Amãna Bank walks away with the most number of accolades at SLIBFI Awards 2015

May, 29, 2015

Sri Lanka’s foremost provider of Islamic financial services, Amãna Bank strengthened its industry leadership status by being awarded the most number of accolades at the recently concluded Sri Lankan Islamic Banking and Finance Industry (SLIBFI) Awards Night. The Bank was successful in winning the Gold Award for Islamic Finance Product of the Year (Gold Certificate Financing) as well as Silver Awards for Islamic Finance Entity of the Year, Islamic Finance Product of the Year (Savings Plan) and Islamic Finance Deal of the Year. 

Sharing his views on this achievement, the Bank’s Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Azmeer said “We are honoured to be recognised with the most number of awards at SLIBFI Awards 2015. These awards won locally is as important to us as the global recognition we have achieved such as the Best ‘Up and Comer’ Islamic Bank of the World by Global Finance and the Islamic Finance News Awards.”

Azmeer further stated that “The two awards won for Islamic Finance Product of the Year reflects our commitment towards innovation in Islamic banking as well as towards financial inclusiveness, thereby catering to bottom of the pyramid and contributing to real economic growth. The Gold Certificate Financing product which was introduced as an alternative for conventional pawning caters to the un-banked and under-banked segments with the objective of facilitating convenient credit at the grass root levels. On the other hand the Amãna Bank Savings Plan develops a saving discipline and facilitates savings for future financials commitments such as a child’s higher education or wedding. ”

Commenting on the Islamic Finance Deal of the Year, Azmeer said “This is the third consecutive year we have been recognised for Islamic Finance Deal of the Year. Over the years, the respective financing projects that were recognized for Islamic Finance Deal of the Year, have made a significant contribution towards the country’s economy in the areas of renewable energy, aviation and aquaculture.”

Acknowledging the key stakeholders, Azmeer stated “Our sincere appreciation goes out to the Regulators for their support, our Sharia Supervisors for their invaluable advice and guidance, the employees of the Bank for their dedication and commitment and last but not least our loyal customers for their continued trust and confidence placed in us.”

Amãna Bank is the first Licensed Commercial Bank in Sri Lanka to operate in complete harmony with the non-interest based Islamic banking model and is listed on the Diri Savi Board of the Colombo Stock Exchange. Powered by the stability and the support of its strategic shareholders including, Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, AB Bank in Bangladesh and The Islamic Development Bank based in Saudi Arabia, Amãna Bank is making strong inroads within the Sri Lankan banking industry and is focused on capitalizing the growing market potential for its unique banking model across the country. Fitch Ratings recently assigned the Bank a National Long Term Rating of BB(lka) with a Stable Outlook.

[caption id="attachment_10637" align="alignnone" width="675"] Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Azmeer collecting the Islamic Finance Entity of the Year Award from KPMG Managing Partner and Head of Judging Panel Reyaz Mihular[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_10638" align="alignnone" width="675"] Vice President Consumer Banking and Strategic Marketing Siddeeque Akbar collecting the Islamic Finance Deal of the Year Award from KPMG Managing Partner and Head of Judging Panel Reyaz Mihular[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_10639" align="alignnone" width="675"] Chief Financial Officer Ali Wahid receiving the Islamic Finance Product of the Year Award for Gold Certificate Financing from Aberdeen Holdings CEO and Member of Judging Panel Omar Kayam[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_10640" align="alignnone" width="675"] Risk Officer Irshad Iqbal receiving the Islamic Finance Product of the Year Award for Amãna Bank Savings Plan from Aberdeen Holdings CEO and Member of Judging Panel Omar Kayam[/caption]