HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) declared opened doors for its 63rd Branch located in Madawachchiya. In adherence to the Company’s bold commitment towards expanding its footprint, this new facility is purpose-designed to fulfill the all-important need of insurance for people, offering peace of mind about life insurance solutions available within the Company’s portfolio. The Chief Guest of this occasion was the Managing Director/CEO of HNBA and its fully owned subsidiary HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI), Deepthi Lokuarachchi. The newly opened branch is located at 1st Floor, No. 102, Jaffna Road, Madawachchiya. Speaking at the event, Managing Director/CEO of HNBA and HNBGI, Deepthi Lokuarachchi stated, “It is delighting to see how this new Branch reflects tangible evidence of our progression towards being the ‘Best in Class’. As this sets out a strong foundation for achieving service excellence, it further enriches the Company’s value proposition making it stand out in a highly competitive industry such as insurance. Working towards the Company’s prime objective of providing continuous returns to its valuable customers, employees and of course all key stakeholders, this branch will keep them at the center of attention, devoted to fulfilling their needs”. Sharing his views, Chief Operating Officer of HNBA, Prasantha Fernando stated, “This facility is of major strategic importance as it is the 12th Branch located bridging the North and East areas of the country, being able to serve a wider customer base. Looking back at the long and successful journey the Company has made it through under many challenging factors within the industry, and in the market as a whole, it is heartening to see how well these efforts have produced favorable outcomes. It is our view that products such as insurance would require well thought-out measures within a customer’s buying process, and therefore, it is our duty to provide them the convenience of state of the art walk-in outlets as the essence of true customer service”. Deputy Chief Operating Officer of HNBA, Lasitha Wimalaratne expressed his views stating, “Our operations around business expansion wields a great deal of competitiveness, and it has been a tremendous start for 2020, taking into account the growing stability of the brand that has been instilled across the country. This newly formed Branch further assures the Company’s stand, as it will foster long-lasting relationships with our customers, given the effort and contribution of its highly competent team of professionals”. 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. 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 and won many awards for its Annual Reports at award ceremonies organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and SAFA (South Asian Federation Accountants).
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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