HNB Singithi the minors’ savings scheme has been relaunched with a host of new value additions. The new savings scheme is presented in two product offerings namely Singithi Lama and Singithi Kirikatiyo. The Singithi Lama is a savings account that can be opened for any child below 12 years of age with an initial deposit of Rs 500/-. Through the Singithi Lama account the child will be offered a host of benefits which include guaranteed gifts, loans to purchase computers and the eligibility to qualify for the biggest prize draw in Sri Lanka Pathum Vimana. The Singithi Lama account holder will be able to select gifts ranging from HNB jumbo tills, HNB caps, water bottles, school bags, wrist watches, HNB branded t-shirts, mountain bikes, i- pods, battery operated toys, cellular phones etc. In order to get these fabulous gifts all you have to do is open a Singithi Lama account for your child at any HNB Customer Centre. The value of the gifts offered will grow with the increase of the savings account balance in the account. The bank has initiated a number of tie ups with selected merchants to give your child a wider choice of gifts. In order to offer a wider selection of gifts the bank will offer HNB Singithi Lama gift vouchers to purchase higher value gifts. The account holders can redeem HNB Singithi Lama gift vouchers at retailers which include DSI, Cycle Bazaar, City Cycle Stores, Vijitha Yapa Book Shop, Abans, MD Gunasena, Arpico, Fashion Bug, Mallika Hemachandra Jewellers, Ceylon Hotel Corporation, Sarasavi Book Shop, Wellawatte Nithyakalyani Jewellers, Leisure World Water Park, Lake House Bookshop, Stone ‘N’ String and Vogue Jewellers to obtain the gifts of their choice. Through this scheme you also have the choice of re- encashing the voucher and depositing the value in the Singithi Lama account. Further if you wish to purchase a gift from an outlet not listed in the scheme all you have to do is to get an invoice from any merchant outlet from which you desire to purchase a particular gift and submit it to your HNB Customer Centre. The bank will then take steps to issue a bank draft for the value of the gift voucher to enable you to make your purchase.

HNB Singithi Kirikatiyo is a savings account scheme for new born babies. The Krikatiyo account can be opened within three months of the baby’s birth. The bank is actively promoting the Kirikatiyo account through a number of Nursing homes and hospitals in the country. The Kirikatiyo account can be opened by parents, grand parents, aunts or uncles in favour of the baby with an initial deposit of Rs 1,000/-. At the time of opening the account the bank in return will deposit another Rs 1,000/- in to the baby’s account. In addition to this every Kirikatiyo account holder is offered a lovely baby record book and a complimentary gift pack from “Pears”. The Kirikatiyo account will earn an interest rate of 3% higher than the interest rate offered on a normal savings account. As an added bonus the Kirikatiyo account will be a part of a 5 year birthday gift scheme where the baby will be presented with fabulous gifts up to the fifth birthday. All Kirikatiyo accounts will automatically be converted to Singithi Lama Accounts after the fifth birthday of the child. Thus giving them the added benefits offered through Singithi Lama accounts.

To coincide the Singithi Lama Launch, the bank has come forward to organize and sponsor an all island inter school competition titled “Lowa Dinana Singitho”-2008. The finale prize presentation will coincide with the World Children’s Day in October. The Competition will be organized under the directives of the Ministry of Education to reward and up lift the talents of school going children across the island. “Lowa Dinana Singiththo” will be held in two stages at District and National Level covering art, drama, singing, essay writing, short story writing and speech. Winners of the district level will graduate to participate at the national level. The applications could be collected from any HNB Customer Centre or any Zonal education office. The applications close on 15th September 2008.

HNB Singithi is the first branded financial product in Sri Lanka which was introduced in 1991.The birth of Singithi saw a new culture in savings particularly among school going children. Today the bank operates more than 152 school units through which school going children are continuously encouraged to inculcate the savings habit. With all these added benefits, opening a Singithi account is like planting a money tree. The money will take root, grow and multiply so that your child’s future will be full of benefits.

Picture Shows Mr Chandula Abeywickrema , Deputy General Manager Personal Banking & Network Management of HNB and Mr W Darmadasa - Additional Secretary Ministry of Education handing over the first Singithi Lama Savings Account to Mast. Niasal Dias, a Student from D.S. Senanayaka College, Colombo