बैंक तथा वित्तीय संस्थाको नेतृत्वमा पुग्न अब पहिलेभन्दा कठिन हुने भएको छ। नेपाल राष्ट्र बैंकले "क", "ख" र "ग" वर्गका बैंक तथा वित्तीय संस्थाका सञ्चालक, प्रमुख कार्यकारी अधिकृत र उच्च व्यवस्थापकीय पदमा नियुक्त हुन चाहने व्यक्तिहरूका लागि कडा नयाँ मापदण्ड लागू गरेको छ।

बैंक तथा वित्तीय संस्था नियमन विभागले एकीकृत निर्देशन, २०८२ मा संशोधन गर्दै १० बुँदे स्वघोषणा अनिवार्य गरेको हो। यस अन्तर्गत सम्बन्धित व्यक्तिले आफ्नो पारिवारिक विवरण, नेपाल वा विदेशमा कुनै कसूरमा संलग्न भए वा नभएको, कर्जा कालोसूचीमा परे वा नपरेको, कुनै मुद्दामामिला वा अनुसन्धानमा रहे वा नरहेको र स्वार्थको द्वन्द्व हुन सक्ने अवस्था विद्यमान छ वा छैन भन्ने सबै विषय खुलाउनु पर्नेछ।

यति मात्र होइन, नेपाली नागरिक भए विदेशमा कुनै सम्पत्ति रहे वा नरहेको र आफू त्यस्तो सम्पत्तिको वास्तविक हिताधिकारी हो वा होइन भन्ने पनि स्पष्ट गर्नुपर्नेछ। अदालत वा अधिकारीको आदेशबमोजिम तिर्नुपर्ने कुनै राजस्व वा सरकारी बाँकी बक्यौता रहेको छ भने त्यो पनि लुकाउन पाइनेछैन।

राष्ट्र बैंकको यो कदमलाई वित्तीय क्षेत्रमा पारदर्शिता र जवाफदेहिता सुनिश्चित गर्ने दिशामा उठाइएको महत्वपूर्ण पाइलाका रूपमा हेरिँदैछ। विशेषगरी पछिल्लो समय बैंकिङ क्षेत्रमा देखिएका विभिन्न विवाद र वित्तीय अनियमिततालाई दृष्टिगत गर्दा यस्तो कडाइको आवश्यकता लामो समयदेखि महसुस भइरहेको थियो।

Becoming a director, CEO, or senior executive of a bank or financial institution in Nepal just got considerably harder. Nepal Rastra Bank has rolled out a strict new set of requirements for anyone seeking appointment to top positions in Class "A", "B", and "C" licensed banks and financial institutions — a move widely seen as a push toward greater transparency and accountability in the financial sector.

The Bank Regulation Department issued the new directive by amending the Unified Directive 2082, making a 10-point self-declaration mandatory for all such appointees. The requirement means that candidates can no longer simply present their qualifications and professional credentials — they must now open up about a far broader range of personal and financial matters before taking the helm of any licensed institution.

Under the new rules, candidates are required to declare whether they have ever been involved in any criminal offense either in Nepal or abroad, and if so, provide full details of the case and its current status. They must also disclose whether they are currently subject to any lawsuit, investigation, alternative dispute resolution process, or judicial and administrative proceedings. Any unpaid government dues, tax arrears, or amounts payable under court orders must also be declared upfront.

The directive further requires candidates to state clearly whether they appear on any credit blacklist in Nepal or overseas, and whether any conflict of interest exists that could affect their role. Nepali citizens must additionally declare whether they hold any assets abroad or whether they are the beneficial owner of any such foreign assets — a provision clearly aimed at curbing hidden offshore wealth among those entrusted with managing public deposits.

Rounding out the declaration requirements, candidates must provide a detailed account of their past work experience, responsibilities held, awards received, disciplinary actions faced, and notable professional achievements. A comprehensive disclosure of their financial soundness and conduct is also mandatory.

Nepal Rastra Bank's decision to enforce these sweeping disclosure requirements comes at a time when the banking sector has faced mounting scrutiny over financial irregularities, misuse of funds, and questions about the integrity of institutional leadership. Analysts view the new directive as a long-overdue step toward ensuring that only individuals with clean records and genuine professional credentials are placed in charge of institutions that hold the savings and trust of the general public.