HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) and its fully owned subsidiary HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) recorded a Profit After Tax (PAT) of LKR 1.175 BN for FY 2020, growing 16% compared to the corresponding period last year, whilst the Group’s Gross Written Premium (GWP) reached LKR 10.4 BN for the year under review.
Sharing her views on the financial growth, Mrs. Rose Cooray, Chairperson of HNBA and HNBGI stated, “2020 undoubtedly was a challenging year to all of us. However, amidst the unprecedented adverse challenges presented by the outbreak of this global pandemic, as a Group, HNBA was able to surpass the LKR 1 BN mark in PAT for the second consecutive year, auguring well for the agility and resilience of the businesses to quickly recalibrate itself in the midst the unprecedented calamity to continue to create and deliver value to all its stakeholders”. Mrs. Cooray further added, “The Group remains well focused on what’s ahead and to further consolidate its firm footing in the market by curating its business strategies through efforts of cost optimization, strengthening the Group’s investment portfolio and seizing market segments with high growth potential. I wish to thank the Board of Directors as well as the CEO and the Executive Committees as well as the Staff and Management of both Companies for a job well done”.
Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Prasantha Fernando shared his thoughts stating, “Our teams proved their mettle last year, by maintaining their resolute focus on the end goal, driven by an agile mindset, the thirst for prompt and meticulous execution and being focused on digitalization; whilst as an organisation, our philosophy has always been Putting People First, be it staff, agents, contract staff and customers. In this regard, these results that we are indeed proud to present have being achieved without any curtailment of their remuneration or benefits. The Management Team was able to successfully manage the change process with regards to adapting and evolving to the new normal as well as embracing technology that helped us operate in environs within which movement was constrained. The Group was able to surpass the significant LKR 10 BN milestone in GWP with a growth of 5% compared to the corresponding period last year. Interest Income of the Group saw a growth of 11% to LKR 2.5 BN even in spite of the decreasing interest rate regime that we witnessed, driven by portfolio growth and sound investment strategies. Total Assets of the Group increased by 19% to LKR 31.7 BN whilst the Total Liabilities of the Group grew by 18% to LKR 23.5 BN. Whilst we are pleased to continue to be rated A (lka) by Fitch Ratings Lanka for 'National Insurer Financial Strength Rating’, our Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) increased from 322% in 2019 to 338% in 2020 for the Life Business. HNBGI’s CAR too increased to 256% from 226% in 2019, both very well above the minimum regulatory requirements. Mr. Fernando further added, “new product development too was undertaken to enhance our service to specific segments of the market which saw HNBA launch two products aimed at strengthening our foothold in the health insurance space with the launch of SupremeHealth Max and SuperCI, while HNBGI came up with a novel concept in motor insurance called Pay As You Claim. I am confident that the team will take on 2021 with a fresh sense of purpose and vigour".
HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) is one of the fastest growing Insurance Companies in Sri Lanka with a network of 63 branches. HNBA is a Life Insurance company with 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 HNB Assurance 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.
Feb
HNB Assurance PLC entered a strategic partnership between its Partnerships Channel’s training arm, Life Campus and the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), marking a significant commitment to professional excellence and transformational learning.The Partnerships Channel at HNB Assurance has been rapidly expanding, positioning itself as a key driver of HNB Assurance’s business growth. With an increasing number of partnerships and a dynamic team dedicated to offering tailored insurance solutions, the need for continuous learning and professional development has never been greater. Recognizing this, the Life Campus was established as a dedicated training hub to equip the Partnerships Channel team including Bancassurance officers and other sales and management staff with the knowledge, skills and industry insights required to excel within its competitive market.This affiliation will offer specialized training programs, workshops and courses tailored to hone skills in sales, customer engagement and marketing, ensuring that HNB Assurance’s Partnership team is at the forefront of industry best practices.This initiative is part of HNB Assurance’s broader commitment to continuous professional development and by integrating the National Body for Marketing, SLIM’s robust training framework into Life Campus, the company is ensuring that its team remains agile, forward-thinking and ready to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
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HNB Assurance PLC has recently relocated its Customer Service Centre to a new, improved location to engage and provide enhanced services, ensuring greater accessibility and seamless customer experience to its valued policyholders.The newly enhanced Customer Service Centre is designed to offer an excellent experience, featuring state of the art facilities and enhanced accessibility. This move aligns with HNB Assurance’s vision to continuously improve its customer engagement, ensuring a superior experience for policyholders and stakeholders alike.Commenting on the opening of the new Customer Service Centre, Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, CEO of HNB Assurance PLC, stated, “Customer satisfaction remains at the heart of our business. With this new and improved location, we aim to elevate our service standards by offering a more personalized and convenient experience for our customers.”Echoing similar sentiments, Mr. Dinesh Yogaratnam, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer at HNB Assurance, added, “The move to a new location is a strategic decision to ensure that our customers receive the best possible service. This upgraded centre is equipped with modernized facilities and an inviting atmosphere to create a seamless and hassle-free experience for all who walk through our doors.”HNB Assurance invites all customers to visit the new centre and experience the enhanced service firsthand at No. 46/5 1/1, 1st Floor, Robert Senanayaka Building, Nawam Mawatha, Colombo 02.
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HNB Assurance recently concluded its much anticipated Partnership Life 2025 event, a gathering dedicated to recognizing the exceptional contributions of its Partnership Channel in 2024, while outlining its vision for 2025. Last year, the Partnership Channel reached unprecedented heights, achieving a Gross Written Premium (GWP) of over LKR 6.5 billion, a remarkable 31% year-on-year growth. The channel's New Business Premium (NBP) surpassed LKR 1.4 billion, reflecting a stellar 39% increase compared to the previous year.Speaking at the forum Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, CEO of HNB Assurance, remarked, "Having witnessed our journey over the past few years and reflecting on our achievements from last year, I can confidently say that we have the strongest or the best Bancassurance channel in the country. As we set our goals for the year ahead, I want to emphasize that our success is built on this incredible team’s dedication, expertise along with the strong support and commitment of our partners. As a company, while we aggressively drive growth, we have also strengthened our processes and infrastructure to enhance efficiency and better support each of you. With this strong foundation, I am confident that we can fully capitalize on the momentum and potential while together, through our collective efforts, we will reach even greater heights this year.""Partnership Life 2025 is more than just a celebration, it is a reflection that encapsulates not only the professional journey of our team but supports the well-being of their entire life, hence the name Partnership ‘Life’," said Mr. Sanesh Fernando, Chief Business Officer – Partnership Business. “Looking back on the past year, I’m proud to say it was an exceptional one for us, marked by growth across nearly every area of our business. What stands out most is the outstanding achievement of 135 MDRT qualifiers, including 22 COTs and 3 TOTs, which is a testament to the talent and caliber of our team. I must also convey my heartfelt thank you to Hatton National Bank, our other partner banks and broker network for their support. These partnerships are what continues to drive our shared journey towards excellence,” Mr. Fernando added.
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