Kathmandu, May 24
The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has directed
the banks and financial institutions (BFIs) to collaborate with one another to
make at least one branch and one ATM disability-friendly in every local level.
Earlier, such provision would apply if
there were more than five branches of BFIs in any local body.
The disability-friendly ATM should be
equipped with Braille signs, control buttons, and audio support, in locations
featuring ATM lounges. The details of such branches and ATMs must be published
on their websites.
Amending its
Integrated Directives 2082 – issued for the commercial banks, development banks
and financial institutions, the NRB has added new provisions to the arrangements regarding simplified banking and added new provisions on
additional office hours.
The BFIs must develop their websites and
mobile banking applications in a manner that ensures they can also be used by
persons with visual impairments. They must include blind-friendly tactile
features on the debit and credit cards they issue.
The central bank has maintained
earlier provision that the BFIs should mandatorily maintain special and
designated counters for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and
illiterate individuals, giving them special priority to ensure easy access to
banking facilities.
"If a person with a disability makes a
self-declaration stating that they can independently use financial services
such as ATMs, mobile banking, and internet banking, the licensed institution
must make those services available to the individual," reads the
directives.
Similarly, regarding additional office hours (overtime), the NRB directed the
BFIs that if they deploy employees to work beyond standard office hours, they must
provide additional remuneration (overtime pay) in accordance with the
prevailing provisions.
However, employees should not be deployed
forcefully to work beyond standard office hours.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 25 May 2026.
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