HNB Assurance PLC., (HNBA) one of the fast-growing Life Insurance Companies in the country recorded a Gross Written Premium (GWP) of 4.3 Bn during the first half of 2022 which is an impressive growth of 37% compared to the comparative period last year. Whilst this growth is well over that of the industry which grew at 18%, it is also the highest growth recorded amongst the top 10 life insurers in the country.
Sharing his views, Chief Executive Officer of HNBA Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne stated, “I’m extremely impressed to see this growth moment of the Company despite the challenges we had to face during the first half of the year, which is a reaffirmation of and a testament to the robust strategies that have been employed by the Company as we chart our course during these trying times. Both business lines of the Company, namely the Agency and the Partnership Channel have made great headway in tapping into diverse customer pools to offer a very robust full-bodied insurance proposition addressing the financial protection needs of a very discerning clientele. The business is also retooling itself with the latest in terms of technological capability to ensure that we stay reachable and relevant to the various markets that we operate in”. Mr. Wimalaratne also noted with deep appreciation the contribution of the Company’s Advisor Force, Bancassurance Team, Alternative Sales Team and the Distribution Management Team for their sheer hard work and unwavering determination which has delivered these impressive results in the most arduous of conditions.
Chief Business Officer/ General Manager - Advisor Distribution Channel of HNBA, Mr. Harindra Ramasinghe expressed his views stating, “Amidst many challenges and negative impact caused by the economic turbulence of the country, the Advisor Force of HNBA has gone the extra mile to keep the business steady and growing, and I am extremely delighted to elaborate on the achievements we have recorded as a result of it. During the first half of the year 2022, the Advisor Channel recorded a total GWP of LKR 2.4 Bn. The business continued to seize new and potential market segments across the country. The Advisor Channel showed a steady growth as several recruitment campaigns continued throughout the country. Whilst appreciating the dedication and efforts of the entire Advisor Force, Branch Network and Distribution Management Teams, with the direction of the Management, I’m sure the Advisor Channel will continue its growth trajectory during the second half of 2022”.
Mr. Sanesh Fernando, Chief Business Officer/ General Manager - Partnership of HNBA expressed his views stating, “The Partnership Channel delivered an exceptional performance during 1H 2022, setting new benchmarks in the market recording a GWP of LKR 1.8 Bn. As one of the key business channels of the Company the overall partnership network has grown and contributed immensely to the business, and I would like to convey my sincere gratitude to the entire Bancassurance, Broker and Alternate Teams for their continuous dedication. I also record our most heartfelt appreciation of all our Bancassurance partners without whose support achievements such as this would not have been possible. I’m confident that, with the solid business strategies in place the Partnership Channel will continue to grow to new heights”.
HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) is a leading Life Insurance Company in Sri Lanka with a network of 64 branches. HNBA has been assigned a rating of ‘A+’ (lka) by Fitch Ratings Lanka for 'National Insurer Financial Strength Rating'. Following the introduction of the segregation rules by the Insurance Regulator, HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) was created and commenced its operations in January 2015; HNBGI continues to specialize in motor, non-motor and Takaful insurance solutions and is a fully owned subsidiary of HNB Assurance PLC. HNB General Insurance has been assigned a 'National Insurer Financial Strength Rating' of ‘A+’ (lka) by Fitch Ratings Lanka Limited. HNBA is rated within the Top 100 brands and Top 100 companies in Sri Lanka by LMD and has won international awards for Brand Excellence, Digital Marketing and HR Excellence including the Great Place To Work® Certification, and won many awards for its Annual Reports at award ceremonies organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.
Nov
HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) and HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) have both been reaffirmed by Fitch Ratings with an ‘A-(lka)’ rating indicating an outlook which is stable, signaling confidence in the companies’ financial health and future growth potential.Fitch highlighted that HNBA and HNBGI have strengthened their investment portfolios and maintained healthy liquidity as the Sri Lankan economy recovered. A major part of their investments is in government securities, term deposits and corporate bonds, making them well-poised to venture forward.Sharing his thoughts, HNBA’s CEO, Lasitha Wimalaratne, commented, “Even though we’ve faced many challenges recently, we remained focused on building a steady and sustainable business while putting our customer’s interests at the heart of everything we do. By effectively managing the factors within our control, we successfully strengthened our position, which includes growing our advisor network, enhancing our bancassurance partnerships and being innovative with our product offering. These efforts have enabled us to grow faster than the industry average, showcasing the strength and adaptability of our approach. This reaffirmed rating is not just a measure of our financial stability, it is also a strong endorsement of the trust our policyholders have in us. As we move forward, we do so with renewed confidence, ensuring our customers can rely on us for stability and support.”According to Fitch, HNBGI continued to expand its non-motor segments and implemented enhanced claim management systems to better manage its position. This has led to lowered claims ratios and an improvement in HNBGI’s underwriting profitability in the first half of 2024.“Expanding beyond motor insurance has helped us remain resilient in an unpredictable and challenging market” stated, Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNBGI. “By diversifying our portfolio, we are better equipped to meet the evolving needs of our customers, which has led us to achieve a balance between our motor and non-motor segments. This balance has been key to our growth strategy, helping us reach new customer segments and reduce reliance on a single line of business. Further, our investments in technology and innovative systems that streamline claims management, enhance customer service and improve overall efficiency have allowed us to develop and deliver tailored solutions to our customers more quickly."The Group’s CFO, Punsirini Perera, stated, “This rating highlights our disciplined approach to managing finances and strengthening our capital, which gives a reassurance to our policyholders that we are well-prepared for the future. Both HNBA and HNBGI maintain strong Risk-Based Capital levels that exceed regulatory requirements and our close association with our parent company, Hatton National Bank, one of Sri Lanka’s leading banks, has helped us amplify our reach and influence in the market, positioning us uniquely to offer greater security and peace of mind to our customers.”
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HNB Assurance PLC continued their efforts to uplift the lives of communities across Sri Lanka through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives anchored on three fundamental pillars: Health Protection, Environmental Protection and Education Protection. As part of its ongoing efforts, HNB Assurance recently inaugurated two clean drinking water projects and celebrated Children's Day at a local school, making a lasting impact on the lives of children while putting a smile on their faces.Under the Health Protection Pillar, which focuses on enhancing the overall health and wellbeing of communities, HNB Assurance introduced clean drinking water systems at A/Elapathawewa Vidyalaya, Kalawediulpatha, Kebithogollewa, and T/Irakkandi Sinhala Vidyalaya, Nilaweli, Trincomalee. These initiatives address the critical need for access to safe water, which directly impacts physical, mental and social wellbeing.Commenting on the completion of these projects, Mr. Lasitha Wimalarathne, CEO of HNB Assurance, stated, “Health is the foundation of any thriving community especially the wellbeing of our children. Our responsibility extends beyond providing insurance and we are dedicated to ensuring that our future generations grow up in an environment that supports their health, safety and overall wellbeing. These water projects and engagements we have with local schools are a testament to our attempt of creating a better tomorrow.”In addition to the water projects, HNB Assurance celebrated Children’s Day with great enthusiasm at CP/HT/Homagama Vidyalaya, Ginigathhena, creating a day filled with joy and excitement. The event was marked by laughter and fun activities, offering students a memorable experience that highlighted the importance of education, exposure and engagement in childhood development.Reflecting on the success of the event and water projects completed, Mr. Dinesh Yogaratnam, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer / General Manager, opined, “Seeing the bright smiles on these children's faces is incredibly rewarding. At HNB Assurance, we believe in nurturing the potential of young minds. Celebrating their special day with them brings us immense joy and reinforces our commitment to making a difference, not only through our insurance solutions but also through the meaningful connections we build with the communities we serve. In terms of providing access to clean drinking water, I’m happy to note that we have completed 69 successful clean water drinking projects thus far and we wish to continue our efforts in the years to come have noticed the positive impact they make.”
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HNB Assurance celebrated Customer Service Week 2024 with a series of events that spanned from October 7th to 11th, celebrating the dedication and service of its customer-facing teams. This year's theme, Above and Beyond, perfectly captured the essence of HNB Assurance’s commitment to exceeding customer expectations and reinforcing its customer-centric approach.Throughout the week, the company organized interactive activities, workshops and appreciation events, all aimed at recognizing and empowering those who are at the frontlines of servicing policyholders. The celebrations highlighted the pivotal role that the customer experience plays in delivering on HNB Assurance’s promise of protection and care to its valued customers.CEO of HNB Assurance, Mr. Lasitha Wimalarathne, speaking at the Customer Service launch event, stated, “Customer Service Week is a special time for us to pause and acknowledge the incredible efforts of our team, who embody the spirit of going ‘above and beyond’ every day. At HNB Assurance, we believe in not just providing insurance but in offering a promise which is a commitment to being there for our customers when they need us the most. This week is about celebrating that commitment and recognizing the passion and dedication of those who make this happen.”HNB Assurance's commitment to customer service goes beyond traditional interactions. With a strong focus on continuous improvement, the company invests heavily in technology, training and innovations to ensure its customer experience team is empowered to handle every need with precision and care. “At HNB Assurance, we believe we don’t just offer insurance, but an intangible promise to our customers, which requires trust and exceptional service making sure we are there when they need us the most. Having understood this we have invested over LKR 1 billion to streamline and introduce new systems that allow our customers to seamlessly connect with us, ensuring a smoother and more efficient experience.” added, Mr. Wimalaratne. Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer / General Manager of HNB Assurance, Mr. Dinesh Yogaratnam, emphasized on the importance of the week, stating, “Customer centricity is no longer a ‘good to have,’ but a must-have in today’s competitive landscape. It’s the driving force behind our ability to deliver exceptional service, building lasting relationships and fulfilling the promises we make to our policyholders. In this regard, our service teams play an essential role in delivering on the promises we make to our policyholders, ensuring that they feel secure and valued. This week is about celebrating them and also empowering them to continue their journey of offering world-class service with a personal touch. My sincere thanks to all our teams for going ‘above and beyond’ making this possible”
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