SDB Bank’s Board of Directors holds apex responsibility for implementing sound governance structures and formulating policy frameworks, thereby effectively setting the tone at the top. Governance Practices are reviewed and updated regularly to reflect regulatory changes, emerging risks and opportunities and internal changes. The Bank’s ethical conduct is embodied in the oath of the Sanasa Movement, which is based on the co-operative principles of empowerment, equal opportunity and collective participation in decision-making. The Bank’s Governance Framework has been developed to comply with several external and internal steering instruments, as listed below:
External instruments | Internal instruments |
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The Board of Directors hold ultimate accountability and responsibility for the affairs of the Bank. The Board is led by a Non-Independent, Non-Executive Chairperson. The Board has designated an Independent Director as the Senior Director. The Board is supported by eight subcommittees, which provide oversight and in-depth focus on specific areas, enabling the Board to dedicate sufficient time and focus to broader issues within its scope. The Bank’s Governance Structure is graphically illustrated below;
The Board comprises nine Directors, all of whom operate in a Non-Executive Capacity while four are Independent. The Board of Directors submits annual declarations of independence to this effect. Directors are luminaries in the fields of academics, rural development, administration, entrepreneurship and co-operatives enhancing the overall effectiveness of decision-making. Please refer pages 16 to 20 for detailed profiles of Board Members. During the year, the following three Directors were appointed to the Board:
The Board combines diverse industry insights, skills and experience and therefore is able to assess matters from varying perspectives, enhancing the depth and effectiveness of discussions. Directors bring together academic, entrepreneurial, rural development and corporate perspectives and represent major shareholders, individuals from the Sanasa Movement and professionals from the banking industry. There is also sufficient financial acumen on the Board, with two Directors holding membership in professional accountancy bodies and several Directors holding MBAs from reputed universities.
The role of chairperson and CEO has been separated ensuring balance of power and authority. The Chairperson is a Non- Executive Director and is responsible for setting the Board’s annual work plan and agenda, ensuring that meetings are conducted effectively, with participation from all members and monitoring the overall effectiveness of the Board. The CEO’s responsibilities include, implementing strategy, monitoring and reporting the Company’s performance to the Board among others.
A transparent procedure is in place for the appointment of new Directors to the Board. In the event of a vacancy, nominations are made through the Board Selection and Nominations Sub committee (BS & NC). An affidavit of authenticity is required from the nominated person and the details communicated to the CBSL for final approval. Appointments are thereafter communicated to the CSE and shareholders through press releases. These communications include a brief resume of the Director disclosing relevant expertise, key appointments, shareholding and whether he is independent or not. SDB Bank has no discriminatory criteria for disqualification of nominees however BS & NC calls for nominations as per the criteria laid down by the Banking Act.
The Bank’s remuneration for the Board of Directors and the Key Management Persons are determined based on a formal Remuneration Policy and is designed to attract and motivate professionals and high-performers. The BHRRC is responsible for providing guidance to the Board on the remuneration of Board of Directors and Senior Management within agreed terms of reference and in accordance with the remuneration policies of the Bank.
Directors have unfettered access to the Bank’s Management Team, who are invited for Board Meetings depending on the agenda. The Management makes regular presentations to the Board to ensure that Directors are kept abreast of emerging changes in the operating landscape. Access to independent professional advice is also made available and coordinated through the Company Secretary. Directors attend seminars conducted by the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors and forums organised by the CBSL.
The Board convenes regularly and met 15 times in 2018; details of meeting attendance are given in the Annual Report of the Board of Directors on the Affairs of the Company on page 113. Notices of all Board meetings are given at least seven days prior to the holding of the meeting, thereby ensuring adequate time for members to prepare. Meeting agendas and Board papers are circulated to all Board members prior to the meeting. Directors are supplied with comprehensive and timely information that is required to discharge their duties effectively.
The Board and individual Directors are assessed annually for their performance and effectiveness. Each Director carries out a self-assessment of his/her individual performance as well as the collective effectiveness of the Board based on the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and CA Sri Lanka. Factors considered include Board composition, access to information, team dynamics and training opportunities among others. Going further, members of the Subcommittees also assess their performance effectiveness annually.
The Board of Directors of the Bank formed mandatory Board Sub committees and voluntary Board Subcommittees to assist the Board. The composition of both mandatory and voluntary Board Subcommittees, as at December 31, 2018 is given in the Annual Report of the Board of Directors on the Affairs of the Company on page 112.
The Board is responsible for presenting a balanced and accurate assessment of its financial performance and position. The Bank’s Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with the Sri Lanka Financial Reporting Standards laid down by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the Company’s Annual Report conforms to the GRI Standard on sustainability reporting, prescribed by the Global Reporting Initiative and the Integrated Reporting Framework published by the International Integrated Reporting Council. Directors’ responsibility with regards to Financial Statements is given on page 120 of this Annual Report.
The Board is responsible for formulating the measures, tools, processes and policies to ensure that the Bank’s risk exposures are managed within defined parameters. The Board Integrated Risk Management Committee assists the Board in the discharge of its duties related to risk management. The Bank’s Risk Management Framework has been formulated to comply with the requirements of the Banking Act and Guidelines of the CBSL. Detailed disclosures on the Company’s key risk exposures and how they were managed during the year are given on pages 60 to 65 of this Report.
The Board Audit Committee makes recommendations to the Board regarding the appointment, service period, audit fee and engagement period of External Auditors. The Board has adopted a policy of rotating External Auditors every five years. Auditors submit Annual Statement confirming independence as required by the Companies Act No. 07 of 2007. Non-audit services are not provided by the External Auditors.
The ethical conduct of the Bank’s employees is underpinned on
the following: