Union Bank of Colombo partners with IBM to transform its HR Function

The bank moves employee performance management to the next level with SAP Success Factors

IBM today announced that The Union Bank of Colombo Plc is deploying SAP SuccessFactors Performance and Goals as their new Performance Management Solution. IBM Global Business Services will support the Bank’s vision to strengthen the performance culture, and to create a more conducive environment for managing and measuring performance.

Established in 1995, Union Bank is the highest capitalised commercial bank in Sri Lanka, offering a full range of products and services to personal and commercial financial sectors.

With the entry of TPG Capital, in 2014, as a strategic growth partner, the bank has been on a strong growth trajectory, with strong employee contribution driving success. With the expansion of the bank's staff strength and a shift towards a vibrant performance culture, there was an immediate need to adopt a cloud-based solution that facilitated an agile performance management approach by allowing employees access to a simple, user-friendly platform.

As a part of the implementation, Union Bank and IBM evaluated the existing talent management process and identified improvements that can be facilitated through the adoption of SAP SuccessFactors. IBM is implementing the solution for the Bank, which will provide a structure for the employee performance management process ensuring that employees receive timely direction, feedback and recognition needed to maintain high levels of performance. The solution combines strategic thinking, analytics and leading-edge technology tools to help the bank make more informed decisions and optimise the benefits of the performance management process. This will help Union Bank of Colombo enable a digital HR strategy and engage people across the organization.

“Employees Performance Management is a critical driver of business success. There is a need for a sound and transparent method of managing employees’ performance,” said Union Bank of Colombo PLC Director/CEO Indrajit Wickramasinghe. “This is a futuristic move that is much more than the implementation of a sophisticated technological solution. The adoption of SAP SuccessFactors solution will help realise a wholesome approach to holistic performance management. The bank aspires to reinforce the levels of employee engagement that will drive its growth objectives into the future. Investing in a globally recognised premium technology to support and strengthen this culture was one of our priorities,” he added.

Union Bank of Colombo PLC VP – Human Resources Ravi Jayasekera said, “With IBM’s global expertise, we look forward to changing the way we look at and take ownership of guiding, measuring and rewarding our people with easy and seamless processes. Implementing SAP SuccessFactors is an important milestone for the company as it embarks upon a journey to transform the HR processes for its employees who touch the lives of customers and drive the success of the bank.” 

“There is a need to create a conducive environment for managing and measuring performance. Providing employees with the tools they need to reach their full potential is vital to the organisation’s success,” said IBM Sri Lanka Country General Manager Chrishan Fernando. “IBM is committed to the success of its clients in Sri Lanka and has been instrumental in providing world-class technology to the banking and financial services sector,” he added.