Bank interview questions and answers in Nepal

These are the stages and qualifications stated in bank vacancy notices from 2083, including a commercial bank’s notice that named “a written test, group discussion (for MT), and interview”. Age limits of 23 to 28 are common at entry level. Government-owned banks recruit with the Public Service Commission’s involvement.

• Tell me about yourself. — “I am Pratik Karki from Butwal. I completed BBS from Tribhuvan University with finance as my specialisation. I did a two-month internship in the customer service department of a development bank, where I helped with account opening and KYC updates. I am comfortable with Excel, I like working with figures and with people, and I want to build my career in banking.”
• Why do you want to work in a bank? — “Banking combines finance, which I studied, with daily customer contact. It is a structured career where performance and learning are measured, and I want to grow from operations into credit.”
• Why this bank? — Use facts from its annual report or website: branch network, digital products, a recent award or its position in deposits or profit.
• What do you know about our bank? — Year established, head office, CEO, number of branches, main products, and one recent piece of news.
• What are your strengths and weaknesses? — A strength the job uses (accuracy, patience with customers) and an honest weakness with the fix.
• Are you willing to work outside the valley? — Banks post new staff to branches. “Yes” is the answer they are checking for, if it is true.
• Where do you see yourself in five years? — “As an officer handling credit or branch operations in this bank, having completed the banking courses you offer.”

• Which law governs money laundering in Nepal? — The Assets (Money) Laundering Prevention Act 2064 (2008). The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-Nepal), set up under section 9 of that Act and housed in Nepal Rastra Bank, receives the reports.
• What is a threshold transaction? — For banks and financial institutions, a cash deposit or withdrawal of Rs 10 lakh or more in one transaction or in a series in one day in a single account. It must be reported to FIU-Nepal within fifteen days.
• What else is reported? — Cross-border transfers of Rs 10 lakh or more and foreign currency exchange equal to Rs 5 lakh or more, and any transaction that looks suspicious regardless of amount.
• A regular customer wants to deposit Rs 15 lakh in cash and refuses to state the source. What do you do? — “I explain politely that the source declaration is a legal requirement, not my choice. If they still refuse, I do not accept it on my own decision and I refer it to the operations in-charge and the compliance officer.”
• What is customer due diligence? — Identifying the customer and the real owner of the money, understanding the purpose of the account, and watching that transactions match the customer’s profile.

• A customer is angry about a long queue. What do you do? — “I apologise for the wait, tell them honestly how long it will take, and see whether their work can be done at another counter or through mobile banking.”
• Your cash is short by Rs 5,000 at closing. What do you do? — “I recount, check the day’s vouchers and denominations, and report it to the head of cash immediately. I do not adjust it myself or leave it for the next day.”
• A friend asks you to check another customer’s balance. Do you? — “No. Customer information is confidential, and I would not look up an account without a business reason.”
• How would you sell a fixed deposit to a walk-in customer? — “By asking what they are saving for and for how long, then explaining the rate and the terms simply, including the penalty for early withdrawal.”
• You have three customers waiting and your supervisor gives you an urgent task. What do you do? — “I tell the supervisor how many customers are waiting and ask which comes first, then tell the customers how long it will be.”

1. 1Read the topic twice and note three points before speaking.
2. 2Speak early, once, with a clear position and a reason. You do not need to speak first.
3. 3Use a figure where you have one. Knowing that there are twenty commercial banks or the current policy rate sets you apart.
4. 4Build on what others say (“Adding to that point…”) and bring in someone who has not spoken.
5. 5Do not interrupt or raise your voice. Panels mark teamwork as well as content.
6. 6If no one concludes, offer a thirty-second summary of what the group agreed.

Bring your CV, certificates, citizenship copy and photographs, and wear formal clothes; banks are conservative. The bank and finance CV example is in the format banks shortlist from. If the offer comes, bank salary in Nepal explains the grade ladder and what to look for in the offer letter, and the self introduction in English guide has a sample for a banking interview.