Sampath Bank says Ayubowan in Jaffna

First Bank to enter the region following the conclusion of the ethnic conflict

Extending its footprint and consolidating its efforts to serve all Sri Lankans, Sampath Bank proudly declared open its branch office in Jaffna on Monday.
The first banking house to enter the Peninsula since the conclusion of the war, the Sampath Bank branch is conveniently located in the hub of the Jaffna town, where, with the exception of the 3 most senior staff who possess comprehensive regional experience, the bank is exclusively staffed by qualified local residents, and offer customers a varied and comprehensive banking service.

Sampath Bank Deputy Chairman Sunil G Wijesinha lights the traditional oil lamp at the opening of the branch in Jaffna on Monday whilst Chairman I.W. Senanayake, Director J.D.Bandaranayake and Executive Director / Chief Operating Officer Aravinda Perera looks on.

Products and financial services include Savings Accounts, Business and Personal Current Accounts, Fixed Deposits with higher interest rates, foreign currency accounts, Personal and Housing loans and Leasing facilities. The bank will also offer special gift schemes and rewards for customers that open savings accounts and fixed deposits within the first month of operations.
Commenting on the opening of the new branch, Tharaka Ranwala, Assistant General Manager – Marketing & Deposits of Sampath Bank said, “The opening of this new branch office is part of Sampath Bank’s efforts to achieve a genuine national presence by extending our services to all parts of the island, and also to follow to the fullest the President’s vision of Uthuru Wasanthaya. By becoming the first bank to enter the Jaffna Peninsula since the end of the conflict, Sampath Bank hopes to assist in empowering the people by rebuilding livelihoods and stimulating development in the region. Prior to the commencement of operations, bank representatives met with local business and community stakeholders in order to ensure that we provide customised banking solutions that support the growth of our clients. I sincerely believe the people of Jaffna will benefit from better access to broader product range, and enjoy a differentiated banking experience.”
Adopting a non-traditional approach in terms of usual banking operations, residents of Jaffna can expect to experience a one of a kind product range that will include Sampath Kalin Cash – the only fixed deposit in the market that pays interest up front as opposed to awarding the interest upon maturity, and Sampath Sanhinda Saver – a scheme that gives customers interest twice a month instead of once, to name a few.
The bank will also cater to those families who depend on family members living abroad for financial sustenance with their e-remittance scheme that provides cash settlement in real time, and also enable customers to receive cash outside of banking hours via an e-remittance card – a facility exclusive to Sampath Bank.
For others that require money at times of emergency, the bank will offer people friendly facilities for pawning that recognises and caters to the pawning of jewellery close to customer’s hearts, through Sampath Randiriya. The new branch office also plans to provide loan schemes to eligible customers to uplift the fishing, farming and agriculture sectors – the primary industries in the territory - and also the construction industry.
Tharaka Ranwala further added “Sampath Bank is set to usher in a new era of banking services, with a commitment to enriching its product selection and developing innovative people friendly services to meet customer needs. We proudly invite the people of Jaffna to come visit us and experience a completely new banking experience with a difference”
A pioneer of innovative banking products and services, Sampath Bank constantly introduces new products to the market that add value and offer cutting edge solutions for their customers. Predominant among these in the recent past is - their tie up with Cargills food city network. Their new VISA debit card which features a unique SMS alert service that enables customers to receive transaction information on their accounts in real time, and the ability to make purchases and receive attractive discounts at selected merchant outlets; and their chip based credit card which underscores the complete security that is a hallmark of services from Sampath Bank.