Singapore — Aarti Rana, Chief Business Officer of Laxmi Sunrise Bank and President of the Director Adhyanta Fund Management, represented Nepal at the Insights Forum 2025 organized by the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) and hosted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Singapore.

Rana shared Laxmi Sunrise Bank’s journey under the IFC Empower Finance Alliance, a global initiative launched in Bangkok in August 2024 aimed at addressing financial abuse and promoting inclusive finance.

Reflecting on the experience, Rana described the journey as “both enlightening and transformative.” Guided by IFC’s global best practices and learning modules, Laxmi Sunrise Bank has implemented proactive steps to identify and address financial abuse an often hidden yet deeply harmful issue through a compassionate and institutional response.

The bank’s initiatives began with awareness programs and the integration of IFC’s financial abuse modules into staff training. Additionally, an internal survey was conducted to gauge employee perceptions and readiness. Insights from these efforts have strengthened empathy, accountability, and awareness throughout the organization.

To further this commitment, Laxmi Sunrise Bank launched a Financial Abuse Awareness Campaign, including a video series aimed at educating staff and customers on subtle forms of financial control that may occur in everyday life. The campaign sparked widespread dialogue and reflection across the institution.

To maintain the momentum, the bank established the Empower Finance Task Force (EFTF) a cross-functional team responsible for embedding risk controls, enhancing policy frameworks, and driving awareness across departments.

“Being responsible goes beyond numbers, it’s about nurturing trust, protecting the vulnerable, and ensuring finance empowers rather than exploits,” Rana emphasized.

She expressed pride in collaborating with IFC and peer institutions across the Asia-Pacific region, reaffirming Laxmi Sunrise Bank’s commitment to building a more caring, inclusive, and value-driven financial ecosystem.