HSBC extends help to achieve academic aspirations of Lanka’s student population

HSBC announced its association with the National Higher Education and Careers Expo EDEX 2011 to be the Platinum sponsor and official bank.

Taking part in the EXPO for the third consecutive year, HSBC Lifestyle Education loans and Credit Card Flexi Plans will be offered to aspiring students seeking education opportunities, enabling them to achieve their academic goals, through the investment in higher education.

The EXPO scheduled from 22-24 January at the BMICH will conclude with the second leg held at the Kandy City Centre on 26 and 27 January 2011.

During the twin exhibition, students who wish to invest wisely in their higher education in any chosen field, will have the opportunity to sign up for HSBC’s Lifestyle Education Loans and credit card Flexi Plans, that are loaded with exciting advantages for both students and parents.  

In addition to offering financial solutions, HSBC has partnered with leading institutes to offer exclusive discounts on study programmes and educational tools such as laptops, internet connections and other accessories.

The special loans scheme ranging from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 3,500,000 will be offered at preferential interest rates and tenors to anyone between the ages of 21-55 years. Loans can be obtained individually or jointly (joint applications with parents are accepted) with the added flexibility of choosing the repayment period for up to five years.

HSBC Credit cards will offer Flexi Plans, where payments made for education through the credit card could be repaid in three, six or 12 monthly instalments with only a handling fee charged. In addition, a free international debit card will be offered at the time of account opening for loan facilities granted at the EDEX exhibition.

HSBC Head of Cards and Consumer Assets Nadeesha Senaratne said: “HSBC has continuously served to empower the youth of the country, through building capacity skills. As a global bank, we are happy to be associated with EDEX for the third year to give local students who have the capacity to acquire a professional qualification, the opportunity to apply for higher education with affordable Lifestyle Education Loans and credit card Flexi Plans. Given our international banking platform and branch network, we believe students will have a better edge in opening and operating foreign accounts closer to their universities to complete their education successfully.”

Through the HSBC Lifestyle education loan scheme and credit card Flexi Plans, parents will be free of the financial burden to pay for their children’s higher education be it here in Sri Lanka or overseas, making it possible for students to gain an internationally recognised qualification/degree with ease.

Embracing the vision “To empower Sri Lankan youth to be globally competitive,” EDEX is the country’s largest platform for local and foreign post-secondary educational service providers, skills development and training institutions and prospective employers to showcase their services and career pathway.

This year’s EXPO will comprise over 300 stalls representing over 20 countries and will be the one-stop platform for students, school leavers, undergraduates and parents alike to seek guidance from representatives of local and foreign universities and educational institutions in higher education, vocational training and skills development.