JANUARY
ComBank launches Sri Lanka’s first “WhatsApp Banking” facility
Demonstrating its innovative use of new-age communications, the Bank has pioneered a groundbreaking product with the world’s most widely-used messaging platform WhatsApp to become the first Sri Lankan bank to offer Banking Services on the platform.
ComBank introduces “e-slips” mobile app for paperless cash and cheque deposits
Cash and cheques can be deposited paper-free into current or savings accounts at the Bank, following the launch of an innovative new app that generates “e-slips”.
FEBRUARY
ComBank relocates Trinco branch at purpose-built eco-friendly building
Sustainability and salubrity were the operative words when the Trincomalee branch relocated to a purpose-built, eco-friendly building on a land owned by the Bank.
ComBank honoured for dedication to women empowerment by Women in Management (WIM)
The Bank was presented the award for the ‘Best CSR project on women empowerment by an organisation’, at the 10th edition of the “Top 50 Professional and Career Women Awards, Sri Lanka & Maldives” - an event organised by Women in Management (WIM), a leading organisation in Sri Lanka dedicated to the success of women, together with International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and the Government of Australia via Australia Aid.
ComBank wins Green Building – Platinum Award from the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka (GBCSL)
The heritage building which is home to the Galle Fort branch won a Platinum award from the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka (GBCSL) for its eco-friendly features after it was recently restored to its original grandeur by the Bank.
ComBank receives “10 Most Admired Companies” award by the International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICCSL)
The Bank was presented the award for being one of the 10 “Most Admired Companies in Sri Lanka” in 2019-20 by the International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICCSL) in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).
MARCH
ComBank launches QR-based payment acceptance with UnionPay International
The Bank announced that it has collaborated with UnionPay International (UPI) to enable QR code payment acceptance in Sri Lanka, enhancing the payment experience of UnionPay QR Wallet holders.
ComBank confirms support to Phase 2 of Koggala Mangrove Restoration Project
A protective boundary of 3,750 mangrove saplings is to be planted around Kath Duwa, an island in the Koggala Lake, with the continued support of the Bank to the “Koggala Mangrove Restoration and Conservation Project” of Wildlife and Ocean Resource Conservation (WORC) of Sri Lanka.
ComBank adds more options to ComBank Q+ Payment App’s “In-App Bill Payments” feature
Customers can now settle their credit card outstanding and top-up their pre-paid cards instantly and conveniently via the ComBank Q+ Payment App, the Bank’s card-based payment app.
ComBank unveils new look Jaffna branch in Green building
The Bank returned to the original location of its Jaffna branch, resuming operations at an address where banking had taken place since the late 1930s.
ComBank wins 4 at Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC)
The Bank won the Sector Award for Best Performance in the Financial Sector, the category award for Best Performance in Governance, and was presented an award for being among the Top 10 Best Corporate Citizens in Sri Lanka in 2020, in addition to its second runner-up award at the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards presented by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
APRIL
ComBank becomes Sri Lanka’s first carbon-neutral bank
The Bank became the first Sri Lankan bank to achieve carbon neutrality for the entirety of its operations, encompassing all 268 branches and its head office – a monumental milestone in the Bank’s commitment to the environment.
MAY
ComBank offers Credit Card holders auto bill settlement with leading utilities
Automated utility bill payment with no intervention by the customer has brought about a new dimension in convenience for ComBank credit card holders by offering them an option to automatically settle their monthly bills to the country’s most-widely used utilities.
JUNE
ComBank launches Corporate Fuel Credit Card & Prepaid Fuel Card
The Bank introduced a Corporate Fuel Credit Card and a Prepaid Fuel Card that can exclusively be used for fuel purchases, and will eliminate the cumbersome fuel allowance reimbursement process currently followed by most companies.
ComBank ranked among Top 1000 World Banks for 11th consecutive year
The Bank was named among the global giants in banking, becoming the only Sri Lankan bank to be ranked in the ‘Top 1000 World Banks’ announced annually by ‘The Banker’ magazine of the UK, for the 11th consecutive year in 2021.
JULY
ComBank re-launches www.combank.lk with trilingual content and other enhancements
The Bank announced that its website, now an indispensable tool for millions of customers and information seekers, has been re-launched as a trilingual resource, with a series of cutting-edge enhancements.
SEPTEMBER
Flash Digital Bank Account named “Digital Banking Initiative of the Year”
Flash Digital Bank Account powered by Commercial Bank, was presented the award for the “Digital Banking Initiative of the Year” in Sri Lanka at the 2021 Asian Banking and Finance (ABF) Awards under the ‘Retail Banking Awards – Supporting Projects’ category.
ComBank enables bill payments via Cash Recycler Machines
The Bank in partnership with Sri Lanka’s leading utility companies, mobile operators and insurance companies launched a bill payment facility through its state-of-the-art Cash Recycler Machine (CRM) network, enabling customers to make their payments conveniently and securely.
OCTOBER
ComBank expands “Dirishakthi” scheme to transform value chains in rural Sri Lanka
The Bank embarked on an initiative to transform the way it supports micro entrepreneurs using its “Dirishakthi” loans programme as the platform for a wider and holistic intervention encompassing financing and empowerment activities.
ComBank partners LankaClear to become first Bank to accept digital signatures in Sri Lanka
The Bank announced that it is now accepting digitally signed documents from business customers using LankaSign operated by LankaClear, the only commercially operating Certification Authority in the country which complies with the Electronic Transactions Act.
ComBank to reward young artists with “Arunalu Siththam” art competition
The “Arunalu Siththam Children’s Art Competition 2021” conducted under the banner of the Bank’s popular children’s savings account “Arunalu” will present more than Rs. 2 Mn. in 137 cash prizes in addition to 250 merit certificates.
“Flash” Digital Banking app links with global climate impact calculation leader Doconomy
The Bank announced a partnership with Doconomy of Sweden, a global leader in impact-tech solutions, to further develop the effectiveness of the Carbon Footprint Calculator in the ‘Flash’ Digital Banking app developed and deployed in Sri Lanka by the Bank.
NOVEMBER
ComBank’s Android POS units accept contactless payments of UnionPay cards
The Bank announced that its Point-of-Sale (POS) devices have been enabled to accept contactless payments via ‘QuickPass’ – the Near Field Communication (NFC) technology of UnionPay cards.
ComBank ranked among Sri Lanka’s 10 most women-friendly workplaces by the Satyn magazine and CIMA
The Bank’s commitment to the principles of equal opportunity irrespective of gender and other variables in its Human Resources Management processes including recruitment policy, benefits and pay, training and development opportunities, and policies on abuse and harassment, contributed for its ranking among the top 10 most women friendly workplaces in the country.
ComBank wins Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2021
The Bank was declared Sri Lanka’s ‘Best Corporate Citizen’ in 2021 by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), achieving the pinnacle of recognition for sustainability and good corporate citizenship in the country’s corporate sector.
ADB honours ComBank as Leading Partner Bank for Trade & Supply Chain Finance
The Bank was adjudged the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB’s) ‘Leading Partner Bank in Sri Lanka’ at the 2021 edition of its Trade and Supply Chain Finance Programme (TSCFP) Awards that recognise banks that support trade in Asia and the Pacific.
DECEMBER
ComBank wins Daraz award for “Best Engaging Overall Cards Base”
The Bank was presented the award for “The Best Engaging Overall Cards Base” at the “Payment Partner Performance Awards 2021” of Daraz, South Asia’s premier online shopping marketplace.
ComBank opens banking counter at Dept. of Immigration and Emigration
The counter will provide advice on foreign currency accounts, remittance services and other products offered by the Bank.
ComBank first Sri Lankan bank to win IFC’s CAFI Climate Impact Awards
Sri Lanka’s first fully carbon neutral Bank, the Commercial Bank has emerged as one of the top banks – and the only Sri Lankan bank – to win two Climate Assessment for Financial Institutions (CAFI) awards from the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
ComBank wins its 16th Gold for Best Annual Report in Banking sector
The Bank won four awards for its 2020 Annual Report at the CA Sri Lanka awards, including two Gold Awards – the Bank’s 16th Edmund J. Cooray Memorial Trophy for the Best Annual Report among Banking Institutions since 2001, and the Gold for Corporate Governance Disclosure. Reaffirming the Bank’s consistency in financial reporting excellence, the report – themed “A century of experience. A year of reinvention”– was also recognised for “Overall Excellence in Annual Financial Reporting” with a Bronze award and won the Bronze for “Integrated Reporting: Best Disclosure on Capital Management”.
ComBank gifts 100 STEM Smart Classrooms to the Nation
The Bank has completed its project to equip 100 schools island-wide with Smart Classrooms that deliver digitised educational content, a commitment it embarked on in its centenary year to transform orthodox educational institutions to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Centres.
