'Nepal is on track to becoming a cashless society'

Stay-at-home orders and social distancing requirements in 2020 forced banks and financial institutions to promote cashless solutions. With mobile phones determining the uptake of digital banking, a planned roll-out of super speed 5G internet system by the next fiscal year will trigger a step-change in the digital banking industry. The Kathmandu Post's Krishana Prasain talked to Ashok Sherchan, an experienced banker and CEO of Prabhu Bank, about the future of mobile banking and payment apps including the banking industry's role in addressing the gender gap. Excerpts:

You have closely observed the success of the Nepali banking industry over the years. Are banks the forerunners in addressing gender inequality?