How to Start Banking Career in Nepal

How to Start a Banking Career in Nepal?

If you are a +2 graduate, a bachelor’s student, or a career-switcher with an eye on stable, meaningful work, banking in Nepal offers clear entry points and room to grow.

This guide gives you the routes, exams, skills, and daily realities that move candidates from “interested” to “employed.” It uses official syllabi, public notices, and widely used industry references.

You will see a simple study plan, interview practice, and real tasks that bank managers value. The language stays plain. 

The steps are practical. The goal is a career that fits your strengths and serves customers well.

Table of Content

1. How to Start a Banking Career in Nepal?
2. Nepal’s Banking System in One Page
3. Main Entry Routes (Pick Your Path Early)
4. Eligibility, Age, and Documents
5. What the Exams Test (and How to Study)
6. A 90-Day Plan That Works
7. Core Skills Recruiters Watch For
8. Certifications and Short Courses
9. Proof of Readiness: Small Projects That Stand Out
10. Applications That Get Read
11. Interview Day: Show Judgment Through Questions
12. First Roles and Growth Paths
13. Professional Conduct and Ethics
14. Seven Practical Takeaways
15. Short Case Snapshots from Nepal (Human-Level Learning)
16. On-Page Writing Tips for Learners and Job Seekers
17. Common Mistakes to Avoid
18. Mental Fitness for Exam and Branch Work
19. References (Credible Sources to Build Your Notes)
20. Conclusion
21. FAQs

Nepal’s Banking System in One Page

Banks and financial institutions (BFIs) in Nepal operate under the central bank’s oversight. The legal base comes from the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Act and the Banks and Financial Institutions Act (BAFIA, 2017). Licensed institutions fall into four classes:

• Class A: Commercial banks

• Class B: Development banks

• Class C: Finance companies

• Class D: Microfinance institutions

Classes matter because roles, risk controls, and growth paths differ. For example, a teller role in a Class A bank sees higher transaction volumes and more complex products.

A field officer in Class D spends time in communities, building groups and monitoring loans. Many candidates start in microfinance or finance companies and later move to commercial banks once they build records of service, cash discipline, and credit handling.

On payments, Nepal has modern rails that every new banker should understand:

• connectIPS for account-to-account transfers and government payments

• NCHL-IPS for interbank fund transfer (bulk and retail)

• RTGS for large value settlement

• PSPs (Payment Service Providers) and PSOs (Payment System Operators) that route and settle card, QR, and wallet payments

You do not need to be a programmer to grasp these. Treat them as the roads and junctions that move money.

Main Entry Routes (Pick Your Path Early)

Public Banks (e.g., Nepal Bank Limited, Rastriya Banijya Bank, ADBL)

Recruitment follows a clear structure. Notices specify level, seats, qualifications, and stages. Many Level-4 Assistant cycles link to the Public Service Commission (PSC) for pre-tests or written exams.

Province-wise schedules and centers appear in the official PDFs. Read every line, including document format and age range.

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)

The central bank runs multi-stage exams for assistant and officer streams. Syllabi are published and give detail on subject weights, paper types, and any practicals.

This route fits candidates who enjoy policy, supervision, payments systems, and research. NRB also recruits for IT and cyber security tracks with defined technical content.

Private Commercial and Development Banks

Private banks hire directly through their career pages and announcements. Expect screening, an aptitude test, a written task, and interviews. Trainee or intern pipelines are common. Hiring teams watch for service mindset, clean communication, numeracy, and compliance awareness.

Finance Companies and Microfinance

Class C and D roles build strong foundations in customer engagement and credit discipline. Field work grows your judgment and documentation skills fast. Many branch managers in Class A started here.

Fintech and Payments (PSO/PSP) and Bank Tech Teams

If you are tech-inclined, look at operations, merchant support, settlement, risk, or product. Knowledge of QR flows, card switching, and account-to-account transfers helps in interviews across both banks and payment firms.

Eligibility, Age, and Documents

Level-4 Assistant (Public Banks)

• Education: +2 or equivalent for many cycles (check each notice)

• Age: common lower band starts at 18; upper band varies; women and persons with disabilities often receive extended bands

• Exam link: many cycles use PSC pre-qualification or written tests

Officer Tracks

• Public banks: bachelor’s or higher for many Officer-level roles

• NRB Assistant Director: master’s for general streams; defined degrees for IT/cyber tracks

• Private banks: bachelor’s preferred; a higher degree helps in risk, finance, or IT

Document Checklist

• Citizenship

• Academic transcripts and certificates

• Photo (as per spec)

• Experience letters (if any)

• Equivalency letter if your degree is foreign

• Fee receipts and any pre-test admit cards

Create a single folder per vacancy with the advertisement number in the name. Save everything as PDFs with clear file names.

What the Exams Test (and How to Study)

Subject Mix You Will See

• Banking system and economy: NRB functions, BAFIA classes, capital adequacy, loan classification

• Accounting and math: journal to trial balance, reconciliation, ratios, time value of money

• English and Nepali writing: grammar, vocabulary, short notes

• Computer basics: MS Office, email, file handling, security hygiene

• Compliance: KYC, CDD/ECDD, STR/TTR basics

• IT topics for technical tracks: networks, databases, security concepts (role-specific)

How to Use the Syllabus

• Print the official syllabus for your target post

• Convert it to a checklist

• Beside each line, write one practice question you can answer in 3–4 minutes

• Build weekly mock tests from those items

A 90-Day Plan That Works

Weeks 1–2: Set the Ground

• Download the current syllabus and notice

• Make a topic table with columns: topic, source, pages, practice score, revision date

• Solve two short papers to find gaps

• Build a formula sheet for accounting and math

Weeks 3–6: Build Core Knowledge

• Banking & economy: one chapter per day from a standard text; write a 120-word note on each concept with a Nepal example

• Accounting & math: 20 sums per day; redo wrong ones the next day

• Compliance: learn the KYC form fields, common red flags, and basic STR/TTR triggers

• Digital payments: explain connectIPS and QR acceptance to a friend in plain words

Weeks 7–10: Practice Under Time

• Two full mocks per week (objective + short subjective)

• After each mock, rewrite three answers you scored low on

• Record a two-minute voice answer to a common interview prompt (e.g., “Tell us about a service failure you fixed”) and listen for clarity and tone

Weeks 11–12: Close the Loop

• Revisit only weak topics; no new chapters

• Prepare documents and check photo and signature specs

• Sleep well before test day; pack pen, admit card, and a simple watch

Core Skills Recruiters Watch For

Service Mindset

Greet customers by name when possible. Use short sentences and confirm steps: “I will verify your ID, open the account, and hand you the debit card form. It takes five minutes.”

Numeracy and Accuracy

Count cash with a repeatable pattern. Cross-check vouchers. Balance the drawer with zero variance. Keep tallies neat and readable.

Compliance Literacy

Know the difference between CDD and ECDD, and when to escalate. Learn the basic triggers for STR and TTR. Be ready to explain why an occupation, income source, or transaction pattern calls for extra checks.

Digital Banking Literacy

Explain how a customer moves money by connectIPS. Show you understand QR acceptance at a small shop and what a PSP or PSO handles in that flow.

Writing and Reporting

Write one-page memos with a clear subject line, a short context, bullet points for facts, and a single ask. Build a simple MIS table in Excel with filters and clean headings.

Certifications and Short Courses

JANBI (National Banking Institute)

This entry-level certificate signals that you know operations, service, basic law, and compliance. Many banks recognize it. It helps fresh applicants show commitment. NBI also runs short courses on cash operations, trade basics, AML refreshers, and credit appraisal.

Advanced Tracks

• CFA if you plan to move into treasury or investment roles

• ICAN/CPA if you lean toward audit or finance

• IT and security courses if your path points to bank tech or PSP/PSO roles

Pick one path and stick with it long enough to build evidence.

Proof of Readiness: Small Projects That Stand Out

Account Opening With KYC Checkpoints

Draw a simple flow: greeting → form fill → ID check → risk rating → account activation. Mark where you would ask follow-up questions about source of funds or expected monthly deposits.

Remittance Posting and Settlement

Write a half-page note on the steps: inbound remittance hits the system, teller validation, posting to the account, exception handling, and reporting.

connectIPS Explainer Sheet for Customers

Create a one-page sheet that shows how to set a beneficiary, send funds, track status, and get help. Keep the wording friendly.

Compliance Checklist for Frontline Staff

List the common red flags, threshold amounts linked to TTR, and the high-risk combinations that call for ECDD. This single page can help a new branch team avoid mistakes.

Applications That Get Read

CV Format (One Page)

• Header: name, phone, email, city

• Profile: two lines on service, accuracy, and digital fluency

• Education: degree, board/university, year

• Certifications: JANBI and short courses with dates

• Experience or projects: three bullets with action + metric

  • “Balanced cash drawer with zero variance for four months”

  • “Handled 40+ QR queries a week; created a one-page FAQ for the counter”

  • “Reviewed 60 KYC files with a checklist; flagged 6 missing documents”

• Skills: MS Office, Nepali typing, email writing, basic accounting

• References: available on request

Cover Letter (One Page)

Target the post and the bank. Pick three requirements from the notice and answer each with a short example. Keep paragraphs short. Close with a clear line: “I am available for tests and interviews at short notice.”

Interview Day: Show Judgment Through Questions

Managers want to see how you think. Use this four-step pattern in both interviews and daily work:

1. Clarify: “What is the transfer purpose and expected frequency?”

2. Probe: “Is this payment to a vendor, a salary, or family support?”

3. Verify: “Which document supports the stated income?”

4. Close: “Here is the summary of what I will do next. Do I have that right?”

Mini Role-Plays

KYC at Account Opening

• You: “To set up your account, I will need your occupation detail and PAN. Do you expect regular cash deposits each month?”

• Why it works: You show respect, complete the form, and start risk screening without sounding harsh.

High-Value Cash Deposit

• You: “This deposit crosses our threshold. I will record the details and confirm if any extra review is required.”

• Why it works: You follow policy and protect the customer from future trouble.

connectIPS Refund Query

• You: “I can see the transaction left your account. I will raise a ticket, check the settlement status with the switch, and update you by 4 pm.”

• Why it works: You set a clear next step and a time bound.

First Roles and Growth Paths

Branch Operations to Service

Many start as teller or operations assistant. The fastest way to grow is a clean cash record, punctual settlement, and simple, friendly talk at the counter. A teller who balances daily and keeps neat vouchers gets noticed.

Service to Credit or Risk

After a year or two, move toward credit processing or risk support. Learn ratio basics, customer analysis, and file documentation. Build one or two case notes with numbers you can explain.

Specialist Tracks

• Compliance/AML: policy reading, case reviews, training staff, and reporting

• Internal Audit: process checks and branch audits

• Treasury: market watching, limits, and reporting

• IT and Digital: channel operations, security hygiene, and product testing

Across BFIs and Into Payments

Many professionals shift from microfinance to commercial banks. Others move from bank digital teams to PSO/PSP roles. The skill that travels best is clear documentation and steady handling of service and risk.

Professional Conduct and Ethics

Code of Conduct

Read the bank’s code of conduct and sign-off sheets. Avoid gifts and conflicts of interest. Keep personal accounts tidy. Follow leave rules and overtime records.

Complaint Handling and Data Privacy

Do not discuss customer data outside work. In branch conversations, lower your voice. For complaints, log the issue, set a time to respond, and stick to it. Simple discipline builds trust faster than long speeches.

Seven Practical Takeaways

1. Pick your path early: public bank, NRB, private bank, microfinance, or payments.

2. Work from the official syllabus. Turn it into a checklist.

3. Follow a simple 90-day cycle: map, build, practice, revise.

4. Learn KYC, CDD/ECDD, STR/TTR basics.

5. Explain connectIPS in plain words; show how QR acceptance works at a small shop.

6. Add JANBI or a short course that fits your target role.

7. Write a one-page CV with metrics and a clean cover letter that answers the notice.

Short Case Snapshots from Nepal (Human-Level Learning)

From +2 to Level-4 Assistant

A student from a public campus in Koshi Province kept a daily practice log for accounting sums, learned basic KYC terms, and created a one-page ConnectIPS explainer. 

The PSC pre-test score crossed the cut-off by a small margin, and the branch interview felt easy since the answers came from daily study. The manager later said, “We liked the neat project folders.” This is common feedback. Small artifacts matter.

Field Officer to Commercial Bank

A microfinance field officer in the western hills moved to a Class A bank after two years. The file included a summary of group meeting notes, credit follow-up actions, and on-time collections.

The branch head valued this discipline more than a generic certificate. Real records show how you think under pressure.

IT Graduate into a PSP

An IT graduate who supported campus events built a sample dashboard with fake data that mirrored settlement and refund queues. The PSP interview focused on flows and logs.

Clear writing and a steady tone carried the day. The same habit later helped during merchant escalations.

On-Page Writing Tips for Learners and Job Seekers

• Use short paragraphs and clear subheadings

• Add bullet lists for steps or checklists

• Write alt text that names the entity in any image or chart (e.g., “NRB licensed PSP/PSO list screenshot”)

• Link to official sources in your notes or blog posts when you publish study material

• Keep a changelog with dates so your notes stay fresh

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping the official syllabus and studying random notes

• Leaving KYC and AML revision for the last week

• Writing a two-page CV with no metrics

• Using long sentences in interviews

• Forgetting document specs in the notice (photo size, signature space, file format)

Mental Fitness for Exam and Branch Work

• Set a study time and protect it

• Keep light snacks and water on mock days

• Take a five-minute walk after each hour of study

• Practice a short breathing cycle before exams and interviews

• Sleep well the night before any test or panel round

References (Credible Sources to Build Your Notes)

• Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB): Act, circulars, Banking & Financial Statistics, licensed BFI lists

• Banks and Financial Institutions Act (BAFIA, 2017)

• Public Service Commission (PSC): pre-test schedules and center notices for bank recruitment

• Financial Information Unit (FIU-Nepal): STR/TTR guidelines and AML resources

• National Banking Institute (NBI): JANBI and training calendar

• Nepal Clearing House (NCHL): connectIPS, NCHL-IPS, RTGS overviews

• Bank career pages: vacancy notices and eligibility lines

These sources keep your facts clean and your answers grounded.

Conclusion

A banking career in Nepal rewards steady habits. Start with the official syllabus and a plain study table. Practice under time. Learn KYC and payments flows in simple words.

Build small proof—checklists, one-page explainers, and neat logs. Keep your CV to one page with clear metrics. Speak calmly during interviews and ask good questions. This mix of accuracy, service, and learning spirit is what managers trust.

FAQs

1) Can I start a banking career after +2?

Yes. Level-4 Assistant posts in public banks often accept +2 or equivalent. Read the latest notice for your province and post before you apply.

2) Do I need JANBI to get hired?

Not mandatory across the board. It helps fresh candidates show banking basics. Short courses in AML, credit, or trade add value if they match the post.

3) What should I study first for Level-4?

Start with the official syllabus. Cover banking system basics, accounting sums, simple compliance terms, English grammar, and computer use. Build a weekly mock routine.

4) Are payments and fintech roles a good start?

Yes. Operations, merchant support, settlement, and risk roles at PSPs or PSOs build digital fluency. That experience translates well when moving to bank digital teams.

5) What do interviewers listen for at entry level?

Service tone, accurate math, clean writing, and policy awareness. A short, clear story about a task you handled under time pressure often decides the call.