Business
Activation in a flash: ComBank innovates with Digital KYC procedure for ‘Flash’ accounts
An innovative video call identity verification feature has been introduced by the Commercial Bank of Ceylon to its ground-breaking digital bank account ‘Flash,’ making it possible for an account to be opened, activated and operated without ever visiting a bank branch.
The unique Digital KYC (Know Your Customer) process allows the Bank to remotely complete the customer verification requirements and provide the Flash account holder full access to all the functions of the activated app. Among these is the linking of other bank accounts, enabling the account holder to transfer money from an account in another bank to top-up the Flash account with funds, the Bank said.
Further simplifying the self-registration process, Commercial Bank now requires those opening a Flash Digital Bank Account to simply fill in a few personal details and upload the specified identification documents via their Flash mobile App. The customer will then be contacted by a bank officer via a video call for the verification and activation of the account.
The winner of the award for the ‘Digital Banking Initiative of the Year’ in Sri Lanka at the 2021 Asian Banking and Finance (ABF) awards, Flash is a comprehensive digital banking app that provides financial services required to manage the lifestyle of a customer across aspects such as daily living and utility expenses, budgeting, saving, financing, eCommerce, environmental awareness, and investments. The app is supported by its own dedicated website – www.flashbank.lk
The Flash Digital Bank Account mobile app is available for download via the Apple App Store, Google Play Store or Huawei App Gallery and offers users anytime anywhere access to a complete suite of financial services and wealth management tools in one seamless application.
Besides providing the standard banking services required by account holders, Flash offers several innovative features and functions that go beyond routine banking. These include a ‘Save the Environment’ a feature which promotes an understanding of the social carbon footprint of consumption by assessing each transaction a user carries out via the app; an ‘Advanced Budgeting’ tab which functions as a personal financial management tool that enables tracking of spending with detailed categorisation of expenses; a Quick Response (QR) payment module that enables users to scan a LANKAQR code of any merchant to make payments directly from their accounts to the merchant for purchases, integration with the PickMe app QR; Flash e-Statements with payment and receipts and detailed e-Receipts for Flash transactions with the option to share via email and WhatsApp; ‘JustPay’ which enables customers to add any bank account to top up Flash and make payments, and the ‘My Payees’ and ‘My Billers’ functions in the homepage menu with recent payee and biller templates.
Additionally, Flash is equipped with a ‘Flash Finance SPACE’ function that generates requests for Personal Loans, Home Loans, Leasing facilities and Education Loans. Flash allows its customers to invest their money in Fixed Deposits for a higher return of interest. Further, Flash allows customers to apply for Health Insurance cover through Fairfirst Insurance with many options, providing higher benefits, enabling customers to look into the most suitable choice for them and their families.
Commercial Bank is Sri Lanka’s first 100% carbon neutral bank, the first Sri Lankan bank to be listed among the Top 1000 Banks of the World and the only Sri Lankan bank to be so listed for 11 years consecutively. It is the largest lender to Sri Lanka’s SME sector and is a leader in digital innovation in the country’s Banking sector. The Bank’s overseas operations encompass Bangladesh, where the Bank operates 19 outlets; the Maldives, where the Bank has a fully-fledged Tier I Bank with a majority stake, and Myanmar, where it has a microfinance company in Nay Pyi Taw.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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