Development Bankers Association AGM 20th Edition

26th March 2026, Kathmandu

The Development Bankers Association Nepal (DBAN) successfully convened its 20th Annual General Meeting (AGM), marking two decades of coordinated efforts to strengthen the mid-tier banking sector in the country.

Development Bankers Association AGM

This milestone event served as a high-level platform for the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of all member development banks to converge and deliberate on the evolving financial landscape. Held in late March 2026, the assembly provided a comprehensive review of the fiscal year 2081/82 and set a strategic roadmap for the upcoming year, emphasizing the sector’s resilience and its expanding footprint in Nepal’s federal economic structure.

The 20th AGM was presided over by the Association’s President, Suyog Shrestha, who is also the CEO of Shangri-la Development Bank. His leadership during the session underscored the collective commitment of development banks to maintain high standards of corporate governance while navigating the complexities of a modernizing economy.

Key Highlights of the 20th AGM

The assembly followed a rigorous agenda focused on transparency and future-proofing the association. Several pivotal documents and administrative decisions were finalized during the session to ensure the Association remains a potent advocate for its members.

Approval of Statutory Reports

The general assembly provided a unanimous endorsement of the Executive Committee’s annual report for the fiscal year 2081/82. This report detailed the various advocacy efforts, training programs, and policy coordination initiatives undertaken by the Development Bankers Association Nepal to bridge the gap between regulatory requirements and operational realities.

Financial Transparency and Governance

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the scrutiny of the Association’s financial health. The members reviewed and approved the comprehensive financial statements for the period ending Ashad 2082. The approved documents included:

The Detailed Balance Sheet

Comprehensive Profit and Loss Statements

Audited Cash Flow Statements

The Independent Auditor’s Report

Furthermore, the AGM moved forward with the appointment of the statutory auditor for the fiscal year 2082/83, along with the determination of their remuneration, reinforcing the sector’s dedication to financial accountability.

Leadership Insights and Strategic Achievements

During his presentation of the annual report, President Suyog Shrestha elaborated on the Association’s pivotal role as a unified voice for the development banking community. He highlighted that despite global and domestic economic shifts, development banks in Nepal have maintained a steady trajectory of growth and stability.

The Association has been instrumental in coordinating with the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to refine policies related to credit-to-deposit (CD) ratios and risk-weighted assets, ensuring that development banks remain competitive and capitalized. Shrestha’s address emphasized that the Development Bankers Association Nepal is not just a representative body but a catalyst for financial innovation and inclusion.

The Landscape of Development Banks in Nepal

The current composition of the Development Bankers Association Nepal reflects a specialized banking tier that caters to diverse regional and national needs. The sector is currently composed of 17 active member banks, categorized based on their operational scope:

8 National-Level Development Banks: These institutions operate across all seven provinces, providing a wide array of services including corporate lending, trade finance, and extensive digital banking.

9 Regional-Level Development Banks: These banks focus on specific geographical clusters, offering deep local expertise and personalized services to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and agricultural sectors.

Expanding Banking Outreach and Scale

The operational scale of the development banking sector has seen remarkable expansion in recent years. As of the end of Magh 2082, the data reveals a sector that is deeply integrated into the daily lives of millions of Nepalese citizens.

The physical and digital infrastructure of the member banks has grown to include:

1,126 Branch Offices: Providing a physical presence in both bustling urban centers and remote semi-urban localities.

339 ATMs: Ensuring 24/7 access to cash and essential banking transactions for customers nationwide.

8 Million Customers: A testament to the high level of public trust and the sector’s ability to provide accessible financial solutions.

This massive outreach demonstrates that development banks are often the primary point of contact for individuals and small businesses seeking to transition from informal to formal financial systems.

Driving Financial Inclusion in Rural Nepal

A core mission of the Development Bankers Association Nepal is the promotion of financial inclusion. Development banks are uniquely positioned to bridge the “last mile” gap where large-scale commercial banks may have limited penetration.

By focusing on localized lending and community-based deposit schemes, these banks empower local entrepreneurs, women-led businesses, and agricultural cooperatives. Their presence in regional districts ensures that capital is distributed more equitably across the country, supporting the federal goal of decentralized economic growth.

Future Outlook and Digital Transformation

As the Association looks beyond its 20th year, the focus is shifting toward digital maturity and sustainable banking. The Development Bankers Association Nepal is expected to lead initiatives in:

Digital Transformation: Encouraging member banks to adopt unified payment interfaces, advanced mobile banking, and AI-driven customer support.

Regulatory Compliance: Working closely with the central bank to implement Basel III standards and enhanced anti-money laundering (AML) protocols.

SME Empowerment: Developing specialized loan products that cater to the “Missing Middle”—businesses that are too large for microfinance but too small for traditional corporate banking.

Conclusion

The 20th AGM of the Development Bankers Association Nepal stands as a testament to the sector’s endurance and its vital role in the national economy. By successfully reviewing past milestones and electing a forward-thinking leadership path, the Association has reaffirmed its position as a pillar of the Nepalese financial ecosystem.

With a network of over 1,100 branches and a growing family of 8 million customers, the Development Bankers Association Nepal is well-equipped to drive the next wave of economic prosperity in Nepal.

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