Building growth: HNB-UMG collaboration for agri and construction sector equipment financing

HNB Head of Retail Banking, Kanchana Karunagama (fifth from left) and UMG Managing Director/COO, Asiri Walisundara (sixth from left) exchanging the MoU in the presence of (from left): HNB Bank Associate, Sithum Kodithuwakku, HNB Executive, Viraj De Silva, HNB Product Manager, Mahesh Ratnayake, HNB Head of Leasing, Udara Pathinayake, UMG Head of Division – Agri, Deepal Illangasinghe, UMG Sales Manager, Nuwan Abeyrathne, UMG Senior Finance Executive, Thamasha Liyanage and UMG Assistant Manager Administration, Taneesha Ranasinghe.

HNB PLC, Sri Lanka’s leading private sector bank, recently announced a landmark partnership with United Mercury Group (UMG), a leading supplier of agricultural and construction machinery.

This strategic collaboration aims to revolutionize the accessibility of high-quality equipment for farmers and construction professionals through innovative leasing solutions. The partnership was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at HNB Towers, attended by senior officials and representatives from both organizations.

“”As Sri Lanka sharpens its focus on agriculture, our partnership with UMG comes at a crucial time. At HNB, we’ve always backed farmers and agribusinesses with tailored support. This collaboration takes our commitment further, offering innovative financial solutions to help grow the sector sustainably. By nurturing agriculture, we’re not just boosting exports – we’re planting seeds for a stronger economy and better food security for all Sri Lankans.” said HNB Head of Retail Banking, Kanchana Karunagama.

The partnership aims to provide curated leasing packages with low-interest rates, tailor-made to fit the boundaries of each and every customer’s budget. Additionally, cardholders will be able to enjoy special discounts on all agricultural heavy machinery, servicing, spare parts, tires, and batteries.

“In these challenging economic times, boosting exports and national growth is vital. Teaming up with HNB, a leader in supporting agriculture and construction, we’re doing more than just selling equipment. We’re making top-notch machinery accessible through flexible financing and robust after-sales support. This partnership aims to equip our farmers and builders with the tools they need to work smarter and produce more. By empowering these key sectors, we’re helping build a stronger, more resilient Sri Lanka,” said UMG Managing Director/COO Asiri Walisundara.

This partnership builds upon HNB’s ongoing efforts to support Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector, following successful collaborations with other leading agricultural equipment suppliers. The Matador range of combine harvesters and construction machinery, known for their reliability and efficiency, are expected to significantly boost productivity in the agriculture and construction sectors.

The partnership introduces two major offers. For the Matador Combine Harvester, customers will benefit from a comprehensive package that includes a one-year or 600-meter hour warranty covering the Engine, Gear Box, HST System, and Chassis. The offer also includes five free services, with labor and transportation to the job site included. Additionally, customers will receive Rs 50,000 worth of spare parts and a tool box at no extra charge, along with a 20% discount on spare parts during the lease period.

The Matador Construction Machinery package is equally impressive, featuring a one-year or 2000-meter hour warranty on the Engine, Hydraulic System, and Transmission. Customers will enjoy three free services, including labor and transportation to the job site, as well as free inspections every 250 hours during the warranty period. After the one-year free service package, a 10% discount on spare parts will continue to provide value to customers.

UMG has also demonstrated its commitment to customer satisfaction with a unique buyback agreement. In the event of default on lease installments, UMG will repurchase the machinery by paying the outstanding capital amount, subject to proper operation and maintenance conditions.

Customers can also enjoy insurance premiums by HNB general insurance, which offers free life insurance cover worth Rs. 4.5 Mn to cover accidental deaths for HNB customers for Agri machinery leases. Moreover, HNB Assurance will offer Rs 600,000/- worth of Natural Death Insurance cover.

By providing easier access to advanced equipment, HNB and UMG are contributing to the modernization and growth of these vital industries. Farmers and construction professionals interested in these offers are encouraged to visit their nearest HNB branch or UMG showroom for more information.

With 254 customer centers, HNB is one of Sri Lanka’s largest and most technologically innovative private banks. Consolidating its legacy in sustainability, good governance, and corporate excellence, HNB was crowned the Best Corporate Citizen for 2022 at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Best Corporate Citizen Awards. Other significant accolades include being named the “Best Automobile Financing Bank in the Asia-Pacific Region” for their commitment to grassroots and farming communities through value-added leasing agreements with reputed agribusiness partners, as well as “Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka” for the 14th time by The Asian Banker. HNB was also declared the “Best SME Bank” by Asiamoney Magazine and secured a Top 5 position on Business Today’s Top 40 rankings for 2023.