Thursday, 20 June 2013 00:51
-
- {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
HDFC, fulfilling 30 years of service in the housing finance sector, has further extended its services to customers with the recent ceremonial opening of its refurbished Kalutara branch. The branch was first opened 22 years ago with the objective of financial solutions for housing requirements to the low and middle income communities in the area.
Although the branch sustained severe hardships in the past, the services rendered by the branch to its customers brought immense recognition and cemented it as a reputed housing finance institution in the country. The branch has achieved a milestone with the refurbishment of a building owned by the bank to operate as its Kalutara branch located at 13, Gnanodaya Mawatha, Kalutara South.
The branch now has mobile banking facilities for customers who are unable to visit the branch for their financial requirements. The branch also serves communities in Matugama, Agalawatte, Bulathsinghala, Payagala, Beruwala and Aluthgama, helping them fulfil their housing financial and other banking requirements.
At present, HDFC performs a key role in providing housing loans for the customers whilst maintaining and encouraging a scheme of tailor-made savings deposits and accounts for groups of all ages. The bank has also introduced an innovative and special pension account namely the HDFC Housing Fund for the people who do not possess claims for a permanent pension after retirement.
Expressing her views at the opening ceremony of the refurbished Kalutara branch, Chairperson of HDFC Siromi Wickramasinghe stated that the successful implementation of the Government’s housing policy is a key responsibility of the institution. She added that HDFC in collaboration with the National Housing Development Authority has commenced a special housing loan program titled ‘Jana Sevana’ with the objective of providing housing finance to the low income segment and the Government servants in keeping with the ‘Janasevana’ housing project launched by the Minister Wimal Weerawansa under the Mahinda Chainthana program.
Speaking at the occasion, CEO and the General Manager of HDFC Nimal Mamaduwa said that the bank, whilst keeping housing as its core business, is diversifying from its traditional view as a housing bank, and has already planned to extend its services to customers to income generating small and medium scale projects against the existing mortgage already retained with the bank for their housing loans. The new provision of services also includes facilities to obtain leasing, business as well as microfinance loans.
Director of HDFC and the Chairman of the National Housing Development Authority Jayantha Samaraweera attended as Guest of Honour at the ceremonial opening of the refurbished Kalutara branch. Samaraweera in his speech appreciated the support extended by the Bank in implementing the ‘Janasevana’ housing program under the Government’s housing policy.
Additional Labour Commissioner of Kalutara District R.W.M. Podinilame, Additional Labour Commissioner of Panadura L. Mangalika Hewawitharana, HDFC Chief Operations Officer S. Dissanayake, Chief Financial Officer D.V. Pathirana, Chief Information Officer W.M.A. Bandara, Chief Internal Auditor A.J. Athukorala, HDFC Southern Province Regional Manager N.C. Ranjith, HDFC Branch Manager in Kalutara Kosala De Silva, a number of staff members and customers of HDFC were present at the opening.
