People’s Bank International Branch steps up services in north

By Sandun A. Jayasekera

People’s Bank is initiating innovative measures to offer the opportunity of enjoying international banking services and facilities through its largest branch network, providing a superlative service to the business community dispersed across the island, a senior official of the bank said.

While International Banking Services have already been introduced to a number of branches, the Corporate Banking Division of the People’s Bank looks forward to expand and promote these services at all its 726 branches including Service Centres in due course, Senior Manager Nihal P.H. Gamage said.

The business clientele of the bank had to visit the Corporate Banking Division located at the Lake House Building, Colombo, to avail the services envisaged in meeting their needs before decentralising the international banking functions in this manner.

Deputy General Manager – International Banking Jayantha Newunhella is in the forefront pioneering this mission, he added.

As an effective measure in espousing these aspirations, the Corporate Banking Division has ventured to establish a Trade Promotion Unit in its office headed by Nihal Premasiri Gamage, the Senior Manager of the Division. This unit guides entrepreneurs interested in securing international banking facilities, encouraging them to explore export markets while contributing to enhance the overall foreign currency reserves of the country.

People’s Bank has devised a special program to attract a major share of foreign currency earnings of Sri Lankan emigrants employed abroad. Chief Manageress Anoma Mudduwa and Senior Manager Sarath Soyza in charge of this section have taken upon themselves the responsibility to ensure success in this endeavour.

In addition, the Offshore Banking Unit of People’s Bank headed by Sunil Wanniarchchi – the Assistant General Manager – OBU is engaged in increasing the foreign currency portfolio of the bank while catering to the BOI entrepreneurs for their banking needs, Gamage stressed.

Among the special privileges accorded to the recipients of foreign remittances via People’s Bank are the entitlement to participate in the daily, monthly, quarterly and half yearly ‘Rata Salli Vasana’ draws, which offer valuable prices and other benefits.

People’s Bank in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Bureau for Foreign Employment (SLBFE) provides assistance to Sri Lankan migrants, ‘The Ratawiruwo’. The People’s Bank Branch located within the SLBFE premises disseminates knowledge on the array of accounts available especially for them and the associated fringe benefits among foreign employed emigrants before they leave the country.

The new Trade Promotion Unit of People’s Bank organises seminars, conventions, workshops and awareness programs to encourage manufacturers of export quality products.  Ferreting for foreign markets for the bank’s export-oriented clientele is among the tasks undertaken by this unit. A spate of programs is scheduled to take place in collaboration with institutions such as the Export Development Board and the Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka.             

Bank officers will be exposed to regional level training on the delivery of international banking services. While the officers attached to the Corporate Banking Division and Overseas Customer Service visit respective regions in disseminating knowledge at training sessions, members of staff in the branch network will also be made to participate in practical training sessions at the Corporate Banking Division.

The Trade Promotion Unit joins hands with the Trade Services Section in implementing the envisaged training programs. These sections will be ably supported by Vijitha Kumarasiri, Chief Manager – Trade Services, Padmini Horanage, Senior Manageress – Trade Services and Ashok Perera, Manager – Exports, together with the others associated with the relevant teams.

People’s Bank, which has delivered yeoman service consistently for the Sri Lankan population for nearly 52 years, has devised to enhance its market share, which in turn would serve to boost the development of the country.