People’s Bank achieves a unique milestone in its digitalisation drive with the opening of its fully fledged Digital Center by Prime Minister Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe at York Street, Colombo 1. Incidentally it becomes the first fully Digitalized Branch thus creating history in Sri Lanka’s banking industry. The Bank is proudly launching Express Banking simultaneously to allow customers to experience how its digitalisation initiatives will streamline and simplify their financial affairs by offering speed and convenience. Initially, customers visiting the Digital Center will have Bank staff on hand to assist them to navigate Express Banking on electronic devices provided by the Bank until they feel comfortable to conduct transactions without assistance. The launch of this Digital Center marks a quantum leap for the Bank in its dynamic leadership to become the most digitalised bank by the year 2020, to unlock the benefits of digitalisation for its customers.

Minister of Public Enterprise Development Hon. Kabir Hashim, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Ravi Karunanayaka, State Minister of Public Enterprise Development Hon. Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Governor of Central Bank of Sri Lanka Dr Indrajit Coomaraswamy, Chairman of People’s Bank Hemasiri Fernando, Board of Directors, CEO/ General Manager N. Vasantha Kumar, corporate management, Government Officials and the People’s Bank staff as well as clients were among the distinguished guests.

Commenting on the momentous occasion, Hemasiri Frenando, Chairman of People’s Bank says, “People’s Bank has been an integral pillar in the nation’s development by understanding and responding to customer needs and industry trends. As the bank with one of the largest customer bases in Sri Lanka’s banking industry, People’s Bank has demonstrated its leadership status by initiating digitalisation in alignment with the latest consumer and market trends. The launch of the Digital Center marks a proud milestone in our journey to bring the benefits of digitalisation banking to the nation. We expect our digitalisation drive to bring untold benefits to all stakeholders across our wide customer base – ranging from the rural farmer to the country’s leading corporates – this digitalisation exercise will fulfil aspirations of all these customers. We expect our digitalisation journey to position the bank and its customers for exponential growth. As the premier state bank, People’s Bank believes that a digitalised state bank will drive rich dividends for the economy going ahead.”

Explaining the benefits of the new digitalized bank, N. Vasantha Kumar, CEO/ General Manager added: “The launch of the Digital Center is a proud moment for us. Customers stepping into this branch can enjoy the benefits of Express Banking to learn how they can conduct transactions in real time right from the moment of opening an account Instant access to e-statements, SMS alerts, debit cards, cash deposit and withdraw, Fund transfers, bill payment via Mobile, Internet banking and Kiosk machines and a variety of other beneficial services to enhance convenience. We are proud to announce that staff will now be taking digital banking to the doorstep of rural consumers so that they conduct their transactions on our mobile devices. We expect to roll our more fully digitalised branches over the coming months, thus fulfilling our sustainability pledge to reduce our carbon footprint and benefitting the environment by promoting paperless banking.”

The Digital Center at York Street will also reflect a plush ambience with luxurious seating and professional staff to assist customers through the various benefits of digital banking. People’s Bank has always led the banking industry towards a more robust future. The digitalisation programme once fully operational will offer customers the opportunity of transacting with their bank 24 hours of the day in a fast, convenient, accurate and economical manner. By becoming the Most Digitalized Bank in Sri Lanka, People’s Bank will have the bandwidth to ensure universal access for all thereby achieving total financial inclusion. The bank’s ambitious digitalization drive will empower it to deliver a seamless digital experience to customers and elevate Sri Lanka’s banking and financial services to an international digital platform.