Hatton National Bank (HNB) stands as a pillar of Sri Lanka’s banking sector, positively impacting society at every level. With 251 branches spread across the island, HNB is a premier private-sector commercial bank that has earned global recognition for its excellence in banking. The Asian Banker Magazine named HNB the Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka ten times between 2007 and 2017, while The Banker Magazine, UK, awarded it the prestigious Bank of the Year title in 2012, 2013, and 2017. Additionally, HNB is ranked among The Banker’s Top 1000 banks in the world.
Beyond its accolades, HNB is a comprehensive financial institution engaged in retail banking, corporate banking, international banking, treasury, and project financing. In 2012, it became the first Sri Lankan bank to obtain an international credit rating, receiving a foreign currency issuer rating of B1 from Moody’s Investors Service—on par with the country’s sovereign rating.
A Commitment to Sustainable Growth
Sustainability is at the heart of HNB’s corporate strategy. The bank is dedicated to financial inclusion, ensuring accessibility for all socio-economic groups through carefully structured customer segmentation. By integrating social responsibility into its core business processes, HNB creates both corporate and social value.
Its key sustainability initiatives focus on empowering entrepreneurs, championing education and health, and fostering environmental responsibility. For over 30 years, HNB has nurtured small businesses, offering financial support and expert guidance to help them grow into sustainable enterprises. The bank’s Gami Pubuduwa Avurudu Pola initiative provides rural micro-entrepreneurs a platform to showcase and sell their products in the capital city, helping them reach a wider customer base.
HNB actively invests in school libraries, model school programs, and health initiatives that improve access to safe drinking water and sanitation for underprivileged communities. The bank also promotes environmental awareness through tree planting, e-waste management campaigns, and energy-efficient infrastructure to reduce its environmental footprint.
Leading the Green Banking Movement
HNB’s Green Pledge, now in its tenth year, is a commitment by every employee to integrate eco-friendly practices into daily operations. The initiative has resulted in digitization and paperless office policies to minimize waste, solar panel installations across its buildings to reduce energy consumption, and energy-efficient building designs, with four branches (Jaffna Metro, Kalmunai, Nitambuwa, and Colombo) now certified as LEED Green Buildings.
Additionally, HNB is at the forefront of financing Sri Lanka’s transition to a greener economy. In 2017, it led a syndicated loan of Rs. 9 billion for the construction of a 10MW waste-to-energy power plant, a first-of-its-kind initiative that converts 500-700 metric tonnes of garbage into energy for the national grid. The bank also actively supports renewable energy adoption through personal loan schemes for solar power installations, with 86 loans granted by the end of 2018.
A Bank with a Purpose
Hatton National Bank continues to drive economic progress while upholding its commitment to social responsibility and sustainability. By fostering entrepreneurship, supporting financial inclusion, and leading environmental initiatives, HNB is not just a financial institution—it is a force for positive change in Sri Lanka.
