HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) and its wholly owned subsidiary HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) ended 2022 in spectacular fashion with the Group figures indicating a growth in Profit After Tax (PAT) of 50% to Rs 1,830.5 Mn for the year ended December 2022 compared to Rs 1,223.6 Mn recorded a year earlier. In terms of Gross Written Premium (GWP), the Group recorded Rs 15.6 Bn growing by a handsome 24% compared to the previous year. “I certainly am elated by the performance of both companies in a year of unprecedented challenges” said Mrs. Rose Cooray, Chairperson of HNBA and HNBGI sharing her views on the Group’s performance, and pointed out that at a Group level, GWP grew by 24% to Rs 15.6 Bn as a result of the very aggressive strategies of new business acquisition that were put in place by HNBA and HNBGI, taking into account the volatilities that were prevalent in the socio economic and political fronts. “While the Group Assets surpassed the 40 Billion mark to reach Rs. 41.1 Bn with a growth of 15%, the Earnings Per Share (EPS) grew by 50% to Rs 12.20 compared to Rs 8.16 as at the end of 2021. The Group has been able to honour maturities and claims to the tune of Rs 5.6 Bn growing by 36% compared to the previous year”. Mrs. Cooray added “these results and the many awards that both companies won during the year are the outcome of keen management insight and strategies that have been put in place and implemented meticulously, and also augurs well for the performance of the two new CEO’s who took office at the beginning of the year. I resonate the sentiments of the Board in congratulating the teams of both companies for their stellar performance and reassure all our stakeholders that we will continue to add value to them into the future as well. The Group, whilst acquiring the latest in terms of technological capabilities have implemented many initiatives to rationalize their cost structures to ensure that resource utilization is at its optimal level”. In terms of the Life Businesses PAT, the Company was able to reach 1,483.6 Mn growing by an impressive 48% compared to Rs. 1,000.5 Mn recorded a year earlier, whilst in terms of GWP the Company recorded a growth of 26% to reach Rs. 8.9Bn by the year end, which in fact is the highest growth when compared with the top 8 players in the industry, whilst growth in terms of New Business achieved is 10 times more than that of the industry average. Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, CEO of HNBA sharing his thoughts on the performance of the Company stated, “this has been a remarkable year for us, not only have we been able to grow in terms of all our financial indicators; we have also had the honour of being the only Sri Lankan insurer to be listed amongst the top 70 best workplaces in Asia by Great Place to Work. Apart from this, we have won many awards during the year including Gold Award for Service Sector at the CNCI Achiever Awards as well as other awards for Digital Marketing, Financial Reporting, and also for our Bancassurance Operation. The Life Fund has reached Rs 24.4 Bn while the total assets of the Company has reached Rs 33.7 Bn and an increase of Return on Equity (ROE)by 22% as at the end of 2022.” Speaking further, Mr Wimalaratne added, “the Company has made much headway in terms of increasing the output and efficiencies of both the Advisor and the Partnership business channels. The Company was able to produce 194 MDRT qualifiers with 4 TOT’s and 12 COT qualifiers including the Company’s first MDRT Lifetime Member. The Company whilst unveiling its premier health proposition SupremeHealth Unlimited during the year, which enables customers to have the best medical treatment both here and overseas, also rolled out its new branch outlook at three strategic locations offering both customers and employees the best in terms of aesthetics, ergonomics, and convenience”. “All in all”, he reiterated “the Company is well on course to reach its 5 year plan and thanked the Board, Sales force and staff for their untiring efforts in this remarkable achievement”, and re-emphasized the Company’s commitment to its customers and all stakeholders in adding value to them. HNBGI saw its GWP reach Rs. 6.8Bn growing by 21% over 2021. Mr Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNBGI stated that the General Insurance business has done well amidst many a challenge with almost no new vehicle registrations and a contraction in trade and commerce, whilst also grappling with an ever-increasing claims costs. The Company’s PAT grew by 33% to Rs. 450.4 Mn from Rs. 338.1 Mn recorded a year earlier. The Company saw a healthy rise in Total Assets which grew by 13% and a ROE of 20% as at the year end. A noteworthy fact was also the improvement of the Non-Motor segment which demonstrated a growth of 46% from the previous year. Further, the Company was the recipient of the Service Sector Silver Award at the CNCI Achiever Awards in 2022 and stands as testament to the overall performance of the Company Mr. Jayasundara further went on to add, “in the business of insurance the claim becomes the moment of truth for the customer, and we have been able to take some giant strides in offering a superlative claim settlement process, we have been able to reduce claim processing and settlement times and also have very successfully incorporated digitally enabled claim intimation process adding much convenience to the customer. Our efforts in this regard have won us acclaim by the Global Banking and Finance Review in being awarded the Best Claims Management Team Sri Lanka in 2022 auguring well for the soundness of the measures that have been put in place. Our aim in the next 4 years is to get to a market share of 10%, this is a journey that we embarked upon at the beginning of this year, and I am happy to state that we firmly are on course in this regard. I wish to thank the staff and all the intermediaries for the support extended to help us achieve the results we did”. HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) is one of the fastest growing Insurance Companies in Sri Lanka with a network of 64 branches. HNBA is a Life Insurance company with a rating of 'A-' (lka) by Fitch Ratings Lanka for 'National Insurer Financial Strength Rating'. Following the introduction of the segregation rules by the Insurance Regulator, HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) was created and commenced its operations in January 2015; HNBGI continues to specialize in motor, non-motor and Takaful insurance solutions and is a fully owned subsidiary of HNB Assurance PLC. HNB General Insurance has been assigned a 'National Insurer Financial Strength Rating' of 'A-' (lka) by Fitch Ratings Lanka Limited. HNBA is rated within the Top 100 brands and Top 100 companies in Sri Lanka by LMD and HNB Assurance has won international awards for Brand Excellence, Digital Marketing and HR Excellence including the Great Place To Work® Certification, and won many awards for its Annual Reports at award ceremonies organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.
Oct
Four renowned industry players, Macksons Solar, Hatton National Bank (HNB), HNB Assurance (HNBA) and HNB General Insurance (HNBGI) have come together to form a collaboration to provide Sri Lankan customers with a solution which blends solar technology with flexible financing solutions and all-around insurance coverage, making it easier than ever for customers to switch to clean energy and secure their investment.Mr. Sajjaad Saliheen, CEO of Macksons Power and Energy, highlighted the importance of this collaboration, starting, “For us, this collaboration is about empowering Sri Lankans to take control of their energy requirements in a sustainable manner. By teaming up with HNB, HNB Assurance and HNB General Insurance, we are offering a complete package, which includes a proven and high-quality product, the ease of financing and the peace of mind ensuring that our customer’s investment is well secured. I must take a moment to thank all our partners for coming onboard and the teams who worked tirelessly to bring this solution to the market, which I believe will truly be a game-changer for us.”Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, CEO of HNB Assurance shared his thoughts about the collaboration, stating,"This collaboration is particularly unique for us, given the level of customization required. However, we were eager to adapt and meet those specific needs, as it aligns with our commitment to innovation and flexibility in providing tailored insurance solutions. As one of the fastest-growing insurance companies in Sri Lanka, we are excited to partner with Macksons Holdings on this venture, which we believe will set a new standard in the industry both in terms of insurance and solar."The collaboration was officially launched through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking the start of an exciting new chapter which aims to offer Sri Lankans a unique solution, combining Macksons Solar’s cutting-edge solar technology, HNB’s financing options and the comprehensive insurance packages from HNB Assurance and HNB General Insurance. This unique combination ensures that anyone making the shift to solar can do so confidently, knowing they’re covered from every angle.“What excited us the most about this collaboration is that, by joining forces with Macksons Solar, HNB, and HNB General Insurance, we are creating a comprehensive solution that goes beyond just insurance. We are integrating financial security, renewable energy and risk management into one offering”, stated Mr. Harindra Ramasinghe, Chief Business Officer Advisor Distribution Channel of HNB Assurance. “I must thank the entire Macksons Holdings team along with our project coordinator, parent company HNB and also HNB General Insurance for joining hands in this collaboration to form this unique collaboration.”Details on solar solutions can be obtained by contacting Macksons Solar on 0704001199 and for information on HNB Assurance’s insurance covers contact 1301.
Read MoreOct
HNB Assurance signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SMIB, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership aimed at offering financial security solutions for their customers. This collaboration will help deliver tailored products that meet the needs of SMIB’s borrowing customers as well as providing them with comprehensive life insurance coverage.CEO of HNB Assurance, Mr. Lasitha Wimalratne, sharing his views on this partnership, stated, “We are thrilled to team up with SMIB to offer integrated financial solutions that prioritize the well-being of their customers. This MOU is yet another step towards our vision of creating a more secure financial future for individuals and their families through the formation of a Partnership. We believe that by working together, we can make insurance more accessible and relevant to all."CEO of SMIB, Mr.Thushara Asurananna, shared similar sentiments, stating, "Our partnership with HNB Assurance is crucial as we strive to enhance our product portfolio and offer the best possible solutions to our customers. I certainly believe, through partnerships such as this, we can provide our customers with a more comprehensive financial service while ensuring they have the protection they seek. As we partner HNB Assurance, I’m certain that together, we can deliver exceptional value and a great service to our customers enabling them financial stability and peace of mind."Through this partnership, HNBA will work closely with SMIB to integrate insurance solutions into their product offerings, ensuring that customers have access to financial protection that aligns with their needs. This collaboration will mainly facilitate Decreasing Term Assurance (DTA) while also focusing on creating a seamless experience for customers seeking financial security in various aspects of their lives.Mr. Sanesh Fernando, Chief Business Officer - Partnerships of HNB Assurance, added, "This partnership is yet another example of our commitment to widen our reach and deliver significant benefits to all stakeholders involved. At HNB Assurance we have a proven track record, being recognized as the Best Life Bancassurance Provider for four consecutive years by the Global Banking and Finance Review. Similar to our other partnerships, our goal is to create a hassle-free experience that empowers customers to safeguard their financial futures. My sincere thanks to the management of SMIB and all the teams from HNBA involved for their support in bringing this partnership to life.”
Read MoreOct
HNB Assurance PLC made history by hosting its Partnership Awards 2024 on an international stage for the very first time. Held at the prestigious Berkeley Hotel in Bangkok, the event brought together over 100 participants, including HNB and HNB Assurance staff, Bancassurance Officers and their families, for a night of celebration, recognition and appreciation. The Partnership Awards, a key annual event for HNB Assurance, is about acknowledging the exceptional contributions of the company’s partnership channel, which has played a critical role in the overall company’s growth. This year’s event was special, as it was the first time an awards ceremony of this nature was held outside Sri Lanka—an exciting milestone which reflects HNB Assurance’s growth and ambitious leadership and vision. Speaking at the event, Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, CEO of HNB Assurance shared his excitement about the channel’s achievements: “It’s a proud moment for us to be here in Thailand, celebrating the hard work and remarkable milestones of our partnership channel which has shown remarkable growth over the past couple of years. The journey of crossing the LKR 5 billion Gross Written Premium milestone is no small feat and the fact that our partnership channel now contributes almost 46% of our total GWP shows just how vital its role is, in our success. As we move ahead, we must strive to push our boundaries by staying innovative and focusing on customer satisfaction. So, congratulations to all the award winners and teams behind organizing this gala event.”Mr. Supun Dias, Assistant General Manager, Network Business of Hatton National Bank, attending the ceremony as the Guest of Honor, opined, “It truly is remarkable to see the progress HNB Assurance has made over the years. To grow year after year within a challenging economic landscape is no easy task. I am confident that with this momentum, HNB Assurance will continue to achieve greater success and set new benchmarks in the industry. It’s an exciting time and journey ahead for us as the HNB group and I’m extremely proud to be here to witness this milestone."HNB Assurance was recognized as the best Life Bancassurance Provider by the Global Banking and Finance Review for four consecutive years. Further the bancassurance team recorded an impressive milestone of 122 MDRT qualifiers out of a sales force of over 200.“What makes this event special is that we’re not just celebrating numbers, we’re celebrating our people” stated Mr. Sanesh Fernando, Chief Business Officer Partnerships. “It’s been a privilege to watch our Bancassurance Officers grow and achieve new heights each year. This event in Thailand is a reflection of just how far we’ve come together and I certainly believe that the best is yet to come. Recording 122 MDRT qualifiers including 17 COTs and 02 TOTs last year and being recognized as the Best Life Bancassurance Provider on four consecutive occasions is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team. While these achievements highlight the exceptional talent within our Bancassurance channel, I have no doubt that we will continue reach even greater heights in the future. Finally, I’d like to take a moment to thank our parent company Hatton National Bank along with our other partner banks, financial institutions and broker network for their continued support.”
Read More