Nepal Bankers’ Association (NBA) successfully hosted an interaction session on “Digital Leadership in the AI Era,” bringing together banking professionals and experts. The event aimed to facilitate discussions on emerging AI-driven technologies and strategies to enhance banking operations in Nepal.
In his welcome remarks, NBA Executive Director, Mr. Anil Sharma set the tone for the session, emphasizing the significance of AI-driven transformation in the banking sector. He further highlighted that the industry must embrace the recent technological changes and leverage AI-driven solutions to enhance operations. He also encouraged participants to actively engage in discussions and to make the most of the session.
In his remarks, Mr. Sanjib Subba, Founder of Kathmandu Fintek, emphasized the rapidly evolving global banking landscape, where AI is playing a key role. He stressed that existing banks must proactively assess the future of banking and develop strategic plans to adapt to this changing environment.
The event featured a presentation session by Mr. Emmanuel Daniel, a globally recognized thought leader in financial services and digital transformation. Mr. Daniel, the Founder of The Asian Banker (TAB Global), shared insights on how AI is redefining leadership, decision-making, and the financial industry.
During his presentation, Mr. Daniel highlighted the future of banking in Nepal, focusing on key technological advancements such as machine learning, prompt engineering, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), cryptocurrency, and digital banking. He also elaborated on the challenges and opportunities associated with AI adoption, emphasizing Nepalese banks’ potential to advance in technological integration through strategic use of AI-driven solutions. Furthermore, he highlighted that the trend in banking has undergone a significant shift. In the past, customers would visit banks to access services, but this dynamic has now reversed. This shift has brought new challenges for the banking industry, as it requires banks to innovate and adapt to meet the rising demand for 24/7 digital services.
Additionally, he reflected on regional and global banking trends, emphasizing the need for upskilling bank employees to keep pace with technological advancements. “Nepal’s banking sector has made remarkable progress in digital banking and technological adoption, with even smaller banks embracing innovation,” he noted. He also pointed out that data – particularly customer behaviour related insights – is the most valuable asset for banks. He urged banks to leverage AI and data analytics to offer personalized financial services and enhance decision-making. He also highlighted how, at its core, banking facilitates economic growth, fosters financial inclusion and supports communities, making it a key driver of progress in both local and global contexts.
