CBSL Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal speaking at the launch
Supporting the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s (CBSL) drive to encourage inward remittances through formal channels, Sri Lanka’s leading private sector bank, HNB PLC, launched HNB Adhishtana package, offering a host of value additions for migrant workers and their families.
Leveraging on the bank’s extensive understanding of financial and social requirements of migrant workers and their families, the bank designed the programme to support sustainable livelihood development and wellbeing for migrant Sri Lankans and their families.
The savings account linked to the HNB Adhishtana package enables Sri Lankans employed across the globe to gain direct access to a secure, convenient and cost-effective method of sending funds to their loved ones back home.
The launch of HNB Adhishtana package was held at HNB Towers with the patronage of CBSL Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, HNB Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan Alles, CBSL Assistant Governor D. Kumaratunga, , Secretary of the Ministry of Education Prof. Kapila Perera, Deputy Commissioner of the State Ministry Women & Child Development, Pre-school & Primary Education, School Infrastructure & Education Services Sudeera Withana, HNB Assurance- Life, Chief Executive Officer Lasitha Wimalaratne, President of ALFEA F. Marikkar, Mobitel, Chief Marketing Officer, Shashika Senarath, IIHS, CEO/Founder Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe and HNB DGM Retail & SME Banking Sanjay Wijemanne.
“The CBSL and the government has recognised the immense contribution made by Sri Lankan migrant workers, as the funds they send back home to their loved ones are not only used to achieve their goals but is also necessary for the country to fulfill its own needs. Given the important role they play we need ensure they have convenient and secure channels to send funds while also ensuring we help them achieve their own personal financial goals.
Today, a bank is not just an institution for providing loans. They are increasingly becoming organisations which first and foremost, empower people, communities and enterprises to achieve their goals and fulfill their needs. I am delighted that HNB is working with such enthusiasm to serve the needs of Sri Lankan migrants and their families back home by launching the Adhishtana programme. We hope to see other institutions collaborate in such a manner to roll out programmes for remitters across the globe,” CBSL Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said.
A special debit card will be issued for HNB Adhishtana account holders for identification purpose and the bank will offer many value additions to customers who continuously send remittances to Sri Lanka through HNB.
Customers can route a compulsory savings component to their HNB Adhishtana account to be eligible for an exclusive housing and micro finance facility.
“Having worked in this space for over 30 years, HNB has long understood that migrant workers who remit their earnings back home are an essential part of the Sri Lankan economy. It is with that understanding that the Central Bank Governor asked HNB to get involved in creating a product which could support the aspirations of remitters and their families.
“We hope that the example we are setting today with the launch of the Adhistana programme and the numerous benefits tied to it, will serve to inspire our peers in the private and public sectors to develop similar initiatives to reward remitters for their invaluable contributions. Our hope is that these bundled rewards will help encourage more migrant Sri Lankans to utilize the significantly safer, more reliable formal channels at a time when they are most needed,” HNB Managing Director/CEO, Jonathan Alles stated.
The bank has partnered with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) to offer migrant workers assistance in financial planning free of charge prior to migration.
Furthermore, HNB will open a Kirikatiyo account for migrant parents on the happy occasion of the birth of their child with a contribution of Rs. 1,000, subject to customers placing a monthly standing order to the account of their new born child.
Most recently, HNB signed on as a partner to the ‘Lanka Remit’ mobile app initiated by the CBSL to further encourage formal channels for inward remittances. The app provides Sri Lankans working abroad direct access to formal remittance channels that provide secure, convenient and cost-effective methods to send money back home.
HNB also launched its Remittance Draw scheme to recognize and reward the recipients who receive periodic remittances. The winners will be selected through a draw and winners will be rewarded weekly with Rs 100,000 each producing 52 winners in the year 2022.
The bank’s Remittance services further offer customers convenience and security to transfer funds through the bank’s worldwide network of partners in every populated continent. HNB’s global network consists of more than 130 tie-ups with many renowned exchange houses and banks across the globe. Apart from Sri Lankan rupees, remitters can deposit funds in 13 designated foreign currencies.
Complementing its global network, the bank has deployed representative officers in strategic locations to support Sri Lankan expatriates in fulfilling their financial needs. HNB launched two new delivery channels to conveniently disburse remittances; Call and Credit option and HNB Cash2Home. Through the Call and Credit option, customers can contact HNB Connect via 0112462462 and request the bank to conveniently credit the remittance to their HNB Savings Account. HNB Cash2Home will deliver the remittance to the recipient’s doorstep which will offered at a nominal fee.
In addition to above, the bank facilitates cash pick-ups over its branch counters spread across the island and encashment through ATMs using the ‘Card-less remittance withdrawal facility’ through its ATMs amounts to more than 780 ATMs. HNB also credits remittances to any other local bank account immediately. The bank processes remittance transactions on a 24x7 basis throughout the year to ensure seamless delivery.
CBSL Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal presenting the first Adhhistana package to customer C. S Fernando in the presence of (from left) HNB DGM- Retail and SME Banking Sanjay Wijemanne, HNB MD/CEO Jonathan Alles and CBSL Assistant Governor D. Kumarathunga
(left and center) HNB DGM- Retail and SME Banking Sanjay Wijemanne, HNB MD/CEO Jonathan Alles, CBSL Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and CBSL Assistant Governor D. Kumarathunga with the weekly HNB Remittance Draw winners
