Kathmandu – Childhood dreams often take unexpected turns as we grow older. Many children envision becoming doctors, pilots, singers, dancers, or entrepreneurs, but life rarely follows a straight path. For some, dreams are influenced by family or circumstances; for others, they change due to the influence of friends. Such was the case for Amrita Swar Basnet, now the branch manager of Machhapuchhre Bank’s Sorhakhutte branch.

Originally from Nepalgunj, Amrita dreamed of becoming an engineer until the 10th grade. However, in the 11th grade, she shifted from science to management, influenced by her peers. Reflecting on this, she shared, “I was determined to become an engineer and had my family’s support. But all my friends chose management. I couldn’t imagine studying science alone, so I followed them.”

Though she initially regretted her decision, she eventually embraced management studies with dedication. After completing her bachelor’s degree in Nepalgunj, she moved to Kathmandu for a master’s in business studies (MBS). Today, Amrita’s banking career spans nearly a decade and a half.

She began her journey in 2005 at Shangri-La Bank during the turbulent Maoist insurgency period when the banking sector was considered relatively secure. Starting as a receptionist, she gained hands-on experience in account management, customer relations, and handling documents. “Those six months taught me invaluable lessons and helped me connect with customers,” she recalled.

Amrita transitioned to the credit department, where she worked for nearly 16 years across multiple branches, including Kumari, Chabahil, Naxal, Lajimpat, and Sorhakhutte. Her journey included balancing her professional life with personal responsibilities, such as taking a brief break after becoming a mother.

In 2010, she joined Machhapuchhre Bank, where she continued in the credit department. Her years of experience across different branches allowed her to develop a deeper understanding of the banking industry and its challenges. “Each branch had a unique team, and it was sometimes challenging to adapt. But persistence paid off,” she said.

Amrita has been a branch manager for just over a year now, a role she finds fulfilling despite initial apprehensions about the workload. She credits her previous roles under senior managers for preparing her for leadership. “When you work under others, you learn from their experience, even from their criticisms. That foundation made managing an entire branch less daunting,” she explained.

According to Amrita, banking is a platform that demands creativity and psychological insight. “It’s not just about handling money; understanding customers’ intentions, especially in loan applications, is crucial,” she noted. She also emphasized the need for innovation in a competitive banking environment, saying, “Banks must find ways to provide reliable and high-quality services to stand out in the market.”

Looking back, Amrita sometimes wonders if she would have been happier as an engineer. However, she takes pride in her achievements as a banker and is content with her career. “I may have followed friends into management, but I’ve made the most of it, and I’m happy where I am today,” she said with a smile.