HNB to partner SMEs

Hatton National Bank(HNB) understanding the national needs of the country is positioning itself as the Small and Medium Enterprises' development SMEs partner islandwide.

MD and CEO R. Theagarajah stresses a point while COO Jonathan Alles looks on

To foster sustainable development HNB will offer a full range of financial solutions together with all benefits and advantages, said MD and CEO R. Theagarajah. He said that HNB caters to all the spectrums and after much thought introduced this scheme for the benefit of the SMEs. Sri Lanka has a lot of positive openings and SMEs are the best positioned to capture these opportunities. Therefore by supporting the SMEs the bank is contributing to the growth of the national economy. In addition to providing financial services the bank will provide financial advice and information.

COO of HNB Jonathan Alles said that more than 90 percent of the companies in Sri Lanka are SMEs and all of them have contributed to the national economy by way of providing employment and bringing foreign exchange. Their major problem is accessing the financial system. We at HNB want all SMEs to grow to be well-known corporates in the country.

DGM Marketing and Retail Banking Chandula P. Abeywickrema said that this partnership is absolutely critical at a time the country is trying to achieve double digit growth. Identifying national needs HNB launched this program to support the SMEs to blossom to their fullest potential.

He said that persons who are already customers can avail of this service while new customers are also welcome. He said that the bank will start this venture by offering support to new,existing and start up ventures in the agro industries, animal husbandry, horticulture, food processing, fisheries, construction, wood based products retailers as well as other small service business categories. Some of the benefits offered under this scheme are stand by facilities, grace period on loans, discounted interest rates,concessionary legal documentation fees and assistance to complete documentation, discounted fees and commissions, free life and accidental death cover, discount on valuation fees, free internet banking, credit cards free of joining fee and visa debit cards free of issuing charges.

SG