Last Updated: May 2025

Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how State Mortgage & Investment Bank (“SMIB”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) uses cookies and similar technologies to recognize you when you visit our website (www.smib.lk). It outlines the types of cookies we use, why we use them, and how you can control them.

We use cookies to:

• Ensure the proper functioning of our website,
• Improve performance and user experience,
• Enable core services like secure login and personalization,
• Comply with legal requirements under the Sri Lankan Personal Data Protection Act No. 9 of 2022, and
• Support transparency and user consent.

By continuing to browse our site, you agree to our use of cookies unless you have disabled them through your browser or our cookie banner.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit websites. They allow the site to recognize your device and remember your preferences and actions (such as login, language, or font size).

• Session Cookies: Temporary; expire when you close the browser. Used for site functionality during your visit (e.g., login sessions).
• Persistent Cookies: Remain stored for a longer period to remember your preferences between sessions.

By Source:

• First-Party Cookies:Set directly by www.smib.lk.
• Third-Party Cookies:Set by external services embedded on our site (e.g., YouTube, Google Analytics, social networks).

Types of Cookies We Use and Why

A. Strictly Necessary Cookies (Non-optional)

These cookies are essential for website functionality and cannot be turned off.

Used for:

• Secure login (e.g., Internet banking session ID),
• Form submission,
• Load balancing and system performance,
• Session management and fraud detection.

Examples:

• Session ID cookies
• Authentication tokens

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B. Functional Cookies (Preferences)

These cookies remember user choices to personalize the experience.

Used for:

• Language and region settings,
• Accessibility options (e.g., font size),
• Remembering form field values.

Examples:

• Preferred branch selector
• “Remember me” login feature

These can be disabled but may reduce personalization.

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C. Performance & Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect anonymous data on how users interact with our site to help us improve functionality and usability.

Used for:

• Counting visitors,
• Tracking page navigation,
• Detecting errors or slow-loading pages,
• Enhancing content structure.

Tools used:

• Google Analytics (_ga, _gid)

These do not store personally identifiable information. They measure general usage trends.

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D. Marketing & Advertising Cookies (Currently not active on smib.lk)

At present, SMIB does not use cookies for targeted advertising. However, we may track basic engagement with our own promotions.

If implemented in the future, these would be used to:

• Measure campaign effectiveness,
• Prevent repeat display of the same popup or banner,
• Tailor SMIB promotions across partner sites.

Future use will require:

• Explicit consent,
• Opt-in settings via cookie banner.

Cookies and Similar Technologies in Emails

We may use web beacons (invisible tracking pixels) in some email communications to measure:

• Whether you opened an email,
• If you clicked a link within it.

These are only used to improve communication relevance. You can avoid tracking by:

• Choosing plain-text emails (if available),
• Not downloading images automatically,
• Unsubscribing from promotional messages.

Third-Party Cookies

We integrate services that may use their own cookies:

Examples:

• Google Analytics – Website performance and traffic reports.
• YouTube/Vimeo – Embedded videos set cookies to monitor views.
• Social Media Widgets – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn buttons.

Important:

• We do not share your personal data with these providers.
• They may collect anonymized usage data.
• Your interactions are subject to their privacy policies.

Your Consent Options (Cookie Banner Controls)

When visiting www.smib.lk, you’ll be shown a cookie banner with the following choices:

Selections will be remembered and can be updated anytime via a footer link or cookie settings page.

Managing Cookies in Your Browser

You can manually manage cookies through your browser:

Instructions by Browser:

• Google Chrome – Chrome Help
• Mozilla Firefox – Firefox Support
• Safari – Apple Support
• Microsoft Edge/IE – Microsoft Help

Or visit www.allaboutcookies.org for comprehensive guides.

Note:Disabling all cookies may prevent use of secure SMIB features such as login portals or pre-filled forms.

Opting Out of Analytics

If you prefer not to be tracked even anonymously:

• Use the Google Analytics Opt-Out Add-on: Download from Google
• Disable cookies in browser or cookie banner preferences.

Updates to This Policy

We may periodically update this Cookie Policy:

• To reflect changes in cookie usage,
• To comply with new legal requirements.

Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Significant changes may be announced via site banners or emails.

Contact Us

If you have questions or wish to exercise your data rights related to cookies:

Compliance Department – Cookie Policy

State Mortgage & Investment Bank
269, Galle Road, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka
Email: info@smib.lk
Phone: +94 11 7722722