Kumari Bank and FWEAN Partner to Advance Women’s Sustainable Economic Empowerment

7th October 2026, Kathmandu

Kumari Bank Limited (KBL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs’ Associations of Nepal (FWEAN)

KBL and FWEAN Partnership

The partnership is aimed to promote women’s economic empowerment, sustainable finance, enterprise growth, and business resilience across Nepal.

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Key Objectives and Strategic Framework

• MoU Signatories: Chandan Karki, Chief Investment and Marketing Officer of Kumari Bank Limited, and Darshana Shrestha, President of FWEAN.
• Core Goals: Expand access to responsible finance, foster sustainable and climate-resilient investment, deliver digital solutions, and broaden market opportunities and value-chain linkages for women-led businesses.
• Innovative Financial Mechanisms: Implement non-traditional financing models including cash-flow-based assessment, movable-asset financing, guarantees, and risk-sharing mechanisms to alleviate funding barriers for female entrepreneurs.
• Program Execution: Establish joint framework mechanisms for learning, impact measurement, stakeholder engagement, employment generation, and sustainable enterprise practices.

Operational Reach and Infrastructure

According to Arpan Paudel, Head of Sustainable Banking Department at Kumari Bank, the initiative will leverage the bank’s sustainable banking infrastructure alongside FWEAN’s grassroots network to enhance gender equality in economic opportunities.

• Nationwide Branch Network: 279 branches, 294 ATMs, 41 extension counters, and 40 branchless banking units.
• Digital Capabilities: Over 1,200 POS terminals, mobile banking platforms, and international Visa card solutions.
• Strategic Vision: Build financially viable green enterprises, circularity-based value chains, and climate-resilient economic growth across targeted communities.

For More: KBL and FWEAN Partnership