Banking News – Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel has received the report of the third edition of the National Banking Discourse 2025. The report was jointly handed over to Minister Poudel and Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyaye at a program held at the Ministry of Finance. The discourse had concluded on June 5, 2025 (Jestha 22, 2082 BS).

The handover ceremony was attended by Surendra Regmi, Vice-President of the Nepal Bankers’ Association and CEO of Global IME Bank. Banking Samachar has been organizing the national-level discourse annually for the past three years with the objective of promoting policy discussions on sustainability, stability, and long-term strategic importance of Nepal’s banking sector.

Raju Dhungel, Managing Director of Banking Samachar, while submitting the report, said that the discourse primarily focused on strengthening and ensuring the sustainability of Nepal’s banking sector. He highlighted that several recommendations raised during the discourse were also reflected in the monetary policy made public on July 11 (Ashadh 27).

Key issues discussed in the discourse included the introduction of a regulatory sandbox, the need for neo-banks, the establishment of asset management companies, and better coordination between fiscal and monetary policies. These themes were later incorporated into Nepal Rastra Bank’s monetary policy. In earlier editions, the discourse had also deliberated on the concept of central bank digital currency (CBDC).

The report contains various recommendations for strengthening and regulating the banking sector. The The third discourse was inaugurated by Finance Minister Poudel, Senior Deputy Governor Dr. Neelam Dhungana, FNCCI President Chandra Dhakal, CNI President Birendra Raj Pandey, along with leaders from the Nepal Bankers’ Association, Development Bankers’ Association, and Finance Companies Association were present.

Representatives from the Ministry of Finance, National Planning Commission, Nepal Rastra Bank, private sector, and leading figures from commercial and development banks also participated. The program featured four panel discussions and one special session covering topics such as challenges in credit expansion, issues in lending, open banking and fintech, and coordination between fiscal and monetary policies.

Deputy Governor Bam Bahadur Mishra delivered the keynote speech, while former Finance Minister Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat addressed a special session. Insights from these sessions were compiled into the report, which Banking Samachar has already submitted to Nepal Rastra Bank prior to the Finance Ministry.

While receiving the report, Minister Poudel commended Banking Samachar for playing an important role in strengthening and ensuring the stability of the country’s banking sector through the discourse. He further remarked that such reports, derived from intensive discussions, provide significant input for policymaking and sectoral development planning.