Corporate Profile of Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC – Bangladesh Operations

Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC (CBC) commenced its Bangladesh operations in 2003, establishing itself as a premier foreign bank. With a network of 11 branches, 6 SME centers, 2 offshore banking units, and 1 sub-branch, CBC Bangladesh focuses on corporate, SME, and personal banking, offering innovative products and superior service quality. Below is the detailed corporate profile of Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC.

VISION

To be the Bank of Excellence in Service and Commitments.

MISSION

To deliver optimum value to Customers, Employees, Shareholders & the Nation while ensuring good Corporate Governance.

HEAD OFFICE

Address

Hadi Tower, House No.NW(K)-1, Road No. 50,

Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Gulshan-2,

Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh. P.O. Box No. 3490

Telephone (General)

+88 02 226606601-10

E-mail

email@combankbd.com

Fax

+88 02 226606612

Swift

CCEYBDDH

Information Centre

16734

Website

www.combank.net.bd/en

LEGAL STATUS

Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC(CBC)- Bangladesh Operations commenced its Banking operations in Bangladesh as a branch office of Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC, Sri Lanka by obtaining banking business license from Bangladesh Bank vide license no. BRPD(P)745(27)/2003-4369 dated 29 October, 2003 and also obtaining permission from Bangladesh Investment Development Authority.

AUDITORS

Qasem & Co.

(Correspondent member Firm of ECOVIS International)

BRIEF HISTORY OF PARENT BANK

CBC carrying a history over 103 years. CBC earlier named as “Eastern Bank” in Sri Lanka which is commenced business in1920 and it was incorporated as a publicly quoted company in Sri Lanka on 25 June 1969. It is a licensed commercial Bank operating under the provisions of Sri Lanka Banking Act No. 30 of 1988.

The CBC’s network in Sri Lanka covers the entire Island of Sri Lanka and consists over 271 Branches, Service Points and Supermarket Outlets offering on-line banking services, 925 ATMs offering 24 hour access and Holiday Banking Centers providing 365 day banking.

CBC’s overseas operations encompass Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, and represent offices almost in all Middle Eastern Countries and South Korea.

Share holding pattern

Among the major shareholders- entities related to the State, including Employees’ Provident Fund, Employees’ Trust Fund Board and Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, collectively held 18.81% of Bank’s shares. While DFCC Bank PLC, (12.11%), the International Finance Corporation (7.11%), CB NY S/A IFC Emerging Asia Fund LP(3.67%), CB NY S/A IFC Financial Institution Growth Fund LP(3.67%) are the other major shareholders. Notably, the Bank has a substantial foreign shareholding, with foreign shareholders owning a combined 18.00% stake in the Bank.

BRIEF HISTOY OF CBC BANGLADESH OPERATIONS

CBC –Bangladesh Operations commenced its banking business in Bangladesh from 6th November 2003 by acquiring the operations of Credit Agricole Indosuez, a French Multi-national Bank with two branches and two booths.

During the past 20 years, our Bangladesh operations have grown to take on a leadership position among the country’s foreign banks. Its network now comprises 11 branches, 6 SME Centers, 2 Offshore Banking Units & 1 sub-Branch operations in following locations:

The Bank owns 23 ATM machines in Bangladesh (including four off-site locations). In addition, the bank has introduced Automated Banking Centre (ABC) which comprises real time Cash Deposit Machine, Cheque Deposit Machine, KIOSK Machine and Digital Signage in its Motijheel Branch.

RECENT AWARD AND ACHIEVEMENT

• During the year 2023, Credit Rating Information and Services Ltd (CRISL) rated CBC Bangladesh “AAA” for the 13th consecutive year based on 2022 financial statements.
• Best Foreign Bank in Bangladesh – 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 by Global Economic Limited an UK-based magazine.
• Best Foreign Bank in Bangladesh – 2018, 2019 & 2021 by Global Business Outlook a UK-based magazine.
• Most Sustainable Bank in Bangladesh – 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 by International Business Magazine, UAE.
• Most Recommended Foreign Bank in Bangladesh- 2021, 2022 & 2023 by World Business Outlook a Singapore-based magazine.
• Best Corporate Bank Bangladesh – 2022, 2023 & 2024 by Global Business Review Magazine, UAE.
• Most Innovative Foreign Baking Brand in Bangladesh-2023 by Global Brands, UK.
• Bangladesh International Trade Finance Bank of the Year-2023 by Asian Banking & Finance Magazine, Singapore.
• Best Foreign Bank Bangladesh 2023 by Global Business and Finance Magazine, USA.
• Best Corporate Governance Bank Bangladesh 2024, Best Customer Services Provider Bank Bangladesh 2024 and Best Banking CEO of the Year 2024 by Global Business and Finance Magazine, USA.
• Najith Meewanage- CEO Bangladesh Operations as Top 10 Best Business Leaders in Bangladesh- 2022 by CEO Insights Magazine, India.
• Najith Meewanage” Business Icons of Bangladesh-2023 by The Industry Opinion, India.
• Najith Meewanage” Business Tycoons to Focus in 2024 by The Industry Opinion, India.
• Najith Meewanage” for The 10 Most Prominent Business Leaders to Watch-2023 by The Inner Review, India.
• Najith Meewanage in “World’s Most Iconic Business Leaders Making a Mark in 2024” by Passionate Magazine, India.
• Most Innovative Companies Focused on Changing the Future 2023 by The CIO Times Magazine, USA.
• Top Fastest Growing Companies to Watch 2023 by Biztech Outlook, USA.
• Also awarded by Indian Chamber Of Commerce, India in 4 different categories in 2023.
• A special award from National Board of Revenue, Bangladesh being one of the highest tax payers of the country for the year 2022.

FEATURES

Unique products and services, superior service quality and efficient & customized solutions to the requirements of corporate, SME and personal banking customers are hallmarks of the successful stride of CBC in Bangladesh. CBC has become the best Regional Bank in performance (deposits, advances & profitability) by providing excellent service and commitments focusing the following areas:

Corporate Banking:  CBC from inception has established its name as a premier regional bank offering exceptional relationship banking to corporate banking customers, thus expanding the corporate banking portfolio multi-fold in Bangladesh.

Consumer Banking: CBC is in the process of becoming a preferred Retail, SME & Credit Cards provider for the target market through a superior IT platform and innovative products. Also the bank is providing a superior customer service at affordable charges which helps in achieving a healthy deposit mix with a strong savings base and is in the process of moving to digitalization.

Treasury Operation: CBC is carrying out consistent & efficient fund management through superior knowledge and expertise with diversified treasury products.

Human Resources: CBC is one of the  most preferred employers in the banking industry in Bangladesh by providing best on the job training facilities,  introducing efficient and best banking education, healthy and superior corporate environment etc.

Digital Banking: The bank has introduced a technologically advanced Digital Banking Product branded e.g. e-passbook which is unique product in the country, PayMaster for the corporate clients to ensure smooth daily operations. The bank has introduced Two Factor Authentication (2FA) system for all online transactions without physical cards, e-statement & Over the air pin(OTAP) for Credit Cards and Internet Banking for Corporate & Retail Banking Customers with several new features.

PRODUCT & SERVICES

Major Deposit’s products are High 5 FD, 366 Days FD, Bonus Savings Account, Dream Planner Savings (DPS), FreeCom Current and Savings Account, Ananya (women’s savings account), Money Market Account, Dot Com (for Teens), Shamriddhi, FC Plus, DPS Plus, Dollar Smart, Dollar Smart Plus, Money Market Government Account (MMGA) and Employee Corporate Provident Fund Gratuity Composite Account (ECPF Account) etc.

The bank has offered standard Privilege Corporate Scheme (Standard PCS offer) with special pricing tags to employees of organizations maintain their salary accounts with CBC.

Major Asset products are Term Loans, Personal Loans, Home Loans, Auto Loan, overdraft, LTR, Import Loans, Packing Credits, Foreign Currency Loans, Foreign Bill Discounting, Credit Cards etc. Probriddhi and Trade Com are the two major loan products for SME clients.

Major Treasury products are Call money, Term placement, Re-purchase agreement, Reverse repo, Foreign exchange swap, Foreign currency placement, Government Securities to Inter-Bank, Government Securities to Customers, Inter-Bank spot in major currency pairs, Customer spot in major currency pairs, Foreign remittance, Foreign Currency Forward contract etc.

Bank has wide range of services like Payment of school fees through ComBank Online, ComBank EFT based on Bangladesh Bank’s BEFTN platform. The bank also provides ATM Services, Internet Banking, RTGS service, Holiday Banking, wage earners remittance service through Bkash, Student Remittance and Trade Finance services for its customers, Online Banking for corporate and Mobile Banking for Smartphone Users. In addition, DotCom ATM Card has been included to the teen accounts. The bank has safe deposit locker service at Gulshan Branch, Sylhet Branch and Narayngang branch. For Off-Shore banking it has introduced FC Plus Account and Dollar Smart Account. CBC is the first time introducer of “DIBOR” based lending in Bangladesh. Also CBC is the pioneer in introducing Holiday Banking & Evening Banking concept in the country.

Services to Embassies in Bangladesh

For excellent & unique services and strong reputation as a regional bank over the years, the bank privileged to have several embassies. At present, total 40 out of 55 Foreign Missions are maintaining accounts with CBC and accordingly CBC becomes the leading bank for diplomats.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS:

Despite of severe competition among international and large local banks, CBC has recorded a consistent growth. The progress of the bank in core banking areas of Deposit, Advances and Profit are detailed belowfor the year 2003(inception year) and for the past five years:

(Amount in BDT Million)

KEY FINANCIAL RATIOS FOR THE YEAR 2003(INCEPTION YEAR) AND FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS:

Growth (%):

FUTURE OUTLOOK

We are planning to grow our Balance Sheet and profitability above the industry growth while maintaining non-performing loans below 1.5% which is much below the industry average.

We have set a target on focusing more business from SME and retail by optimizing efficiency in line with regulatory requirement to boost up the country’s economy. Further, we are planning to improve CASA deposits, ancillary income, credit card base by introducing innovative and technologically advanced products.

Initiatives

• Digital penetration by remote onboarding of clients through DKYC & enhancement of Corporate Banking Services through FDA/ EWS.
• Growth of Remittances through Integration with a leading Mobile Financial Services (Bkash).
• Introduction of Islamic Banking window to tap the un-tap market segment.
• Introduction of Investment Banking & Custodial Operation.
• Further Expansion of Treasury by introducing software and new talent.
• Parallel implementation of all IT and other Digital developments in line with Head Office i.e. Introduction of Digital Onboarding of Customers through DKYC, up grading of Internet Banking System, Automation of the Treasury Department, Automation of Regulatory & MIS Reporting, Introduction of Loan Origination System/ E-Achieving/ Card Personalization System etc.
• More focus on FX based segments- Jute sector, Shipping lines, Freight forwarders, Buying Houses , foreign project etc.
• Concentration on mid-sized Corporate and large SMEs through branch RMs concept (focus sectors such as, Pharmaceuticals, leather, nontraditional exports, Agro-processing etc.).
• Restructuring of the Liability marketing team & introduction of unique deposits products as well as revamping of selected existing products.
• Expand the Custodial services including mutual fund and escrow arrangements.
• Automation of Customer Profitability Computation and Streamline Profit Centers.
• Formation of future ready talent through fast tracking of high performers, introduction of mentoring/ formalize counseling & grievance handling & familiarization programs with Head Office.

CORPORATE SOCIAL REAPONSIBILITY (CSR) ACTIVITIES

CSR is an integral part of CBC Culture. Through different projects the bank contributed to the community but main focus is to help millions of Underprivileged section of the society particularly poor students/children in Bangladesh. CBC has always been active in social responsibility projects since the beginning.

During the year 2023, CSR expenses were BDT 4.0 million covering all the areas as per the guideline of Bangladesh Bank.

With an excellent financial performance and reputation as a strong regional bank, CBC will continue the CSR activities for a sustainable socio-economic growth of the country.

LIST OF CORRESPONDING BANKS

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Najith Meewanage (Chief Executive Officer)

Mr. Najith Meewanage, a seasoned banker, has been serving at Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC throughout the entire 30 years of his working career, Mr. Najith held several key positions in the Management. In 2015 he was appointed as the COO of Bangladesh operations and served for 4 years. Further he has served as the Head of Operation at the Head Office of the Bank in Colombo, Sri Lanka and later in 2021 appointed as the CEO of Bangladesh operations.

Kasun Herath (Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Chief Operating Officer)

An accomplished banking professional with more than 23 years of experience in the banking industry out of which having 20 years work experience in various position  in CBC with a proficiency in technical analysis, data analysis, business intelligence, problem resolution, human capital management, business strategy and balance sheet management. He has experience of branch banking at Pan Asia Banking Corp. PLC, Colombo, Sri Lanka. He has joined in CBC in Nov 2010.

He has joined as Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Chief Operating Officer in CBC-BD Operations on 30 September 2023. He is also the CAMLCO of the Bank in Bangladesh.

Mahmud Hossain (Deputy Chief Executive Officer & HOCB)

Mr. Mahmud Hossain has more than 22 years of professional experience in financial industry. He has been appointed as Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Head of Corporate Banking in October 2022.  Prior to join in CBC Mr. Mahmud has worked in HSBC for 18 years in various capacities including Country Head of Infrastructure and public sector.

Haily Priyadarshana Algewatte (Chief Risk & Investment Strategy Officer)

A proficient banking professional with more than 32 years of experience in the banking industry having 18 years work experience in various branches of the CBC PLC in various positions including the Head of Branches. Further he served as the Chief Manager in Credit Administration-Corporate Banking Department from 2015 to 2023. Recently he has joined CBC Bangladesh Operations as the Chief Risk & Investment Strategy Officer on 25 February 2024.

Binoy Gopal Roy (Chief Financial Officer)

Mr. Binoy Gopal Roy, a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB), serving as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Bank. He has more than 32 years of banking experience. Prior to his joining in CBC he worked in Credit Agricole lndosuez for 11 years.

Mostofa Anowar Sohel (Senior AGM & HOHR)

Mr. Mostofa Anowar Sohel, a Human Resource Specialist has been serving in the Bank for 16 years as Senior AGM & Head of Human Resource. In the field of Human Resources Mr. Sohel has nearly 32 years of experience gathered from various multinational organizations including one of the biggest local conglomerates named Beximco.

Shakir Khusru (Senior AGM & HOPB)

Mr. Shakir Khusru, has nearly 26 years of experience serving at the Bank as Senior AGM and Head of Personal Banking. Prior to join in CBC Mr. Khusru served in Credit Agricole for 7 years. Mr. Khusru has worked in Branch Operation, Credit Administration, Finance & Accounts, Information Technology and Operation and Logistics of the Bank.

Fatema Zohora (Assistant General Manager, Corporate Banking)

Ms. Fatema Zohora, is having 21 years of banking experience for serving in various capacities. She has joined at CBC in June 2006. Presently she is leading the largest corporate unit under corporate banking division of the Bank as Assistant General Manager. Before Joining in CBC, she worked for Prime Bank.