Championing Sri Lanka’s power of brand choice, SLIM-Nielsen Peoples Award conferred the Top Spot for the LOLC Brand in the “PEOPLES Financial Services Provider of the Year” category at this year’s ceremony held at Water’s Edge on the 19th of March. Mr. Kapila Jayawardena, Group Managing Director/CEO of LOLC accepted the award.

This celebrated event is spearheaded by Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) together with Nielsen Research Agency in Sri Lanka and is held for the 8th consecutive year. It provides a true reflection of peoples choices as the winners are selected by people themselves. The LOLC Brand in this regard has been selected by the people as the most preferred and trusted brand amongst Financial Services Providers of Sri Lanka.

Commenting, Mr. Kapila Jayawardena said, “This marks a remarkable milestone for the LOLC Brand. For over 3 decades, the LOLC Brand has been close to the hearts of ordinary Sri Lankans in their pursuit for financial success and spirit of entrepreneurship. We deliver what we promise and it has been our privilege to be the Peoples Preferred Financial Services Partner. This is a true testimony of the lasting impact that LOLC has made on the people of Sri Lanka and the honour goes to the entire team of LOLC for their perseverance in making it to the top.”

LOLC is the third joint venture of ORIX Corporation of Japan and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). A dynamic conglomerate with a wealth of experience in providing innovative and personalized total financial and non-financial solutions to Sri Lankans far and wide, LOLC was set up with the aim of developing the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and Micro sectors of Sri Lanka. Hailed as the largest non-banking financial institution in the country, LOLC comprises of 35 direct subsidiaries and approximately 3,000 employees and dispenses its business operations through a footprint of nearly 200 locations.

Speaking further about LOLC’s brand strength, Mr. Jayawardena says that sustainability of business, adopting good business practices and transparent communication are the ethos on which LOLC’s brand has been solidly founded. “As a financial entity, we are required to engage with various stakeholders on a daily basis. Be it customers, funding partners, shareholders, regulatory authorities or employees, it is their absolute trust and faith in the integrity of our brand that gives us the unique leverage over others. Undoubtedly, this has added years of value to our brand’s longevity and success, which has been our greatest achievement to date”.

In conclusion, Mr. Jayawardena said that LOLC, which has been in existence for over three decades signifying the financial inclusions and economic empowerment created for the people at large, is proud to be honoured with this prestigious award.

With its finger firmly on the national economy, LOLC’s business interests span across Financial Services, Leisure, Agriculture & Plantation, Renewable Energy, Manufacturing and Trading. Its ability to adapt to new environments and conditions, its core identity, values and service-first mindset and the synergies between the parent company and its subsidiaries have contributed immensely to strengthening the LOLC Group’s brand performance amongst Sri Lankan consumers.