During the first half of 2023, HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) and its fully owned subsidiary, HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI), accomplished a noteworthy feat by collectively amassing a Gross Written Premium (GWP) totaling LKR 9.1 billion. This accomplishment underscores a convincing and consistent growth rate of 22% when compared to the same period last year. This growth percentage, which is more than double the industry growth demonstrates the exceptional insurance service levels and innovative product offerings of the HNBA group, even during a challenging year. Mrs. Rose Cooray, Chairperson of HNBA and HNBGI sharing her views on the Group’s H1 performance, stated, “I’m extremely delighted to note that both HNBA and HNBGI have surpassed the market GWP growth and yet again managed to exceed all expectations. To be consistent and deliver exceptional results quarter after quarter makes HNBA Group very desirable to all our customers as well as our investors. The Group delivered a remarkable 22% growth in Gross Written Premium (GWP), achieving LKR 9.1 billion, a notable increase from the LKR 7.4 billion recorded in the same period last year. We also surpassed a significant milestone of LKR 45 billion in Total Assets, simultaneously reaching a LKR 38 billion for Investments in Financial Instruments.” Mrs. Cooray, further added, “I must make mention of the inspiring leadership provided by the two CEOs and their respective corporate management teams, who have consistently demonstrated the ability to swiftly adopt and navigate through any challenge that has come our way. Proactive measures and possessing strategic foresight, has not only guaranteed the seamless continuity of our operations but also positioned us to leverage on emerging opportunities, which I’m certain will help us build on the momentum created and end this year on a very high note.” Amidst the backdrop of a complicated economic landscape, the group’s focus on new business acquisition and the pursuit of simple yet strategic objectives, coupled with an empowered sales force, has paid off during the first half of the year. Reflecting on the company performance, Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, CEO of HNBA, stated, "I’m extremely proud to note that HNBA recorded the one of the highest new business premium growth among the top 8 life insurance companies, achieving a total new business premium growth which is twice the industry's rate. Our GWP of 5.1Bn, recorded during the first half, is a 21% increase from the same period last year. Further, the Life Insurance Fund experienced impressive growth, surpassing the 4 billion mark to reach a substantial LKR 28.2 billion over the two quarters. I’m extremely thankful to my incredible sales force for this impressive feat, they have worked extremely hard to educate and earn the trust of our customers while delivering exceptional value which has been a standout feature of our performance this year.” Mr. Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNBGI, echoed similar sentiments, stating, “We at HNBGI recorded a growth of 24% when compared to the same period last year. With a GWP in excess of LKR 4 billion achieved over the first half of the year, I’m extremely happy to note that this has helped us maintain our position as one of the companies with the highest growth rates within the top 10 General Insurance companies in the country.” Despite the challenges posed by the regulatory changes along with the raising costs, Mr. Jayasundara was positive that the company can overcome these hurdles. “Our resilience and proactive approach have always been our biggest strength and I firmly believe that our team is capable of overcoming any challenge that comes our way. Also, we have a few exciting product launches and other initiatives lined up for the final half of the year and I’m personally excited to see how they unfold.”
Feb
HNB Assurance PLC was recognized with the prestigious Effie Award under the Insurance category for its groundbreaking ‘Dola Duka’ campaign. Notably, HNB Assurance was the only winner in this category, underlining the campaign’s creativity, effectiveness and impact.The ‘Dola Duka’ campaign was conceptualized to address the unique cravings of pregnant and expecting mothers, ensuring they had access to their desired food items at any time. HNB Assurance bore the delivery costs while collaborating with merchants to extend their operating hours late into the night, ensuring seamless fulfillment of these cravings. This initiative showcased the brand’s deep commitment to customer-centric innovation and redefining insurance beyond conventional boundaries.Expressing his thoughts on this achievement, CEO of HNB Assurance PLC, Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, stated, “I am truly proud of the effort that went into us winning an Effie Award, which is a testament to the meaningful impactful we managed to make. For us, ‘Dola Duka’ was more than just a campaign, it was about understanding and addressing a real need, reinforcing our promise to care for our customers beyond insurance. My congratulations to all the teams involved.”Adding to this, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer of HNBA, Mr. Dinesh Yogaratnam, commented, “This campaign reflects our ethos of innovation and customer-first thinking. ‘Dola Duka’ was designed to resonate emotionally while delivering tangible value, and this award is a validation of that success. A big thank you to our incredible partners, RN Media and Quickee.lk, for joining us on this journey and making this campaign a reality. We will continue to move forward bigger and better, creating impactful campaigns that redefine the insurance industry and enhance the lives of our customers and beyond.”
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Feb
HNB Assurance Group (HNBA and HNBGI) posted yet another year of remarkable performance, improving on its impressive growth rate maintained over the last few years. For the financial year 2024, the HNBA Group achieved a 21% increase in Gross Written Premium (GWP), growing from Rs. 18.8 Billion to Rs. 22.7 Billion. The Group also recorded a consolidated Profit After Tax (PAT) exceeding Rs. 1.8 Billion, marking a 7% growth compared to the previous year.HNB Assurance PLC's (HNBA) financial strength was highlighted by its upgraded Fitch rating, making it the only life insurance provider in Sri Lanka with an 'A' rating from Fitch Ratings Lanka. Complementing this, HNB General Insurance (HNBGI) also achieved an 'A' rating, positioning it among the few general insurance companies in Sri Lanka to earn this distinction.Chairman of HNBA Group, Mr. Stuart Chapman, commenting on the Group’s financials for the year 2024, stated, “I’m extremely proud to note that the HNBA Group has once again exceeded expectations, delivering strong results that showcase our strategic foresight and operational efficiency. In terms of our numbers, over the past four years, we have consistently delivered strong growth, with a remarkable 22% average annual increase in GWP as a Group. This achievement underlines our focus on sustainable business practices. Our share price growth of 42% at end of 2024 reflects the trust the market places in our stability. It is also remarkable to note that both HNBA and HNBGI have maintained robust capital adequacy ratios of 379% and 219%, respectively, well above the regulatory requirement of 120%.”The Group’s Funds Under Management increased by 24% in 2024, reaching Rs. 55 Billion, highlighting the strength of the investment strategy as a key pillar in maintaining the Group’s financial stability and profitability. “When it comes to Insurance, trust is an absolute must and this remains central to our operations, as evidenced by the fact that we honored claims exceeding Rs. 6.7 Billion, with 98% of complaints being resolved successfully. This track record is a direct result of the dedication and hard work of our team, along with our focus on building lasting relationships with our policyholders”, added Mr. Chapman. CEO of HNBA Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, breaking down the achievements of HNBA, stated, “Looking back at 2024, I am genuinely proud of the strides we have made as a company. Achieving a 7.5% market share is a huge milestone and we are well on our way to hitting that 10% target by 2026. Our New Business Premiums grew by 27% and our overall GWP up by 26% compared to 2024, which speaks volumes about the trust our customers place in us. Our investments also paid off, with an 8% boost in investment income, reaching Rs. 6.9 Billion.”“Personally, what stood out last year was, how we weathered challenges together. Despite the higher operating costs from our IT upgrades, we managed to close the year with a 3% growth in profits. Additionally, our Total Assets have grown by 24% to reach Rs.53 Billion with a PBT of Rs. 2.4 Billion and PAT of Rs. 1.66 Billion. I'm extremely thankful to all the teams for their collective efforts in driving our business from strength to strength,” he added.CEO of HNBGI, Mr. Sithumina Jayasundara, sharing his thoughts on the 2024 financial performance, stated, “2024 was a year of resilience and innovation for HNBGI, as we sustained our remarkable growth trajectory, doubling the industry growth rate for the fifth consecutive year. Our overall GWP growth of 14%, compared to the industry’s 6.9%, reflects the strong momentum we continue to drive. Notably, our non-motor segments surged by 24%, with Marine, Fire and Engineering Insurance achieving exceptional growth of 166% and 27% respectively, which is the highest among the top 10 General Insurers in the country. Despite challenges in the motor insurance sector, we remained agile, diversified our offerings, and secured a solid 6% growth."“One of the aspects we paid close attention to during 2024 was customer satisfaction which reflected in our renewal retention ratios of 77% for motor and 82% for non-motor segments, as well as a remarkable Net Promoter Score of 77. These figures show the trust and loyalty our customers have in us. Additionally, we achieved a 59% growth in Profit After Tax, and a market share of 7% which demonstrated the success of our strategy of driving sustainable growth in an uncertain environment. With our total assets reaching Rs. 10.2 Billion, a 7% increase, we’re confident that our approach is positioning HNBGI for long-term success.” Added, Mr. Jayasundara.
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Feb
HNB Assurance PLC entered a strategic partnership between its Partnerships Channel’s training arm, Life Campus and the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), marking a significant commitment to professional excellence and transformational learning.The Partnerships Channel at HNB Assurance has been rapidly expanding, positioning itself as a key driver of HNB Assurance’s business growth. With an increasing number of partnerships and a dynamic team dedicated to offering tailored insurance solutions, the need for continuous learning and professional development has never been greater. Recognizing this, the Life Campus was established as a dedicated training hub to equip the Partnerships Channel team including Bancassurance officers and other sales and management staff with the knowledge, skills and industry insights required to excel within its competitive market.This affiliation will offer specialized training programs, workshops and courses tailored to hone skills in sales, customer engagement and marketing, ensuring that HNB Assurance’s Partnership team is at the forefront of industry best practices.This initiative is part of HNB Assurance’s broader commitment to continuous professional development and by integrating the National Body for Marketing, SLIM’s robust training framework into Life Campus, the company is ensuring that its team remains agile, forward-thinking and ready to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
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