Banking News – Kumari Bank Limited has entered into a strategic partnership with German financial institution Deutsche Sparkassenstiftung for International Cooperation (DSIK) to strengthen sustainable banking practices in Nepal.

The partnership is part of a regional program funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), which supports the social and environmental transformation of the financial sector across selected Asian countries.

The agreement was signed by Ram Chandra Khanal, Chief Executive Officer of Kumari Bank, and Dr. Ilonka Rühl-Stern, Head of the Asia Division at Deutsche Sparkassenstiftung for International Cooperation.

According to the bank, the collaboration will be implemented in two phases to institutionalize and expand green banking practices. The initiative aims to strengthen the bank’s sustainable banking framework by incorporating international best practices while aligning with the Nepal Green Finance Taxonomy.

Arpan Poudel, Head of the Sustainable Banking Department at Kumari Bank, said the partnership marks a significant milestone in the bank’s journey toward sustainable banking maturity. He added that the technical support from DSIK will help the bank refine its banking practices, promote green finance, support low-carbon emissions, and encourage sustainable and resilient entrepreneurship.

Under the agreement, DSIK will provide technical assistance through specialized tools such as the ESG Risk Radar and the Sustainable Finance Compass. The partnership will also include the implementation of the DISK Business Game, a training program designed to strengthen green entrepreneurship and enhance the capacity of rural communities as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Kumari Bank said it will leverage its nationwide network to expand the impact of the initiative. The bank currently operates 286 branches, 303 ATMs, 40 extension counters, 41 branchless banking units, and more than 1,100 POS terminals across Nepal.

The bank expressed confidence that its collaboration with Deutsche Sparkassenstiftung for International Cooperation will contribute to Nepal’s sustainable economic development and support the country’s transition toward a cleaner and more climate-resilient future.