People’s Bank ranked among ‘Top 10 Most Admired Companies in Sri Lanka’ yet again

People’s Bank Chairman Sujeewa Rajapakse

People’s Bank Chief Executive Officer/ General Manager Ranjith Kodituwakku

People’s Bank was yet again featured among the coveted top 10 ‘Most Admired Companies of Sri Lanka’ for the 2020/21 financial year, organised by the International Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (ICCSL), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the Daily FT. 

Open for both listed and unlisted companies, the annual ‘Most Admired Companies of Sri Lanka’ Awards recognise companies that are a cut above the rest in terms overall excellence. During the rigorous selection process conducted by an elite panel of local and international judges, organisations are evaluated in terms of not just their financial performance but also the value they create for their shareholders, customers, employees and the wider community in general. 

People’s Bank has been repeatedly lauded for proving its mettle with consistency, authority and sustainable growth, delivering an excellent overall business performance. Over 60 years, People’s Bank has evolved from being a provider of financial solutions to the masses to a leader in digital banking sphere that simplifies cutting edge technology to benefit the entire nation. The bank, with country’s largest customer base and physical/digital network, has established itself in a unique position to successfully reach its over 14 million customers.

Commenting on the accolade, People’s Bank Chairman Sujeewa Rajapakse said, “We are immensely proud to be ranked amongst the top 10 Most Admired Companies in Sri Lanka. One unique reason for this success is the fact that everyone within People’s Bank is well aware of the national role expected of this great entity and that we all remain passionately committed to fulfil our obligations for the benefit of the nation. So all our activities are guided and propelled by this shared national responsibility which unites us to deliver an overall excellent performance. I take this opportunity to thank all stakeholders of the bank including customers and staff for their unstinted support without which this achievement would not have been possible.”

People’s Bank CEO/GM Ranjith Kodituwakku commented, “People’s Bank has always been embraced by the masses of the country as the pride of the nation due to the key role it plays in multiple frontiers. It is indeed a unique player in the field of banking owing to its ability to combine sensitivity to the public aspirations that transcend mere profit motive and operational efficiencies that rival even the best of private sector counterparts. For example, our digital banking product offerings are among the best in world and they also happen to be the country’s most popular. 

“Through a range of measures taken to uphold high service standards, we have proved that state owned organisations can also be excellent customer oriented competitive business entities as well. Recognitions such as this encourage us to commit ourselves with even greater resolve to move forward in this path. I also thank our valued customers and our most valuable asset, the staff members who made all this possible.”

The bank’s dedication to customer care was most apparent during the lockdown, when over 70% of branches and all self-banking units remained operational. Its mobile banking units covered over 400 locations island-wide, including some of the hardest to access areas in the country. The bank also extended interest relief worth over Rs. 5 billion to over 430,000 businesses and retail customers which was the highest for any bank or a financial services group in the country.

Peoples’ Bank has the largest customer base of 14 million customers in the country and also the largest branch network of 739 physical contact points to serve them. The bank also provides its services 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year via its Self-Banking Units amounting over 250 across the island, enabling customers to conduct their transactions without having to visit a bank branch. The bank has also stamped its supremacy in digital banking sphere with its mobile banking app People’s Wave being the country’s most downloaded banking app.