NSB honoured with International WSBI Award

The National Savings Bank, Sri Lanka’s sole representative of the World Savings and Retail Banking Institute (WSBI), joined the global celebration of World Savings Day 2025 on October 31, reaffirming its founding purpose, to inspire the nation to save and build a financially secure future.

This year’s global theme, “This Is Not a Savings Account” marks a bold shift in perspective. Rather than viewing savings as a passive act of depositing money, the campaign redefines savings as a powerful and active investment in the future. Every savings account represents a life goal, education, a home, a new business, a retirement spent with dignity, and ultimately, the confidence to move toward a better tomorrow. Savings are not static; they are an ongoing investment in life’s aspirations.

In recent months, NSB has scaled the heights of global recognition by receiving the WSBI SDG Award, celebrating the Bank’s exceptional contributions towards climate finance, consumer protection, digital transformation and technological innovation. 

With this award, NSB stands among the world’s leading savings banks that demonstrate a measurable impact towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This accolade is not merely ceremonial, it underscores NSB’s role as a national and international leader in sustainable, inclusive banking. 

Chairman of NSB, Dr. Harsha Cabral PC, emphasizes the strategic importance of this course: “Savings lie at the heart of national resilience. NSB, as the country’s dedicated savings institution, has always believed in empowering people through financial discipline. On World Savings Day 2025, we proudly continue this legacy while steering the nation toward sustainable prosperity. Every rupee saved strengthens not only one’s personal future, but also the economic foundation of our country.”

NSB’s commitment to sustainability and social progress is reflected in its many initiatives. Its Agro-Forestry programme invites savers to participate in tree-planting and home-garden projects that strengthen environmental stewardship and support families in building green assets. 

The bank also runs major financial literacy programmes for children, youth and women, and supports language and education efforts through “English is Simple” and the annual “Hapan” scholarship scheme, all of which reinforce the Bank’s alignment with SDG-goals such as decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), reduced inequalities (SDG 10), and climate action (SDG 13).

Reflecting on NSB’s global standing and its mission-driven work, General Manager/CEO, Shashi Kandambi commented: “Our responsibility goes beyond banking transactions. When we encourage a person to save, we are helping them to build confidence, self-reliance and a better future. This year’s theme resonates deeply with NSB’s promise, we are not just opening savings accounts, we are opening pathways to dreams. With WSBI and our global network, we look forward to elevating the savings culture of Sri Lanka and driving sustainable progress for generations to come.”

As Sri Lanka navigates economic transformation, digital evolution and climate urgency, NSB remains steadfast in its mission: rooted in thrift, oriented toward innovation, and aligned with the SDG agenda.