SAMPATH BANK
Serving the nation since 1986, Sampath Bank has been driven by its vision of becoming a growing force in Sri Lanka’s financial service industry. With 229 branches, and a 445 strong ATM network and comprehensive online banking platform, the bank says it is at the forefront of leading Sri Lankan customers to the next chapter of banking, fuelled by technological innovation and service excellence. It was recognised as Sri Lanka’s Best Retail Bank and Best Commercial Bank for the eighth consecutive year at the World Finance Banking Awards by World Finance magazine – two of the many accolades the bank has received in the recent past.
Q: How does corporate reputation contribute to a business’ competitiveness?
A: Reputation often precedes an entity. Given the nature of business, reputation is the most important asset of a bank.
It’s this aspect that distinguishes one service provider from another and that’s what draws customers to or drives them away from your doorstep.
A good reputation is unique to an organisation; and since this is a characteristic that cannot be copied by another, it becomes a competitive advantage.
All our activities, operations and resources – including but not limited to service, advertising, physical buildings, colours, images and staff members – contribute to corporate reputation.
Q: Could you describe the notable traits of the bank that garner respect?
A: Sampath Values is the hallmark quality of the bank and can command respect universally.
The values in this framework are centred on establishing a learning culture, supporting self-development, encouraging innovation, creating value for customers, equality, teamwork, openness, a commitment to results, and uncompromising ethical and professional standards of behaviour.
Q: In your opinion, how does respect in the workplace help nurture admiration for an organisation?
A: Respect is a basic psychological need of humans. It’s something that should first be given and then received.
When mutual respect is practised and deeply embedded in the culture of an organisation, the work environment becomes pleasant. This translates into better customer service as staff members are stress free and happy.
All stakeholders – including employees, their families, customers and regulators – speak well of and admire such organisations as great places to work.
Q: In what ways can corporates leverage respect earned during the pandemic, in your assessment?
A: The pandemic has been a difficult period for everyone. Particularly when it comes to banking, what counts is who was there to support people when times were tough. This is what customers and businesses will remember and talk about when the difficult periods are over.
Sampath Bank has played a significant role in supporting customers during the pandemic. We have nursed a number of businesses to recovery and they are performing well now. Furthermore, we introduced innovative services and made our online platforms available for remote onboarding.
Customers are already talking about what Sampath Bank has done. This goodwill and respect earned will contribute to our growth when good times come.
Q: Does social responsibility continue to be an important component of corporate respect?
A: Traditionally, activities like community engagements and environmental activism were considered to be socially responsible actions. What this pandemic has taught us is that being socially responsible is an everyday act with a much broader definition where what you don’t do can be as important as what you do.
For example, when customers were impacted by the pandemic, not acting the way banks are programmed to under normal circumstances was a socially responsible act.
Banks decided not to spare any expenses when it came to staff members who contracted the virus. They also decided not to cut many community support projects to minimise the impact on the bottom line as they normally would – because that’s when communities needed support the most.
As a whole, guided by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the sector has amply demonstrated that it really understands what it is to be socially responsible during this pandemic. And we believe that it has gained tremendously in the context of respect as a result of such actions.
In addition to its expertise in banking and finance, social responsibility is an integral component of Sampath Bank’s operating model. Focussing on education for development, empowering the community, entrepreneur development and the environment, the bank concentrates its CSR initiatives on economic development, and the growth of individuals and society at large.
Managing Director
The Sampath Bank Head Office
