Kathmandu: When Mona Sharma got a new assignment to perform as a branch manager at Damauli branch in 2016, she was anxious if she could perform well out of Kathmandu Valley.
Born and raised in Kathmandu, Sharma, who had never been outside of the Valley for work till then and who had two kids of eight years and three years old studying in Kathmandu then, went to Damauli with a challenge. “It was challenging, but I decided to go to the new branch,” she told Nepal Live Today.
Handling the branch was a new experience for Sharma. Once anxious and scared, Sharma, after working at Damauli, started to realize it was a career-changing decision. “I learned new skills. Being in a remote branch taught me to handle difficult situations,” she said.
When asked if working outside the valley changed her, Sharma said, “Yes! I would not have been the same person professionally had I not been to the Damauli branch. I became confident,” she said. She believes the confidence and experience gained there have made her ready to take on challenges of bigger assignments now and have helped her perform well in her current branch at Maharajgunj.
Although she worked there for a brief period, she exceeded all the targets set by the bank. “I was able to bring business. All the hard work paid off.”
Sharma entered Nabil Bank in 2002. While studying, Sharma
was always fascinated by the evolving banking industry. A brilliant banker, Sharma was promoted timely in Nabil Bank.
Sharma, who entered Nabil Bank as an assistant, is currently an assistant manager, and she is aiming higher. “I am working hard. And in my career, I have been promoted timely as I have met the targets and goals set by the bank,” she said.
Not only has Sharma worked to fulfill the targets set by the bank. Sharma is also actively working to educate her customers about banking services, especially digital banking. “When customers come to our branch, we teach them about mobile banking and internet banking. They even call me on weekends if they are confused while using digital banking,” she said.
Sharma, however, says a lot has changed in the last few years in the banking sector. “People are using mobile and internet banking. But, having said that, a huge number of people in the society are still unaware about the benefits of digital banking,” she says.
When people come to pay their children’s school fees, Sharma tells them about all the benefits of digital banking. “Today, you can pay school fees, electricity, internet and telephone, among other bills through digital banking. But people still come to banks for these basic services,” she said, adding that the Maharajgunj branch is working its best to educate people about the benefits of digital banking.
The representation of women in top-level management is still low, but Sharma says women are in top positions in Nabil Bank. “The representation of women is low in top-level management in the banking industry as a whole. But, Nabil Bank always promotes its women staff based on merit. And women staff are climbing the career ladder,” she said. “Those who are capable are always encouraged in Nabil Bank,” she added.
When asked what gives her satisfaction, Sharma said, “when I complete my targets and goals, it helps me to grow as a professional and bank on its business. This gives immense satisfaction.” After she started handling the Maharajgunj branch, the bank has won the ‘branch of the year’ award among B plus category Branches.
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