HNB FIT, Asia’s first fitness related app launched by Sri Lanka’s most digitally- savvy bank HNB PLC, was crowned as the ‘Best IoT initiative’ at the Asian Digital Finance Forum and Awards recently.
Hosted by the Asian FinTech Academy (AFTA) in Colombo, the forum recognised and awarded organizations and impactful individuals at a hybrid event. Central Bank of Sri Lanka Assistant Governor Dharmasiri Kumaratunge, Fintech Association of Sri Lanka (FASL) President Rajkumar Kanagasingam and Fintech Association of Japan Vice—Chair Takeshi Kito participated in the event as Guests of Honor together with representatives from leading organisations in Sri Lanka.
Sharing his thoughts on the win, HNB Head of Deposits, Viranga Gamage shared: “We are honoured to see the HNB FIT banking product recognized and awarded as an impactful initiative. The product is unique to the Asian region and was mainly aimed to incentivize accountholders encouraging them to take minimum 6,000 steps per day, and be a healthier version of themselves. HNB FIT is the cohesive union of new tech and the fitness culture which aims to improve an individual’s health and wellbeing.
“Given that AFTA is a prestigious global body that has supported and encouraged digital expansion across the region by executing programmes on revolutionary financial solutions, we are delighted to be recognised for our efforts. We are thrilled to see our creativity entwined with technology pay off, especially amongst the youth of the nation.”
HNB FIT promotes health and wellbeing by rewarding attractive interest rates for achieving a foot count on a daily basis. This one-of-a-kind initiative introduced in 2017 has received positive feedback since its launch.
The fitness-based application can be downloaded onto any smartphone. The step count could be tracked either by synchronizing with a wearable device (Apple watch, FIT BIT or a MI brand) or with phone based fitness apps (Apple Health Kit, Google Fit or STRAVA). Once the application is synced with the device, or the fitness application, HNB FIT tracks the step count achieved for the day by the customer. There are two fitness goals that a customer can aim to achieve; a 6,000 step-count target or a 10,000 step-count target, and the interest varies according to both levels.
Once the daily target is achieved, the customer will become eligible to transfer a set amount from their operating account (either a savings or current account) to their HNB FIT account. The deposits made to the latter will be subjected to attractive interest rates higher than nominal interest rates offered in the market, and the interest will be credited to their relevant operating accounts. With every daily-step count achievement, a customer will become eligible to transfer up to LKR 10 Million from their operating account to their FIT account and enjoy higher-interest income benefits.
Further information regarding the HNB FIT account can be obtained online and HNB Customer Centers island-wide.
With 256 customer centres across the country, HNB is one of Sri Lanka’s largest, most technologically innovative banks, having won local and global recognition for its efforts to drive forward a new paradigm in digital banking. Consolidating its reputation for banking excellence, HNB bagged the Best Retail Bank and Best SME Bank awards in the Banking category at the International Finance Awards 2021. The bank was also ranked among the World Top 1,000 Banks list compiled by the prestigious UK-based Banker Magazine for five consecutive years. HNB was also declared Best Sub-Custodian Bank in Sri Lanka at the Global Finance Awards 2020. HNB has a national rating of AA- (lka) by Fitch Ratings (Lanka) Ltd.
Photo Caption: HNB Head of Deposits, Viranga Gamage (first from right) receiving the Award from Fintech Association of Sri Lanka (FASL) President Rajkumar Kanagasingam (first from left) in the presence of Central Bank of Sri Lanka Assistant Governor Dharmasiri Kumaratunga (second from right)