning to open a branch in Jaffna to cater to the needs of our valued customers in the region.

Austria to discuss lifting banking secrecy for foreigners

Austria will discuss lifting its banking secrecy policy for foreign depositors, Chancellor Werner Faymann said Tuesday following EU criticism about the country's continued refusal to abandon the controversial measure.

“We will conduct the negotiations together with Luxembourg,” Faymann told journalists.”Yes, we will negotiate.” The Austrian chancellor insisted however that banking secrecy was protected by the constitution and that any sharing of information would not impact Austrian depositors.

Austria and Luxembourg are the only European Union members that do not participate in an automatic exchange of information on EU residents who have bank accounts in their countries.

Luxembourg announced over the weekend however that it was prepared to lift the controversial measure.

In an interview with the daily Kurier published Tuesday, Faymann noted that “the reputation of the country is at stake.”

On Monday, a spokesman for EU Tax Commissioner Algirdas Semeta had called it “unacceptable” that Austria was refusing to sign up to an EU-wide push towards an automatic sharing of information on bank account holders.

AFP