Feb
HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) and its fully owned subsidiary HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) posted a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 910 Mn for the year ended 31stDecember 2017, depicting a steady growth of 41% in comparison with the PAT of Rs.647 Mn recorded in 2016. The Group recorded a Gross Written Premium (GWP) of Rs 7.82 Bn, signifying a growth of 17% as contrasted with the GWP of Rs. 6.65 Bn recorded in the financial year 2016. The Parent Company, HNB Assurance PLC recorded a GWP of Rs 3.96 Bn and the subsidiary, HNB General Insurance Limited recorded a GWP of Rs. 3.86 BN. The Group was able to yield an Interest and Dividend Income of Rs. 1,693 Mn, showcasing a growth of 43%against an Interest and Dividend Income of Rs. 1,180 Mn achieved during the previous year. Total Assets of the Group reached a mark of Rs. 18.65 Bn and Investments in Financial Instruments reached a value of Rs 15.05 Bn. During the course of 2017, the Life Insurance Fund reached a value of Rs. 10.9 Bn and the General Insurance Fund reached a value of Rs 2.38 Bn. Expressing her views on the solid financial performance during the year under review, Chairperson of HNB Assurance Group, Mrs. Rose Cooray stated “the Group delivered a superlative financial performance during the course of 2017, depicting a steady flow of revenue generation and accelerating progress towards achieving our corporate goals during 2017. The Management guided by the Board has meticulously executed a well-crafted plan that focused on creating value to all stakeholders. Not only have we been able to fulfil the aspirations of the shareholders, the Group paid out Rs 2.29 Bn in claims and have focused on rewarding its employees, while contributing towards society through various corporate stewardship initiatives and we are confident that this growth we’ve embarked on will continue during 2018”. Sharing his thoughts on the Group’s financial performance, Managing Director/CEO of HNBA and HNBGI Mr. Deepthi Lokuarachchi stated “the strategies deployed during the course of 2017 led the Group capture emerging and dynamic markets. The Group was able to maintain its solid industry position throughout the course of 2017, despite the volatile macro-economic conditions and heightened competition. The financial growth of HNBA Group in 2017 has been consistent throughout the year. The positive growth momentum of these financial results was triggered by the strategic investments of the Group and the dynamicpolicies followed in underwriting risk. The General Insurance business showcased an exponential growth during the course of 2017, surpassing the growth rates of the industry. HNBGI was able to achieve this outstanding growth as a result of its well-focused risk selection, effective management of claims settlement as well as its pricing strategy. It is noteworthy, that both the Life and General Insurance businesses took great measures in settling claims, especially claims pertaining to catastrophes such as floods and epidemics such as Dengue. The Management of HNBA Group remains confident of its future outlook and in seizing every opportunity to further consolidate the Group’s financial standing”.
Feb
HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) announced the launch of another revolutionary product to its product portfolio recently. HNBA Araksha, aLife Insurance product which focuses purely on the protection element,providinga range of benefits to safeguard the family of the Life Assured when uncertainty strikes. Sharing his views on the importance of protection based products in our market, Managing Director/CEO of HNBA and its fully owned subsidiary HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI),Mr. Deepthi Lokuarachchi stated “In today’s fast-paced world individuals’ face unforeseen tragediesthatleavestheir families and loved ones exposed to tremendous emotional stress coupled withfinancial burden.It is in theirbest interest to take sufficientmeasures to facesuchuncertaintiesassociated with life. We often cannot do this ourselves and that’s whereLife Insurance comes into play to easeour loved ones of the burden of financial stress.HNBA Araksha is our way of helping individualsin the very act of protectingthemselves as well astheir loved ones”. Mr. Lokuarachchi further added,“The Management of HNBA has put in great efforts to develop a product which purely focuses on the protection aspect of the Policyholder and HNBA Araksha is a product developed with the expertise of a team of professionals with a thorough understanding of the behavioral and psychological aspects of our community. The product has been developed upon the analysis of current market trends, the real need of our community and the existing gaps in fulfilling the insurance needs of the community. And we strongly believe that a product of this nature would empower families to strike through, even during times of uncertainties”. Sharing views on the product attributes, Chief Operating Officer of HNBA Mr. Prasantha Fernando stated “HNBA Arakshaoffers a range of special benefits. The product offers a minimum lump-sum of LKR 5 MN and amonthly incomebetweenLKR25,000.00 -200,000.00for a maximumperiodof 10 years to the family upon the demise of the life assured. In addition to these main features, customers could opt fora number of additional covers such as Critical Illness, Medical Reimbursement and Total Permanent Disabilitycovers.Furthermore,an extension ofCritical Illness and Medical Reimbursement covers could also be obtained for spouse and children,subject to conditions. This product could be obtained through our Advisors and Bancassurance Officers who are well-versed in assessing and providing the best Life Insurance solutions to fulfill one’s protection needs”.
Feb
Contemporary business practices in the 21stcentury revolvesaround business ethicsand corporate social responsibility.Every businessventurestrivesto do „good‟especially within thecommunities which they operate in.Challengingthe established corporate norm and the clichéd meaning of „corporate social responsibility‟, HNB Assurance (HNBA) drove many CSR initiativesduring the course of 2017to portray thetruemeaning of being a socially responsible corporatecitizen.
Sharing his views, Managing Director/CEO of HNBA and its fully owned subsidiary HNB General Insurance Limited, Deepthi Lokuarachchi stated “as a businessfocused onprotectionand wellbeing ofpeople, we challenge ourselvesto drivesocial and environmental change.The Grouppays great emphasis on the communitywhichit operates in, the environment and its people.Great efforts are made across the Groupto ensurethateverypossible measureis taken to minimize the impact on the environmentand uplift the lives ofpeople. The Grouphas categorized its corporate philanthropy into sevenmain focus areas. Our ultimate goalis to protect our community and help them smileand with every step taken, we strike tocreate a meaningfuldifference andenrich the living standards of thepeople”.
Under the award winning Water Stewardship program of the Company 04 schools were provided access to clean drinking water during the year, bringingthe total of such facilities provided to 50 schools with over 6,500 students. Speaking on the CSR activities of the Company, Dinesh Yogaratnam, Head of Marketing of HNBA and HNBGI stated, “Amongst several other
significant CSR initiatives, HNBA sponsored the Deaf Cricket Team of Sri Lanka for the 3rdAsia Deaf Cricket Cup which was held in Hyderabad, Indiaunder the category of sports. The Company provided financial assistance to veteran artists during 2017 under the category of arts and culture. We have beena part of a school rehabilitation program which focused on developing infrastructure of underprivileged schools and has provided multiple scholarships for university students under the category of education.Our Corporate Stewardship initiatives endeavors to touch as many lives as possible in areas that we feel has the most pressing need. We will continue to do our part, in our own way to help enliven and uplift the lives of those in our community”.