Citizens Bank International wins prestigious ‘Bank of the Year 2025’ award in London
The award was jointly received by Chair Prabal Jung Pandey and Chief Executive Officer Ganesh Raj Pokharel, who represented the bank at the global event.
KATHMANDU: Citizens Bank International Limited has been honored with the ‘Bank of the Year 2025’, one of the world’s most prestigious banking awards, at a ceremony hosted by The Financial Times on December 3 in London.
The award was jointly received by Chair Prabal Jung Pandey and Chief Executive Officer Ganesh Raj Pokharel, who represented the bank at the global event.
Citizens Bank had also secured the Bank of the Year 2024, making this the second consecutive year the bank has earned this distinguished international recognition.
More than 400 participants, including chairpersons and CEOs from over 125 countries, attended the ceremony.
Chairman Pandey said the award—often regarded as the “Oscars of the banking sector”—is a moment of great pride for Nepal. He added that the achievement motivates the bank to deliver even more customer-friendly and modern banking services in the days ahead.
CEO Pokharel credited the recognition to the support of stakeholders and the dedication of the bank’s employees.
He reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to strengthening good governance, prudent banking practices, and expanding green banking initiatives.
Banks in Nepal have been receiving this honor since 2002, with only nine banks in the country having received the award so far.
The Financial Times selects Bank of the Year awardees based on banks’ annual performance and strategic initiatives.
The list of winners is published in The Banker magazine.
Citizens Bank has recently launched several innovative services, including Nepal’s first “Citizens PhonePe Credit Card”, a virtual credit card developed in partnership with PhonePe. The bank has also introduced the “Citizens Gen-Z Saving Account”, the integrated digital platform “Citizens DigiBank Service”, and a specialized “Freelancer Savings Account”.
For the first time in Nepal, the bank’s mobile banking app now allows users to apply for share purchases and obtain CRN numbers digitally.
The bank has also introduced cross-bank teller services enabling customers of other banks to withdraw cash by scanning a teller QR at Citizens Bank branches.
Citizens Bank currently serves 1.956 million customers through 200 branches, 169 ATMs, 3 extended counters, and 42 branchless banking units across 61 districts.
