NSB achieves all targets

GM Sunil Perera

National Savings Bank, the only bank with a government guarantee have achieved all targets established for the first quarter of 2009, said GM Sunil Perera.

He said that all targets were achieved well before the due date though it is a turbulent time for people around the world. This is ample proof that people still trust the NSB.

Gift

For new year all customers who deposit Rs. 15,000 or more during the period April 1-30 will get a gift of a tiffin box where food can be kept hot or cold. For the first time we have extended the scheme to post offices and sub post offices, said Perera. He said that customers who deposit Rs 5000 or more during this period at Post offices or sub post offices too will be eligible for an umbrella.

He said that plans are afoot to centralise all branches, improve the existing software as well as increase the ATM network to 150. At present the bank has 120 ATMs around the island. In addition the bank is planning to merge the ATM network of NSB with other bank ATM networks so that the customer has a wider access and convenience.

NSB is also planning to add 20 more branches to their already established network of 123 main branches, 10 postal banking branches, two small scale savings shops and one Ithurum Piyasa, to reach the grass roots levels. At most instances the bank will establish Ithurum Piyasa branches which are manned by three staff members. These are low cost branches and thanks to technology the bank an open small branches, said Perera.

He said that most of these branches will be established in the North and the East which already has 23 branches. He said that all the branches in the North and the East functioned well even during turbulent times while Jaffna branch is one of our most successful branches.

In addition NSB will improve the activities with the postal network while plans are ready to connect the postal network with the head office to give wider access and convenience to the customers.

At present there are 10 postal branches. The postal branch network will be decentralised.

The bank is planning to introduce some revolutionary products to the market during the year while the existing products will be re-launched with exciting benefits and offers for the customers. Already the Sthree Account has been introduced to the postal network which has helped the account reach a wider segment.

Staff training

This year the bank will focus mainly on sales and will go to the doorstep of the customer without waiting for them to come to us, said Perera. The staff training has been given more emphasis to enable them to give a efficient service to the customers. The bank is also opening loan centers to cater to the needs of the customers who want loans and the fifth loan center will be opened in Moratuwa this month.

The bank started foreign currency operations two years ago and it is doing extremely well. Sri Lankans working abroad can now open NRFC accounts at NSB and remit the funds to their accounts.

The bank has appointed representatives and signed agreements with remitting agencies in the Middle East, Italy and Korea to facilitate remittances. NSB has also joined EuroGiro a worldwide postal organisation which facilitate remittances at a much cheaper commission. We are on this network in Italy, korea and Israel while plans are under way to join them in other countries as well.