Continuing its valuable support to the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) sector, Pan Asia Bank recently conducted another ‘SMEs and Financial Management’ workshop in Kurunegala to enhance financial literacy for small business owners in the region. About 30-40 of the bank’s SME customers from the Northwestern area came together at the Kandyan Reach Hotel for the workshop to gain knowledge about preparation of cash flows and bank reconciliation statements to enhance their financial literacy through group-based assignments.
The workshop was conducted by Mr. Sarath Dias-Bandaranayake, a Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, Fellow of the Institute of Training & Development, Founder Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Professional Managers; Certified Life & Business Coach is a Trainer of Entrepreneurs, Banking & Finance & HR Professionals, Essential Skills, Trainers, Coaches; Life & Business Coach; Banking, Finance, Management & a HR Consultant.
Assistant General Manager – Branch Credit Nimal Ratnayake said: “Pan Asia Bank is pleased to conduct one more in our series of critical workshops for our SME customer base as they are the backbone of the economy. The workshop strengthens their financial knowledge so that they can run their businesses more efficiently. These workshops have helped our SME customers navigate tough times with ease. We remain keen to enhance the bank’s SME portfolio to better support the national economy.”
Pan Asia Bank’s ‘SMEs and Financial Management’ workshop helped participants to understand their inherent strengths and weaknesses while helping to develop the character traits that make successful entrepreneurs. Participants were offered insights into key entrepreneurial success factors while giving them a deeper understanding of the banking business to better manage their cash flow. The SME customers were also enlightened about the dangers of improper use of credit and cheques. The workshop also helped customers understand banking in relation to their business and financial security. This included an overview of bank borrowings, working capital, current assets and current liabilities and profitability and cash flow.
As an active business partner for entrepreneurs, Pan Asia Bank is always in the forefront of supporting the Sri Lankan SME community.
Photo caption: Participants at the SME workshop in Kurunegala, with eminent SME expert Mr Sarath Bandaranayake and Pan Asia Bank’s AGM Branch Credit Nimal Ratnayake