Pan Asia Bank stands at a milestone moment — its 30th anniversary. Over three decades, the Bank has evolved into one of Sri Lanka’s most dynamic financial institutions, renowned for its customer-centric approach, innovation, and unwavering commitment to empowering progress. In this special feature, Naleen Edirisinghe, CEO of Pan Asia Bank, reflects on the Bank’s journey, its values as a truly Sri Lankan institution, and the road ahead in an era defined by digital transformation, sustainable growth, and renewed purpose.
Q: Pan Asia Bank celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. How would you describe the Bank’s journey over the past three decades?
A: It has indeed been a meaningful journey and one that is both profoundly local and steadily progressive. Over the past 30 years, Pan Asia Bank has grown from modest beginnings into a resilient national bank rooted in service and guided by purpose. Three decades is long enough to build habits, weather economic cycles and establish a strong reputation. Yet, it also reminds us that the future belongs to those willing to adapt and change.
From the outset, our mission was simple: to provide dependable banking services, build lasting relationships with customers and play a constructive role in local communities. Those ambitions did not change; they matured.
Our footprint expanded, our products evolved and we became a trusted partner in Sri Lanka’s financial ecosystem. But beyond scale, our defining attribute has been resilience, our ability to preserve capital discipline, manage risk prudently and continue serving customers through every challenge.
Q: How has Pan Asia Bank evolved its product offering over the years to meet customer needs?
A: Our product portfolio today is almost unrecognisable from the simple deposit-and-lending model of 30 years ago. The banks Champions Saver account is really about helping people manage their money wisely and it’s an easy way to keep your savings aside until you’re ready to take on something bigger in the future. Then there’s the Daskam Children’s Account, which is quite special because the bank actually adds a 10% gift deposit every time a parent makes a deposit for their child.
We also have a Sammana account, which is the first banking service in Sri Lanka designed specifically for government pensioners. It’s something we’re quite proud of because it recognises and supports that community.
In corporate and institutional banking, we deepened trade finance, foreign exchange and cash management to support businesses in complex supply chains.
Our approach to innovation has always been grounded in listening and gathering structured feedback from branches, studying customer pain points and co-creating solutions with clients. This focus has allowed us to design products that are timely, relevant and meaningful.
Q: SMEs have always been central to Pan Asia Bank’s purpose. How is the Bank supporting this vital segment today?
A: Supporting SMEs has always been at the heart of Pan Asia Bank’s mission. We see this segment not merely as clients, but as the lifeblood of Sri Lanka’s economy: a force for employment, innovation and regional development. Our approach goes beyond lending; it’s about equipping entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools to build sustainable businesses.
We regularly conduct a series of interactive workshops across key regions, focused on improving financial management skills among SME customers. These sessions cover essential topics such as managing working capital, understanding cash flow, preparing financial statements, and identifying funding requirements. Just as importantly, they also encouraged entrepreneurs to cultivate the mindset and discipline needed for long-term success.
Through such initiatives, we aim to strengthen financial literacy and help SMEs navigate challenges that have arisen from recent economic disruptions. Looking ahead, our focus is to build enduring partnerships with SMEs across diverse industries, including those that are still on the path to recovery, such as tourism. We are also expanding collaboration with the corporate sector, from housing finance to project lending, to create broader opportunities for growth. In doing so, Pan Asia Bank continues to reaffirm its role as a trusted partner in the progress of Sri Lanka’s business community.
Q: In recent years, the Bank has made significant strides in digital transformation. What has been your approach to this shift?
A: Our approach to digital transformation has always been pragmatic. We view digital not as a trend, but as a tool to enhance access, efficiency and intelligence. Our focus has been threefold: improving customer convenience, operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making.
We enhanced our mobile and online platforms, digitised onboarding and KYC processes, and built advanced data analytics systems for better credit-scoring and fraud detection. These initiatives improved turnaround times and enhanced risk visibility.
But importantly, we didn’t replace the human connection; we repositioned our branches to focus on advisory services and community relationships. This hybrid model of digital convenience combined with human expertise defines who we are today.
Q: What role have people and culture played in Pan Asia Bank’s success?
A: People are the heart of our organisation. Over the years, we’ve invested heavily in developing internal talent, building leadership pipelines and attracting specialists in key areas such as treasury, risk, compliance and technology
Equally, our culture has been deliberately nurtured. Integrity, service and accountability are more than words – they are lived values. We’ve built systems that recognise performance and empower employees to act with sound judgement, especially during times of challenge. That collective commitment from branch tellers to risk officers is our greatest asset.
Q: Governance and risk management seem to be recurring themes in your leadership philosophy. Why are they so important?
A: Governance and risk management are the foundation of trust. A well-governed bank can make bold yet responsible decisions. Over time, we’ve enhanced board oversight, improved disclosure and embedded robust credit and market-risk frameworks. We also adopted data-driven risk analytics, incorporating early warning systems and stress testing. These tools enable us to allocate capital efficiently and maintain stability, which is essential in building long-term credibility.
Q: How has Pan Asia Bank contributed to national development over the years?
A: We believe banking must serve a greater purpose. Our commitment to SMEs, trade finance and financial inclusion reflects that belief. Through targeted SME programmes, we’ve helped enterprises expand, modernise and formalise. Our trade finance solutions have supported exports and imports vital to the national economy.
We are at the forefront of driving foreign remittances in Sri Lanka’s banking industry. Over the years, we have built strong partnerships with leading exchange houses across the globe, continuously expanding our network to offer customers greater choice, convenience, and reliability when sending or receiving money.
As a leading bank, our commitment goes beyond facilitating cross-border connections; we are equally dedicated to supporting our local customers and collaborating with institutions within the country to contribute meaningfully to national development, while keeping people and loved ones connected across borders.
We’ve also prioritised financial inclusion through simplified accounts, micro-credit and community partnerships that promote financial literacy. Every such initiative adds up to a broader impact by empowering individuals, enabling employment and driving local economic growth.
Q: ESG and sustainability have become central to the financial sector. How has Pan Asia Bank integrated these principles?
A: ESG is now embedded in our operations and lending practices. We’ve supported energy-efficiency and green financing projects while reducing our own environmental footprint through digitisation and efficient facilities.
Socially, our initiatives focus on education, livelihoods and disaster response. Governance, too, has evolved, with greater transparency, stakeholder engagement and board-level oversight of non-financial risks. For us, ESG is not just about compliance; it’s about building a responsible, future-ready institution.
Q: Efficiency and technology are critical in today’s banking environment. How has the Bank modernised its operations?
A: Efficiency is a competitive advantage. Over time, we’ve streamlined operations through process redesign, systems integration and selective outsourcing. We upgraded our core banking system, automated routine functions and fortified our cybersecurity infrastructure.
In an era of rising digital risk, trust in a bank’s security is paramount. That’s why we’ve invested in strong defences, monitoring systems and incident response to ensure customer confidence in every transaction.
Q: How does Pan Asia Bank measure its success and impact?
A: Success is best measured through stakeholder impact. Our customers enjoy greater convenience and choice. Our employees have clearer growth pathways. Our shareholders benefit from sustainable returns. And regulators view us as a responsible partner in maintaining system stability. That alignment of value creation across stakeholders defines true success for us.
Q: Looking ahead, what are your strategic priorities for the next decade?
A: Pan Asia Bank’s strategy for the decade ahead is built on three interlinked priorities: digital and data-led banking, sustainable finance and operational agility. The Bank aims to responsibly embed analytics and AI to enhance credit assessment, customer engagement and security, while expanding its green lending portfolio and supporting SMEs in their decarbonisation efforts.
Strengthening operational resilience remains equally critical, with a focus on modernising the technology backbone, improving cyber security and fostering a nimble, future-ready culture. Key initiatives include launching a data centre of excellence, expanding digital SME solutions, establishing a green lending desk, integrating climate risk into capital planning and accelerating cloud migration to drive flexibility and efficiency across the organisation.
Q: Finally, how do you define Pan Asia Bank’s purpose as it enters its next era?
A: Thirty years is both a celebration and a responsibility. As we look to the future, our mission remains unchanged: to be a partner in the growth of businesses and households, a custodian of public trust and a contributor to Sri Lanka’s progress.
We are a truly Sri Lankan bank: combining global best practices with a deep understanding of local needs. Our purpose is to deliver financial solutions that enable prosperity for our customers, meaningful careers for our people and sustainable returns for our shareholders while serving the public good. The foundation we’ve built gives me great optimism for what lies ahead in the next 30 years.
