Amãna first ever bank to be opened by Nivard

For the Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal, the country’s first Islamic bank Amãna was a personal milestone as it was the first ever bank to be opened by him since being appointed on 1 July, 2006 — five years ago.

In his address at the ceremonial opening of Amãna Bank on Friday, Governor Cabraal did make it a point to mention the milestone.

“It is a great day for a bank to commence business and it is the first bank to be inaugurated by me, hence a very pleasant function for me,” Cabraal said at the opening attended by Amãna Bank Chairman Osman Kassim, CEO Faizel Salieh, directors, customers and well wishers. Hitherto much of the openings flashed in the media with Governor as chief guest had been branch openings.

Amãna officially opens for business today as Sri Lanka’s first licensed commercial bank to operate fully under the principles of Islamic banking. Its origins could be traced to Amãna Investments.

Breaking new ground and carrying Islamic banking products to all Sri Lankans, the bank launches itself through the statement, “It’s Your Bank.”

It stands on the steadfast belief that it is a unique banking concept in line with everyone’s faiths, principles and expectations; it is a bank that yearns to ensure prosperity and true happiness to all customers through its unique, humane and honourable values.

Amãna first...

Amãna said Islamic banking is in fact a concept gaining fast popularity and acceptance across the world. Guided by strong values and ethics the banking model has shown great resilience during the recent global economic downturn and as a result is now emerging as a popular alternative to conventional banking.

Amãna Bank will be offering a range of financial products and services including current accounts, savings accounts, children’s savings accounts, term investment accounts, home financing, SME banking, corporate banking, trade services and treasury services. It will be opening its doors to the public across 14 branch locations — Pettah, Kandy, Kurunegala, Akurana, Gampola, Mawanella, Galle, Oddamavadi, Kattankudy, Kalmunai, Akkaraipattu and Sammanthurai — with its Main Branch and Ladies’ Branch in Colombo 3.