SECTOR WINNER BANKING

Commercial Bank of Ceylon possesses a rich heritage indeed – with its roots running as far back as 1920 when Eastern Bank, which was its forerunner, commenced operations in Sri Lanka. It is the largest private bank in Sri Lanka today, and the first Sri Lankan one to be ranked amongst the ‘Top 1000 Banks of the World’ by The Banker magazine of the UK – along with being the first bank in Sri Lanka to achieve carbon neutral status. Commercial Bank has won multiple local and international awards as Sri Lanka’s ‘Best Bank,’ ‘Best Trade Bank,’ ‘Strongest Bank,’ ‘Most Respected Bank’ and ‘Most Responsible Bank.’

Q: What does it take to earn and maintain corporate respect today?

A: Respect is something a corporate earns by walking the talk. Our approach is to be consistent, transparent and sustainable, which has earned us the respect of our customers and other stakeholders over 104 years.

In a demanding business environment, achieving equilibrium across all facets of a business is a challenge. By upholding corporate ethics, maintaining a customer-centric approach, investing in human capital, adapting to market dynamics and engaging with communities however, an organisation can sustain – and even boost – the respect it commands.

Sanath Manatunge
Managing Director
Chief Executive Officer

Q: How is the bank contributing to Sri Lanka’s economic future?

A: As a systemically important bank with a customer base exceeding 3.5 million, Commercial Bank is proud to play a significant role in Sri Lanka’s economic future.

From financing large-scale projects for major corporations to supporting emerging small and medium entrepreneurs, and helping Sri Lankans achieve their personal financial goals, the bank plays a crucial role in promoting financial inclusivity.

One example of our stellar contribution to the economic future is that the bank has been named as the ‘Highest Lender to SMEs’ amongst all financial institutions, for the fourth consecutive year, by the Ministry of Finance.

Q: With many Sri Lankan corporates expanding their boundaries overseas, what does it take for biz entities to earn respect internationally?  

A: Going global requires striking a complex balance between a local corporate identity and the ethos in an overseas market. Having a deep understanding of nuances in overseas markets is essential while being agile to adapt to them.

It’s important to add value to communities without merely aiming to reap profits. Having overseas operations that encompass Bangladesh, Myanmar and the Maldives, Commercial Bank is committed to elevate these respective communities through financial empowerment.

Q: How should corporates instil environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) practices in their operations to secure corporate respect?

A: Corporates have a responsibility to address their social and environmental impacts. The respect they earn hinges on how inclusive and forward-thinking their approach to ESG is, aligning with overall corporate strategies.

Effective corporate governance establishes a framework for the board and management to prioritise accountability, transparency, fairness, responsibility, compliance and risk management, thereby garnering respect as a corporate entity.
Q: How important are stakeholder perceptions in the context of corporate respect and admiration – and why?

A: Perceptions are crucial in building a corporate reputation, and more so in the financial sector. Perceptions have to stand the test of experience for stakeholders, and should be backed by a solid performance.

We are humbled to have been selected as the ‘Most Respected Bank’ in Sri Lanka by the public, which speaks volumes about how Commercial Bank is perceived.
Q: What are the key attributes of your company’s image?

A: Stability and trust are the foremost attributes of our corporate image. Being Sri Lanka’s best performing and largest private sector bank correlates directly with our status as one of the country’s top corporate brands.

Since inception, the bank has been associated with stability, financial strength, service quality, technology and sustainability. All of these attributes translate into the principal virtue of trust, which is indispensable in the financial services industry.

QUICK-FIRE ROUND

Three vital ingredients that earn corporate respect

Honesty, integrity and transparency
Customer-centric approach
Consistent performance

Three global organisations that you respect  

Apple
Amazon
DBS Bank (Singapore)

Commercial Bank’s product, honesty, integrity, dedication to meeting customer needs and commitment to sustainability are the pillars of its corporate image. Recognising that even the smallest actions executed with purpose and dedication can lead to monumental change, the bank’s social commitment extends beyond the financial sector.

Telephone 2486000 | Email info@combank.net | Website www.combank.lk