HNB named best in automobile financing in Asia-Pacific region at Asian Banker Awards 2024

HNB Chief Operating Officer Sanjay Wijemanne

HNB Personal Financial Services Head Susith Perera

Striking another milestone in excellence, Sri Lanka’s premier private sector bank HNB PLC, was recently honoured with the ‘Best Automobile Financing in Asia-Pacific’ award at the prestigious Asian Banker Global Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards 2024.

HNB received this accolade for its unwavering commitment to seamless facilitation of vehicle ownership nationwide. Notably, HNB was recognised for its significant support to grassroots communities through value-added leasing agreements with partners such as Browns, DIMO, Hayleys, Lanka Commercial Trading, Singer, AMW, and Agstar Agribusinesses, empowering the farming community and enabling them to achieve results with minimal financial strain.

HNB Chief Operating Officer Sanjay Wijemanne said: “All Sri Lankans aspire to vehicle ownership, and the freedom and opportunity that comes with it. Even in the face of significant economic conditions we have sought to ensure that our customers are still able to achieve that dream, whether it is for their personal use, or to build up their businesses. Our recognition on this global platform stands as a remarkable validation of our efforts and the commitment of our leasing team in supporting each of our customers.” 

“We are particularly proud that vehicle leasing options, especially for farming and agriculture, have significantly impacted society. We are dedicated to continuing this support, empowering the foundation of Sri Lanka’s economy,” he added.

Through partnerships with local automobile giants such as Ideal Motors, United Motors, DIMO, Micro Cars, Lanka Ashok Leyland, AMW and more, HNB offers a range of attractive financing options for leases up to seven years. The bank also provides the prevailing interest rate for leases, with a 25% residual value from the market price, and a ‘Prestige Prime’ credit card, offering access to special discounts on automobile products, servicing, spare parts, tyres, and batteries, with the first-year annual fee waived.

HNB Personal Financial Services Head Susith Perera said: “We put immense thought into our leasing products, always striving to uphold our mission of empowering the Sri Lankan community. This award is a testament to our role as a true partner in progress, aiming to help communities grow from the grassroots. Through programs like HNB Leasing Govi Saviya and Easy Draft, we aim to alleviate many of the stressful factors that hinder our workforce from reaching their full potential, and strive to reignite the Sri Lankan economy and support our communities in every possible way.”

One such initiative is HNB’s Govi Saviya, spearheaded by the bank’s microfinance officers and bolstered by key players in the agricultural sector. Govi Saviya seeks to revitalise the industry with cutting-edge equipment and knowledge-sharing missions, empowering the tertiary workforce to excel. Through these collaborations, farmers will gain access to convenient leasing solutions, customised repayment options aligned with the Yala and Maha cultivation seasons, and low interest rates.

Hosted by the prestigious Asian Banker Magazine, the awards are considered among the most rigorous and influential programs for consumer financial services in the world and are designed to showcase regional institutions that establish new benchmarks in stability, innovation, and digital enablement and process re-engineering towards unleashing rapid, sustainable growth.