Ashok Sherchan has been the CEO at Prabhu Bank Ltd. since 2014. Originally from Baglung, he graduated from Shankar Dev Campus with a Bachelors in Commerce and worked in Kathmandu with a hope to fulfill his dreams and aspirations.
In conversation with Republica’s Sonam Lama, he shares about his struggles, experiences and insights on Nepal’s banking sector.

Tell us about your journey so far?
After my  SLC, I came to Kathmandu to continue my further studies. I joined Shanker Dev Campus to earn a degree in Commerce and started working as a junior assistant at Nepal Bangladesh Bank in 1995. I stayed alone in a rented room, it was quite tough for me to balance between my study and work. When I started working as a junior assistant, my work required me to work in various branches  outside the Valley. However, despite such complexities, I eventually managed to earn my Master’s degree in Business Administration after a long gap of eight years. I then worked as a junior officer at Nepal-Bank of Ceylon in 2000.

How do you look at human resource in banking sector?
 Human resource in banking requires being strong enough to attract suitable and sufficient outcomes. As the banking sector depends on technical and pragmatic works, it is crucial for human resource to establish a skilled manpower that recruits technically skilled and experienced staff members who are well acquainted with the banking and managerial skills.

How does the staff recruitment process work?
We have a set of criteria for different divisions. We provide opportunity to the amateurs who hardly have prior experience in banking. We prefer both experienced candidate and a foreign degree holder.

However, individuals who have been working in Nepal and are well acquainted with the banking trends, laws and regulation of banking sector in Nepal are welcomed.

What improvements does the banking sector demand in Nepal?
I believe the strength of every organization lies on the smooth team work, honesty and hard work of the staff members. 

Therefore, a smooth conduct of human resource is crucial and professional training should be encouraged and international level trainings should be provided with the initiation and association of numerous banks and organizations. 

Similarly, Nepal has a rich source of agriculture, hydropower and tourism. The investments in these areas should be highly considered by the banking sector in order to decrease the trade dependency by increasing the job opportunities which would ultimately boost the economy of Nepal in the long run. 

 
• prabhu bank limited
 
• ashok sherchan