HNB connects with LankaPay as common ATM network expands by 400 more

Tuesday, 6 May 2014 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Hatton National Bank (HNB) joined the LankaPay network enabling its customers to transact at the lowest cost across 1,600 ATMs island wide. LankaPay network allows customers of one bank to transact using an ATM of another member bank at convenience and at a nominal fee for cash withdrawals and balance inquiries, and HNB is the second major private commercial bank to join the network. The move will bring greater convenience and affordability to over two million HNB customers and all customers of other member banks namely Peoples’ Bank, Bank Of Ceylon, Union Bank and Seylan Bank as they avail themselves of Sri Lanka’s single largest common ATM network. The LankaPay network is operated by LankaClear with the approval and guidance of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and is the first phase of the Common Card and Payment Switch (CCAPS). The system is designed to become the backbone infrastructure for all future electronic transactions, which will facilitate seamless connectivity coupled with online real time payments. “The payment solutions that we offer will deliver significant value to consumers and businesses alike, as we drive the cost of transactions down coupled with simplified technology and significant advancements in speed of transacting. We are extremely happy to welcome HNB aboard the LankaPay network, and as the country’s largest common ATM network expands its footprint we look forward to welcoming other banks and financial institutions on to the network as we advent to this new chapter in creating convenience and efficiency for bank customers,” remarked Sunimal Weerasooriya, General Manager and CEO of LankaClear. HNB’s tie-up with the LankaPay network will greatly benefit its customers as it provides secure, affordable convenience with access to over 1,600 ATMs scattered island-wide. Now member bank’s customers no longer need to purposely visit their own bank ATM for cash withdrawals and balance inquiries but seek convenience at the nearest LankaPay ATM. The Chief Operating Officer of Hatton National Bank, Dilshan Rodrigo stated: “We are delighted to join the common switch and offer Sri Lankans the opportunity to benefit from our Smart ATMs. We believe this initiative will also set the stage for digital banking space through internet, mobile phone and cordless payments, where HNB will be a front runner.” The implementation of the LankaPay common ATM network is a national development initiative, allowing greater reach, service offering and convenience to customers via a common payment platform. In addition to facilitating secure, affordable and convenient transactions for users it also offers significant savings in foreign exchange to the country by virtue of every LankaPay network transaction being channelled through a total domestic network. LankaClear Ltd., one of the country’s most successful public-private partnerships, is Sri Lanka’s national payment infrastructure provider. The company is jointly owned by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and all commercial banks. LankaClear’s product offering include the Cheque Imaging and Truncation System (CITS), Sri Lanka Inter-Bank Payments System (SLIPS), LankaPay Common ATM Switch and LankaSign Certification Service Provider among several other payment system infrastructure offerings.