Business
ComBank Digital wins AFTA award for ‘Best Frictionless Credit Evaluation Initiative’
A facility provided by the Commercial Bank of Ceylon for personal loans to be applied for online, has been adjudged the ‘Best Frictionless Credit Evaluation Initiative’ in Sri Lanka by the Asian FinTech Academy (AFTA).
The award was presented to the Bank at the ‘Asian Digital Finance Forum and Awards’ at the Hilton Colombo recently, in recognition of the strides made by ComBank Digital, the Bank’s single omni-channel digital banking platform, to improve the digital banking experience for customers with enhanced functionality, convenience and security.
The Personal Loan Request feature on ComBank Digital makes it possible for customers to request a personal loan without visiting a bank branch. All correspondence is conducted via the online platform, eliminating paperwork and there by promoting eco-friendly practices in addition to enhancing convenience.
“We are delighted to win this award, which reaffirms the success of our efforts to provide frictionless access to services as part of our digital transformation,” Commercial Bank’s Head of Retail Products and Digital Channels Mr Pradeep Banduwansa said. “We are constantly looking to push the boundaries in terms of functionality, without compromising security and user-friendliness. Many exciting new features are in the pipeline for ComBank Digital users.”
One of the top five financial apps in use in Sri Lanka, ‘ComBank Digital’ was launched in 2020, is fully compatible with iOS, Android and Huawei operating systems, and complies with international standards and best practices adopted to provide utmost user security. The platform provides seamless transitions across all devices including desktop computers, tablet computers and mobile phones for ComBank Digital Customers. Anyone with a Commercial Bank account can self-register online for this facility, and enjoy its features, which include opening new accounts and applying for loans without visiting a branch.
ComBank Digital is designed to enable users to manage their finances swiftly and securely on the go with a range of built-in options that allow them to self-manage their digital banking preferences on their own without the assistance of a bank agent. Standard services such as checking balances of current, savings, investment, loan, and credit card accounts, applying for Fixed Deposits, Personal Loans and Housing Loans, investing in Treasury Bills and effecting payments for share trading can be carried out securely via ComBank Digital.
Additionally, ‘ComBank Digital’ effects all transactions between own accounts, to third-party Commercial Bank accounts and to accounts in other banks on a real-time basis, and customers can request for a credit card cash advance facility via the platform. ‘ComBank Digital’ also supports bill payments to more than 68 entities in nine categories such as Telephone, Electricity, Water, Credit Cards, Insurance, Pay TV, Education, Schools and Rates.
For those in business, ComBank Digital has enabled payments to government authorities such as the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) for cargo, vessel, and entry permit payments, Sri Lanka Customs, Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Employees Trust Fund (ETF), Import and Export Control Department (IECD) and the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI).
Commercial Bank’s achievements in the development and deployment of IT-enabled banking services and products have been recognised with multiple awards, including most recently, Best Digital Transformation in Banking’ and ‘Best Mobile Banking Application’ from Business Tabloid Magazine, a leading business magazine of the UK; Best Digital Banking – Sri Lanka 2021 from Global Economics magazine, UK; and the Banking and Financial Services Category Award presented by the Sri Lanka Association for Software Services Companies (SLASSCOM) for its case study on robotic process automation (RPA).
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, Commercial Bank operates a network of 268 branches and 938 automated machines in Sri Lanka. Commercial Bank 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; Myanmar, where it has a Microfinance company in Nay Pyi Taw; and the Maldives, where the Bank has a fully-fledged Tier I Bank with a majority stake.
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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