HNB Sets a New Standard in Inclusive FinTech Securing Top Honours for Overall Digital Payment Excellence, Best Digital Enablers and Strategic Innovation

HNB PLC, the leading private sector commercial bank in Sri Lanka, has reaffirmed its leadership in digital banking, securing a remarkable four awards, including the Bronze Award for Overall Excellence in Digital Payments (Banks) at the LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2026.

These accolades highlight HNB’s consistent commitment to building a robust, secure, and technologically advanced digital ecosystem that validates the discipline, digital – first strategy, innovative approach in delivering exceptional value to the customer.

HNB swept top honours, securing Gold Awards for:

Best Enabler for Cross-border Transactions – recognizing HNBs excellence in providing fast, secure, and seamless international payment solutions, enhancing financial connectivity globally having collaborated with UPI, CUP, Alipay in driving digital payment acceptance.

It is a reaffirmation of the Bank’s commitment to innovation in digital finance, particularly through its advanced technology infrastructure that simplifies complex cross-border transactions.

The Bank is focused on reducing friction in cross-border flows, offering competitive exchange rates, and ensuring compliance with the highest regulatory standards.

Best Enabler for LankaSign Digital Signatures - Driving the shift to paperless banking, HNB has integrated LankaPay’s certified digital certificates into its core banking and corporate services, enabling customers to securely sign documents, contracts, and financial applications digitally from anywhere in the world.

This initiative significantly reduces transaction times and operational costs, aligning with national goals for digital transformation.

With its strategy built on inclusive FinTech, the Bank was honoured with the Silver Award for Financial Institution of the Year for Best Digital Payment Strategy, reinforcing its strategic focus on technological innovation.

The award highlights the Bank’s unique approach to making digital payments accessible to all, bridging the gap between advanced technology and everyday banking needs.

Key strategic drivers in 2025/2026 included:

· Removing Merchant Discount Rates (MDR): To encourage local merchants to adopt digital payments, HNB took the bold step of removing MDR on LANKA QR transactions under Rs. 10,000, accelerating the nation’s shift toward a cashless society.

· HNB TXB Platform: The introduction of HNB TXB, a comprehensive digital transaction banking platform designed to empower businesses ranging from MSMEs to MNCs with full visibility and control over cash management and global trade.

· HNB Self-Onboarding: A revolutionary digital service allowing any Sri Lankan national to open an account and access banking services remotely, without visiting a branch.

· The HNB Digital Banking App: Continued enhancements to the app, making it one of the most popular and user-friendly digital payment tools in the country.

Speaking on the Bank’s performance at this year’s awards, HNB Managing Director/CEO, Damith Pallewatte said;

“This recognition reflects HNB’s strong commitment to advancing digital finance while promoting financial inclusion and literacy across Sri Lanka.

By delivering secure, user-friendly digital solutions that simplify corporate payments and enhance everyday banking, we are empowering more customers to confidently participate in the digital economy.

Winning these awards affirms our FinTech-driven vision of making banking seamless, accessible, and inclusive for all.

With nearly 80% of our retail customers now digitally active, we remain focused on building a frictionless and secure financial ecosystem while continuing our journey as a trusted partner in progress.

These recognition follows a series of recent successes for HNB, including being crowned the "Bank of the Year 2025" in Sri Lanka, strengthening its reputation for excellence in both traditional and digital banking spaces.”

HNB Senior Vice President / Head of Digital Business, Chammika Weerasinghe said;

“We are reshaping the digital landscape through purposeful innovation and these awards are a true testament to our team’s dedication to bringing the future of banking to our customers today.

For us winning Gold for LankaSign is about more than just technology; it is about providing trust and security to our users, making their lives easier while protecting the environment through reduced paper usage.

"Similarly, winning the Gold Award for Best Cross-Border Transaction Enabler is a demonstration of our active participation and collaboration to build a payment platform that offers unmatched reliability and reach with a focus on empowering payment acceptance across borders with confidence, speed, and transparency, supporting global growth ambitions.

We at HNB are not just enabling payments; we are building a robust, modern financial foundation that empowers individuals and businesses alike to bring transformation and our purposeful vision to redefine banking in Sri Lanka."

HNB’s success at the LankaPay Technnovation Awards highlights its vision of redefining banking through innovation and technology-driven solutions.

By integrating secure digital platforms, advanced payment infrastructure, and customer-centric services, the Bank continues to build a future-ready financial ecosystem that simplifies banking and expands access.

As digital adoption accelerates, HNB remains committed to setting new benchmarks in innovation-led banking in Sri Lanka.