HNB opens Customer Center in Mullaitivu

Hatton National Bank Plc, last week ceremonially opened its Mullaitivu customer center with Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal as the Chief Guest.

The ceremonial opening of the Mullaitivu customer center was yet another feather on HNB’s Cap in its laudable branch expansion strategy, which saw the commitment of the bank in its drive to create financial inclusion among masses through tapping many rural pockets of the island, with the objective of further strengthening the economic growth engine of the country through financial and economic inclusion.

This historic event was graced by Mr. Ajith Nivard Cabraal, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (the chief guest), Dr. Ranee Jayamaha, the Chairperson of Hatton National Bank PLC, Mrs Pamela Cooray and Dr. Rohan Karunaratne, members of the board of HNB, Managing Director and CEO Rajendra Theagarajah, Deputy General Manager HR and Administration J.R.P.M. Paiva, Deputy General Manager Network Management L.L.C. Thambiah, , the Regional Manager and staff of the regional office, Mullaitivu branch manager and staff and valued customers.

Dr. Jayamaha, in her welcome address reiterated on HNB’s presence in the North and East during both good and testing times stating that it was a true testimony of HNB’s commitment to its valued customers. She went on to say that HNB now has 240 customer centres island wide of which 40 customer centres are located in the North and East. The 400 strong ATM network further reinstates HNB’s passion in creating ease and reach to its customers. Speaking further, Dr. Jayamaha spoke of HNB’s vision in supporting the medium and large scale entrepreneurs who are in the business of contracting and sub-contracting in infrastructure development projects and those engaged in the hospitality trade and elaborated on the road map of the CBSL and the alignment of HNB’s strategic plan with the road map, HNB’s initiative in building up its reserves and employing the reserves to enhance capital employed on strategic infrastructure investments and the bank’s vision in entering the international capital market to raise dollar funds to explore cross border strategic investments within the region.

She also shed light on HNB’s strategic focus in providing more funds towards the agriculture, SME and retail sectors and the bank’s strategic focus in providing its customers with the facilities of state-of-the-art technology and online, mobile and telephone banking services.

Chief Guest Cabraal spoke of the importance of financial inclusion and its connection to the prosperity of an individual.He further stated that the banking system from an initial number of 1100 bank branches in 1992, today have grown to 6300 bank branches which provides solid proof of the significant growth momentum of the banking sector. This Cabraal stated was a clear illustration of the increased access of the masses in to the country’s banking system. Whilst applauding this commendable growth, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka further went on to state the need of the hour in introducing and expanding mobile banking across the banking system.

Speaking further, Cabraal went on to say that the rapid financial inclusion would clear the road map for a new breed of entrepreneurs who would help revamp the nation’s economy that is now seeing many thriving prospects.

Cabraal was invited to handover several cultivation loans to Leaders of Farmer Societies and Agri and Fishery equipment machinery to loan customers.

Theagarajah in his closing remarks re-emphasized on HNB’s commitment to serve its customers with a now strong 240 customer centres and invited all customers to join hands in making HNB a true partner in their prosperity and progress.