BoC bags Gold at NBEA

The Bank of Ceylon (BoC) won the over-all Gold award and was the winner in the categories of Banking sector, Excellence in CSR, Excellence in Local Market reach and Extra-large category and the runner-up in Excellence in Capacity building in the National Business Excellence Awards (NBEA).

The ceremony was held at the Hilton. UK High Commissioner James Dauris was the chief guest. The Bank's General Manager D.M Gunasekara received the awards on behalf of the Bank.

National Business Excellence Awards is one of the prime awards that recognize business organizations that make a significant contribution to socio-economic development through exemplary business practices. For the 2015 assessment NBEA has further tightened its evaluation criteria to take cognizance of contemporary needs, new focus areas and to provide more opportunities to describe why they should be considered excellent.

The Bank of Ceylon closed its 75th year on a high note in 2014, by recording a profit of Rs. 20.3 billion, the highest ever profit before tax (PBT) in the bank's history and in the Sri Lankan banking industry, a growth of 29% compared to the previous year. This was the highest profit earned by a single Sri Lankan business entity for the year.

Post after tax profit stood at Rs. 13.6 billion, a 12% growth. Banks assets grew by 11% to Rs.1.3 trillion for 2014. BoC's balance sheet is the strongest in the industry with over Rs. 1 trillion in assets and was the first Sri Lankan entity in the country to pass this milestone.

Leading in every aspect of banking and financial services, it has doubled its assets, deposits, loans, and shareholders' wealth and enhanced its brand value to Rs.38 billion in 2015.

The Bank serves over 11 million customers from all walks of life. Serving the Sri Lankan community for over 76 years with dedication and commitment, it has brought hope and happiness to many underprivileged local communities through social development projects covering education, infrastructure development, preserving national heritage, healthcare, sports and entrepreneurship.