People’s Bank becomes one of the most awarded Sri Lankan banks in 2023

People’s Bank Chairman Sujeewa Rajapakse (left) and CEO/GM Clive Fonseka  

Growing from strength to strength with each passing year, People’s Bank was bestowed with a multitude of international and local business excellence awards in the year 2023. The recognition is a testament to the bank’s contribution to financially uplift its customers and to power economic development of the country throughout the past 62 years. Today, the bank has a customer base of over 14.7 million and consolidated assets of over Rs. 3 trillion, with a strong digital footprint and 747 outlets across the country – providing a full range of banking services to individuals and SMEs.

Amongst some of the most respected international awards, People’s Bank was awarded Best Domestic Bank and Best Bank for Diversity & Inclusion at the Asia Money Awards, organised to showcase excellence among leading banks in the Asia Pacific region. Further, the bank also basked under the spotlight at the Global Business Review Magazine Awards 2023, being awarded Banking Service Provider of the year Sri Lanka, Best Consumer Digital Bank Sri Lanka, Best Digital Wallet App Sri Lanka – People’s Pay, Most Development Bank Sri Lanka, Most Sustainable Bank – Sri Lanka across considerations of customer support, digital banking and economic development. People’s Bank was also recognised as one of the ‘The Next 100 Global Companies’ at the Global Banking and Finance Review. 

Setting benchmarks in integrated reporting, the bank’s success integrated annual report for 2022 was the only local bank to win a gold award at the well regarded International ARC Awards 2023 in the Bank: National category Including Gold for Printing and Production, Silver for Interior Design, Silver for Financial Data and a Bronze for Cover Photo/Design and Honors – Infographics. The ARC Awards represent the pinnacle of recognition for exceptional achievements in corporate communications, annual reports and investor relations materials.

Sustaining its award-winning momentum, People’s Bank went on to be crowned at the respected The European – Global Banking & Finance Awards 2023 with some key awards: Bank of the Year Sri Lanka, Best Digital Banking Solutions Provider Sri Lanka, ESG Bank of the Year Sri Lanka, Best Mobile Banking APP Sri Lanka and Best Financial Inclusion Program Sri Lanka – all for the year 2023.

In the local arena also, People’s Bank remains one of the most awarded banks. In 2023, the bank won the coveted Gold Awards for Most Popular Digital Payment Product and Best Common ATM Enabler of the Year – category A’, along with a Merit Overall award for Excellence in interbank Digital payment at the highly anticipated LankaPay Technnovation Awards. The bank was also adjudged as the Runner-up at National Business Excellence Award – Banking Sector – for Excellence in Capacity Building. Gaining even greater recognition across other platforms, the Bank was selected as the Winner in the Government, Semi-Government and Authorities Category at the Best Management Practices Company Awards 2023. 

Cementing its digital credentials further, the bank won the prestigious Digital Payments Catalyst award at the Payment Partner Performance Awards 2023 – Daraz and the Business Excellence Award at Bizz Hybrid Awards. At the Best Web Awards 2023, People’s Bank won Most Popular Banking & Finance Website and Best Banking & Finance Website – Bronze.

As one of the most trusted and admired employer brands, People’s Bank was named a Top Employer by AICPA & CIMA and recognised as one of Sri Lanka’s most outstanding Women-Friendly Workplace at WFWP Awards 2023. People’s Bank was yet again featured among the top 15 ‘Most Admired Companies of Sri Lanka’ for the 2022/23 financial year, organised by the International Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (ICCSL), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and Daily FT. 

Commenting on the accolade, People’s Bank Chairman Sujeewa Rajapakse said, “The numerous global and local awards won by People’s Bank in the year 2023 gives us immense pride and satisfaction. Backed by a professional and dedicated team, the Bank has successfully outperformed peers across many categories. We, at People’s Bank, are especially proud of the consistent and significant socio economic contribution we were able to make to help the country emerge from the recent crisis. These awards serve to further cement our commitment to good governance and exceptional customer care. I would like to thank all stakeholders of the bank including customers and staff for their unwavering support which have enabled these achievements.”

People’s Bank CEO/GM Clive Fonseka commented “People’s Bank has forged ahead despite the external challenges to serve the customers and the nation selflessly and this is evident in our award-winning streak in 2023, where local and international accolades have been abundant. We remain committed to go beyond business as usual to support local entrepreneurs and to offer our customers the financial support they need to enhance their lifestyles.”