17 December - 2021:

HBL in its pivot towards becoming a ‘Technology Company with a Banking License’ has become the first bank in Pakistan to enable its customers to use their mobile phones as their credit cards and make payments instantly via HBL Pay.

This feature, embedded in the HBL Mobile App, makes the customer experience more convenient and hassle-free. The tokenization technology, which is also used by leading technological giants, enables the HBL Mobile App to create a unique token for each card, which is stored in the mobile phone. Leveraging this technology, HBL will enable efficient digital transactions in a safe and secure way for its customers.

Currently compatible with android phones with NFC functionality, the feature will enable the customers to make payments by tapping their unlocked phones on a contactless-enabled Point of Sale (POS) machine instead of their physical credit cards.

HBL Pay along with other existing features like card activation, card blocking and transactional controls on the HBL Mobile App, has put HBL CreditCards at the forefront of technological advancement. This product offering will pave the way for HBL customers to enjoy a cardless environment.

HBL encourages its CreditCard customers to log in to the HBL Mobile App and use this new feature.

The agreement was signed by Adnan Pasha, Chief of Staff to the President & CEO – HBL and Fuad Imran Khan, Chief Strategy Officer - BaKhabar Kissan. Other senior members from both the organizations were also present on the occasion.

Karachi – 16 December 2021:

HBL entered into a strategic alliance with BaKhabar Kissan, a leading agriculture technology company engaged in building the capacity of farmers, operative in Pakistan.

Through this agreement, BaKhabar Kissan will provide customized actionable information through remote sensing techniques to HBL’s beneficiary farmers based on their crop type, location, and livestock. The agreement was signed by Adnan Pasha Siddiqui, Chief of Staff to the President & CEO – HBL and Fuad Imran Khan, Chief Strategy Officer – BaKhabar Kissan.

Through this collaboration, farmers registered with HBL Development Finance will have access to a multitude of services offered by BaKhabar Kissan, including agro-met and livestock advisory, weather forecasts, disaster alerts, crop health monitoring through satellite imagery, and an automatic weather station. Moreover, HBL shall also evaluate and may adopt, the remote sensing technology of BaKhabar Kissan for crop monitoring to ensure better and efficient agronomic advisory to the participating farmers.

The collaboration will further provide HBL Development Finance, the opportunity to deepen its market penetration as it continues to move ahead in its strategic initiative of broad-based financial inclusion and contribution to the agri value chain in the country.

Commenting on the partnership, Adnan Pasha, Chief of Staff to the President & CEO – HBL said, “HBL’s strategic Development Finance initiative is in line with our financial inclusion agenda and aims to augment the agri value chain providing small farmers with in-kind financing alongside agronomy advice to improve crop yields, lowers production costs as well as enables efficient selling of produce to processors. A more productive and efficient agri value chain also creates wealth at the bottom of the economic pyramid besides creating new job opportunities, ensuring sustainable food security for the nation. The partnership with BaKhabar Kissan will provide a platform to all stakeholders to interact and transact for mutual benefits and to encourage best practices in agronomy combined with tech and mechanized solutions.”

PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja: “Reality is that HBL, in fact, have been investing in the future stars of Pakistan cricket through PSL for which we are eternally grateful”

Lahore – 18 November 2021:

Pakistan Super League has received a major boost from HBL who have reacquired the title sponsorship of the PCB’s pinnacle tournament for another four-year cycle (2022-2025).

HBL not only exceeded the reserve price in reacquiring the rights but sealed it with a 55 per cent jump from last cycle, which speaks volumes of their belief in the PSL brand.

HBL earned title sponsorship rights following a public tender process in which seven interested parties had collected the bid documents.

PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja: “I am delighted that the HBL have further strengthened their bond and relationship with the Pakistan Cricket Board by committing to support the Pakistan Super League for another four years. Reality is that HBL, in fact, have been investing in the future stars of Pakistan cricket through PSL for which we are eternally grateful.

“Their decision to continue the partnership is also a validation and endorsement of the brand and product the HBL PSL has become, thanks to the untiring efforts of the Pakistan Cricket Board staff and our valued franchises. Both the PCB and franchises, with the patronage of HBL, have worked tirelessly to make the league glamorous, entertaining and exciting for the fans as well as the shortest format specialists who are keen to feature in it.”

HBL Chief Operating Officer Sagheer Mufti: “HBL is pleased to renew its commitment to Pakistan’s largest sporting platform, Pakistan Super League (PSL) for a further four years. This will mark HBL’s support for this national initiative for 10 years, since its inception in 2016. HBL remains committed to playing its part in promoting Pakistan and cricket.”

HBL Chief Marketing & Communications Officer Ali Habib: “HBL is all about ‘enabling dreams’ and this synchronizes perfectly with PSL’s philosophy to provide an enabling platform to the young, emerging cricketers of the country. HBL wishes PCB all the success in staging this mega sporting platform that provides fans the world over the opportunity to enjoy the best that cricket has to offer.”

Muhammad Aurangzeb, President & CEO – HBL (left) and Tariq Malik, Chairman – NADRA (right), signing the agreement between the two organizations

Islamabad – 29 December 2021:

National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has awarded the mandate for the deployment of Point-of-Sales (POS) terminals to HBL for the acceptance of credit and debit cards at NADRA Centers across the country. These POS terminals are being deployed at all NADRA Centers on the directives and recommendation of Government of Pakistan and State Bank of Pakistan.

The agreement in this regard was signed between Tariq Malik, Chairman - NADRA and Muhammad Aurangzeb, President & CEO - HBL. Senior officials from both the organizations were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Tariq Malik, Chairman - NADRA said that installing POS Terminals at our NRCs would allow payment through debit and credit cards. NADRA Centers across the country have a massive public footfall every day and digitalizing payment systems would allow the citizens to have multiple payment options, offering them an easy and secure mode of payment while pivoting towards a Digital Pakistan, he said.

He also stated that adoption of POS Terminals at the NRCs offers accounting efficiency and accuracy. He said that the NRCs will now be accepting more currencies as the applicants are often Overseas Pakistanis with foreign bank accounts and payment cards.

Through this partnership, HBL will be deploying its POS terminals at all NADRA Centers nationwide. This initiative is pivotal towards improving Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, enabling HBL to play its part in supporting NADRA to digitalize its identification systems at large. It will allow applicants at NADRA to have multiple payment options by offering them ease and convenience of service.

Commenting on the occasion, Muhammad Aurangzeb, President & CEO – HBL said, “We are delighted to be awarded this mandate. HBL and NADRA have a longstanding relationship, spanning over many years. HBL as the Government of Pakistan’s primary bank, has implemented many strategic programs in partnership with NADRA to bring convenience and ease for the public. This partnership furthers HBL’s strategic priority of promoting digitalization across the country.”

NADRA remains a key stakeholder for HBL, as it provides both Verisys and biometric verification systems, allowing Banks and other financial institutions to verify the credentials of their clients at the time of account opening and conducting transactions.

HBL continues to be the main account/collection bank for NADRA Registration Centers including more than 600 operational accounts opened across various branches of the Bank.

24 January 2021:

HBL is providing collateral-free financing at subsidized markup rates to facilitate the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that are considered to be the key-drivers of the economy. The initiative falls under the Government of Pakistan’s recently launched ‘SME Asaan Finance’ (SAAF) scheme. It is designed to provide the SMEs with enhanced access to formal finance in a more convenient and seamless manner from the banks operative in the country.

Through HBL SAAF Finance, the Bank will support the SMEs, providing them with efficient financing solutions. This initiative will enable small and medium enterprises to expand their business through easy and convenient loan processing, with minimal documentation requirements, and a markup rate as low as 9%.

This will accelerate the Bank’s agenda to shift its focus from ‘collateral-based lending’ to ‘cash flow-based lending’, with an emphasis on supporting the SMEs in the country. This initiative will result in clients getting easy access of credit for new businesses at highly subsidized rates.

Commenting on HBL SAAF Finance, Muhammad Aurangzeb, President & CEO – HBL said, “We believe that this landmark initiative will transform the SME landscape of Pakistan. It is in line with HBL’s commitment to fostering growth of the SMEs and creating opportunities, especially for small businesses, through efficient and fast loan processing. The scheme will also enable HBL to increase its footprint in the SME sector as the Bank plays its part in driving the national agenda of financial inclusion in the country.”

26 January 2021:

HBL is committed towards promoting cricket in Pakistan through HBLPSL. As the biggest sporting event in the country, HBLPSL has played a key role in re-igniting the passion for cricket in the nation. It not only provides a platform to young cricketers to be a part of the international cricket circle but also brings international cricketers to Pakistan.

The tournament will commence with a much-awaited match between the 2021 champions Multan Sultans taking on Karachi Kings at the National Stadium in Karachi on 27 January 2022. The first leg will be played in Karachi, while the final showdown will take place on 27 February 2022 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Commenting on HBLPSL, Ali Habib, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer – HBL said, “HBLPSL has played a major role in building a positive image of the country. HBL’s renewed commitment with PCB for another four years, brings us to celebrating ten years of HBLPSL since its inception in 2016. Both HBL and PCB believe in enabling dreams of the youth and HBLPSL is doing that for the young cricketers in Pakistan.”

​Kamran Mehdi Jaffery, Head Digital Channels & Solutions – HBL (second from right), Syed Zeeshan Ali, Director Digital Payments – Daraz (third from right) and Nadeem Haroon, Country Manager – UnionPay International (5th from right) along with other senior members from the organizations on the occasion.

31 January 2021:

HBL and Daraz join hands to enable all UnionPay cardholders to conduct e-commerce transactions from Daraz online marketplace. With this enablement, UnionPay cardholders can now perform seamless and secure transactions on Daraz.

HBL has always been at the forefront of expanding its digital footprint in Pakistan through its technology-driven initiatives. In line with its vision to becoming a ‘Technology Company with a Banking License’, HBL is focused towards expanding its role in the e-commerce industry, by enabling all UnionPay cardholders to shop on Daraz, empowering them with an optimized online shopping experience.

Kamran Mehdi Jaffery, Head Digital Channels & Solutions – HBL, commented, “HBL empowers its customers with increased choices, and thus accelerating the pace at which our economy digitalizes. Our collaboration will directly benefit UnionPay cardholders who can now make online transactions on Daraz. This will level the playing field and increase opportunities for the card holders. The overarching goal for HBL is to enable a sustained economic ecosystem powered by digital inclusion.”

James Yang, General Manager of UnionPay International Middle East Branch, said in a statement, “UnionPay is a customer-centric card scheme and we keep developing and bringing the best available payment options and experiences to the market. We are excited to partner with HBL to enhance the customer journey at Daraz for our cardholders, accelerating digital transformation to meet demands and long-term growth in the community.”

Commenting on the partnership, Syed Zeeshan Ali, Director Digital Payments – Daraz said, “Daraz has a strategic focus on digital payments growth in Pakistan and has worked relentlessly with stakeholders to bring new digital payment solutions to its customers. We are delighted to launch acceptance of UnionPay cards at the Daraz online marketplace as it will enable a major segment of customers to pay digitally. Over half of the customer spend on Daraz is acquired through digital payments, and with the addition of UnionPay as a payment option, we look forward to further expanding digital payment adoption on Daraz.”

The partnership between HBL, Daraz and UnionPay will create an enabling environment for a more rapid and inclusive growth of the Pakistani economy. It will serve as a milestone for not just UnionPay cardholders, but also for Pakistan’s digital payments and e-commerce landscape as a whole.

Muhammad Aurangzeb, President & CEO - HBL (standing 3rd from left) and Usman Dar, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Youth Affairs (standing 2nd from left) along with other senior members from both the organizations were present on the occasion.​

Usman Dar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs along with his team visited HBL to meet the senior management and recognize the efforts of the Bank for its contribution towards the Kamyab Jawan program.

He congratulated HBL on achieving the milestone of disbursing PKR 3 billion and surpassing State Bank of Pakistan’s target by 45% under the program in 2021.

Usman Dar shared a 2-year progress report of the program and appreciated HBL’s contribution and vision towards the SME sector.

Muhammad Aurangzeb, President & CEO – HBL, commenting on the occasion said, “HBL’s contribution towards affordable finance programs offered by the Government is a testament to the Bank’s commitment to facilitate the SME sector in Pakistan. The Kamyab Jawan program enables HBL to increase its penetration in the SME sector while playing its part to drive the national agenda of financial inclusion in the country.”

Muhammad Aurangzeb, President & CEO – HBL (sitting on left) and Andreas Andreades, Executive Chairman – Temenos (sitting on right) signing the agreement. Senior members from both the organizations were also present at the occasion.

Karachi, Pakistan – February 17, 2022

HBL, Pakistan’s largest bank network to adopt the Temenos core banking platform to provide domestic and international operations with a cutting-edge banking experience.

HBL will onboard over 25 million of the Bank’s clients onto Temenos open platform for composable banking. The platform will accelerate the Bank’s services across all segments, markets, and channels. HBL clients will have an enhanced user experience in the form of increased reliability, security and a modern platform that will enhance HBL’s digitalization journey.

The Temenos implementation will include a full suite of client-friendly products and services that will provide end-to-end, technologically advanced solutions to both HBL’s conventional and Islamic banking clients. Faster onboarding and quicker transaction processing will provide a more seamless client experience, enabling HBL to increase its digital footprint across Pakistan and internationally. The new system will also enhance adherence to local banking regulations and improve reporting standards for international markets in China, GCC, Europe and SAARC countries.

Muhammad Aurangzeb, President & CEO - HBL, said: “The open technology platform provided by Temenos is flexible, global-ready and has the breadth of banking services to meet our clients’ fast-developing banking needs. This partnership contributes to our goal to become a ‘Technology company with a Banking License’.”

Sagheer Mufti, Chief Operating Officer - HBL, added: “At HBL, we are always looking at better ways to serve our clients. By adopting this leading platform, we will add to our capability to give clients an improved experience when using our services, now and for many years to come.”

Max Chuard, Chief Executive Officer - Temenos, commented: “HBL is a forward-looking bank with a pioneering approach to shaping the future of banking. Temenos open platform for composable banking will free the bank from legacy constraints. To innovate safely at speed, as well as scale its offering and achieve its growth goals. We are proud to support HBL as it delivers on this exciting vision for more than 25 million clients worldwide.”