HNB introduces Sathkara to pay homage to pensioners

Wednesday, 22 October 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

For the first time in the Sri Lankan banking industry, Hatton National Bank (HNB) in partnership with Department of Pensions has introduced ‘Sathkara’, a unique product with a number of exclusive benefits and privileges for pensioners. The purpose of this product is to pay homage to pensioners who have played an important role in Sri Lanka’s development drive by serving the nation tirelessly for the better part of their lives in the government sector. Sri Lanka has a culture which instils in its people the values of respecting parents and elders and as the premier private sector commercial bank HNB has embodied these values through tailor-made products for senior citizens.

Department of Pensions Director General Sunil Hettiarachchi and HNB Head of Cards and Electronic Delivery Channels Mangala P. Wickramasinghe at the launch of HNB Sathkara Department of Pensions Director General Sunil Hettiarachchi commenting on the new product stated: “Hatton National Bank, the leading commercial bank with a rich history of over 125 years joins hands with the premier social service provider in the country to introduce a pensioner’s ID card service using the cutting-edge digital technology that promises to improve the quality of life of over 500,000 pensioners in the country.” HNB Sathkara includes a pension ID card combined with the debit facility. It carries the photo identity of the owner on the face of the card and is linked to a bank account for the pensioners to withdraw money. Since this card is powered by a strong international card association, pensioners can use the same card for purchases around the world. The card is NFC enabled, which allows the Department of Pensions to electronically store all data about the pension holder in the card itself for fast and convenient transactions. Mangala Wickramasinghe, Head of Payment Cards & Electronic Delivery channels of HNB added that their sole focus is to create value to ‘Pensioners’. We did not want them to go through the hassle of maintaining several plastic cards for payments and that is why a single card to meet all their payment requirements. They can use this combo-card to withdraw money from any ATM, purchase goods and also be used to identify the pensioners in order to promote value added services through NFC technology. HNB also has arrangements to provide discounts and many value-adds to this segment. Wickramasinghe further stated that this was only possible because of the visionary thinking of Sunil Hettiarachchi and his passion in embracing cutting edge technology to improve the quality of life of the pensioners. The benefits of HNB Sathkara include an additional interest of 1% for Savings accounts and Fixed Deposits over and above the prevailing rate, priority treatment at HNB Customer Centres, special loans and gift vouchers. The product focusses on the healthcare needs of pensioners by offering privileges such as reimbursement of hospitalisation expenses and special discounts from reputed hospitals, medical institutions and other renowned organisations. The Department of Pensions operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is responsible for the formulation and execution of policies with regard to pensions of public officers and productively assures the well being and future protection of public officers, their spouses and dependents. HNB was recognised as the Bank of the Year in Sri Lanka for the years 2012 and 2013 by the Banker Magazine UK and was named the Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka by the Asian Banker Magazine for six consecutive years for its performance from 2007 to 2012.