Commercial Bank Launches WhatsApp Banking in Sri Lanka

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has launched WhatsApp banking for the first time in Sri Lanka, ushering a new dimension of convenience in banking services. Both new and existing customers can just say Hi on WhatsApp and access a host of banking facilities. These include creating new bank accounts, balance inquiries and foreign exchange information.

The launch of this contactless banking service is particularly well-timed due to social distancing requirements imposed by the Covid19 pandemic. It eliminates the need for customers to visit a bank branch to access basic financial services. As WhatsApp enjoys widespread popularity in Sri Lanka, it’s a natural choice for the expansion of digital banking services. Even less tech-savvy users will find WhatsApp’s already familiar user interface easy to use. Furthermore, the end-to-end encrypted nature of WhatsApp messaging should give peace of mind to those worried about privacy and security. (End-to-end encryption means that a message is encrypted while in transit. Even WhatsApp servers cannot see the contents of the message. Only the sender and receiver can read it.)

How to access WhatsApp Banking

Poster of WhatsApp banking services offered by Commercial Bank of Ceylon

If you are an existing customer, you can straight-away use the service by messaging the designated number from the mobile number registered with the bank. New customers need a simple one-time registration to verify identity before sharing any sensitive data. This involves using the ComBank Flash Digital Banking app for registration and then visiting a bank branch to verify identity.

To use this service, you should first save the number +94 713 353353 as a contact on your smartphone. Then, you need to send a WhatsApp message saying “Hi”. A list of instructions will be sent to start a conversation. To get a particular service, you reply with the number assigned to it. This is similar to pressing numbers when you call the bank’s customer service. Note that each time users access the service, they need to enter OTPs (one-time passwords) sent via SMS to the registered mobile number.

By starting a conversation with the above number, you agree with the Terms & Conditions of WhatsApp Banking.

ComBank services available via WhatsApp

The new service provides 24/7 access to many Commercial bank services. Users can get up-to-date banking information free of charge, with the ability to resolve a number of account-related issues remotely. Even if you are not an existing customer, you can use the service to open a new account at Commercial Bank without any hassle.

Services offered via WhatsApp banking

  • Balance inquiry
  • Account history
  • Request for cheque book
  • Fixed deposit rates
  • Foreign exchange rates
  • Open new accounts
  • Self-register with ComBank Digital app

With 268 branches and 880 ATMS around the country, Commercial bank is one of the biggest private banks in Sri Lanka. It already offers Internet Banking and mobile apps to manage accounts. WhatsApp banking is the latest addition to its digital services portfolio, and is sure to enrich their customer experience.

This facility has been available for some time in the South Asian region: in India, HDFC, ICICI, and Kotak Mahindra are known to offer the service. Further east, DBS bank in Singapore also supports it. Hopefully, other banks in Sri Lanka will follow suit and offer WhatsApp banking soon.