Q: NDB Bank recently revamped its privilege proposition. What new additions can customers expect?
A: We have always delivered the very best to our clients, which led to the recent launch of NDB Privilege Select Plus.

This offering focusses on delivering a myriad tailor-made benefits that offer true value to our ultra-high net worth clients. The enhanced offering will provide exclusive financial services to NDB’s Privilege Customers who require specialised services and individual attention.

The revamped Privilege Banking facilities provide unparalleled solutions: exclusive concierge services; financial advisory services in partnership with the bank’s group of companies – viz. NDB Wealth, NDB Securities and NDB Investment Bank; enhanced lending facilities to meet complex borrowing requirements; a curated quarterly newsletter covering emerging themes in banking and finance, as well as exclusive life and health benefits with international service providers.

NDB’s Privilege clientele can enjoy estate planning advisory services, loyalty programmes and philanthropy services to give back to the community.

Clients will also receive priority service across the NDB group network including exclusive benefits in the form of family banking and digital services, among other services designed for their convenience and comfort.

Q: Could you brief us on the recent addition of Concierge Services to the Bank’s Privilege Select Plus proposition?
A: This offering will provide our high net worth clients with exclusive assistance for both international and local support. They will enjoy uninterrupted concierge services seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., accessible via a dedicated hotline, a WhatsApp line and email.

NDB Bank’s exclusive clientele will be entitled to Quintessentially lifestyle services such as flowers, gifts, cakes and chocolate deliveries, dining recommendations and reservations, and personal shopping inclusive of global sourcing.

What’s more, NDB’s Privilege clientele will have access to unlimited travel support both globally and in Sri Lanka, such as assistance with travel arrangements, hotel and transfer reservations, car rentals, and chauffeur assistance and experiences.

Clients can also reach out to Quintessentially for assistance on selected entertainment requirements such as tickets to movies, cultural events, concerts, and local and international sporting events.

We mainly aim to provide greater access to higher quality services through Ceylon Defined by Quintessentially – a specially curated membership tier, which is only available in Sri Lanka, to enhance clients’ lifestyles and enable them to experience new levels of luxury and discovery.

Q: How has the bank performed in recent months, especially given the prevailing economic and pandemic-related challenges the nation faces?
A: For financial year 2021, we recorded solid year on year growth in key indicators such as total assets, gross loans, customer deposits and profitability.

Total assets rose by 12 percent, crossing the Rs. 700 billion mark, while loans and deposits grew by 19 percent and 13 percent respectively. Pre-tax profitability crossed 10 billion rupees with a year on year growth of 12 percent.

We also surpassed our own benchmarks in a wide range of aspects – i.e. excellence in digitised solutions with many industry first launches; enhancement of operational efficiencies; supporting the women’s market segment through our flagship initiative Sri Lanka Vanithabhimana in collaboration with News First; and a host of corporate sustainability initiatives covering fighting climate change, community support and assisting schoolchildren among others.

In addition, we continued our efforts to make NDB a conducive workplace for employees – this is reflected in the bank being recognised by Great Place to Work® and receiving EDGE Certification for workplace gender equality.

I would attribute such excellence in performance to visionary leadership, the passion, commitment and competence of the NDB Team, and the unwavering support of our key stakeholders.

The prevailing economic conditions have exacerbated the effects of the pandemic but we’re hopeful and continue to support customers, and contribute to the national economy.

Q: How has NDB Bank embraced technology and digitisation?
A: We have continued to push boundaries in the local banking arena with innovative, timely and meaningful products and services, in line with the evolving needs and aspirations of our varied stakeholders.

In the epitome of this spirit, we launched our manifesto ‘The Future Is Banking on Us’ to augment the bank’s financial solutions with technology.

Digital and technological advancement is the bedrock of our strategy with considerable resources deployed towards this end.

This has enabled us to establish a remarkable positioning in the banking sector as one of the fastest growing, systematic and technologically savvy players.

To this end, we adopt a two-pronged approach: customer interactions and solutions; and process automation.

Solutions such as VKYC and downloading CRIB reports via the NDB NEOS app are a few industry firsts we have introduced, in addition to other digital offerings such as QR payment facilities, online banking, phygital branches and Bank2U branchless banking propositions.

NDB Bank has one of the highest number of processes automated through robotic process automation, which has helped us achieve faster turnaround times and deliver a better customer experience.

– Compiled by Ruwandi Perera
INTERVIEWEE DETAILS
Zeyan Hameed
Vice President
Branch Network Management & Product Development
Gihan Punchihewa
Head of Privilege Banking and Privilege Select Banking
COMPANY DETAILS
Telephone: 7448448
Email:contact@ndbbank.com
Website: www.ndbbank.com