Nepal Rastra Bank Issues Official Statement on Attack Against Jyoti Bikas Bank Employees

17th December 2025, Kathmandu

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the central bank and the primary regulatory authority of Nepal, has publicly expressed its most serious concern over the recent violent attack on the employees of Jyoti Bikash Bank. In an official press statement released in Kathmandu, the central bank condemned the incident in the strongest possible terms and issued a stern warning against the rising trend of unlawful activities targeting banks and financial institutions. The central bank emphasized that such incidents represent a direct and dangerous threat to national financial stability, public confidence in the banking system, and the smooth delivery of essential financial services to citizens across the country.

NRB’s Official Statement

The central bank noted that it has taken serious notice of recent incidents aimed specifically at banks and financial institutions, including the targeted violent attack on staff members who were performing their professional duties related to loan recovery. NRB highlighted that through the intensive and joint efforts of the Government of Nepal and the central bank, banking access has now expanded to almost all local levels across the country.

Expansion of Financial Services and Local Access

As a direct result of this institutional expansion, the general public can now conveniently access essential financial services at their local levels. These services include the collection of deposits, the disbursement of loans, the facilitation of remittance transactions, and the vital distribution of social security allowances to senior citizens and vulnerable groups. The central bank stressed that maintaining a safe, secure, and respectful environment for these services is critical for economic inclusion and overall national development.

The Legal Mandate and Responsibility of Financial Institutions

Nepal Rastra Bank clarified that under the Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 2017 (2073 BS) and the central bank’s own regulatory directives, all banks and financial institutions are legally mandated to perform specific duties. These include the disbursement of loans to support economic activity, the continuous monitoring of projects funded by those loans, and the recovery of loans in strict accordance with the law.

Because banks mobilize the public’s hard earned deposits to provide credit to borrowers, any failure to recover loans directly and negatively affects the bank’s liquidity and its ability to return funds to depositors whenever they are demanded. Therefore, borrowers have a clear and non negotiable legal and moral obligation to repay their loans on time. NRB acknowledged that in cases where borrowers face genuine financial difficulty due to external shocks, it has consistently facilitated relief measures such as loan restructuring and rescheduling. These provisions are introduced periodically to support honest borrowers who are facing genuinely adverse circumstances.

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Grievance Handling and Formal Legal Alternatives

The central bank reiterated that if customers have any grievances or complaints related to their banking transactions or the behavior of bank staff, there are established and formal complaint handling mechanisms available. These mechanisms exist both at the level of the concerned financial institution and within the dedicated Financial Consumer Protection Division at Nepal Rastra Bank itself.

Customers who believe they have been treated unfairly or that their rights have been violated are encouraged to lodge formal complaints and seek a resolution through these recognized legal and regulatory channels. NRB strongly cautioned that resorting to physical violence, verbal intimidation, or any form of disorderly conduct against banks or their employees is entirely unacceptable in a law abiding society. Such non professional and unlawful behavior, if left unchecked, can severely disrupt financial intermediation and negatively impact the overall delivery of financial services to the millions of people who depend on them.

Warning Against Unlawful Conduct and Economic Harm

Nepal Rastra Bank warned that continued attacks or unruly behavior against banks and banking staff could lead to serious difficulties in the mobilization of financial resources, which would ultimately harm the wider national economy. The central bank urged all stakeholders, including political and social groups, to refrain from engaging in or encouraging activities that could disrupt banking operations or undermine the delicate trust that forms the foundation of the financial system.

Furthermore, NRB made it absolutely clear that individuals who engage in irresponsible behavior, physical intimidation, or violent acts against banks and their employees will face strict action under the prevailing criminal and financial laws of the land. The central bank emphasized that protecting the dignity, safety, and morale of financial sector employees is not just a matter of labor rights but is essential for maintaining uninterrupted banking services for the entire population.

Collective Responsibility for Financial Stability

In its concluding remarks, Nepal Rastra Bank appealed to all concerned parties, including local authorities and the public, to act responsibly and lawfully. The central bank called for collective efforts to ensure a secure and dignified working environment for all bank employees. This would enable them to perform their duties with the necessary confidence and professionalism required for a healthy economy. By issuing this formal statement, Nepal Rastra Bank has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to financial sector stability, the rule of law, and the physical protection of banking personnel. It continues to encourage the peaceful and institutional resolution of all financial disputes through established legal mechanisms rather than through violence or coercion.

For More: NRB’s Official Statement