First Capital Pioneers WhatsApp Transactions for Unit Trust Funds for the First Time in Sri Lanka

First Capital, a frontrunner in Sri Lanka’s financial services sector with over four decades of distinguished service offering, is proud to announce the launch of its groundbreaking Unit Trust investment and withdrawal service via WhatsApp. This innovative initiative marks a significant milestone in making investment services more accessible and user-friendly, as First Capital continues to build its customer base through cutting-edge technology. For the first time in Sri Lanka, customers can now invest in and withdraw from Unit Trusts seamlessly through WhatsApp. With a commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, First Capital strives to help customers achieve their financial goals through expert advice and cutting-edge technology.

This cutting-edge service aims to enhance customer convenience by allowing investors to manage their portfolios with just a few taps on their smartphones. With WhatsApp’s widespread popularity in Sri Lanka, First Capital is making investing more accessible and user-friendly for all. This launch is part of First Capital’s ongoing strategy to integrate digital solutions into its offerings, making investing more inclusive for everyone, from seasoned investors to newcomers.

At the recently held National ICT Awards 2024 (NBQSA), organized by BCS The Chartered Institute for IT Sri Lanka Section (BCSSL), First Capital Invest WhatsApp Channel – Sri Lanka’s first platform enabling transactions in Unit Trusts via WhatsApp, was honoured with the Gold Award in the In-House Development category. This advanced solution significantly improves fund management efficiency for clients. In addition, First Capital received a Merit Award for its online portal, developed in partnership with Epic Lanka, which provides a comprehensive digital gateway for financial services. These prestigious awards highlight First Capital’s commitment to customer satisfaction and its proficiency in leveraging technology.

In an era where digital transformation is crucial, First Capital is at the forefront of driving innovation within the Unit Trust category. By leveraging popular platforms like WhatsApp, the company is reshaping the investment landscape, empowering customers to manage their portfolios conveniently and efficiently.

The company is excited to announce the launch of its new WhatsApp bot, designed to streamline transactions for customers invested in First Capital Unit Trust Funds, including the Money Market Fund and Money Plus Fund. This unique service allows customers to conduct a variety of Unit Trust transactions conveniently via WhatsApp. They can easily interact with the WhatsApp bot by sending a simple “Hi” to 766 656 656. Following this, clients will receive clear instructions to complete transactions such as: investing in Unit Trusts, withdrawing from Unit Trusts, checking balances of their funds, viewing Unit Trust prices and requesting a Debit Card for instant access to their recently launched First Capital Money Plus fund as well.

This service is backed by a verified business account by Meta, indicated by a Blue Tick, ensuring clients can trust the authenticity of the communication.

To guarantee the safety of all transactions, First Capital has implemented several robust security measures, including: a 6-digit OTP (One-Time Password) at the registration and verification processes, a 40-second session expiry time to protect user sessions and withdrawals are permitted only to the customer’s registered primary account.

Commenting on the product launch, Mithila Abeysekera, Chief Technology and Digital Officer at First Capital said, “Technology is revolutionizing interactions with financial services. By utilizing WhatsApp, we are streamlining the management of Unit Trust Fund investments for our clients. This innovation offers a seamless, secure, and modern way to manage their investments conveniently. As Chief Technology and Digital Officer at First Capital, I believe innovation goes beyond technology; it is about enhancing client experiences and making financial management accessible. We are excited to introduce new features aimed at elevating our customers’ experience. Our upcoming tri-lingual support in English, Sinhala, and Tamil will allow customers to access services in their preferred language.”

Mr. Kavin Karunamoorthy, Chief Executive Offer at First Capital Asset Management expressed, “At First Capital, we are dedicated to making Unit Trust Fund investments more accessible and convenient for our clients. In a pioneering move for Sri Lanka’s financial services sector, we are proud to introduce a WhatsApp channel for transactions, enabling clients to manage their investments effortlessly on a platform convenient to them. This innovation underscores our commitment to enhancing the customer experience and democratizing investment opportunities for all.”

In conclusion, First Capital is proud to lead the way in financial innovation by introducing the ability to invest in and withdraw from Unit Trusts via WhatsApp, a transformative initiative in Sri Lanka. This new feature not only simplifies the investment process but also empowers the clients with seamless access to their financial portfolios at their fingertips. Furthermore, these initiatives enables achieving our objective as a Market Intermediary of promoting capital markets and improving financial literacy.

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About First Capital

With strong emphasis on upholding stability, fostering a competitive advantage, and providing an exceptional customer experience, First Capital focuses on staying true to its “Performance First” ethos. First Capital stands strong with robust fundamentals, dedicated teams, and the support of the Janashakthi Group, allowing it to weather challenging market cycles. The organization is actively expanding its reach and significance by enhancing its digital capabilities and integrating its operations. These efforts are aimed at transforming client experiences, fostering operational efficiency, and driving overall growth & sustainability.

First Capital Holdings PLC operates as a primary dealer, corporate finance advisor, wealth manager and stockbroker. Notably, First Capital has been recognized as the Most Valuable Consumer Brand in the Investment Banking sector by Brand Finance for two consecutive years.

With over four decades of expertise in providing capital market solutions, First Capital Holdings PLC is a listed full-service investment institution in Sri Lanka. First Capital Holdings PLC is rated [SL] A with Positive outlook by LRA.

The Board of Directors of First Capital Holdings PLC comprises Rajendra Theagarajah (Chairman), Manjula Mathews (Deputy Chairperson), Dilshan Wirasekara (Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer), Ramesh Schaffter, Kuda Herath, Inoshini Perera, Rachini Rajapaksa, and Dilendra Wimalasekere.