Asian Banker recognises HNB as ‘Best Managed Bank during COVID-19 in Sri Lanka’

Managing Director and CEO Jonathan Alles 

Hatton National Bank was recently recognised as the ‘Best Managed Bank During COVID-19 in Sri Lanka’ by the prestigious Asian Banker Magazine, while the bank’s Managing Director and CEO Jonathan Alles was awarded the Leadership Achievement Award for having delivered the Best CEO response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka. 

“I am indebted to my staff for their sacrifices and tremendous dedication in ensuring the smooth continuity of business at such a critical moment when our customers needed us the most. Our strategy during this time was focused on providing essential support to those who were most severely impacted by the COVID crisis while extending our assistance to all customers to rapidly transition into digital banking channels.

“We are proud to say that these efforts have been very successful. As a nation, we still have a tough road ahead, but we remain optimistic that if we continue to work together, we can overcome any challenge and support a grassroots recovery in key sectors of the national economy,” Alles stated. 

HNB stepped up to provide essential relief to over 85,000 customers, covering approximately 40% of the bank’s lending portfolio through moratoriums and has thus far approved working capital financing of approximately Rs. 24 billion under the Central Bank relief schemes. 

The bank also set up a Rs. 5 billion fund to support the SME customers who were not eligible under the CBSL schemes. This scheme was launched utilising the bank’s own funds. 

Recently HNB launched a Rs. 20 million fund to provide assistance by way of a grant to 200 microfinance customers. The grant will enable customers who have been affected by the ongoing COVID pandemic to revive their businesses. 

HNB’s strategic focus on being future-ready and early adoption of digitalisation enabled the bank to support the customers within the social distancing guidelines. The customers were offered the convenience of carrying out their routine transactions, such as balance enquiry, bill payments, fund transfers, opening fixed deposits, etc., from any location through the e-banking platform, which is currently being revamped. The support required continued to be provided through the 24/7 Contact Centre. 

Additionally, the bank’s digital payment options including MOMO – mobile POS, SOLO – QR-based payment app and the internet payment gateway proved to be timely as it provided the businesses with the ability to accept cashless payments. 

Launching the Appigo platform amidst the lockdown, the bank enabled the merchants to create a comprehensive and fully functional online store from scratch in a very short period of time. In order to facilitate transactions with vendors who were unable to accept card or online payments, HNB launched the doorstep mobile ATM service during the lockdown. 

Despite the challenges brought on by COVID, the bank also pursued critical technology enhancement projects under the bank’s transformation roadmap. Accordingly, the bank’s Finacle core banking solution was upgraded to the most up-to-date version available in Sri Lanka.

Ensuring the health and safety of all the stakeholders remains a key priority of the bank. As such, the bank continues to fully adhere to the measures outlined by the health authorities. 

Notably, in 2019, Asian Banker recognised HNB as the ‘Best Managed Bank in the Country’ for its performance from 2016-2018 and the MD/CEO was bestowed with the Leadership Achievement Award. HNB was also declared the Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka at the prestigious Asian Banker Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards 2020, marking the 11th occasion that the bank had emerged as winners. The award was presented to HNB in recognition of the bank’s sustainable growth and continuous improvements in processes, products and services amidst a challenging macroeconomic environment.