Business Banking

Standard Chartered Bank launches Barrier Free Access Handbook

Standard Chartered Bank launched their Barrier Free Access Handbook at the Hilton Colombo, coinciding with the International Day of Disabled Persons yesterday.

The handbook was developed and funded by Standard Chartered Bank in Association with the Employers Federation of Ceylon.

The purpose of this handbook is to provide the employment sector in Sri Lanka with an easy reference for creating barrier free access within the built environment to enable people with disabilities to integrate into the workforce.

Government legislation is now in place which compels organisations to incorporate accessibility features into their new constructions, while allowing for a time line in which existing buildings must be appropriately modified. With the publication of this handbook, individual organisations have been spared the leg-work in having to carry out independent research and sift through volumes of information in their endeavours to 'comply', thereby saving considerable resources.

It will also result in a higher degree of standardisation and interpretation as the handbook was developed in consultation with advisors in Accessibility and Architecture and complies with government legislation.

"The EFC congratulates Standard Chartered Bank in taking this initiative to publish this Handbook which sets out guidelines to employers in making their workplaces more accessible to disabled persons," Director General of the Employers Federation of Ceylon Ravi Pieris said.

Apart from the fact that these guidelines are also reflected in the law (Protection of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act No.28 of 1996), employers will have the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment towards establishing a more inclusive society," he added.

Standard Chartered Bank has a long tradition of serving the community in a manner that extends well beyond its core business as a financial institution. In maintaining this tradition, the Bank yet again, through education and example, plays a leading role towards creating positive change in the community.

In keeping with its commitment to diversity and inclusion, Standard Chartered Bank decided to formulate the Barrier Free Access Handbook, based on the Disabled Persons (Accessibility) regulations of Sri Lanka.

CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Clive Haswell said, "I am optimistic that the Barrier Free Access Handbook will act as a catalyst in proliferating the adaptation of Accessibility principles across the corporate world and beyond, in Sri Lanka. The barriers in the workplace that exist today are largely due to barriers of the human mind, and this Handbook is a vital tool for eliminating both."

The handbook provides the necessary technical information required for creating a barrier free built environment. It also contains information on understanding the issue of people with disabilities and why it is imperative to include them in the workforce.

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Bharti Airtel, Western Union pilot mobile money transfer in India

In a first-of-its kind agreement, Bharti Airtel and Western Union have decided to jointly develop and pilot a Mobile Money Transfer service in India.

This agreement will usher in the possibility of sending money to India via the mobile phone.

Western Union agents presently provide cash remittance services in India. The mobile money transfer service is subject to regulatory approval.

According to The World Bank, the number of immigrants globally is in the region of 200 million - approximately 3% of the world's population. The World Bank also identifies India as the number one remittance recipient market.

Statistics from RBI (Reserve Bank of India) suggest that the inward annual remittance into India stood at over $26 billion for the financial year 2006 - 2007, accounting for 10% of global inward remittance market, which stands at $260 billion.

"We are delighted to work with Western Union in this path-breaking initiative and be at the forefront of enabling international remittance over the mobile for our 50 million mobile phone customers in India.

This will help us move remittances via the mobile in a fast and convenient way, supporting low value transactions," Gopal Vittal, Director Marketing and Communications, Bharti Airtel Limited said.

Bharti Airtel has an extensive footprint across India and Western Union, together with its affiliates Orlandi Valuta and Vigo, has more than 320,000 agent locations in more than 200 countries and territories. In India, Western Union operates through 45,000 agent locations, including 8,500 post offices and more than 14,000 bank branches across 5,000 towns and cities.

This programme will enable Indians living abroad to send remittances to their dependents in India in an easy and convenient fashion through the vast networks of both companies.

Airtel, recently received approval to launch 2G and 3G mobile services in Sri Lanka, and plans to launch local operations early next year. With just 30% mobile penetration and witnessing a steady growth of approx.

2 million mobile users per annum, Bharti Airtel sees Sri Lanka as a strategic market in its overseas expansion journey and has made an estimated investment of US$ 200 million in the Sri Lankan market.

The reach and accessibility of mobile networks in developing economies create new opportunities to extend the benefits of financial services to many families for the first time.

Mobile networks now cover the majority of the world's population. Applications that allow a mobile subscriber to view and manage funds on their handset are emerging in select countries as foundation for phone-based financial services.

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HNB opens customer centre in Ekala

Hatton National Bank opened the 165th customer centre at Minuwangoda Road, Ekala recently. The chief guest for this occasion was J M J Perera, Senior Deputy General Manager - Business Development and International of HNB J M J Perera. Assistant General Manager - Zone II, Chrishanthy Thambiah senior bank officials, government officials, local businessmen and customers were present.

Perera said "HNB as a private commercial bank has reached the pinnacle of banking success through the sheer dedication and enthusiasm of all HNB staff members working for the convenience of more than 2 million customers spread throughout the island".

The development of 165 customer centres in the country has made it possible for the bank to provide financial independence to its customers in very urban to fast developing very remote areas in the country.

With the opening of this modern customer centre, HNB will provide more convenient and modern infrastructure facilities to the customers in Ekala. This customer centre will provide the full range of commercial banking facilities which includes current/savings accounts (Pathum Vimana), import/export facilities. Singithi (minor savings accounts), Shanthi housing loans, Gami Pubuduwa loans, Credit Cards, NRFC/RFC accounts etc.

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NDB Bank opens new branch at Avissawella

Extending its operations further, NDB Bank recently opened its latest branch at Avissawella by NDB Bank's Chief Executive Officer Nihal Welikala.

Customers of NDB Bank's Avissawella branch situated at Ratnapura Road, Avissawella will have a wide range of services to choose from, particularly with recent additions to the NDB Bank's extensive product portfolio.

Among the latest additions to NDB Bank's portfolio are the NDB Bank 'Vishmitha' Savings Account which offers an interest free loan, after the completion of one year. The account holders are able to obtain 75 per cent of their average savings balance as an interest free loan once in every 12 months.

These loans can be used for any purpose. In fact, the higher the account balance, the higher the loan option, while the available savings balance receives full interest even while the loan remains outstanding.

With its comparatively high interest rate of 7 per cent paid on the daily balance, the "Vishmitha" Savings Account also offers an ATM/Debit Card free enabling customers to withdraw at any of Sri Lanka's more than 1,000 VISA enabled ATMs.

NDB Bank's tie-up with Western Union, a leader in global money transfers, has enabled customers to receive money from their loved ones overseas conveniently.

Acknowledged as the world's fastest, reliable and secure means of sending and receiving money from overseas, Western Union Money Transfer Service is available at all NDB Bank branches.

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Shop from US websites with your American Express card

American Express issued solely by Nations Trust Bank in Sri Lanka announced the launch of another innovative service - which gives cardmembers access to do their online shopping on American websites via Global eShop.

With the launch of this new service, Cardmembers living in Sri Lanka have the ability to make online purchases from predominantly American websites such as Barnes & Nobel for premier destination books and DVDs, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Pottery Barn as well as popular stores such as Toys'R'Us and Walmart all of which are a part of the Global eShop network.

An American Express Cardmember needs to fill his details through the free registration on www.global-eshop.biz/ntbsl. Once the registration process is completed on Global eShop, the Cardmember will receive a personalised U.S. address with a username and password to securely shop online.

The Cardmember can then access the site through Global eShop using his login ID and specify the personalized U.S. address -whenever the Cardmember wishes to purchase any goods from the US.