HNB PLC, a leading retail bank in Sri Lanka, has unveiled an innovative ‘Santa Brigade’ campaign in partnership with Visa, designed to create a transformative social impact during the holiday season. The groundbreaking initiative aims to provide hearing aids to children across Sri Lanka, addressing healthcare challenges through a unique customer-driven donation model.
Under the campaign’s carefully structured model, HNB Cards will contribute 1,000 rupees for every 100,000 rupees spent by customers on their HNB Credit Cards, dedicated to providing hearing aids to children who require auditory support. The hearing aids are designed to support children’s cognitive development, educational engagement, and social integration.
Head of Cards at HNB, Gauthami Niranjan, articulated the strategic vision behind the initiative: “The ‘Santa Brigade’ campaign reflects HNB’s commitment to breaking down barriers that prevent children from fully participating in their education and social development. We recognize that hearing impairment can significantly impact a child’s ability to learn, communicate, and connect with the world around them. By partnering with Visa and linking our card transactions to this critical social need, we’re doing more than just donating – we’re creating a sustainable model of corporate social responsibility that empowers communities and transforms lives.”
Avanthi Colombage, Country Manager, Sri Lanka and Maldives, Visa said: “The Santa Brigade is a one-of-its-kind campaign which represents a socially powerful partnership not just between HNB and Visa, but where we are joining forces with our cardholders to do collective good. In the festive spirit, there are few things that bring more joy creating a direct, real impact in the lives of young children, and by providing essential hearing aids, we hope to enhance the lives of the youth of our country in a meaningful way.”
The campaign introduces an interactive digital platform that encourages participants to contribute by raising a virtual decibel meter with a joyful “HO HO HO!” This innovative milestone tracker allows users to witness their collective impact in real-time. As customer spending grows, HNB, in collaboration with Visa, moves closer to its goal of donating hearing aids to children with hearing disabilities, offering them the transformative gift of sound and a chance to experience the magic of the festive season.
The ‘Santa Brigade’ campaign will run throughout the holiday season, and HNB and Visa invite customers to participate in this transformative initiative, demonstrating how collective action can address critical healthcare needs by logging onto www.hnbsantabrigade.com.
With 254 customer centers nationwide, HNB continues to distinguish itself as one of Sri Lanka’s most technologically advanced and socially responsible private-sector banks. The institution remains committed to sustainable banking practices and community development, consistently pioneering innovative approaches that demonstrate the potential of financial services to create meaningful societal change.
