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HNB posts Rs 5.5 bn 1H Group PAT

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Bank PAT of Rs 4.5 bn

Total Deposits grow by Rs 55 bn

Supports over 80,000 COVID affected customers as a responsible   SIB

Maintains stability with CAR at 19% and LAR at 34%

HNB posted resilient financial results during the 1H 2020 amid the unprecedented disruptions of COVID-19 pandemic with Group PAT for 1H increasing by 6.8 % YoY to Rs 5.5 Bn while Bank level PAT declined by 7% YoY to Rs 4.5 Bn.

“Sri Lanka’s performance in managing the transmission of COVID-19 has been outstanding. The health impact has been largely contained and the economic impact of the pandemic will remain a challenge in the near term, given the depressed global conditions it has spawned. To address these economic challenges, the Government has taken bold steps to support the affected by relaxing Monetary Policy in an effective way to revive economic activity, and extending debt moratoriums to those affected – measures that may need further support from the Government given that the recovery will most likely be a protracted one across most sectors, both locally and globally. Consequently, the medium term economic recovery will be closely correlated with the pace at which the COVID 19 pandemic is managed globally.” HNB Chairman, Dinesh Weerakkody said.

As a consequence of the low interest rate regime, the prime lending rate (AWPLR) reduced by 130 bps from December 2019, compounded by low demand for credit. This in turn impacted 1H interest income which declined 8.8% YoY to Rs 53.8 Bn. Interest expenses also declined by 5.2% YoY to Rs 31.4 Bn leading to a drop in Net Interest Income (NII) by 13.3% YoY to Rs 22.4 Bn.

The restrictions on non-essential imports, overall decline in exports and marked drop in Card spends due to lifestyle changes resulting from the pandemic, drove Net Fee Income down by 22.2% YoY to Rs 3.5 Bn. However, a strong surge in demand for digital banking services enabled an increase in fees from digital channels.

Meanwhile, exchange rate movements during the year in tandem with a decline in swap volumes and premiums facilitated an exchange gain of Rs 1.5 Bn as opposed to a loss of Rs 577.2 Mn recorded during 1H 2019.

“With the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to move rapidly to reassess our priorities and restructure operations in alignment with the ‘new normal’. Accordingly, our key focus has been to support customers in need, while ensuring maximum health and safety measures for our Staff and Customers, as well as maintaining stability of the Bank and intensifying our pursuit of digital and technological transformation. As a responsible domestic systemically important bank (D-SIB) we have supported over 80,000 customers who were affected economically during the pandemic by way of moratoriums on loan repayments during the past few months. The Bank has also provided working capital financing under the CBSL relief schemes as well as through the Rs. 5Bn fund set up by HNB to assist affected SMEs.

During the lock-down period, we supported both customers as well as merchants to carry out transactions through our digital payment channels including SOLO, MoMo and IPG. We moved a further step forward by launching AppiGo in May 2020 to support businesses to rapidly set up their own e-commerce presence. Our breakthrough Payments App, HNB SOLO was enhanced with added features and this continues to be an ongoing process. In August, we also upgraded our core- banking system to the latest version of Finacle, enabling us to provide a far superior experience to our customers,” HNB MD/CEO Jonathan Alles said.

 



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Pasans Rent a Car honoured at Iconic Awards 2025 in Thailand

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Managing Director Dr. Pasan Nalinda Hiripitiyage receiving the award

Pasans Rent a Car (Pvt) Ltd was recently honoured as The Excellent Car Rentals and Tour Service Provider of the Year at the Iconic Awards 2025 held in Bangkok, Thailand. Managing Director, Dr. Pasan Nalinda Hiripitiyage received the award. Established in 2002 as a modest vehicle rental service, Pasans Rent a Car has today grown into a national name in travel and transport. Headquartered in Malabe, they cater to a wide range of clients such as private customers, tourists, and private and Government institutions including Ministries.

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Medihelp Hospitals and Apollo Hospitals Group-India announce strategic clinical collaboration

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Exchanging of the MOU by Jithu Jose (Vice President - International Division of Apollo Hospitals) (Second from Right) and Nishantha Jayamanne (Chief Operating Officer - Medihelp Hospitals Group) (Extreme Right), Dr. Elankumaran K. (Head of the Liver Transplant Program - Apollo Hospitals - Chennai) (Extreme Left), Dr. Appaji Krishan (Senior Consultant Spine Surgeon - Apollo Hospitals - Chennai) (Second From Left)

Medihelp Hospitals and Apollo Hospitals Group-India have announced a strategic clinical collaboration during a grand ceremony at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo. The MOU outlines a framework for clinical collaboration, focusing on knowledge sharing, advanced specialty care, preventive health initiatives, and continuous professional development. This partnership aims to elevate clinical standards in Sri Lanka by introducing global best practices through joint programs, telemedicine, second-opinion services, and medical education.

The agreement was signed and exchanged by Nishantha Jayamanne, Chief Operating Officer of Medihelp Hospitals, and Jithu Jose, Vice President – International Division of Apollo Hospitals. Nishantha welcomed the dignitaries and emphasized the importance of such collaborations in light of the escalating disease burden and changing disease patterns. Jithu Jose remarked, “At Apollo Hospitals, we are committed to the principle that access to high-quality healthcare should transcend geographical boundaries. We are proud to be part of this collaborative initiative to strengthen the ties between the medical communities of India and Sri Lanka.”

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Union Assurance leads fight against diabetes with nationwide ‘Suwamaga’ initiative

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Union Assurance, a pioneering force in Sri Lanka’s private life insurance sector, is playing an increasingly proactive role in addressing the country’s rising diabetes crisis. As part of its commitment to corporate citizenship, the company has launched Suwamaga, an impactful CSR programme aimed at combating the growing threat of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with a particular focus on diabetes.

Senath Jayatilake, Chief Executive Officer at Union Assurance, explained that the company’s corporate responsibility approach stems from its new brand vision, which is centered around empowering human progress by protecting what matters most. He emphasized that this vision is aligned with the company’s dedication to strengthening not only financial stability but also the emotional, physical, and community well-being of Sri Lankans. “As part of our strategic direction, we recognized the severe impact of NCDs, particularly diabetes, on the nation’s social and economic progress,” Jayatilake noted.

The Suwamaga programme launched in 2024, under the Ministry of Health’s collaboration, includes a Mobile Screening Unit, which has already screened over 26,000 individuals across Sri Lanka, from urban centers to rural communities. The mobile unit offers free diabetes screenings, followed by personalized medical advice, empowering the public to take charge of their health. Mahen Gunarathna, Chief Marketing Officer at Union Assurance, shared, “The screenings have revealed alarming results. Approximately 15% of participants were recommended for further testing, with 12% diagnosed with diabetes for the first time. These screenings have proven essential for early intervention.”

The gravity of the diabetes crisis in Sri Lanka was further highlighted by Dhanya Wijesuriya, Vice President of the Sri Lanka Diabetes Association. “Diabetes is a silent killer in Sri Lanka, affecting an alarming portion of the population,” she said, stressing that early detection is key to preventing the disease from progressing. “Pre-diabetes is reversible, but once diabetes is diagnosed, it’s a lifelong condition. Tragically, half of those affected remain unaware until complications arise.”

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