NDB’s Pancha Mama Sparks Financial Savvy in Young Minds

August, 16, 2024

NDB Bank recently conducted a series of workshops featuring NDB’s Pancha Mama, which aimed at fostering financial literacy and sustainable living habits among children. Held during June and July, these workshops reached schools, preschools, and other educational institutions in locations including Wattala, Minuwangoda, Ja-Ela, and Nittambuwa.

The workshops blended educational content with engaging activities to emphasise the importance of saving. Beyond financial savings, the sessions highlighted sustainable practices like conserving water and electricity and minimising waste. This holistic approach aims to instill lifelong habits of mindful resource management in young participants.

In addition to the children, the workshops also welcomed parents and teachers, with each session attracting about 200–250 participants. The interactive format, including fun games, made the sessions an enjoyable learning experience for all involved.

Through these workshops, NDB Bank seeks to impart the value of saving for the future to the younger generation. This initiative complements the bank's broader educational efforts, particularly through the NDB Shilpa Children's Savings Account, which is designed to encourage saving in children by offering benefits such as exciting gifts and bonus interest on regular deposits.

The Shilpa Children's Savings Account includes unique features for account holders under 18. For example, those with a balance of Rs. 20,000/- are eligible for free hospitalisation cover, providing Rs. 2,500/- per day with a maximum limit of Rs. 225,000/- per annum. If admitted to an intensive care unit, the benefit doubles. Additionally, the account offers free life insurance and permanent disability cover amounting to Rs. 50,000/-, which also doubles when the account balance reaches Rs. 50,000/-.

NDB Bank also provides special rewards for academic achievements, such as high scores on the Grade 5 Scholarship Exam and the G.C.E. O/L exam. To encourage regular saving, a minimum monthly deposit of Rs.1,000/- is required to be eligible for bonus interest. Moreover, the bank offers free standing orders for transfers from a parent's or guardian's NDB account to the child's savings account.

The NDB Pancha Mama workshops are a testament to the Bank's commitment to empowering the next generation with the knowledge and tools for a secure financial future. Through these initiatives, NDB Bank continues to play a vital role in promoting financial literacy and sustainability within the community.

NDB Bank is the fourth-largest listed commercial bank in Sri Lanka. The Bank was named the Retail Bank of the Year (Sri Lanka) at Asian Banking & Finance Retail Banking Awards 2023 and the Best Corporate Bank 2023 by Asiamoney and also emerged as the Most Awarded Corporate in Sri Lanka in 2022 for the second consecutive year, as per the annual rankings of Sri Lankan publication LMD. The Bank was adjudged the Best Bank in Sri Lanka 2022 by Global Finance USA and Euromoney in their annual best bank awards programmes. Additionally, The Bank was named one of the "Top 50 Best Workplaces in Sri Lanka 2022" by Great Place To Work, USA. NDB is the parent company of the NDB Group, comprising capital market subsidiary companies, together forming a unique banking and capital market services group. The Bank is committed to empowering the nation and its people through meaningful financial and advisory services powered by digital banking solutions.