Banking News – Sometimes in life, circumstances align in such a way that one ends up in a position they never imagined. This is precisely the case for Samta Pant, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of Nepal Bank. She never thought she would reach this position when she first joined the bank. Initially drawn to private banks, Samta started her career in a government bank instead.

Born and raised in Kathmandu in a joint family, Samta’s childhood was memorable. She excelled in her studies, particularly in mathematics, a subject she had a deep interest in from a young age. She began her education at a semi-government school and later completed her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at Shankar Dev Campus.

At a young age, Samta never envisioned pursuing a career in banking. Before private banks were established in Nepal, she had little understanding of the banking sector. However, as private banks started emerging, her interest in banking grew. She never imagined she would end up at Nepal Bank and rise to the position of DCEO. “I had always thought of joining the banking sector rather than the civil service,” she said.

Samta’s interest in banking grew as she studied commerce. Having lost her father when she was young, she never experienced a father’s love. After his passing, her uncle took on the family responsibilities, and Samta was not allowed to work until she completed her studies. While Samta was eager to start working after graduation, her uncle advised her to finish her education before seeking employment.

Following his advice, Samta completed her studies, got married, and soon after, had a child. During this time, she was working on her thesis, and Nepal Bank had an opening. Despite her child being small, she decided to apply, and she was selected. Samta’s first job was at Nepal Bank, the first commercial bank in Nepal.

In the early days, balancing work with a young child was challenging. “It was extremely difficult to leave my 2.5-year-old child at home and go to work in the beginning,” she recalls. Today, she has a supportive family with her husband, two sons, and a daughter. Samta feels that managing work and family has become easier with time. “People often say that time management is difficult, but I never felt that way. When needed, it’s manageable,” she adds.

When Samta joined the bank, it was facing numerous challenges, especially with its Non-Performing Assets (NPA) reaching critical levels. She entered Nepal Bank at the ‘officer level.’ Reflecting on her career, she recalls that her career milestone was when she received a promotion and reached her current position, thanks to her hard work.

Banking: An Excellent Field for Women

In Samta’s opinion, the banking sector is an excellent field for women. She believes that banking offers security and respect, making it an ideal sector for women. The opportunities for career growth in banking are also substantial. Samta is very satisfied with her profession, where she works diligently. She believes that women, compared to men, have greater capabilities when it comes to leadership.

“Whatever field one works in, hard work is essential. Every woman in this sector has made it through hard work,” she says. She also acknowledges that the growing number of women in banking is a reflection of their competence. She advises women entering the banking sector to work with passion, dedication, and confidence, as this leads to success.

This article is part of a special weekly series on the occasion of International Women’s Day (March 8), focusing on the leadership roles of women in the banking and insurance sectors.