Our Business Strategy

As a testament to excellence and progress, over the past decade, from 2011 to 2020, CDB has experienced a remarkable growth phase, witnessing assets grow tenfold. The incredible journey has enabled the company to achieve a significant milestone, with the balance sheet now boasting an impressive LKR 100 billion.

Entering the current decade, extending from 2021 to 2030, CDB has embarked on an exciting new journey to become a quarter trillion asset base (QTAB) company. The bold vision demonstrates CDB’s unwavering dedication to reaching new heights and expanding to serve customers even better.

At the core of CDB’s strategy are two vital pillars: sustainability and tech disruption. CDB firmly believes that these are the driving forces to propel toward the QTAB goal. As CDB forward on this path, CDB intend to continue being a socially impacting organisation while aspiring towards a Net Zero status by 2030. The strategy places a significant emphasis on the team, believing in extraordinary results through ordinary people.

Tech disruption pillar – a vital partner in the sustainability journey

Our tech-driven strategy has revolutionised CDB’s operational capacity without the need for physical expansion, creating a resource-efficient organization. Over the past five years, CDB has abstained from opening a single new branch but has effectively more than doubled capacity through virtual expansion. This tech-centric approach has been instrumental in reaching the most remote, rural, and base of the pyramid market segments, becoming a net lender to the rural economy and promoting financial inclusion.

We are at the forefront of adopting cutting-edge technologies, including API capabilities, BOTs, RPA, ERP, OCR/ICR, and the initial stages of ML and AI. Utilising advanced technology has radically enhanced our speed of service and customer convenience, ensuring our presence is seamless and unobtrusive. Automated credit decisions and paperless processes have become integral aspects of CDB operations, extending from the back office to the frontline and our business is increasingly becoming invisible.

Sustaining the efforts towards a platform-oriented mindset and a crowdsourcing strategy is the www.patpat.lk platform, designed to transform services into a novel client experience. These initiatives are on a continuous improvement trajectory, in addition to optimising our operations and reducing carbon emissions. It aligns perfectly with CDB’s Net Zero aspirations, where technology plays a pivotal role as an enabling pillar.

Our Sustainability Agenda

Our comprehensive sustainability approach, ‘CDB Advance’, is at the core of our business strategy. With a focus on seven of the seventeen United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), CDB Advance is executed through eight verticals that drive progress towards a greener economy and a more inclusive society operating under the pillars of Net Zero and Social Conscious.

Further, we are committed to transforming our internal teams and adding value to external stakeholders to drive meaningful and lasting sustainable change. To accelerate the drive towards Net Zero emissions, we actively promote sustainable financing solutions for greater de-carbonization.

Our business strategy emphasizes ‘extraordinary results through ordinary people’ and ‘strategy bets on people.’ To uphold these principles, we recruit and build a team of members from diverse backgrounds, providing equal opportunities for employment, fostering a positive working culture, and offering extensive training and development programs. We strongly believe that a mindful and engaged team are a core area of achieving our business strategy and sustainability goals.

Contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Net Zero

At our core, we are dedicated to reducing our carbon footprint and reaching net-zero status. In the past, we relied on purchasing carbon credits to offset our emissions, but now we’re taking a more proactive approach. Our agenda places a strong emphasis on key areas like accelerating sustainable mobility solutions and household renewable energy solutions, and conservation and biodiversity. As part of our commitment, we are actively working to earn carbon credits through our own initiatives to propel our journey towards achieving Net Zero.

Carbon Footprint Journey

In 2015, we began the journey of calculating our carbon footprint, and by 2015/16, had achieved a significant milestone in becoming the first ISO 14064-1 carbon verified financial institution in South Asia, recognized by Sri Lanka Carbon Fund.

Carbon Footprint for 2022/23:

Our total carbon emissions for FY 2022/23 were 2,434 tCO2e – indirect emissions accounted for 81.85%, while direct emissions comprised 18.15%.

Our Measures to Reduce the Carbon Footprint

Energy Management

Converting branches to solar-backed locations
Setting energy efficiency standards, adopting cost-effective technologies
using efficient lighting and electrical appliances
Promoting employee awareness regarding energy conservation and enhancing energy efficiency in their households

Water Management

Improving water performance, by promoting reuse through a rainwater harvesting system
Creating awareness of water conservation among team members

Waste Management

Building awareness on zero food waste among team members
Recycling measures for Paper and E-waste
Commitment towards CDB single-use plastic-free pledge

Accelerate Sustainable Mobility Solutions

Aligned to Sri Lanka’s commitment to the Paris Agreement, CDB, as a responsible corporate citizen, has been exploring ways to accelerate sustainable mobility solutions in the country. Accordingly, CDB has undertaken significant initiatives to advance the green economy by promoting a comprehensive ecosystem for EVs where CDB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CodeGen.

e-Shift is a joint initiative between CDB and its technology partner, VEGA innovations committed in creating a sustainable future for all Sri Lankans. This project is designed with the focus on accelerating sustainable mobility solutions aiming to shift the transport sector, which is heavily dependent on fossil fuel into electric-powered vehicles.

The e-Shift ecosystem will look at e-Shift Concept Centre which will serve as an educational pit stop for anyone keen to learn more about sustainable mobility and how they can make the shift, easily and economically. Further, the project intends to expand E-charging stations in key areas in the country for any vehicle powered by electricity to conveniently recharge their vehicles and also the conversion of three-wheelers into electric-powered vehicles where over 1.5 million three-wheelers are operating at present in Sri Lanka.

Accelerate Household Renewable Energy Solutions

CDB is introducing ‘CDB Advance Roof Solar’, as a significant step towards a more sustainable future for all. The comprehensive solution is inclusive of the latest solar technology and superior aftercare, conveniently backed with flexible financing. The aim is to incentivize the adoption of sustainable practices, making it easier and more accessible for individuals and businesses to switch to a cleaner and more environmentally friendly energy source. During the first year of launching, we were able to approve 105 CDB Advance Roof Solar facilities and achieve approximately 600 kW of capacity.

Conservation and Biodiversity Efforts

“LIFE” Project:

CDB is proud to be part of a unique public-private collaboration aimed at restoring ten hectares of degraded land in Halgahawala, Opatha, located adjacent to the magnificent Kanneliya rainforest. This initiative is in partnership with Biodiversity Sri Lanka, the Forest Department, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Sri Lanka, along with ten other like-minded corporate partners.

The project aims to protect the rich biodiversity of the area and create a system that can measure and reward conservation efforts. The project’s credit accrual system plans to meet international standards and enable owners of biodiversity conservation projects to generate non-carbon credits that can be accrued over time.

“Life to Our Mangrove” Project:

Mangroves play a crucial role in mitigating climate change, protecting coastlines from erosion, and providing essential habitat for various wildlife species. The project is focused on implementing a Mangrove Restoration Project as a Nature-based Solution (NbS) and conserve 25 hectares of land in the pristine Anawilundawa wetland sanctuary, which holds the distinction of being one of the six RAMSAR wetlands. Working in collaboration with Biodiversity Sri Lanka, the Department of Wildlife Conservation, and six other like-minded corporate partners, CDB aims to restore and preserve this vital ecosystem.

“Ittapana Mangrove Conservation” Project:

The Ittapana mangrove conservation project is a crucial initiative focused on conserving a threatened 10-acre landscape of the Ittapana – Horawala mangrove forest. CDB is collaborating with the Centre for Sustainability at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura to safeguard the mangrove ecosystem. The project aims to inspire to inspire and guide similar conservation efforts as a demonstrative model for sustainable mangrove management in Sri Lanka. As the first phase of the project, a state-of-the-art Mangrove Resource Center titled the ‘Dr Suren Batagoda Center for Mangrove Conservation and Climate Resilience’ was declared open.

Life to Our Beaches:

The project marks a significant partnership between the public and private sectors and the local community, with a dual purpose of preserving Sri Lanka’s precious coastal environment and supporting underprivileged communities in the area.

CDB, in partnership with Bio-diversity Sri Lanka (BSL), Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), and the Department of Samurdhi Development (DoSD), aims to support the preservation and conservationk of the Modara-Polwatta beach stretch over the course of one year.

Engage Mindful Team Members

Our CDB Advance internalization strategy plays a vital role in fostering a deep understanding of the triple bottom line concepts and the principles of the green economy among our employees. Through this strategy, we aim to create a strong sense of awareness and engagement among team members, encouraging them to embrace sustainable practices. We have initiated the ‘CDB Advance Green Club’ which consist of members representing each branch and division to champion the message of sustainability and the triple bottom line throughout the company.

CDB Advance Green Challenge

The ‘CDB Advance Green Challenge’ is an exciting initiative designed to educate and engage our team members on the principles of the triple bottom line of sustainability. The challenge comprises three segments: a Quiz, a Debate, and a series of short films with each segment delivering the message of sustainability to team in an engaging and interactive manner. This flagship project concluded recently with over 400 team members from both the branch network and head office actively participating.

Home Gardening

In efforts to promote sustainable practices and responsible consumption, we launched the ‘Seed Your Future’ project. As part of this initiative, we distributed 100% biodegradable seed pods to all our team members during the lockdown period inspiring a home gardening competition.

Through this project we encouraged team members to actively engage with the environment by growing their own organic food, participate in sustainable gardening which not only benefited their well-being through organic food consumption but also contributed towards environmental conservation.

Beach Cleanup

As a part of our ‘Life to Our Beaches’ project, we organized a beach cleanup to commemorate International Coastal Cleanup Day, which took place on the 17th of September 2022. The main aim was to raise awareness and address marine pollution and its detrimental effects on marine and human life, caused by the irresponsible disposal of plastic waste and other non-biodegradable materials.

Green Family Event

The CDB Advance Green Club initiated the ‘CDB Green Family Concept’, to foster a stronger connection between our staff members, their families, and children with nature, enabling everyone to bond over sustainable practices and appreciating the beauty of nature.

The inaugural event was held at the Diyasaru Park,Thalawathugoda and the second program was conducted at the One Earth Urban Arboretum where team members and their families were engaged in nature walks, walks through butterfly gardens, ecological awareness sessions, a visit to the arboretum and several nature-related activities.

Bike to Work

In a situation where Sri Lanka was battling against a worsening economic crisis which led to fuel scarcity, CDB launched the “Bike to Work” project with the purpose of promoting and encouraging our team members towards a more eco-friendly, healthy and economical mode of transportation amidst the fuel crisis experiencing within the country. Accordingly, the official launch the Bike to Work initiative was successfully held at the Head Office premises followed by an awareness session. Further, a Biker’s Club named “Ninja Cruisers” was established with the aim of engaging our team members and enhancing awareness and promoting the importance and benefits of cycling among our team members. Accordingly, CDB’s first ever Ninja Cruisers – Cycle Parade was organized promoting the Bike to Work initiative.

Active Ninja – Fight for Fit

Active Ninja – Fight for Fit is a team member health screening program, which was launched with the focus of promoting good physical health among our team members which would help to reduce their risk of chronic diseases, improve work life balance, and enhance mental health and self-esteem. Accordingly, seminars were conducted improving the knowledge of our team members on health and well-being and also a health corner was established at all the branches and the head office, facilitating our employees to keep track on their BMI.

Self-sufficient Branches

This projects aims to convert our existing branches into Self-sufficient branches that are energy and resource efficient as well as drive a sense of affinity towards the environment in our team members through education and engagement and an eco-friendly ambiance. Beyond installing roof solar, we intend to inculcate a sustainable mindset among our team members through this project. Further, embracing this self-sufficient branches concept we mainly focus on creating awareness not only among our team members but also among our clients and community about the prevailing problem and how to be a part of the solution.

Paper and E-waste Recycling

At CDB, all the paper waste generated will be sent for recycling with the aim of promoting a circular economy and maximum use of resources without ending them at landfills. We have extended the paper recycling measures to our branch network as well initially targeting the branches located in the Western Province. Further, we are also engaged in proper disposal and recycling of E-waste, where all the collected E-waste will be sent for recycling biannually. Accordingly, savings from paper and e-waste recycling are as follows;