HNB Assurance Group recorded yet another year of exceptional performance, marking the third consecutive year of achieving a growth rate exceeding 20% in terms of GWP (Gross Written Premium). The year 2023 witnessed the Group achieving remarkable financial milestones and an array of local and international awards, solidifying its position as a frontrunner in the insurance industry.
HNB Assurance Group recorded a substantial GWP of LKR 18.7 Bn, showcasing a remarkable growth of 20% compared to the previous year. Reflecting on this achievement, Mrs. Rose Cooray, Chairperson of HNBA and HNBGI, expressed her delight, stating, "To me personally, the remarkable growth trajectory of the HNB Assurance Group stands as a testament to our commitment to delivering value to our stakeholders. Both teams at HNBA and HNBGI performed an outstanding job, leaving no stone unturned, meticulously analyzing every challenge, and capitalizing on every opportunity. This approach to business was imperative, particularly in the aftermath of COVID-19 and the subsequent economic and social upheaval, where we as a nation encountered numerous challenges in diverse forms. In addition to our consistent growth of GWP, over the past three years, we as a group have so much to celebrate. Our Group assets grew by LKR 10Bn during the year, well exceeding a remarkable total of LKR 51.2Bn. Further, investment income for the Group surged to LKR 7.2 Bn, representing an outstanding growth of 49% from LKR 4.8 Bn in the preceding year. In terms of the Group’s profits, we recorded a commendable LKR 1.76 Bn in PAT.”
Honoring claims plays a vital role in maintaining the trust for any insurance company, “I am proud to note that the HNB Assurance Group honored claims of LKR 6.6Bn, showcasing a growth of 19% compared to the previous year, aptly demonstrating our position as a reliable partner during our policyholder’s time of need.” explained Mrs. Cooray. “As the Sri Lankan economy steadily makes progress towards recovery, I’m confident that our investments in technology, our teams and their skills along with all the fine-tuning we’ve done to our processes will hold us in good stead and propel us towards greater success”, added Mrs. Cooray.
“Consistency has been our main focus and certainly the cornerstone of our success”, said Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, CEO of HNB Assurance PLC. At HNB Assurance, our track record speaks for itself. Year after year, we've demonstrated and honored our commitment to our stakeholders and most importantly to our policyholders. This consistency is what set us apart and helped us in being recognized as the Best Life Insurance Company in Sri Lanka by the Indian Chamber of Commerce.”
The robust financial performance of HNB Assurance resonated with the numerous accolades garnered throughout the year. “I am delighted to highlight that as a team we have effectively translated our promises into action. Our Profit After Tax (PAT) reached LKR 1.61 Bn, marking a commendable 9% increase from the previous year. Moreover, we surpassed the significant milestone of LKR 10 Bn in GWP, representing a growth of 23%, which is almost twice the industry growth rate. We also witnessed a remarkable growth in our life fund from LKR 24.3 Bn to LKR 30.6 Bn.” Speaking further, Mr. Wimalaratne, added “As we move into 2024, it is going to be pivotal year for HNB Assurance, particularly as we anticipate the fruition of our investment in our core system. This strategic investment is expected to further enhance our operational efficiency and drive sustainable growth.”
HNB General Insurance Ltd witnessed an impressive 18% surge in GWP when compared to 2023, a growth from LKR 6.8 Bn to LKR 8 Bn, which is a three-time increase when compared to the industry growth. Throughout the year, the Company's strategic emphasis on product innovation and customer service proved to be pivotal. Mr. Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance, expressed his thoughts on the team's achievements amidst turbulent times. “Despite economic uncertainties and high inflation rates, the team showcased remarkable proficiency in risk assessment and customer management. Our commitment as an organization to deliver exceptional service led us to the prestigious title ‘Most Customer Centric General Insurance Brand’ by the Global Brand's Magazine. Additionally, we secured a top three position among the most loved General Insurance Brands in the country, recognized by the renowned LMD Magazine. Moreover, we made LKR 4.3 Bn in claims, marking a 12% increase from the previous year, reaffirming our commitment to honoring the trust instilled in us by our valued customers.”
“In a move to enhance customer value, we also launched the revolutionary ‘HNB General Insurance MotorGuard 3 in 1’ product, offering policyholders the convenience of three insurance coverages within a single annual premium payment. Further, this product not only simplifies their insurance management but also ensures they have the necessary coverage for various aspects of their lives, all under one policy. Additionally, we also introduced "Claimee," a cutting-edge digital claims assistant aimed at revolutionizing how we manage our claim settlement process. With Claimee, policyholders can easily initiate and track their claims through a user-friendly digital interface, eliminating the hassle of traditional paperwork and long waiting times. The launch of 'Project Phoenix' marks yet another significant milestone for us internally, representing a strategic investment aimed at enhancing our operational efficiencies. This internal core system is not merely a short-term fix, but a comprehensive revamp geared towards fostering long-term success and sustainable growth. Through these investments and innovations, I’m confident that our team will continue to drive innovation while delivering exceptional service and creating long-term value for our customers and stakeholders,” added, Mr. Jayasundara.
Mar
HNB Assurance proudly celebrates another milestone, with 222 financial advisors qualifying for the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) in 2024. This marks a significant growth from the previous year, highlighting the company’s commitment to building a strong and high-performing sales team. Among the qualifiers, 23 achieved Court of the Table (COT), while 8 reached Top of the Table (TOT).MDRT is a globally recognized organization representing top financial professionals from 500 companies. With over 72,000 members worldwide, MDRT sets the gold standard in the insurance and financial services industry. Achieving MDRT status is a symbol of excellence, customer focus, and professional growth.Reflecting on this success, Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, CEO of HNB Assurance, stated,“Surpassing our previous record and achieving a highest ever, 222 MDRT qualifiers is nothing short of extraordinary. This achievement is not just a number—it’s a reflection of the resilience and mindset of our team. Having 23 COT qualifiers and 8 TOT qualifiers underscores the level of expertise we cultivate at HNB Assurance. My heartfelt congratulations to our qualifiers along with the Advisor Distribution Management, Partnerships Channel and Sales Training and Development teams for their hard work as well.”Adding to this sentiment, Mr. Shiran Fernando, Head of Sales Training and Development, emphasized the company’s investment in its people “This achievement is not accidental, it is the result of a meticulously crafted strategy and an organizational culture that prioritizes continuous learning. We have built a structure where both our Advisor Distribution and Partnership Channels work in perfect synergy with the Training & Development team, ensuring that our financial advisors are equipped with the skills and insights needed to excel. At HNB Assurance, we are not just selling insurance, we are redefining financial security for our customers with world-class expertise and innovation. As we move into 2025, I am confident that we will surpass this achievement once again and set a new record in our company’s history.
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Feb
HNB Assurance PLC was recognized with the prestigious Effie Award under the Insurance category for its groundbreaking ‘Dola Duka’ campaign. Notably, HNB Assurance was the only winner in this category, underlining the campaign’s creativity, effectiveness and impact.The ‘Dola Duka’ campaign was conceptualized to address the unique cravings of pregnant and expecting mothers, ensuring they had access to their desired food items at any time. HNB Assurance bore the delivery costs while collaborating with merchants to extend their operating hours late into the night, ensuring seamless fulfillment of these cravings. This initiative showcased the brand’s deep commitment to customer-centric innovation and redefining insurance beyond conventional boundaries.Expressing his thoughts on this achievement, CEO of HNB Assurance PLC, Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, stated, “I am truly proud of the effort that went into us winning an Effie Award, which is a testament to the meaningful impactful we managed to make. For us, ‘Dola Duka’ was more than just a campaign, it was about understanding and addressing a real need, reinforcing our promise to care for our customers beyond insurance. My congratulations to all the teams involved.”Adding to this, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer of HNBA, Mr. Dinesh Yogaratnam, commented, “This campaign reflects our ethos of innovation and customer-first thinking. ‘Dola Duka’ was designed to resonate emotionally while delivering tangible value, and this award is a validation of that success. A big thank you to our incredible partners, RN Media and Quickee.lk, for joining us on this journey and making this campaign a reality. We will continue to move forward bigger and better, creating impactful campaigns that redefine the insurance industry and enhance the lives of our customers and beyond.”
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Feb
HNB Assurance Group (HNBA and HNBGI) posted yet another year of remarkable performance, improving on its impressive growth rate maintained over the last few years. For the financial year 2024, the HNBA Group achieved a 21% increase in Gross Written Premium (GWP), growing from Rs. 18.8 Billion to Rs. 22.7 Billion. The Group also recorded a consolidated Profit After Tax (PAT) exceeding Rs. 1.8 Billion, marking a 7% growth compared to the previous year.HNB Assurance PLC's (HNBA) financial strength was highlighted by its upgraded Fitch rating, making it the only life insurance provider in Sri Lanka with an 'A' rating from Fitch Ratings Lanka. Complementing this, HNB General Insurance (HNBGI) also achieved an 'A' rating, positioning it among the few general insurance companies in Sri Lanka to earn this distinction.Chairman of HNBA Group, Mr. Stuart Chapman, commenting on the Group’s financials for the year 2024, stated, “I’m extremely proud to note that the HNBA Group has once again exceeded expectations, delivering strong results that showcase our strategic foresight and operational efficiency. In terms of our numbers, over the past four years, we have consistently delivered strong growth, with a remarkable 22% average annual increase in GWP as a Group. This achievement underlines our focus on sustainable business practices. Our share price growth of 42% at end of 2024 reflects the trust the market places in our stability. It is also remarkable to note that both HNBA and HNBGI have maintained robust capital adequacy ratios of 379% and 219%, respectively, well above the regulatory requirement of 120%.”The Group’s Funds Under Management increased by 24% in 2024, reaching Rs. 55 Billion, highlighting the strength of the investment strategy as a key pillar in maintaining the Group’s financial stability and profitability. “When it comes to Insurance, trust is an absolute must and this remains central to our operations, as evidenced by the fact that we honored claims exceeding Rs. 6.7 Billion, with 98% of complaints being resolved successfully. This track record is a direct result of the dedication and hard work of our team, along with our focus on building lasting relationships with our policyholders”, added Mr. Chapman. CEO of HNBA Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, breaking down the achievements of HNBA, stated, “Looking back at 2024, I am genuinely proud of the strides we have made as a company. Achieving a 7.5% market share is a huge milestone and we are well on our way to hitting that 10% target by 2026. Our New Business Premiums grew by 27% and our overall GWP up by 26% compared to 2024, which speaks volumes about the trust our customers place in us. Our investments also paid off, with an 8% boost in investment income, reaching Rs. 6.9 Billion.”“Personally, what stood out last year was, how we weathered challenges together. Despite the higher operating costs from our IT upgrades, we managed to close the year with a 3% growth in profits. Additionally, our Total Assets have grown by 24% to reach Rs.53 Billion with a PBT of Rs. 2.4 Billion and PAT of Rs. 1.66 Billion. I'm extremely thankful to all the teams for their collective efforts in driving our business from strength to strength,” he added.CEO of HNBGI, Mr. Sithumina Jayasundara, sharing his thoughts on the 2024 financial performance, stated, “2024 was a year of resilience and innovation for HNBGI, as we sustained our remarkable growth trajectory, doubling the industry growth rate for the fifth consecutive year. Our overall GWP growth of 14%, compared to the industry’s 6.9%, reflects the strong momentum we continue to drive. Notably, our non-motor segments surged by 24%, with Marine, Fire and Engineering Insurance achieving exceptional growth of 166% and 27% respectively, which is the highest among the top 10 General Insurers in the country. Despite challenges in the motor insurance sector, we remained agile, diversified our offerings, and secured a solid 6% growth."“One of the aspects we paid close attention to during 2024 was customer satisfaction which reflected in our renewal retention ratios of 77% for motor and 82% for non-motor segments, as well as a remarkable Net Promoter Score of 77. These figures show the trust and loyalty our customers have in us. Additionally, we achieved a 59% growth in Profit After Tax, and a market share of 7% which demonstrated the success of our strategy of driving sustainable growth in an uncertain environment. With our total assets reaching Rs. 10.2 Billion, a 7% increase, we’re confident that our approach is positioning HNBGI for long-term success.” Added, Mr. Jayasundara.
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