Banking

Amana Bank in Puttalam

Amana Bank opened its 22nd branch in Puttalam recently, thereby expanding its services to the residents of the locality and nearby towns such as Kalpitiya, Norochcholai, Palavi, Karative and Madurankuliya.

The opening ceremony was graced by the Chairman of the Puttalam Urban Council, K.A. Baiz, Managing Director/CEO of Amana Bank, Faizal Salieh, Chief Operating Officer, Mohamed Azmeer and other invitees.

Addressing the guests, K.A. Baiz said "I am very happy to note the presence of Amana Bank in the Puttalam area.

We expect the Bank to assist our growing SMEs as well as the residents with the Bank's unique services." Commenting on the expansion, Amana Bank MD/CEO, Faizal Salieh said, "Puttalam is situated at the centre of the Coconut Triangle and is known for its salt production, fisheries and agriculture.

We are delighted to arrive in Puttalam and offer the citizens and businesses of this locality our range of products and services and enable them to experience our unique way of banking which is based on the principles of profit and loss sharing."

The Puttalam branch will provide a wide range of products and services such as Current accounts, Savings accounts, Foreign Currency accounts (NRFC/RFC/RNNFC), Children's Savings accounts, Term Investment accounts, Housing Finance, Leasing, SME Banking, Trade Services and Treasury Services.

The branch also houses an ATM machine providing 24 hour access to customers.

Powered by the stability and the support of its strategic shareholders Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, the Islamic Development Bank based in Saudi Arabia and AB Bank in Bangladesh, the Bank is making an aggressive journey in the Sri Lankan banking industry and is focused on capitalizing the growing market potential for this unique banking model across the country.

Union Bank conducts SME 'Viyaparika Saviya' workshop

The 39th SME "Viyaparika Saviya" customer training workshop organized by Union Bank of Colombo PLC was held at the District Secretariat Office, Trincomalee recently.

The programme was aimed at Small and Medium Enterprises (SME's) in the area to add value to their business operations through sharing of knowledge and business successes and the workshop was attended by both existing and potential entrepreneurs from a wide spectrum of enterprises.

The Chief Guest at the event was Major General T. T. Ranjith De Silva, District Secretary, Trincomalee and Ranjani Senasinghe, an eminent personality in the area was a special invitee at the programme.

The programme titled "Entrepreneurship Development" was conducted by both internal and external resource persons to enhance knowledge on the topic "Management, Productivity, & Business Development" conducted by Geeth Rajapaksha (National Trainer - National Productivity Secretariat) and the topic "Financial Management" was led by Deepal Liyanage (Senior Relationship Manager - Development Banking).

As the preferred Bank for the Small and Medium Enterprises, its Free Advisory Service is a value addition to the growth of small and medium industrialists.

Additionally, the Bank has also opened dedicated SME centers offering customers a comprehensive range of financial solutions with flexibility and customization to meet the growing needs of this segment. Union Bank's focus on the SME sector gives the Bank an edge in a competitive market as a Bank small enough to offer flexibility to the growing needs of the SME customers and large enough to fuel their growth to greater heights.

Allianz Lanka rewards outstanding performance

It was a star-studded evening for Allianz Lanka as the best and brightest of its team were awarded trophies, cash rewards and overseas holidays for their brilliant performance during 2012. Heinz Dollberg, Allianz Executive Vice President Asia Pacific who graced the occasion as Chief Guest,Guest of Honour Allianz Lanka Chief Executive Officer, Surekha Alles,the company's senior management, Life and Non- Life sales staff, spouses of winners and staff comprised the attendees at the glittering event.

The Allianz Awards are held annually to promote the strong performance culture that Allianz fosters in its companies globally and rewards individual successes, outstanding team effort and effective partnerships.

About 68 winners demonstrating the highest standards of best practice and innovation vied for the much coveted 'Champion of the Champions award for 2012, which was triumphantly borne away by Janith Fernando of the JaEla office amid much fanfare. Other top awards of the evening were the Allianz Best Sales person 2012 award won toNalin Prasanna from the Colombo office;the Allianz Best Region Award 2012 awarded to Ruwan Dissanayake from the Kandy region; the Allianz Best Agency office Award 2012carried off by Pradeep Kumarathunga from the JaEla region; the Allianz Best Non- Life Sales 2012 went to Rajiv Fernando from the Bancasurrance unit.

Allianz Life Insurance Lanka's General Manger Sales and Distribution Sandamal Hettiarachchi in his welcome address, expressed his gratification that the Sri Lanka subsidiary of global giant Allianz had exceeded local industry standards of growth and profitability:in the first quarter of 2013 the company's Life business grew by a substantial 44% as against the industry average of 7% and Non-Life business grew by a satisfactory13% when compared with the industry average of 10 %.

Surekha Alles in her address, while commending the sales team for its commitment and stellar performance affirmed, "Our focus has always been on sustainable profitable growth, because we are a company who does not concentrate only on GWP growth. This is the major differentiator between us and the rest of the industry players...." She declared, Alles advised her staff that, despite the pressure to excel, they should follow ethical practices at all times, keeping in mind the Allianz guiding principles of integrity, transparency and customer focus. She advised the sales team that they hold a tremendous responsibility because"The reputation of the company remains in your hands."

The qualities of excellence recognized at the sales convention are also the cornerstones on which Allianz built its reputation of over a century. As a world leader in insurance and financial services and a skilled global player yet an experienced and innovative local partner, the pursuit of excellence has been the rationale behind the many world records and industry firsts attained by Allianz over the years. Local expertise and global strength have been Allianz Lanka's powerful formula for success during its existence in Sri Lanka. The Non-Life company was set up in Sri Lanka eight years ago and the Life company has been in Sri Lanka for five year.

Bank of Ceylon in Vaddukoddai

Bank of Ceylon (BOC) Vaddukoddai new branch was opened recently at the Sangaraththai Junction, Vaadukkodai by BOC Northern Province Assistant General Manager (AGM), Thilak Tennakoon.

With this initiative people in the Vaddukoddai area are also eligible to get the banking services offered by BOC.

Vaddukoddai Branch operates from 8.15 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. Customers could open savings accounts, current accounts, NRFC Accounts, Time deposits and obtain loan facilities, Lease facilities, Pawning services and Credit and Debit cards from this branch.

People at Vaddukoddai also get the privilege of experiencing banking services through modern internet banking, mobile banking and 24 hour Call Centre facility.

People's Bank CBD celebrates 52nd anniversary

People's Bank - Corporate Banking Divison (CBD) at Lake House building celebrated the 25th anniversary of the bank with the participation of their valued customers, pensioners and the members of the staff at the branch premises recently.

Maniymuthu the Proprietor of Marlbo Trading Co., prime customer said, "the People's Bank never let me down in my financial drawbacks. They were always with me to overcome all barriers.. Therefore, I am always with the People's Bank."

All customers and pensioners who were present at the ceremony were given token gifts to mark this valuable event and were served with traditional food for breakfast.