Sampath Bank adjudged ‘Most Innovative Bank of the Year’ at Technnovation Awards 2019

Pictured from left: Sampath Bank Assistant General Manager, Information Technology Pasan Manukith, Lanka Clear Chairman Anil Amarasuriya, Sampath Bank Managing Director Nanda Fernando, Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, Sampath Bank Group Chief Information Officer Ajith Salgado, Technnovation Panel of Judges Chairman Wasantha Deshapriya, Sampath Bank Assistant General Manager, Operations and Card Centre Kusal De Silva and Lanka Clear General Manager/CEO Channa De Silva

Standing testimony to its outstanding contribution to technological innovation in Sri Lanka, Sampath Bank once again made history by clinching the highest number of awards at the recently-concluded LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2019. 

Sampath Bank was adjudged the ‘Most Innovative Bank of the Year’ and the ‘Overall Winner for Excellence in Interbank Payments’ (Banking Category) in addition to winning 6 coveted awards. Sampath Bank won a remarkable eight awards at Technnovation 2019, comprising five Gold and three Silver awards.

In recognition for its unparalleled performance by effectively leveraging technologically innovative solutions, Sampath Bank was awarded the prestigious ‘Most Innovative Bank of the Year’ award at Technnovation Awards 2019. 

Apart from the Overall Winner and the Most Innovative Bank titles, Sampath Bank also clinched the Gold award for ‘Bank of the Year for Excellence in Customer Convenience’ in recognition of maintaining the highest growth percentage (compared to the previous year) for electronic fund transfers via Sri Lanka Inter-bank Payment System (SLIPS), Common Electronic Fund Transfer System (CEFTS) and USD Online (for USD payment transfers).

Sampath Bank was adjudged the winner of a Gold for ‘Best Common ATM Acquirer of the Year’ for recording the highest acquiring volume growth per ATM in comparison to the previous year. 

Sampath Bank was also presented a Gold award for ‘Best Bank for Retail Payments’ in recognition of recording the highest number of interbank ‘JustPay’ issuer transactions during the year. Through JustPay Issuer, Sampath Bank facilitates its customers with the convenience of making payments on other bank merchant applications. 

Clinching the Silver award for ‘Best Bank for Seamless Back-end Operations,’ Sampath Bank won the recognition of being the best bank with on time delivery and connectivity uptime in back-end operations of Cheque Image Truncation System (CITS), Sri Lanka Inter-bank Payment System (SLIPS), USD Online, Common ATM Switch, Common Electronic Fund Transfer System (CEFTS) and the USD Draft System. 

The bank also secured the Silver award for ‘Best Payment Application of the Year,’ recording the highest number of interbank transactions processed through the Sampath Vishwa Retail application. 

Recording the highest transaction acquiring volume through Lankapay Online Payment Platform (LPOPP) designed for government payments (including custom payments), Sampath Bank also received the Silver award for ‘Best Acquirer on the LankaPay Online Payment Platform (LPOPP).

Technnovation Awards 2019 was steered by LankaClear Ltd., operator of LankaPay national payment network, with the aim of recognising innovative frontrunners in Sri Lankan payment technologies. The awards ceremony was held following a stringent competition where banks, non-banking financial institutions and FinTech service providers in the country vied for the prestigious titles under 15 categories.

Sharing his views on this memorable occasion, Sampath Bank PLC Group Chief Information Officer Ajith Salgado noted: “We are truly elated by the massive recognition gained by Sampath Bank at the recent LankaPay Technnovation 2019. Winning multiple prestigious awards at Sri Lanka’s only annual payment technology innovation awards ceremony has once again testified to the commitment of Sampath Bank towards providing an outstanding service to its customers by incorporating the most modern and advanced technological practices in the industry. This recognition will no doubt imbue us with greater confidence to stay abreast of the competition and effectively meet the rising demands and requirements of the new generation of consumers.”

Sampath Bank has developed an insight into digital consumerism with an in-depth understanding of the modern day demands of consumers. Serving the growing numbers of tech-savvy consumers, particularly those from ‘Generation Z,’ requires a bank to be in the forefront of digital breakthroughs and futuristic innovations in IT and mobile technologies. 

The future leadership of Sampath Bank intends to further enhance its digital innovation through all platforms, with the aim of taking its digital banking experience to new heights. Sampath Bank wishes to extend its sincere gratitude and appreciation to all customers island-wide for being a part of their journey for many years.