The Bank of Ceylon, Sri Lanka’s No.1 Bank celebrated its 84th Anniversary at a ceremony held at the Bank’s Head Office Colombo 01.The ceremony began with special religious sermons, invoking blessings on the staff and on all customers of the bank. The event held with the patronage of the Bank’s Chairman President's Counsel Mr. Ronald C. Perera and the General Manager Mr.Russel Fonseka. Members of the bank’s Board of Directors, Corporate and Executive management, staff members, customers and well-wishers were gathered at the head office to celebrate the event. Similarly the Bank’s branch network too celebrated the anniversary along with their loyal customers and well-wishers.
BOC’s founding is a major event in the country’s economic history in the modern era as it is a milestone in what today is called “Financial inclusion”. What may come as a surprise to leaders today is that the access we have today to modern banking services for the ordinary citizen or local business was not available then. The establishment of the Bank of Ceylon and its opening on the 1st of August 1939 for business by British Governor Sir Andrew Caldecott led to an ordinary person or business could open an account and use cheques in transacting.
Today it is a thoroughly modern bank with technology forming the backbone of its operating infrastructure. The awards it continues to win and the accolades it continues to earn have become commonly repeated facts in various media. Its performance and figures are commonly known facts.
A novel product focused on empowering customers through a flexible investment plan, “BOC Flexi Investor” account was ceremoniously launched by the Chairman and the General Manager to commemorate the anniversary. This novel savings account comes with special features that enables the eligible account holder to have a goal-based investment plan to achieve financial goals in the way he/she desires. Flexibility to set own investment plan based on the goal, tenure and the affordable deposit with a wide range of investment options and attractive interest rates. It also gives the option to open multiple investment plans simultaneously and there will be no penalty for missed deposits.
These novel concepts bank introduces are aimed at assisting customers comprehensively being more responsive to their dynamic needs. Having served the country for 84 years as the leading banking institution rendering an impeccable service to its customers and community, the Bank of Ceylon has further sharpened its capabilities to ready to strive for many years to come.