The Nepal Rastra Bank has directed banks and financial institutions to provide banking services easily by giving special priority to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and illiterate individuals.
The central bank, issuing an integrated directive to class “A”, “B”, and “C” banks and financial institutions, has instructed them to provide services by designating special counters for such categories of customers.
It has been newly arranged that licensed institutions, in coordination with each other, must make at least one branch in each local level disability-friendly and publish details of such branches on their websites.
The Nepal Rastra Bank has stated that banks and financial institutions must also keep at least one disability-friendly ATM with Braille signage and audio support in locations with ATM lounges. Such details must also be published on their websites.
If persons with disabilities provide a self-declaration stating that they are able to use services such as ATMs, mobile banking, and internet banking on their own, licensed institutions must provide such services. Websites and mobile banking apps must also be developed in a way that allows use by persons with visual impairments.
Similarly, credit and debit cards must also include technology that is friendly to visually impaired users. The directive further states that institutions must ensure additional remuneration is provided as per existing provisions when employees are required to work overtime. It also mentions that employees cannot be forced or compelled to work outside office hours.