HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) and its fully owned subsidiary HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) posted a Profit AfterTax (PAT) of LKR 74 MN for the first quarter of 2017, reflecting a 121% growth compared to LKR 33 MN recorded during the corresponding period last year.
The Group achieved a growth of 18% during Q1 of 2017, posting a Gross Written Premium (GWP) of LKR 1.9 BN against the GWP of LKR 1.6 BN recorded during the same of 2016. The Life Insurance Company posted a GWP of LKR 988 MN and the General Insurance Company posted a GWP of LKR 929 MN during the period under review. The Group was able to deliver a steady performance as a result ofthe strategic initiatives implemented in new business acquisition as well as streamlining its core business operations. The key contributors to the reported growth were identified as the growth in both Individualand Corporate Policies of the Life Insurance Company as well as the contribution of the Motor segment of the General Insurance Company. On a comparable basis with the results of the corresponding period of 2016, the post-tax profit of the Life Insurance business showcased a growth of 66%.The businesses were successful in capturing new market segments and seizing profitable growth opportunities, despite the challenging market and economic conditions. The recorded growth was in line with the Group’s expectations on the phaseof maximizing its profits as well as in delivering value to its stakeholders.
Sharing thoughts on the financial performance of the Group, Chairperson of HNBA and HNBGIMrs.Rose Cooray stated, “We are indeed pleased on the results the Group was able to yield at the end of the first quarter of this year, amidst the stiff competition and other macroeconomic factors. The Group surpassed the LKR 15 BN milestone of Total Assets during the first quarter of 2017 and Investments in Financial Instruments reached a value of LKR 12 BN. During the same period the Life Insurance Fund grew by 7% while the General Insurance Fund grew by 5% reaching values of LKR 9 BN and LKR 2 BN respectively. These results reflect the favorable direction the company is
headed and the Board, the management and staff of both HNBA and HNBGI are committed to improve the financial performance of the Group as well as to strengthen the competitive positioning of both HNBA and HNBGI”.
Commenting on the financial performance of the Group, Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Deepthi Lokuarachchi stated, “I am pleased by the performance delivered by both HNBA and HNBGI during Q1 of 2017. The financials of Q1 reflects a solid growth compared to the results of the first quarter of 2016. During the first quarter of 2017 the Group recorded an impressive investment income growth of 84% reaching a value of LKR 360 MN against the value of LKR 195 MN in the first quarter of 2016. Several key drivers including the synergies of the Group, deriving key strategies to further consolidate the position of the two entities helped the Group to achieve these financial results during Q1 2017”.
May
HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) has once again reaffirmed its industry leadership in Bancassurance by securing the title of "Best Life Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka" for the fifth consecutive year, awarded by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK. Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, Chief Executive Officer of HNB Assurance, expressed his thoughts on this milestone, stating, “Being named the Best Life Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka for the fifth year in a row is not just an honor, it is a reflection of the enduring partnerships we have built especially with our parent company Hatton National Bank along with the passion of our teams. This accolade speaks volumes of our consistent efforts to elevate standards in bancassurance. Our teams continue to innovate, collaborate and break boundaries to deliver meaningful solutions to our customers. I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to the management of Hatton National Bank and our other partners for their continued guidance and support.”Highlighting the pivotal role of the Partnership Channel, Mr. Wimalaratne further added,“As we accelerate towards our goal of capturing a 10% market share, the Partnership Channel remains central to our growth strategy. Congratulations to the teams involved, I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished and am excited about the journey ahead.”Mr. Supun Dias, Senior Vice President - Network Management at Hatton National Bank, congratulated the team at HNBA, stating, “To witness HNBA win this prestigious title for five consecutive years is truly inspiring. It is a testament to the strength and synergy of our long-standing partnership. As a Group, we are committed to driving innovation and delivering superior value to our clients. Congratulations to HNBA and everyone involved in achieving this exceptional feat.”Also sharing his thoughts, Mr. Sanesh Fernando, Chief Business Officer – Partnerships at HNB Assurance, remarked, “This milestone is the direct result of the dedication our teams and tireless efforts they have made to deliver value to our policyholders. The Partnerships team at HNBA, together with our banking partners, especially Hatton National Bank, have been instrumental in shaping this success story. I’d like to extend my sincere appreciation to the HNB Branch Management, HNB Bank Network Management along our valued customers for their trust placed on us. This fifth win reinforces our drive to deliver excellence and as we move forward we will continue to strive to reach even greater heights.
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Strengthening its footprint across Sri Lanka, HNB Assurance PLC officially opened its newest branch in Jaffna, located at No. 521, Point Pedro Road, Nallur. With this addition, the company now operates 11 branches in the North emphasizing the company’s ongoing efforts to bring its life insurance solutions closer to communities in the Northern Province, making protection and financial planning more accessible than ever before. The new Jaffna branch will serve as a hub for customers in the region, delivering personalized insurance services with the hallmark trust, care and professionalism the company is known for.Speaking at the branch opening, Mr. Lasitha Wimalarathne, Chief Executive Officer of HNB Assurance PLC, stated, “We are indeed excited to further strengthen our footprint in the Northern Province with the opening of this new branch in Jaffna. With multiple touchpoints already established in the region, our growing presence allows us to better serve the evolving needs of our customers and create even closer relationships with the communities we operate in. We remain dedicated to being a trusted partner in their journey towards a more secure and resilient future.”Sharing similar sentiments, Mr. Harindra Ramasinghe, Chief Business Officer – Advisor Distribution Channel of HNB Assurance PLC, commented, “With the opening of our newest branch in Jaffna, we now operate over 70 physical branches across the island and with this new branch opening we have reaffirmed our belief in the strategic importance of the Northern Province to our growth journey. We have always recognized Jaffna as a key region with immense potential and we are proud to strengthen our connection with its people. My sincere thanks to the Distribution Management team and all the other support teams for their efforts in helping us open this branch.”The newly inaugurated Jaffna branch is now open to serve customers from Monday to Friday, offering expert guidance and tailored life insurance solutions to meet diverse needs.
Read MoreMay
In an effort to demonstrate its continued commitment to exceptional service and customer convenience, HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) has launched a 24-hour call center, enabling policyholders to connect with the company on all matters related to customer service at any time, from anywhere using the short code 1301. While customer service support is now available 24/7, hospitalization claims-related services will continue to be handled as per the specific instructions issued to the policyholder at the time of obtaining a policy.HNB Assurance has experienced consistent growth, recording an impressive average growth rate of 26% over the past four years. The company’s momentum and customer-centric focus have paved the way for initiatives such as the 24-hour call center, designed to strengthen policyholder engagement and ensure seamless service delivery.“Exceptional customer service is not just a value we uphold; it is a critical pillar of our strategy to achieve a 10% market share by 2026” said Lasitha Wimalarathne, Chief Executive Officer of HNB Assurance. “Making our call center available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, ensures our policyholders are supported when they need us most, reinforcing the trust they place in us every day. Additionally, our significant investments in digital transformation to make interactions of our policyholders with us seamless, to initiatives like this, all aim at delivering our broader mission to continuously enhance our customer experience”. Speaking further he went on to add “as an industry, as we push towards greater insurance penetration, it is important that players do everything in their power to foster greater levels of confidence and convenience to the customer”.Earlier this year, HNB Assurance also unveiled a dedicated Customer Service Centre, a thoughtfully curated space designed to create personalized and streamlined interactions. Together with the 24-hour call center, HNB Assurance continues to reimagine and elevate every aspect of the customer journey.“Our newly enhanced 24-hour call center operation and the upgraded Customer Service Centre we opened earlier this year are all part of our ongoing efforts to elevate and refine every touchpoint so as to offer a superlative customer experience that truly differentiates us from the competetion,” added Dinesh Yogaratnam, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer / General Manager of HNB Assurance. “We recognize that as a company we offer something that is intangible, protection, trust and peace of mind and for that, we need to be with our customers at all times. Hence, these initiatives are not standalone, they are integral to how we plan to grow, not just in size but in the value and care we offer to every policyholder.”
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