Striking another milestone in excellence, Sri Lanka's premier private sector bank, HNB PLC, was recently honoured with the Best Automobile Financing in Asia-Pacific award at the prestigious Asian Banker Global Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards 2024. 

HNB received this accolade for its unwavering commitment to seamless facilitation of vehicle ownership nationwide. Notably, HNB was recognized for its significant support to grassroots communities through value-added leasing agreements with partners such as Browns, DIMO, Hayleys, Lanka Commercial Trading, Singer, AMW and Agstar Agribusinesses, empowering the farming community and enabling them to achieve results with minimal financial strain. 

"All Sri Lankans aspire to vehicle ownership, and the freedom and opportunity that comes with it. Even in the face of significant economic conditions we have sought to ensure that our customers are still able to achieve that dream, whether it’s for their personal use, or to build up their business. Our recognition on this global platform stands as a remarkable validation to our efforts and the commitment of our leasing team in supporting each of our customers,” 

"We are particularly proud that vehicle leasing options, especially for farming and agriculture, have significantly impacted society. We are dedicated to continuing this support, empowering the foundation of Sri Lanka's economy," said HNB Chief Operating Officer, Sanjay Wijemanne.

Through partnerships with local automobile giants such as Ideal Motors, United Motors, DIMO, Micro Cars, Lanka Ashok Leyland, AMW and more, HNB offers a range of attractive financing options for leases up to seven years. The bank also provides the prevailing interest rate for leases, with a 25% residual value from the market price, and a "Prestige Prime" credit card, offering access to special discounts on automobile products, servicing, spare parts, tyres, batteries, with the first-year annual fee waived.

"We put immense thought into our leasing products, always striving to uphold our mission of empowering the Sri Lankan community. This award is a testament to our role as a true partner in progress, aiming to help communities grow from the grassroots. Through programmes like HNB Leasing Govi Saviya and Easy Draft, we aim to alleviate many of the stressful factors that hinder our workforce from reaching their full potential, and strive to reignite the Sri Lankan economy and support our communities in every possible way," said HNB Head of Personal Financial Services (PFS), Susith Perera.

One such initiative is HNB's Govi Saviya, spearheaded by the bank's microfinance officers and bolstered by key players in the agricultural sector. Govi Saviya seeks to revitalize the industry with cutting-edge equipment and knowledge-sharing missions, empowering the tertiary workforce to excel. Through these collaborations, farmers will gain access to convenient leasing solutions, customized repayment options aligned with the Yala and Maha cultivation seasons, and low interest rates. 

Hosted by the prestigious Asian Banker Magazine, the awards are considered among the most rigorous and influential programmes for consumer financial services in the world and are designed to showcase regional institutions that establish new benchmarks in stability, innovation, digital enablement and process re-engineering towards unleashing rapid, sustainable growth.  

With 254 customer centres, HNB is one of Sri Lanka's largest, most technologically innovative private banks. Consolidating its legacy in sustainability, good governance, and corporate excellence, HNB was crowned the Best Corporate Citizen for 2022 at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Best Corporate Citizen Awards. Other significant accolades include being adjudged the "Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka" for the 14th occasion by the Asian Banker, being declared the "Best SME Bank" by Asiamoney Magazine, being awarded the Sri Lanka Technology Excellence Award for Robotics – Banking at the Asian Technology Excellence awards 2023, for integration of Robotic Process Automation in its Custody Banking and Trustee Services, as well as securing a Top 5 position on Business Today's Top 40 rankings for 2023. 

Furthermore, HNB was ranked among Sri Lanka's Top 10 Most Admired Companies in 2022 by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, and the International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka. HNB was also recognized for its service excellence in trade services at the Euromoney Awards, taking home the prestigious titles of Best Market Leader in Trade Finance Services and Best Services Provider in Trade Finance Services, both globally and domestically.