Citizens Bank and Ekta Books Partnership: Promoting Digital Payments and Book Discounts

11th November 2025, Kathmandu

The recent strategic partnership between Citizens Bank International Limited and Ekta Books, a prominent book retailer in Nepal, stands as a notable move to not only offer customer benefits but also actively promote the adoption of digital transaction methods across the nation.

Citizens Bank and Ekta Books Partnership

The agreement, formally signed in Thapathali, Kathmandu, provides a concrete incentive for Citizens Bank customers to move away from cash-based dealings by offering attractive special discounts at select book outlets. This collaboration effectively merges the bank’s commitment to digital innovation with the cultural appeal of books, creating a rewarding experience for bibliophiles who choose digital payment methods.

Special Discount Details for Customers

The core benefit of this new partnership is the special discount of up to 15 percent offered to eligible Citizens Bank customers. This discount is immediately applicable when customers make purchases using the bank’s digital platforms at participating Ekta Books outlets. The eligible payment methods are Citizens Bank cards, including both debit and credit cards, and the Citizens Mobile Banking app. This dual eligibility ensures a wide reach, catering to customers who prefer using physical cards at Point of Sale terminals as well as those who are accustomed to mobile-based QR code payments.

The offer is available across four key locations of Ekta Books, strategically situated to serve a broader customer base: Thapathali and Manbhawan in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Itahari. This geographic spread across major urban centers demonstrates a concerted effort to make the digital promotion initiative impactful beyond the capital city. The straightforward process for availing the discount—simply paying with a Citizens Bank card or the mobile banking app at the specified outlets—is designed to encourage use by emphasizing convenience and instant savings.

The Strategic Push for Digital Transformation

Citizens Bank views this collaboration with Ekta Books as an integral part of its overarching strategy to foster a robust digital banking ecosystem in Nepal. The bank’s belief is that offering such customer-centric value additions is the most effective way to influence behavioral change, encouraging a fundamental shift from traditional cash transactions to modern digital ones. By making digital payments rewarding, the bank aims to accelerate the national movement toward a more cashless economy, aligning with broader governmental and national development objectives for digital inclusion.

This partnership is not an isolated initiative but fits into a pattern of continuous digital innovation by Citizens Bank, which has positioned itself as a leader in Nepal’s financial sector. The bank’s focus on user-friendly, secure, and rewarding digital services is evident in its track record.

Citizens Bank: A Leader in Digital Banking Innovation

Citizens Bank’s dedication to pioneering digital solutions has earned it significant recognition, including the prestigious “Bank of the Year 2024” award for excellence in service and technological progress. This accolade underscores its role at the forefront of financial technology in Nepal.

The bank has introduced several innovative services, many of which are recognized as firsts in the Nepalese financial industry:

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Citizens PhonePay Credit Card: This is Nepal’s first-ever virtual credit card, launched in partnership with PhonePe. It represents a major leap in offering digital credit solutions, which are essential for the growth of e-commerce and digital transactions.

Freelancer Savings Account: A unique, specialized savings product designed specifically for the rapidly growing segment of freelancers, providing tailored tools for efficient income and financial management.

Share Application and CRN Number Services via Mobile App: This innovation simplifies the process of securities investment by making services like stock application and obtaining a CRN number accessible directly through the Citizens Mobile Banking app, democratizing investment for its users.

Cross-Bank Teller QR Service: An inventive service that allows customers of other banks to easily scan a Citizens Teller QR code to withdraw cash from any Citizens Bank branch. This enhances interoperability and improves the efficiency of banking services across the entire system.

These groundbreaking products and services illustrate the bank’s commitment to expanding digital financial inclusion, offering modern solutions that meet the evolving needs of its diverse customer base, which now numbers nearly 1.95 million across the country.

A Vast Nationwide Banking Network

Supporting its digital focus is Citizens Bank International Limited’s extensive physical footprint, ensuring accessibility and service delivery nationwide. The bank operates through a vast network that includes 200 branches spread across 61 districts, 169 ATMs, 3 extended counters, and 74 branchless banking units. This widespread network demonstrates the bank’s ambition to provide modern banking services to both urban and remote populations, solidifying its position as a leading and technologically progressive financial institution in Nepal.

The synergy created by the collaboration with Ekta Books, leveraging a popular retail sector with a digital payment incentive, serves as a practical example of how the bank is making its technological advancements tangible and immediately beneficial to its customers’ everyday lives. This approach, which marries commerce with digital finance, is expected to be a significant driver in accelerating the nation’s digital journey.

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