HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI), the fully owned subsidiary of HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA), took the centre stage along with Softlogic Finance, signifying the establishment of a forethought partnership aimed towards ensuring that safety is met on the note of the many motorcyclists in Sri Lanka. The tie up is set to address the rise of accidents at present particulary involving motorcyclists, triggered by the incomprehension of safety precautions and protocols. As such, this collaborative approach was officially initiated at an event partaken by officials of HNBGI and Softlogic Finance, demonstrating that HNBGI will provide insurance for those who finance a motorbike through Softlogic Finance. Present at the event were, Managing Director/CEO of HNBA and HNBGI, Mr. Deepthi Lokuarachchi and CEO of Softlogic Finance, Mr. Nalin Wijekoon.
Sharing his thoughts about the initiative, Mr. Lokuarachchi stated, “this is a fine partnership, executed upon consideration of responsiveness to the impact of increasing household incomes, as people are increasingly capable of purchasing a vehicle despite the so-called division of social-classes. Drawn out of such, it is clear that motorcyclists being a notable majority of this country, projects a great tendancy to increase over the years to come. Thus, it is of major importance that their safety is assured, which in turn will take its effect spanning across many motor related activities and involvements that are to be conducted safe and sound. This is when, and why, HNBGI will take on a vital role as to instill safety, especially of one’s mode of commute, while this partnership will take on the added essence of Softlogic Finance’s quality business perspective”.
Speaking on such, Mr. Wijekoon shared his views stating, “while expressing my heartiest gratitude towards HNBGI for joining hands with us, I take this moment to place admiration upon the contrast in ways of driving business, which Softlogic Finance has perfectly maneuvered, that is by adopting aspects such as quality and networking while also placing strong emphasis on an ethical facet made evident by this partnership. As of today and on this note, we are knowingly a helping hand for the ever common idiom, ‘dream vehicle’, and even for those who start small, we have provided a tangibilized, quality service without a doubt. I am thankful for all those who have contributed and provided assistance in achieving such a milestone in our road to sustainable business partnerships”.
HNBGI, which commenced business in January, 2015, specializing in motor and non-motor insurance solutions, is presently one of the fastest growing General Insurance Companies in Sri Lanka, with a network of 56 branches. HNBA, the Parent Company specializing in Life Insurance solutions is ranked within the Top 100 Brands and Top 100 Companies in Sri Lanka and has won multiple accolades for Brand Excellence, Digital Marketing and HR Excellence and many awards for its Annual Reports at award ceremonies organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and the South Asian Federation of Accountants.
December
HNB General Insurance (HNBGI) demonstrated its excellence by securing three prestigious awards at the National Sales Awards 2024, organized by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM). This premier event is the pinnacle of recognition for sales professionals across industries in Sri Lanka. Reflecting HNBGI’s exceptional sales achievements during the 2023–24 period, the company’s Channel Development Manager, Danidu T. Galappaththi, clinched the coveted Silver Award under the National Sales Manager category. Danidu’s multifaceted contributions have been instrumental in driving HNBGI’s sales success. His leadership encompassed managing a dynamic sales team to achieve enhanced performance, leveraging innovative technologies, and adopting strategies such as product diversification and bundling to penetrate new market segments. In the Territory Manager category, Pulasthi Bandara, HNBGI Malabe Branch Manager, was honored with a Gold Award for his strategic planning capabilities, financial acumen, and strong communication skills which were pivotal in achieving sales targets and implementing best practices. In the same category, Ranga Deshan, Cluster Manager – Colombo South, HNBGI, won a Merit Award for his outstanding efforts in overseeing branch performance. His expertise in branch-level strategy, target achievement, and team development were critical to HNBGI’s consistent growth. Expressing his pride in the sales team’s accomplishments, Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNBGI, stated, “The steady sales growth we have achieved over the last few years is a testament to the dedication and exceptional performance of our sales force. At HNBGI, we ensure their hard work is recognized and celebrated internally but seeing them honored on a national stage is incredibly rewarding. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our award winners for their outstanding contributions to the company.” These accolades underscore HNBGI’s commitment to fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement within its sales force. The recognition at SLIM National Sales Awards 2024 solidifies HNBGI’s position as a leader in the industry, driven by a passionate and high-performing team.
November
HNB General Insurance (HNBGI) recently entered into a bancassurance partnership with Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC, one of Sri Lanka’s largest and most reputed private banks. This strategic partnership marks a milestone in their shared mission to provide innovative, customer-centric insurance solutions. The partnership was formalized by Mr. Sanath Manatunge, Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Bank, and Mr. Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance, during a ceremonial signing. This strategic partnership alliance leverages the strengths of both institutions to deliver unparalleled convenience and tailored insurance options for their customers. Through this collaboration, Commercial Bank’s extensive customer base of over 3.5 million, served through Over 270 branches nationwide, will gain access to HNB General Insurance’s innovative portfolio of general insurance products. These carefully curated offerings are designed to deliver comprehensive coverage, promoting greater inclusivity and peace of mind for Sri Lankans. Commenting on the collaboration, Mr. Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance, stated, “Joining forces with Commercial Bank is a significant milestone for HNBGI. This partnership not only enhances our footprint across Sri Lanka but also reaffirms our dedication to delivering best-in-class insurance solutions to meet the diverse needs of Sri Lankans.” “This partnership reflects Commercial Bank’s commitment to enriching the financial wellbeing of our customers by offering them innovative and tailored solutions. Collaborating with HNB General Insurance allows us to deliver added value and convenience to our clients, aligning with our mission to empower communities across Sri Lanka,” said Mr. Sanath Manatunge, Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Commercial Bank of Ceylon. This collaboration reinforces both organizations' commitment to advancing inclusivity in Sri Lanka while prioritizing customer convenience and satisfaction. HNB General Insurance, as part of the HNB Assurance PLC which in turn is part of the reputed HNB Group and Commercial Bank, widely recognized for their excellence in banking, bring together their expertise to redefine convenience and security, setting a new benchmark for service excellence for customers of both institutions. HNB General Insurance is a dedicated partner, addressing a diverse range of insurance needs from motor to non-motor and Takaful solutions for individuals and commercial entities across Sri Lanka. As a subsidiary of HNB Assurance PLC and a member of the HNB Group, HNB General Insurance operates through an extensive network of branches, ensuring comprehensive service coverage throughout the island. Backed by an Insurer Financial Strength Rating of ‘A- (lka)’ by Fitch Ratings Lanka Limited, HNB General Insurance is committed to creating sustainable value for stakeholders through innovation and care.
November
HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) and HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) continued to build on their impressive performance, recording strong financial growth and achieving impressive operational success during the third quarter of 2024. With a focus on innovation, customer-centricity and expanding their market presence, both companies for the nine months ending September 30, 2024, reported a Gross Written Premium (GWP) of LKR 16.6 billion, a 22% increase when compared to the same period last year. This growth was fueled by HNBA’s GWP of LKR 9.9 billion, reflecting a 27% increase, and HNBGI’s GWP of LKR 6.7 billion, marking a 14% increase. Additionally, the Group’s PAT saw a notable growth of 26%, rising from LKR 583 million to LKR 734 million when compared to the same period last year. These exceptional financial performances were further fortified by the affirmation of Insurer Financial Strength ratings of HNBA and HNBGI as ‘A-’ (lka) from Fitch, with a stable outlook. "Our robust performance this quarter speaks to the strength of our team and the focus we’ve maintained in expanding our reach," commented Mr. Stuart Chapman, Chairman of HNBA and HNBGI. “The year 2024, we navigated with careful optimism, mindful of the elections and the unpredictability they could bring. Despite these uncertainties, our teams not only anticipated the challenges but surpassed expectations, achieving outstanding growth targets. The Group's GWP saw a substantial increase of 22% compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the Group’s Assets grew by almost 15%, rising to LKR 58.9 billion, during the first nine months. Additionally, our total equity touched LKR. 10.6 billion and our life fund reached LKR 37.6 billion, a noteworthy increase of 23%, during the first 03 quarters of the year. These achievements reflect our commitment to sustainable growth, positioning us strongly for the future as we continue to create value for our stakeholders.” Added, Mr. Chapman. “I am delighted to note that we have continued to maintain our remarkable financial performance during the third quarter and maintain our position as the only fitch A- rated life insurance provider in Sri Lanka.” Stated Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, CEO of HNB Assurance. “Our Gross Written Premium has grown by 27%, reaching LKR 9.9 billion from LKR 7.8 billion when compared to the same period last year. The company posted a 6% growth in profitability by recording Rs. 550 million as profit after tax. It must be noted that the company is yet to recognize surplus from the Life fund which will be at the end of the year. An achievement which highlights the success of our strategic focus in offering accessible and innovative insurance solutions that truly resonate with the needs of our customers, through collaborations and new partnerships.” For HNBGI, the Q3 performance highlights its proactive stance in navigating challenges while seizing growth opportunities. Mr. Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNBGI, commented, “Our commitment to improved underwriting and efficient claims management has been instrumental to our success. We continue to make considerable strides in offering tailored insurance solutions that resonate with our clients, which has helped us achieve a GWP of LKR 6.7billion, a 14% increase when compared to the same period last year. Our business and efficiency improvements allowed us to increase our profit after tax threefold, to reach a 187% growth when compared to the same period last year. Notably, our focus on diversifying our portfolio beyond motor insurance has yielded significant growth, with our non-motor segment growing by 22% when compared to the same period last year. Within this category, we saw remarkable performances in marine, fire, and engineering insurance lines, which have grown by 121% and 27%, respectively, highlighting our proactive strategy to expand into areas of high demand.”