Banking News – Many people believe that after marriage, it becomes extremely difficult for women to stay active in their careers, and even more so after having children. However, Smriti Sharma, the Vice President of Nepal Infrastructure Bank (NIFRA), has proven this misconception wrong. She started her career only after having two children. During the time her peers had reached top management positions, Smriti entered her career at the grassroots level.

Growing up in a joint family, Smriti was the first grandchild among her siblings. As her parents frequently had to work, she spent a lot of time with her grandmother, who instilled in her strong values and gave her the opportunity to learn and understand new things from an early age. She reflects that her childhood was filled with learning, understanding, and enjoyment.

Smriti’s family encouraged education, and her grandmother especially emphasized the importance of learning. Smriti completed her schooling from Wangsthali School in Kathmandu, from grade 1 to 10. After that, she joined St. Xavier’s College to pursue I.A., but soon realized that it wasn’t the right path for her, so she switched to Padma Kanya College to study I.Com. Simultaneously, she also pursued Hospitality Management from India.

At the age of 23, Smriti got married. Thanks to the encouragement from her husband, her studies did not slow down after marriage. In fact, after marriage, she and her husband completed their MBA together.

While she did not initially plan to work in hospitality, Smriti was always interested in multiple fields, with a special passion for music. Having crossed two decades in the banking sector, she took a break for two years after her marriage to focus on home responsibilities. Before entering banking, she also gained work experience in various hotels. During this time, she started studying BBS in Nepal while completing her Hospitality Management studies.

When Her Daughter Inspired Her to Go to Work…

Smriti has two daughters. One is studying abroad, while the other is in Nepal. One day, her younger daughter, in her cute toddler voice, asked if Smriti would go to the office, and when Smriti replied “no,” her daughter insisted, saying, “Mom, you should go to work!” This simple statement became a turning point for Smriti, inspiring her to create her own identity and pursue a career in banking. “My daughters understood that a working mother is important, and they wanted to see me working,” she shares.

Smriti has worked across various fields, gaining valuable experience in hotels, hospitals, and even as a Media Coordinator for the South Asian Football Championship (SAFF). She entered the banking sector through United Finance, where she started working in human resources. After that, she joined Reliance Finance and worked there for seven years. She then moved to Everest Bank, and soon after, she joined Nepal Infrastructure Bank.

Career Growth and Challenges in Banking

Smriti initially felt that she was starting her career quite late. However, she now believes her career growth has progressed exactly as she wanted. She views the banking sector as a safe and respected field for women. According to her, the industry has seen many changes over time, making it easier for women to work in banking. She praises the sector for offering services like flexible leave and allowances that cater to the needs of women, making banking an attractive career choice for them.

She recalls that she dedicated her time to raising her children until they were three years old, rather than working. She emphasizes that if she had only focused on work and money, her children would not have reached the point they are at now. Both of her daughters are national-level athletes, and Smriti is extremely satisfied with the values and education she has provided to them.

For Smriti, no work seems difficult. She believes that the ease or difficulty of work depends entirely on how one approaches it. She feels fortunate to have received full support from her family in every aspect of her career.

When Smriti started working in banking, women were scarce in the field. However, she found that women were often better than men at managing multiple tasks and handling work efficiently. “No matter how capable we are at work, we must never forget that we are mothers, wives, daughters, and daughters-in-law,” she says.

This article is part of a week-long special series by Banking News, focusing on the leadership roles of women in the banking and insurance sectors, in celebration of International Women’s Day (March 8, Falgun 24 in the Nepali calendar).