IFAD award for HNB at global forum

Hatton National Bank’s savings account, HNB Adhishtana, has come out on top after competing with over 50 projects from over 40 countries at the Global Forum on Remittances 2013.

The Global Forum on Remittances 2013 recently held in Bangkok and jointly organised by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Bank and co-sponsored by the European Union, CGAP, IDB and UNCDF, is the fourth in a series of international events dedicated to highlighting the importance of international migration and the resulting vital flow of remittances.

HNB Adhishtana, a unique savings offering for the senders and receivers of remittances which links migrant workers and their dependents to micro-entrepreneur programmes, received the Best Practice Award for enhancing impact through cross-sector partnerships. This innovative programme has made financial services more accessible and affordable to migrant workers and their dependents right across Sri Lanka.

Chandula Abeywickrema, who received the award on behalf of the Bank emphasised HNB’s commitment towards the migrant worker community and for the facilitation of inclusive financial services to migrant workers and their dependents.

The Forum brought together over 500 participants including globally recognised banks and financial institutions, experts, stakeholders from business groups, government regulators and civil society. The address given by Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Governor of The Central Bank of Sri Lanka was also a major highlight at the forum.

Cabraal shared the significance of Sri Lanka’s successful inflow of remittances with the attending dignitaries. Hatton National Bank is one of the key institutions working with IFAD in developing an innovative and very impactful programme for migrant workers, development in remittances and creating a greater impact through cross-sector partnerships.