NDB Bank Takes Bold Step towards Gender-Inclusive Growth with WE Finance Code Pledge

NDB Bank proudly announces its commitment to advancing financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs by officially becoming a signatory to the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code (WE Finance Code)—a global initiative designed to accelerate access to finance for women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (WMSMEs). This pledge positions NDB among a select group of forward-thinking financial institutions committed to fostering a more inclusive, data-driven and equitable financial ecosystem.

Launched at the World Bank–IMF Annual Meetings in Marrakech in October 2023, the WE Finance Code brings together financial service providers, regulators, development banks, and ecosystem enablers to create a robust platform that nurtures women-led enterprises. Sri Lanka’s national adoption of the Code in March 2025, supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), marks a significant milestone in transforming the economic landscape for female entrepreneurs.

By signing onto the Code, NDB reaffirms its belief in the transformative power of women entrepreneurs to drive innovation, create employment, and uplift communities. The Bank’s participation is also aligned with its broader agenda of responsible banking, where gender inclusivity and equitable access to finance remain cornerstones of sustainable progress.

To ensure meaningful outreach, the Code provides a structured lens to identify and support women-led enterprises—those where women play a significant role in ownership, leadership, or governance. This approach ensures that financial solutions are directed towards businesses where women are not just participants but decision-makers and drivers of growth.

The WE Finance Code also supports institutional transformation through standardised data practices, calling for the collection and use of sex-disaggregated data to identify gaps and craft responsive policies. With regulatory endorsement from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, this framework will be integrated across the financial sector, enabling banks like NDB to build targeted solutions, tailor support, and track outcomes effectively.

Through its participation, NDB joins a network of champions across Asia and the Pacific who are working collectively to strengthen the financial ecosystem for women. The initiative is set to drive national and regional dialogue, encourage public-private partnerships, and increase investments in women-owned businesses, unlocking their full potential as contributors to national economic growth.

Commenting on the Bank’s pledge, Indika Ranaweera, Vice President, SME, Middle Markets and Business Banking at NDB Bank, stated, “At NDB, we recognise empowering women entrepreneurs is not merely a corporate responsibility—it is an economic imperative. By joining the WE Finance Code, we aim to reshape the financial landscape for women-led enterprises in Sri Lanka, ensuring they have the resources, visibility, and support needed to thrive. This is yet another step in our journey to enable inclusive, impactful growth for all.”

NDB Bank remains steadfast in its mission to empower Sri Lankan women entrepreneurs—turning promise into progress, and vision into reality.