November 24, 2023
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1min

 



 

 

Seylan Bank is proud to announce the opening of Seylan Bank ATM at the bustling Havelock City Mall, located in the heart of Colombo. The official inauguration ceremony, which took place on Thursday, October 19th, 2023, represents an expansion of Seylan Bank’s extensive ATM network throughout the country, underscoring its commitment to providing convenient and accessible banking services to valued customers. Seylan Bank’s strategic placement at Havelock City Mall exemplifies its dedication to facilitating seamless financial transactions and enhancing the banking experience for all, providing quick and easy access to your funds while you shop, dine, or enjoy your time at the mall.

 



 

 


November 8, 2023
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5min

 



 

 

At the newly opened Havelock City Mall, DFCC Bank proudly unveiled its offsite DFCC Myspace ATM/CDM digital self-banking facility. This strategic move marks the Bank’s first-ever offsite ATM/CDM installation within a shopping mall, solidifying its commitment to serving the evolving banking needs of valued customers, with a focus on seamless convenience and maximum safety.

The facility was officially unveiled on the 19th of October 2023, amidst a distinguished gathering that included senior officials from the Bank.

Senior Vice President – Retail Banking and SME at DFCC Bank, Aasiri Iddamalgoda commented, “We are delighted to introduce our Myspace ATM/CDM at the prestigious, chic and trendy Havelock City Mall – the latest addition to Sri Lanka’s shopping and entertainment space, featuring the country’s first IMAX theatre to commence operations in Q 1 2024.. This initiative represents DFCC Bank’s commitment to enhancing customer convenience and is a significant step on our journey to bridge the gap between digital banking and real-world experiences, providing a seamless omnichannel customer experience. We invite our customers and all community members to explore this service and enjoy the utmost convenience in banking, 24/7.”

Havelock City Mall, which opened its doors on the 19th of October, is already gaining recognition as a prime shopping and entertainment destination in Colombo. To complement this vibrant retail environment, DFCC Bank has introduced an accessible and convenient banking solution within the mall, positioned for a wide range of customers, from shoppers to retailers, businesspeople and residents of Havelock City and the surrounding areas.

Retailers and outlets within the mall who are DFCC Bank customers can now efficiently deposit daily cash collections, reducing the complexities of cash handling whilst increasing security. Furthermore, the ATM/CDM facility is accessible to a wide range of cardholders, ensuring that all locally issued card schemes and foreign-issued VISA and JCB debit and credit cards can be used for transactions. As is standard for DFCC Bank ATMs, the facility also provides various value-added services, including full access to DFCC Bank accounts, mobile reloads and utility bill payments.

Vice President – Digital Strategy, DFCC Bank, Dinesh Jebamani added, “The offsite ATM/CDM at Havelock City Mall reflects our dedication to providing innovative, digitally-driven banking solutions. It offers a seamless and secure experience for our customers, allowing them to meet their urgent cash needs while enjoying the mall’s attractions without the concern of carrying excess cash, seamlessly bridging digital and real-world experiences. We are pleased to bring this seamless convenience to our valued customers.”

DFCC Bank’s Myspace ATM/CDM at Havelock City Mall underscores its commitment to making banking simpler, more convenient, and accessible for all. The Bank is confident that this new addition to its network will enhance banking experiences and contribute to the overall experience of Havelock City Mall – as your happy place!

Left to right: Sohantha Wijesingha – Senior Vice President Corporate Banking- DFCC Bank, Prins Perera – Senior Vice President Treasury and Investment Banking- DFCC Bank, Aasiri Iddamalgoda – Senior Vice President Head of Retail Banking and SME- DFCC Bank, Dinesh Jebamani – Vice President – Digital Strategy- DFCC Bank, Kosol Welungoda – Senior Relationship Manager – Corporate Banking- DFCC Bank.

 



 

 


October 16, 2023
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3min

 



 

 

  • DCC offers real-time view of currency conversion for international card users
  • Facility available for international VISA and Mastercard holders
  • DCC now available at all HNB ATMs island-wide

Providing foreign cardholders with convenient access to currency conversion, Sri Lanka’s leading private sector bank HNB PLC, announced the launch of the Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) feature at the unveiling of its 801st ATM at the iconic Doctor’s House restaurant at Madiha, Matara.

The new feature allows international VISA and Mastercard holders to withdraw Sri Lankan Rupees from HNB ATMs after viewing the exact amount that will get debited in their home currency. Doctor’s House Director Michael Morehead together with HNB AGM – Digital Business Chammika Weerasinghe, HNB Regional Business Head (Southern) Rajitha Wijenayake, HNB Senior Manager – Digital Banking Chakshika Amarawardhana, were present at the special ceremony held to commemorate the occasion.

Speaking at the event, HNB AGM – Digital Business Chammika Weerasinghe said, “HNB is proud to launch Dynamic Currency Conversion on our Smart Self-Service Machines (SSMs). The need of the hour is to provide international travellers with convenient value additions like DCC.”

Notably, this is Sri Lanka’s first ATM DCC project that has been implemented within the nation without the involvement of a 3rd party DCC service provider. A ground-breaking feature, the DCC facility allows international travellers to withdraw funds in Sri Lankan Rupees with a real-time view of the conversion from the currencies of their home country. This enables foreign cardholders to better understand the conversion of their home currency to the amount dispensed at the ATM, reducing losses from frequent exchange rate fluctuations.

“Patrons of Doctor’s House, particularly both local and international surf enthusiasts, will undoubtedly be delighted with this new SSM installation and DCC facility. We look forward to this initiative’s positive impact on guests’ experiences at this iconic location, and remain committed to providing essential facilities to contribute to the well-being of the nation,” HNB Senior Manager – Digital Banking, Chakshika Amarawardhana, said.

The Doctor’s House is a 200-year-old former Dutch Ayurvedic hospital situated on the south coast of Sri Lanka in the beautiful beachside village of Madiha. The region

 



 

 


February 21, 2023
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4min




 

Understanding the diverse and dynamic needs of customers and the nation, DFCC Bank ATMs now proudly accepts internationally issued JCB Cards, subsequent to the successful implementation of the second phase of ATM acquiring under the National Card Scheme (NCS) program of LankaPay. The first phase of the NCS has allowed DFCC ATMs to accept locally issued LankaPay cards since 2021, enabling LankaPay cardholders to use any DFCC ATM Island wide to withdraw cash from savings and current accounts. As a part of this integration, JCB international cardholders can now use 216 DFCC ATMs when they travel to Sri Lanka.

Explaining the significance of this further integration with the LankaPay National Card Scheme, Thimal Perera, CEO at DFCC Bank said, “As we position ourselves for the impending economic recovery in Sri Lanka, which will be driven heavily by tourism, we are keenly aware of the varied and changing needs of customers, including foreign visitors to Sri Lanka. Thus, we are proud to accept JCB International Cards at our ATMs, making it much easier for business and leisure travelers and ex-pats to access their funds while in Sri Lanka. This will also make it even easier for foreign exchange to flow into the country. Adding JCB International to our acceptance portfolio further helps to diversify our service offerings in line with the needs of customers and the nation. We take this opportunity to recognize the exceptional efforts by LankaPay to further expand interconnectivity and acceptance networks in Sri Lanka and are pleased to lend our support to this effort.”

Under the guidance and approval of the Central Bank, LankaPay launched the National Card Scheme program in 2017 in partnership with JCB an International Card Scheme headquartered in Japan, a member of the EMVCo alliance. EMV® is a registered trademark in the U.S.A and other countries and an unregistered trademark elsewhere. The EMV trademark is owned by EMVCo, LLC. As of September 2022, JCB cards have been issued in many countries and territories, including China, India, Indonesia and Thailand with over 150 million cardholders and over 41 million merchant points worldwide.

LankaPay, as the operator of the country’s national payment network, has contributed immensely towards minimizing the overall cost structure within the financial sector through a common infrastructure, making digital financial services accessible and affordable to everyone. LankaPay NCS is a cost-effective alternative card scheme to the existing international card schemes operating in the country with local and global acceptance, the highest security features and equipped with latest technology.  This initiative will not only curtail this foreign exchange outflow, but also bring in greater autonomy to the country’s financial sector. Therefore, we believe that this initiative is more pertinent than ever considering the current economic context of the country. At a micro level, the LankaPay card offers unparalleled value to both merchants and cardholders, which will help popularize card payments in the country.




 


November 28, 2022
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4min

 



 

 

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has introduced digital receipts for ATM transactions, another green banking initiative that is not only environment friendly, but enhances convenience to customers, cuts down on transaction charges and reduces paper wastage.

The Bank has announced that the Bank’s Credit Card or Debit Card holders who use its extensive network of Cash Recycler Machines (CRMs) or Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) island wide for cash withdrawals will be issued a digital receipt instead of a printed physical receipt, via a Short Message Service (SMS) delivered to the customer’s registered mobile number with Commercial Bank.

The SMS will include a link to view the digital version of the receipt which can also be downloaded on to the computer or mobile device in PDF format for future reference, the Bank said. Customers who use digital receipts will be exempt from the Rs 5 charge levied for paper receipts on each CRM and ATM withdrawal.

Commenting on the introduction of the Digital receipts service for CRM and ATM transactions, Commercial Bank’s Deputy General Manager – Marketing, Mr Hasrath Munasinghe said: “While encouraging paperless transactions and fostering environmental consciousness among customers, digital receipts also tackle the problem of littering. Most paper receipts received during ATM and CRM transactions are immediately thrown away by customers. Digital receipts can save money for the customer and the Bank, and can also helps save trees, which is one of the priorities in the Bank’s strategic initiative to create a sustainable future.”

Earlier, Commercial Bank also introduced ‘eSlips,’ an innovative app that enables customers to go paperless by creating electronic deposits on their smart phones in respect of cash deposits. Commercial Bank was also the first bank in Sri Lanka to offer customers an ePassbook, a digital passbook that provides access to details of savings, current, personal foreign currency accounts and Credit Card transactions on Android and iOS powered mobile devices.

Sri Lanka’s first 100% carbon neutral bank, the first Sri Lankan bank to be listed among the Top 1000 Banks of the World and the only Sri Lankan bank to be so listed for 12 years consecutively, Commercial Bank operates a network of 269 branches and 943 automated machines in Sri Lanka. Commercial Bank is the largest lender to Sri Lanka’s SME sector and is a leader in digital innovation in the country’s Banking sector. The Bank’s overseas operations encompass Bangladesh, where the Bank operates 19 outlets; Myanmar, where it has a Microfinance company in Nay Pyi Taw; and the Maldives, where the Bank has a fully-fledged Tier I Bank with a majority stake.

 

 



 

 


June 6, 2022
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3min

 



 

 

 

Amana Bank recently commissioned five new ATMs at its existing Self Banking Centres located at Rajagiriya, Wattala, Kalutara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee. In addition to cash withdrawals Amana Bank Self Banking Centres also facilitates cash deposits and cheque deposits.

Having 33 fully fledged branches across the island, Amana Bank has a network of 20 Self Banking Centres covering a wide range of localities including Slave Island, Maligawatte, Mattakuliya, Kalubowila, Hill Street Dehiwala, Rajagiriya, Kolonnawa, Ratmalana, Wattala, Kaluthara, Dhargatown, Malwana, Thihariya, Pulichchakulam, Siyabalagaskotuwa, Hemmathagama, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Muttur and Thoppur. Amana Bank customers have convenient access to cash withdrawals at over 5400 ATMs island-wide enabled through LankaPay.

Commenting on the commissioning of the five new ATMs, the Bank’s Chief Operating Officer Imtiaz Iqbal said “Having established these Self Banking Centres initially facilitating only cash deposits, we have found over time that these localities show a lot of prospects for our people friendly banking model and we are happy to now enable cash withdrawals with the installation of these ATMs.”

Amana Bank PLC is a stand-alone institution licensed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange with Jeddah-based IsDB Group being the principal shareholder having a 29.97% shareholding of the Bank. The IsDB Group is a ‘AAA’ rated multilateral development financial institution with a membership of 57 countries. Testifying its position as a leading practitioner of the non-interest based banking model, Amana Bank is recognised amongst the Top 50 Strongest Islamic Bank’s in the World by The Asian Banker. Amãna Bank does not have any subsidiaries, associates, or affiliated institutions.

 

 



 

 

 


April 19, 2022
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5min

 



 

 

 

18 April 2022, Colombo, Sri Lanka: In line with its strategy to grow its presence, enhance financial inclusivity and promote digital transactions, DFCC Bank, the Bank for Everyone, unveiled its 25th offsite ATM/CRM at the Templeburg Industrial Zone in Panagoda, recently. The offsite access point was officially unveiled and inaugurated amidst a special opening ceremony, which was attended by high-ranking senior management officials from DFCC Bank, along with officials representing Templeburg Industrial Zone and selected customers. Catering to the 34 companies and over 5,000 employees located within the zone, and the public within a 3km radius of the location, DFCC Bank’s new offsite ATM/CRM aims to enhance customer and public access to convenient digital financial services while reducing the need to travel long distances.

Discussing the new offsite access point, SVP – Head of Retail Banking and SME, Mr  Aasiri Iddamalgoda said, “The Templeburg Industrial Zone is a major complex that houses 34 companies and thousands of employees. We understood that many people face difficulties inconveniently accessing financial services, while also requiring access to cash services. It also came to our attention that productivity was being affected as individuals had to take a short leave to perform their banking activities. Thus, as the Bank for Everyone, we saw an opportunity to not just provide convenient access to digital and cash banking services, but also to increase financial inclusivity, in line with our 2030 sustainability goals. Thus, we are very pleased to empower the companies and workers in the zone, along with the public in the area, through our new offsite cash-deposit capable ATM and digital payment kiosk “Pay & Go“ at the Templeburg Industrial Zone. We are also supporting businesses through DFCC iConnect, our class-leading comprehensive digital cash management solution, and other SME banking products.”

DFCC Bank’s new offsite access point features a state-of-the-art CRM machine that allows customers and the public to make withdrawals from any bank account and cash deposits to DFCC Bank accounts. Additionally, DFCC Customers can use it to make card and cardless bill payments and transfers to utilities and payments to DFCC Credit Cards. In addition to the CRM, DFCC Bank has also installed a Pay and Go machine that provides the public with easy access to digital mobile reloads, utility bill payments and institutional payments for insurance, leasing and more. The mobile reload facility, which covers all telecom operators, will be a huge convenience for workers, who often face challenges to obtain their reloads, as the nearest reload point is 1km away from the Zone. Workers and others within the Zone can now also easily open one of DFCC Bank’s salary proposition accounts, such as Salary Partner or Salary Plus, to enjoy the many benefits of these accounts, through this access point.

Commenting on the initiative, VP – Digital Strategy at DFCC Bank Mr Dinesh Jebamani added, “Digital banking and digital inclusivity is pivotal for us at DFCC Bank as it is the future of banking. Today, people expect the bank to come to them, not the other way round. However, some transactions still need to be performed in cash, either due to necessity or preference. Thus, our new offsite access point provides a hybrid solution acting as both a cash and digital transaction point, providing next-level convenience, and uninterrupted 24/7 access to financial services for the thousands of workers and area residents. Furthermore, it also provides a fast, quick and hassle-free way for companies within the Zone to handle their daily cash transactions and utility payments.”

 



 

 

 


April 1, 2022
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4min

 



 

 

 

DMS (Data Management Systems Pvt Ltd), now in its 45th year of Systems Integration operations, unveiled Diebold Nixdorf’s advanced DN series of Cash Recycling Machines (CRMs) and ATMs at a well attended 2-day event held in Colombo. Diebold Inc. USA with a 160-year heritage acquired Wincor-Nixdorf of Germany a few years ago, creating Diebold Nixdorf the world’s largest CRM and ATM manufacturer with worldwide presence and support.

DMS is the acknowledged pioneer in the transfer of technology to Sri Lanka having introduced many IT products, software, and services to Sri Lanka and representing the world’s leading IT brands. DMS has been Diebold Nixdorf’s Distributor since 1998 and exhibited the new advanced family of DN200 series CRMs and DN100 series ATMs to all the banks in Sri Lanka, having introduced CRMs to both Sri Lanka and the Maldives in 2015. DMS provides 24-hour maintenance and support services for CRMs and ATMs, 7 days a week, in both countries.

Highlights of DN200 series CRMs include the world’s most advanced recycling engine which has the ability to deposit and withdraw up to 300 currency notes in a bundle which is 50% greater capacity than available on other machines,15% greater currency storage capacity (3,500 notes per currency cassette) when compared with other machines, Touch-enabled 19 inch and 15-inch consumer screens with privacy, optional illuminated privacy panels to prevent others viewing data displayed on the consumer screen, enhanced security features that include cash slot, face, and environmental surveillance cameras, a small footprint saving on floor space requirements, Dip, Motorized EMV, and contactless NFC card readers, 2D barcode readers to enable utility bill payments, ADA compliance with braille features together with an audio jack for headphones to enable voice guidance.

The new DN100 series ATMs have the smallest footprint while offering 15-inch touch consumer screens, greater currency storage capacity with up to 5 currency cassettes, Dip, Motorized EMV, and contactless NFC card readers, 2D barcode readers, ADA compliance, braille features, and an audio jack for headphones to enable voice guidance.

Greater currency storage capacity on both lines of products delivers reduced interaction with these machines for bank branch staff and CIT personnel leading to lower operational costs. All DN200 and DN100 series machines are available in walk-up and drive-up versions with front and rear load/service and lobby variations with Through-the-Wall options combined with exterior weatherproof models.

Also introduced was the DN Vynamic Security Software Suite for CRMs and ATMs consisting of Device monitoring, Intrusion Protection, Access Protection, Hard Disk Encryption, etc., and DN’s All Connect Data Engine (ACDE) which is a core enabler for DN CRM and ATM Maintenance and Availability services that increase efficiency in incident resolution, optimizing wear-and-tear maintenance and detecting impending failures to fix before they occur.

The deployment of these solutions reinforces DMS’s established reputation of introducing innovative technology solutions that benefit both the citizens and banks in Sri Lanka.

 



 

 

 

 


January 5, 2022
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3min




 

 

The automated cash dispensing network of the Commercial Bank of Ceylon which comprises of ATMs and Cash Recycler Machines (CRMs) dispensed a mammoth Rs 91.872 billion in December, as Sri Lankans celebrated the festive season and prepared for 2022.

On 31st December, the network dispensed Rs 4.234 billion, a single-day figure surpassed only by the disbursements of 9th and 10th April 2021, Sri Lanka’s benchmark private sector bank reported. On 16 days in December, the network dispensed more than Rs 3 billion per day, with the highest single-day disbursements recorded on 31st December, 10th December and 24th December.

Emphatically demonstrating the indispensable role it plays in the lives of Sri Lankans as well as the reliability and robustness of the network, Commercial Bank’s ATMs and CRMs dispensed a total of Rs 848.427 billion in 2021 at a monthly average of Rs 70.7 million, the Bank said.

Comprising of 625 ATMs and 275 CRMs, the Commercial Bank’s automated cash dispensing network processed 5.3 million transactions in December 2021 at an average of 170,933 transactions per day, or 7,122 transactions per hour. On 24th December, the number of transactions processed totalled 241,427, the highest single-day figure for 2021.

Commercial Bank is Sri Lanka’s first 100% carbon neutral bank, the first Sri Lankan bank to be listed among the Top 1000 Banks of the World and the only Sri Lankan bank to be so listed for 11 years consecutively. The Bank operates a network of 268 branches in Sri Lanka, and its ATM/CRM network is the largest automated cash dispensing system owned by a single private bank in the country. Commercial Bank is the largest lender to Sri Lanka’s SME sector and is a leader in digital innovation in the country’s Banking sector. The Bank’s overseas operations encompass Bangladesh, where the Bank operates 19 outlets; Myanmar, where it has a Microfinance company in Nay Pyi Taw; and the Maldives, where the Bank has a fully-fledged Tier I Bank with a majority stake.

 

 

 




 

 


April 27, 2020
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4min

Sri Lankans confined to their homes by the COVID-19 pandemic were able to withdraw money virtually at their doorsteps thanks to the deployment of mobile ATM units by the Commercial Bank of Ceylon.

The Bank’s mobile cash service units traversed a total of 119 different routes in three weeks and covered 672 locations, reaching homes in many areas where travelling to a bank branch was not possible due to the curfew.

Sri Lanka’s largest private bank reports that these units processed more than 6,000 transactions during this period, enabling customers to make withdrawals as well as deposits and to check their account balances, while adhering to the safety precautions advised by the government.



The Rs 100 million dispensed by the Bank’s mobile units was in addition to the very much larger amounts withdrawn from its ATM network in locations and at times where the curfew was relaxed, the Bank said.

Total withdrawals between 1st and 20th April from the mobile units deployed by the Bank exceeded Rs 103 million, while the units received deposits of more than Rs 8.9 million during this period, demonstrating the important role they played in supporting the banking needs of people.

Commercial Bank’s Bank-on-Wheels units offer the convenience of cash withdrawals via ATM cards as well as passbooks, in addition to other basic over-the-counter banking services. The Bank also has mobile units that only offer the services of ATM terminals. Apart from these units, the Bank also deployed several vehicles with Point-of-Sale (POS) machines to enhance the penetration of this service in the on-going curfew situation.

Besides these units, Commercial Bank opened all branches located in areas where the curfew was temporarily lifted to provide essential banking services, and also operated a select number of branches during curfew times for staff to attend to the most urgent requirements of customers.

In March this year Commercial Bank also made it easier for customers to access its Online Banking portal and to open ‘Flash’ Digital Accounts by permitting self-registration for these facilities, removing the need to visit a branch to get started.

The first Sri Lankan Bank to be listed among the Top 1000 Banks of the World and the only Sri Lankan bank to be so listed for nine years consecutively, Commercial Bank is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The Bank, which won more than 50 international and local awards in 2019, operates a network of 268 branches and 865 ATMs in Sri Lanka.

Commercial Bank’s overseas operations encompass Bangladesh, where the Bank operates 19 outlets; Myanmar, where it has a Representative Office in Yangon and a Microfinance company in Nay Pyi Taw; and the Maldives, where the Bank has a fully-fledged Tier I Bank with a majority stake.



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Lanka Business News is amongst the leading online Business News portals in Sri Lanka, unique for its focus on contemporary business news relevant across multiple industries operating in the country. We present not only the news, but a perspective based on observations and possible implications of a prevailing news item. LBN also provides an insight to the impact of a global economic or industrial development, thus helping stakeholders make informed and calculated decisions.




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