Save Confidently and Save Digitally with Bank of Ceylon
The idea of “thrift” comes forth as an element that safeguards future prospects of an individual, society and a country as a whole. It is not merely about saving money but associates the idea of quality use of money and other resources carefully and not wastefully. It began as a date to celebrate in 1924 in Germany in order to establish the habit of thrift and the confidence among public. This idea is often taken very seriously almost by all developed countries as leverage for gaining better living conditions and preserving the economy and considered as a phase of maturity of the country and its people. As for Sri Lankans “Thrift” is a virtue that has been practiced for centuries, however the idea has been a little isolated when the lifestyle of the commonman was taken over by consumerism. It has come to a stage where Sri Lanka will have to make a serious commitment on enhancing the habit of savings and reach that economic maturity as a protection net against any adversities and uncertainties of the future. It has always been the small savings by people that have helped to mobilize funds for fulfilling the needs of the country’s planned economic and social expansion.
Commemorating 2019 “Thrift Day”, the Bank wishes to draw attention to save in the sense of enhancing the economic development and adding value to individual living standards. Every individual has his/ her own perception of desired living standard to fulfill their life purpose. Whichever the cause maybe it requires financial independence and time. The Bank of Ceylon for over 80 years has proven to everyone that, it is the right financial partner to fulfill these purposes whilst assisting the country to reach its socioeconomic development goals. Understanding the need for purposeful living an important aspect of living wholesomely, BOC has recognized the necessity of having more time and resources to enrich the cause. In this aspect the Bank has looked into saving the time, environment and other resources through digital transformation and add value to the customer.
Bringing new breakthroughs in financial technology to the Sri Lankan market, the Bank of Ceylon was able to connect the whole country through a seamless network. This network assists people by building confidence in people about digital technology through its secured, accurate, effective and efficient payment mechanism that saves time, reduces costs and preserves the environment. Adapting to newest technology available, the Bank of Ceylon has been infusing creative solutions that add value to a customer’s life by saving time adding the convenience of banking anytime and anywhere they require whilst saving the environment by reducing the carbon footprint significantly.
Combining the bank’s products and services portfolio with digital technology has enabled the BOC to empower its customers by allowing them to execute banking transactions when they want. Bank’s un-shattered reputation that was built over 80 years together with its sophisticated and secured IT platform has given its customers the confidence to use these digital channels according to their preference. By incorporating different types of digital channels, BOC has reached different layers of customers with agile options that are more convenient for them. Apart from its traditional brick and mortar branch network, the bank has its ATM/ CDM/CRM and Kiosk network that is classed into different sophisticated levels as “Smart-zone’ and “Digi Centres”, Point-of Sale (POS) machines as physical delivery channels.
The Bank’s digital channels brings the customer the freedom from time and limitations and allows to transact anywhere within the availability of an internet facility. “With products such as “B App” mobile banking app, Smart Online Banking, Smart passbook, Smart FD and Smartpay the Bank has ensured efficient use of resources and proactively engaged with the public to instill the “thrift” habit in the society in convenient manner. Currently the Bank caters to the saving and investment requirements of the whole family, beginning from children’s savings accounts Ran Kekulu, teenage and youth savings, 14+, 18+ accounts for young adults and saving accounts for adults up to senior citizens accounts” stated the Deputy General Manager Sales and Channel Management Mr. C. Amarasinghe.
Being a prudent Bank, BOC not only provides you saving options but also enriches your savings experience with BOC Smartgen. One can also instantly uplift his/her 14+, 18 +, Kantha Ran Ginum (KRG), BOC Savings account and Senior Citizen saving accounts to a digital platform that gives instant access to the account
24x7 all 365 days. The free internet banking facility that is provided with this feature enables one to do all account transactions from anywhere and receive SMS alerts to an assigned phone immediately and later obtain the monthly statement online. With the digital additions to this account the customer can operate his/ her account from anywhere-anytime. Life enhancing smart digital options such as Smart Online Banking, B-app, BOC Digi, Smartzones, Smart Pass book, ensures that customer are kept on track during their journey towards financial fulfillment whilst conserving the nature by reducing the carbon footprint. To enable banking transactions cost effectively, the Bank of Ceylon (BOC) launched BOC Smartpay- QR (quick response), B-APP and Smart FD options to the digital product range of the bank. Further the Bank has established the trust among customers about digital channels through Smartpassbook option that updates banking transaction instantly. These options not only effects payment conveniently saving time, it also supports the bank in its journey towards a cashless, paperless and branchless banking model and enriches the payment ecosystem in Sri Lanka. This process has enabled the bank to eliminate high investment and maintenance cost associated with banking transactions and improve its contribution towards the country’s overall economy.
Through the Digital Transformation process the bank was able to incorporate the “Green Banking” concept comprehensively and initiate many environment conservation processes to eliminate paper usage, save energy whilst actively engaging in projects such as “BOC Haritha Arana” tree planting campaign. Presenting the idea of saving combined with digital technology, Bank of Ceylon provides the best-in-class saving solutions that add value with convenience, security and agility to save and invest around the clock just the way they want.