Continues efforts to target youth to increase cashless payments adoption

Sri Lanka’s most user-friendly payment app, HNB SOLO, sponsored the recently held ‘Fusion Galle Street Food Festival’, continuing its efforts to engage the youth to increase the adoption of cashless payments across Sri Lanka.

The app, introduced by Sri Lanka’s leading private bank, HNB PLC, partnered with sellers who were part of the event, to offer users of SOLO significant discounts and promotions on food and beverage purchases.

The event supported by HNB SOLO for the Third consecutive year was held at the Magistrate Square within the Galle Fort. The event featured food stalls with authentic Sri Lankan, Italian, Indian and Mexican cuisine and a live performance by a musical band.

“The youth can play a key role as ambassadors in driving the adoption of cashless payments across the island. Hence, being a part of events such as this, which attracts a large number of youth, enables HNB SOLO to engage with them and show them first-hand the benefits of the app, especially in making lifestyle purchases,” HNB Head of Digital Business, Chammika Weerasinghe said.

HNB SOLO, launched in 2019, is designed to empower users with complete freedom in digital payments, enabling the flexibility to handle any transaction anywhere, whether purchasing from an established retail franchise or even a small stall or three-wheeler. The intuitive, user-friendly and sophisticated app also eliminates the need for physical contact.

QR-code based-payments through HNB SOLO are more cost-effective, when compared to alternative payment solutions available in the market. Users can make payments via LANKA QR, Sri Lanka’s national common Quick Response (QR) code standard developed by the Central Bank, by scanning the code using SOLO. Upon completion, merchants will receive an instant SMS notification, confirming the receipt of payment.

Users can download the app from the Google Play Store or the (Apple) App Store for free. Once downloaded, any customer can register for SOLO by entering the mobile number and personal details with no requirement for paperwork at a HNB branch. Customers also can connect the app directly to any bank account or VISA / MASTER credit or debit card.

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. HNB has a national rating of AA- (lka) by Fitch Ratings (Lanka) Ltd. The bank was also ranked among the World’s 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.