Sampath to launch innovative products

Sampath Bank will celebrate its 25th anniversary and launch some innovative products for the convenience of customers.

Deputy General Manager, Personal Banking, Sampath Bank PLC Nanda Fernando said that its a home -grown bank and wanted to be ahead and be proactive and provide services which will be needed in the future.

The products lined-up will provide convenience blended with the latest technology.

He said that when the bank was launched 25 years ago, all the other banks closed at 1.30pm while Sampath Bank from the inception closed at 3pm and set the trend which other banks followed.

This change was convenient to customers. He said that when they launched ATM cards, which was an innovative move there was a huge demand as it made banking anytime and anywhere a reality.

"Sampath bank took the initial step and the other banks followed. Our bank has always been a leader.

Today customers of Sampath,BoC HNB, NSB, HDFC,NTB, Commercial, PAB and Union Bank can withdraw money from any of the ATM machines owned by any of these banks and the technology for the interconnection was provided by Sampath Bank.

Customers can now withdraw money from 1600 ATMs and it accounts for 67 percent of the ATM machines in the country.

Fernando said that the first branch of the bank was the City branch while the first outstation branch was opened in Kandy. Today the bank has 209 branches which includes 13 branches in the North and 15 branches in the East and customers can transact business from any branch which is a great convenience for customers.

He said that there are deposit schemes to suit the age from new born to senior citizens and the facilities offered by them differ according to the age of the account holder.

The bank also offers loan products from school leavers to senior citizens. Some of the credit facilities offered by the bank includes refinance facilities as well.