In 1989, HNB introduced its own micro financing program known as Gami Pubuduwa (village awakening) to extend financial services to self-employment projects and other micro enterprises in rural areas.
The uniqueness of this scheme is that it revolves around field officers known as Gami Pubudu Upadeshaka (GPU) who closely associate with the rural community, identify their strengths and opportunities and make suitable financial proposals to promote successful micro entrepreneurs.
The Gami Pubuduwa scheme has now become one of the most successful micro-finance programs implemented by a commercial bank in Sri Lanka, and was recognized by the World Bank.
HNB Gami Pubuduwa is a financial initiative committed to empowering self-employed individuals in their quest for betterment. Our financial assistance begins from modest sums and can reach up to 10 million units, accommodating an extensive array of businesses, from conventional to contemporary ventures.
We pledge to extend financial aid to any lawful business venture that holds the promise of enhancing lives, irrespective of the industry or sector. Be it a cultural establishment or a state-of-the-art tech startup, our mission is to assist entrepreneurs in achieving their aspirations and fostering a positive influence on their communities.
We possess a team of committed professionals who shoulder the duty of not merely disbursing loans, but also guiding, enlightening and elevating you to guarantee the financial prosperity.
With a pool of Microfinance Officers spread across nine regions island wide, this essential financial service is penetrating even the most isolated parts of the island. At the helm of this distributed framework are Regional Microfinance Managers, supervising a squad of 162 Microfinance Officers who are committed to fortifying local communities through financial integration.
The Gami Pubuduwa Pola, conducted five times at the BMICH location, has evolved into a crucial stage for entrepreneurs from all over Sri Lanka, with more than 125 participants gathering in Colombo to display their varied assortment of products. This trading center not only acts as a nexus for trade but also encourages the establishment of vital market connections, enabling interactions between sellers and buyers from various parts of the island. This event broadens economic prospects, thereby fostering the expansion and progression of businesses across the country.
Every year, we conduct more than 100 financial education and entrepreneur advancement initiatives in partnership with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Department of Small Entrepreneurs and a host of government and private entities. These endeavors are designed to equip individuals with crucial financial competencies and furnish them with the requisite knowledge and resources for entrepreneurial success. Through these programs, our goal is to cultivate economic empowerment and establish a nurturing environment for small entrepreneurs throughout Sri Lanka.
In light of the difficulties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn, we have launched a grant scheme providing Rs 100,000 to each of our microfinance customers who have been severely impacted by these events. With a total of 350 customers reaping the benefits of this initiative, the grant totals to a sum of Rs 35 million. This aid is intended to help these entrepreneurs reconstruct their businesses, empowering them to surmount the adversities they have encountered and restore balance in their livelihoods.
This Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative is focused on setting up a RO water purification system at two sites: the Sri Sudarmaramaya Temple in Wijayapura, Wanathawilluwa, which will benefit an estimated 650 families and the Andimunai Tamil National School in Udappuwa, which will benefit about 400 students. The objective of this project is to supply these communities with clean and safe drinking water, thereby enhancing their health and well-being.
