1. Bank of the Year for Excellence in Customer Convenience – Category B Group Winner
2. Best Bank for Seamless Back-end Operations - Winner - Among all Banks in Sri Lanka
3. Bank of the Year for Financial Inclusivity – Category B group winner
4. Overall Award for excellence in Interbank payments - Runner up among all banks
SLT 01 Awards 2016- Finance Category - Best Digital Integrated Campaign – Seylan Office Challenge
Golden Globe Tiger Awards –
1. Best Digital Media Team of the year – Gold
2. Best use of Social Media for Seylan bank Social channels – Gold
Year
2016
2016 Milestones
Added 8 New Branches and 20 ATMs and 6 Cash Deposit Machines to strengthen and enhance our ATM and CDM coverage in the country.
Revamped Internet Banking system offering value added functionalities with stringent security enhancement.
Opened 40 “Seylan Pahasara” libraries, taking the total number of libraries to 120 as a CSR initiative.
Donate over Rs. 10Mn. Relief to flood victims.
Over Rs. 16Mn for education related pursuits.
Global Marketing Excellence Awards
1. Innovative Launch Campaign of the Year - Seylan Website launch – Gold
2. Best Use of Social Media in Marketing - Global Marketing Excellence Awards – Gold
INDO Lanka Customer Engagement Forum –
1. Innovative Launch Campaign of the Year - Seylan Website launch – Gold
2. Events and Promotions - Seylan Office Challenge – Gold
3. Social Media Brand of the Year - Seylan Bank PLC – Gold
CMO ASIA – Social an d digital marketing excellence awards – 2016
1. Best Use of Social Media for Customer Service - Seylan Bank Customer Support Channels – Gold
2. Best Use of Facebook - Seylan Facebook - Gold
Year
2015
2015 Milestones
Lauch of the “Freedom” Credit Card with Master Card.
Added 2 branches and 5 ATMs to the network.
Implemented a new AML system.
Opened 29 “Seylan Pahasara” libraries, taking the total number of libraries to 80 as a CSR initiative.
Revamped and upgraded the SMS alert system.
Re-launched of the Bank’s corporate website.
SLIM EFFIES - Seylan Sure – Bronze
Golden Globe Tiger Awards 2015 –
1. Best Use of Social Media in Marketing - Seylan Bank Social and Digital media - Gold
2. Award for Brand Excellence in Banking and Financial Services - Seylan Bank PLC - Gold
4th Asian customer Engagement Forum
1. Digital Marketing – Gold
2. Below the line Promotion - Seylan Sure –BTL campaign – Gold
Global Banking & Finance Review UK – Best SME Bank Sri Lanka 2014- Seylan Bank PLC
6th CMO ASIA Social and Digital Marketing Awards 2015
1. Best Use of Face book - Seylan Bank Facebook page – Gold
2. Best Use of Social Media - Seylan bank Social and Digital Channels – Gold
3. Best integrated campaign - Seylan Office Challenge - Certificate of Merit
Year
2014
2014 Milestones
Introduced the first ever “Visa Multi Currency Travel Card”.
Added 6 Branches and 19 ATMs to the network.
Opened 39 “Seylan Pahasara” libraries across the country, taking the total number of libraries to 51 as a CSR initiative.
Launched mobile ATM facility and tied up with the Lanka Pay ATM switch.
Business Today Magazine - Ranked among top 25 Corporate entities in Sri Lanka – Seylan Bank ranked 23rd.
2nd Asian Customer Engagement Forum – Mumbai
1. Digital Marketing- Innovation – Tikiri game App – Silver
2. Digital Marketing – Promotions - Big Seylan quiz on Facebook - Silver
SLIM-Brand excellence awards - Seylan Tikiri - Turnaround Brand of the Year - Silver
World Marketing Congress Global Marketing Excellence Awards –
1. Best Loyalty Programme - Seylan Sure – Gold
2. Revitalised Brand of the Year - Seylan Tikiri - Gold
3. Best use of Social Media in Marketing - Seylan Bank Facebook page and Digital Efforts - Gold
3rd Asian Customer Engagement Forum – Mumbai
1. Innovative Customer Engagement - Seylan Tikiri Pola - Gold
2. Integrated Communication - Seylan Sure – Silver
19th Sumathi Tele Awards - Television Commercial of the year - Seylan Sure - Merit
Year
2013
2013 Milestones
Seylan Bank celebrated its landmark 25th anniversary on 24th March 2013, with a series of religious and CSR activities across Sri Lanka.
Religious observances took place at the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura on 1st and 2nd March 2013. A nuga sapling was also planted in the Maha Meyuna Uyana with the participation of a large number of customers, staff and well-wishers.
A holy mass of thanksgiving was also celebrated at the Supuwath Arana, Seeduwa. A special abishegam and pooja were held at the Nallur Kovil in Jaffna after which cots were gifted to the State Receiving Home, Kaithedy.
Seylan Bank also sponsored the cataract operations of 25 patients at the Kuwait Hospital in Puttalam to help them regain their sight, while Luhar (noon) prayers and blessings were held at the Puttalam Grand Mosque.
In parallel Seylan Bank also donated newly-refurbished libraries to four schools in different parts of the country.
Among them were the Swarnapali Balika Maha Vidyalaya in Anuradhapura, Kopai Maha Vidyalayam in Jaffna, Fathima Muslim Girls’ School in Puttalam and Raddolugama Kanishta Vidyalaya.
These were the forerunners of a total of 30 schools earmarked to receive libraries throughout the island, thus assuring long-term benefits to society at large by imparting knowledge to school children across the country.
Year
2012
2012 Milestones
Mr. Mohan Peiris President Counsel (former Attorney General) was appointed as the new Chairman of the bank with effect from 20th April 2012.
Year
2011
2011 Milestones
Post tax profits reached LKR 1Bn despite payments made under the Voluntary Retirement Scheme.
Mr. Kapila Ariyaratne was appointed as the General Manager/ Chief Executive Officer in March 2011.
A new strategic plan covering the period 2012 – 2015 was developed.
Fitch Ratings upgraded the bank’s credit rating to A- from BBB+ Bank was awarded a Merit Reward by SAFA (South Asian Federation of Accounts) for best present Accounts – 2010
Seylan was ranked under the Gold category by LMD
Seylan received a certificate of Compliance (2010) by The Institute of Chartered Accountants (SL)
Bank won five ARC awards for the Annual Report 2010
Year
2010
2010 Milestones
For the first time in the bank’s history profit after tax exceeded LKR. 1.0 Billion Bank won the Gold award for the turnaround brand for 2009 at the Brand Excellence Award 2010 of SLIM (Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing)
Bank won the Bronze award for its “Annual Report 2009” under the overall banking sector category, which was organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Sri Lanka in 2010.
Bank for the first time in its history won several international awards for its Annual Report 2009 published in 2010.
- Five awards under different categories for the “Annual Report 2009” organized by ARC-USA.
- Gold award for the “most improved Annual Report from Asia Pacific Region” at the League of American Communications Professionals
- Vision Awards for publications produced in 2009 Bank won “A” brand rating by Brand Finance PLC UK and ranked 14th in the Sri Lanka’s Leading Brands (2010).
Bank was listed under the Top 20 Corporates of Sri Lanka evaluated by Business Today Magazine.
Year
2009
2009 Milestones
Bank’s first strategic plan covering the period 2009 to 2011 was developed.
Seylan Bank was placed first in the “Trade Finance quiz competition” organized by Trade Finance Association of Bankers
Bank also won the first place in Inter Bank Quiz organized by Association of Chartered Bankers of Sri Lanka.
Year
2008
2008 Milestones
First Bank in Sri Lanka to launch its corporate website in all three official languages.
Management of the bank was entrusted to a new Board of Directors by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. A veteran banker Mr. Eastman Narangoda was appointed as the new Executive Chairman of the bank.
Year
2007
2007 Milestones
The Bank introduced the concept of “Palm Top Banking” for the first time in Sri Lanka.
Year
2006
2006 Milestones
Reached LKR 100 Billion milestone in Customer Deposit base as at December 2006
Year
2005
2005 Milestones
Passed Rs. 1 billion milestone in profitability before corporate tax.
LMD, together with Sting Consultants adjudged Seylan as among the top 20brands in thecountry
Ceylinco Group (Where Seylan is one of the largest stake holders) has rates as one of the three “ Most Respected Sri Lankan Entities” by the LMD.
The role of the “Business Process Re- Engineering (BPR)” exercise was completed in August 2005.
Successfully obtained the ISO 9001:2000 certification for HR & Skills Development Center (SDC).
Year
2004
2004 Milestones
Mr. Ajita Pasqual assumed duties as the Chief Executive Officer/ General Manger of the Bank
Year
2003
2003 Milestones
The Bank recorded the highest profit in its entire history.
Business Today Magazine positioned the Bank as the number 3 corporate in Sri Lanka, and LMD Magazine ranks the bank at number 4.
The balanced scorecard system has advanced with introduction of balanced scorecard based budgeting.
The formation of a specialised Development Banking Unit to serve the SME sector of the country and facilitate poverty alleviation.
Mrs. Rohini Nanayakkara relinquishes her duties as GM/CEO, with Mr Ajita Pasqual named as her successor from 2004.
Year
2002
2002 Milestones
The Bank won the Best Business Expansion Award at Western Union Middle East & South Asia Regional Conference held in Goa.
Year
2001
2001 Milestones
The Chatham Street Branch moved into “Ceylinco House” and was renamed as the Ceylinco House Branch”.
This year also saw the introduction of Visa Electron Card, Visa affinity Cards to old boys of St. Joseph’s , St. Peter’s and St. Benedict’s College.
The Rewards Plus Scheme was replaced with the “Merit Rewards” scheme.
The Bank’s ‘Govisarupatha’ won the prestigious Asian Banking Award under the category for the best product coming under the micro- credit project.
Year
2000
2000 Milestones
The Y2K issue was successfully handled.
Year
1999
1999 Milestones
The Bank introduced a CP based system for budgeting and performance assessment. The first awards ceremony under this system was also held this year.
Year
1998
1998 Milestones
Mrs. Rohini Nanayakkara was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer/ General Manger of the Bank.
Year
1997
1997 Milestones
Introduced the “Profit Center Concept” in 1997 enhancing the autonomy of branches.
Marking its 10th Anniversary, Seylan Bank moved into its new Headquarters Building namely Ceylinco Seylan Towers, situated in Kollupitiya and opening of the Millennium Branch.
Year
1996
1996 Milestones
Commenced the second overseas operation as Sri Lanka Express Exchange in Oman
Year
1995
1995 Milestones
Linked with Visa International Network, to issue Visa Classic & Visa Gold Credit Cards
Year
1994
1994 Milestones
Commencement of the bank’s first overseas operation occurred with the takeover of Hadi Express Exchange in Dubai and subsequently linked up with the Saudi American Bank in order to provide “Speed Cash” Service to customers
The "Speed Cash" was another money transfer system to assist Sri Lankans working in the Middle East
Obtained membership in SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Tele communication), to relay documentary credits, customer instructions and bank transfers etc.
Linked with Visa International Network, to issue Visa Classic and Visa Gold Credit Cards, launched ATM card namely “SMART” ( Seylan Multi Action Rapit Teller) and introduced the Seylaphone service
Year
1992
1992 Milestones
Seylan Bank recorded history as the first Bank to introduce an indigenous credit card – Seylan Card.
Year
1991
1991 Milestones
Sri Lankan Branch of the Bank of Credit & Commerce International (BCCI) was taken over and recommenced its operations as the Chatham Street Branch of Seylan Bank.
Year
1988
1988 Milestones
The license to commence banking business was issued by the Central bank of Sri Lanka on 18th March 1988. The soft opening was conducted by Deshamanya Dr. Lalith Kotelawala on 24th March 1988 introducing the Saturday banking from the very inception.
