People’s Bank receives ISO certification

People’s Bank has been awarded with ISO 9001:2008 accreditations from the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) in recognition of the quality of its trade service products which enables its customers with a secured and efficient import and export service. The Trade Service Department provides a centralised processing mechanism unit for Sri Lanka’s largest commercial banking network with 730 branches and service centres; catering to the needs of a customer base of over 13 million with easy-to-use banking facilities that enable them to venture across borders for import and export transactions from any of the People’s Bank outlets located island wide.

People’s Bank Chief Executive Officer/General Manager N. Vasantha Kumar stated: “The People’s Bank Trade Services Department have stepped up the game in export and import services by obtaining the ISO 9001-2008 certification; servicing the largest network of 730 branches island wide, we are determined to serve our customers better by implementing service standards on par with international standards. I must thank our Trade Services team that have worked tirelessly to ensure that we met all the requirements set by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution, to enable us to serve our customers better.”  

The stringent criteria set by the SLSI were all met at the highest order by the staff and systems implemented at People’s Bank to obtain the ISO 9001-2008 certification. The systems implemented empower the staff to process letters of credit, post-import facilities that include: import bills, post-import facilities and foreign and local guarantees and exports products for their customers in an efficient manner.

Speaking at the presentation of the certificate, Sri Lanka Standards Institution Director General Dr. Lalith Senaweera said: “Firstly I’d like to congratulate the team from People’s Bank for receiving the ISO certificate; in today’s business environment the banking industry is rapidly changing, customers are becoming more demanding and there are rapid advancements in technology and regulatory requirements are forever changing, therefore it is a challenge for all banks to keep up with the latest trends. It is essential in today’s context for any organisation to adopt proper quality assurance systems to maintain a standard and we are happy to say that People’s Bank Trade Services have met all the requirements to receive ISO certification to ensure their customers receive the best of service standards.”

People’s Bank Deputy General Manager International Banking Jayantha Newnhella, added: “Our team at People’s Bank Trade Services have achieved great heights in quality standards today, I am very proud of my team that I have put together and implemented the quality standards set by the SLSI. The certification will enable us to improve the operations and increase our standards of delivery. It will also be instrumental in setting up an efficient and service-oriented work culture allowing the team to strive and offer the best possible service to all our customers. Such commitment and dedication of our team members will enable the division to maintain and increase the standards of delivery and efficiency of our services in the future.”    

The Trade Services Department provides services for many exporters and importers who are aggressively venturing out across the borders. People’s Bank’s network of over 300 correspondents in 103 countries to give their business the global edge with cutting-edge technology, commitment, and decades of superior experience in handling high-value transactions the staff are fully equipped to enhance customer value. They enable their customers with speedy settlement of international commercial transactions providing safety for the parties involved.