Nabil Bank Wins Technology Award 2025 for Nepal’s First Open Banking & nRemit Integration
4th June 2025, Kathmandu
Nabil Bank has made history. It won the Asia-Pacific Technology Award 2025, one of the most respected global honors in digital banking. The award, presented by The Banker, recognizes bold innovation and technological excellence in the financial sector.
Nabil Bank Technology Award 2025
This year, over 200 projects competed across 17 categories. Nabil Bank stood out. It won the Transformation Project of the Year, the most competitive category. It also received the Global Prize, confirming its place among the world’s digital leaders.
Five-Year Plan Turns Vision Into Reality
Five years ago, Nabil Bank set out to reinvent itself. It aimed to shift from a corporate-focused model to a retail-driven digital bank. With technology at the center of its strategy, it started building a stronger, more inclusive digital experience for customers.
In 2022, the bank launched the nBank mobile app. The following year, it introduced nBank web, a browser-based platform. These tools replaced many manual, paper-based processes and simplified services for users.
The digital platforms helped Nabil Bank attract more retail customers. It also improved internal efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Innovation In Customer Onboarding
One of the key improvements is in the video Know-Your-Customer (KYC) process. Previously, the video calls took up to 30 minutes. Now, customers upload their documents first, and then connect with an agent. This “unassisted flow” has cut the average call time to just 10–15 minutes.
This change has reduced wait times and improved the overall customer onboarding experience. It also increased operational efficiency for the bank.
Nepal’s First Open Banking Initiative
In October 2024, Nabil Bank took a bold step. It launched Nepal’s first open banking integration. The bank linked its nRemit platform with Hamro Patro, a popular Nepali super app with over 10 million downloads.
Through this partnership, Nepali workers abroad can send money home in real time. They can use an international Visa or Mastercard to deposit funds directly into any Nepali bank account.
This move has opened the door to a faster and more reliable remittance system in Nepal.
Building A Marketplace Within The App
Nabil Bank is not stopping there. It is now turning nBank into a super app. The bank is building an in-app marketplace by partnering with local merchants. Instead of just adding external e-commerce links, Nabil is embedding payment and checkout systems directly inside merchant platforms.
For example, customers can now use nBank’s single sign-on checkout to pay on apps like CG Digital, Trip Turbo, and RhinoPass. Payments can be completed easily using a PIN or biometric verification.
This model not only promotes digital commerce but also keeps users within the bank’s ecosystem.
Focus On Inclusion And Innovation
Another strength of Nabil Bank’s approach is financial inclusion. The bank is using digital tools to serve people who may find traditional banking difficult. Its services are now reaching remote areas and underbanked communities.
At the same time, the bank is also focusing on youth banking. It is developing financial tools and education programs for children and young users to help build healthy money habits early.
Leadership Speaks
Manoj Kumar Gyawali, Acting CEO of Nabil Bank, shared his thoughts on the recognition.
“Our digital strategy is built on transformation, not just adaptation,” he said. “We are using AI, data analytics, and digital channels like the nBank app to boost security, personalization, and efficiency.”
He added that Nabil is committed to leading the future of digital banking in Nepal, with a clear vision to become the number one digital bank in the country.
What Does This Award Mean?
Winning the Technology Award 2025 places Nabil Bank on the global stage. It shows how Nepali banks can lead with innovation and deliver world-class services. More importantly, it proves that focused strategy and bold ideas can reshape banking in emerging markets.
With a new five-year plan underway, Nabil Bank is ready to take even bigger steps. Its mission is clear: to become the undisputed digital banking leader in Nepal.
For more: Nabil Bank Technology Award 2025
