Citizens Bank Honored with “Bank of the Year 2025” Award in London

Citizens Bank International Limited has been honored with the prestigious global “Bank of the Year 2025” award, one of the most respected recognitions in the international banking industry. The award was presented during a ceremony organized on December 3 in London by The Financial Times, UK.

The bank’s Chairman Prabal Jung Pandey and Chief Executive Officer Ganesh Raj Pokharel jointly represented the bank at the event and accepted the award. Citizens Bank had already received the Bank of the Year 2024 award last year, making this the second consecutive year it has achieved this prestigious global honor.

The ceremony saw the presence of more than 400 participants, including chairpersons, CEOs, and officials from banks representing over 125 countries. Speaking after receiving the award, Chairman Pandey said that being recognized with the global “Bank of the Year 2025”—often considered the “Oscar of the banking sector”—for two consecutive years was a matter of immense pride. He added that the recognition has further encouraged the bank to deliver modern, customer-friendly, and responsible banking services.

Similarly, CEO Pokharel credited the achievement to the continuous support of regulators, stakeholders, and the tireless efforts of the bank’s employees. He reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to strengthening good governance, prudent banking practices, and green banking initiatives while delivering superior financial services in the future.

Nepal has been receiving this award since 2002, and so far, only nine Nepali banks have earned this recognition. The Financial Times evaluates banks based on annual performance, innovations, customer service, operational efficiency, governance, and sustainable practices before announcing the winners. The list of awarded banks is published annually through its renowned magazine, The Banker.

Citizens Bank has recently introduced several innovative digital products and services. In partnership with Fonepay, the bank launched Nepal’s first-ever “Citizens Fonepay Virtual Credit Card.” It has also introduced the youth-focused “Citizens Gen-Z Savings Account” and an integrated digital banking platform known as “Citizens Digi Bank Services.”

Additionally, the bank has launched a special “Freelancer Savings Account” designed for Nepal’s growing gig economy. For the first time in Nepal, the bank has enabled customers to apply for IPO shares and obtain a CRN number directly through its mobile banking app. The Cross-Bank Teller Service, which allows customers of other banks to withdraw cash by scanning a teller QR code at Citizens Bank branches, has also been introduced.

Operating through 200 branches, 169 ATMs, 3 extended counters, and 42 branchless banking units across 61 districts, Citizens Bank currently serves more than 1.956 million customers with a range of modern banking services, the bank stated.