Expect more women decision makers in banking

Mega Bank Limited Nepal, which started its operation in July 2010, is now one of the most prestigious financial institutions in the country with an authorized capital of Rs 11.5 billion, issued capital of Rs 10.57 billion and paid-up capi­tal of Rs 10.38 billion. A national level Class “A” commercial bank, Mega currently has 102 branches, 19 extension counters and 86 ATMs throughout the country in addition to 119 Branchless Banking (BLB) outlets and 2,300+ Mega Remit agents.

Also known to have a higher female to male ratio of employees than most of its competitors, Mega Bank appointed veteran banker Anupama Khunjeli as its CEO in April 2018, making her the first female CEO of a Class “A” bank in Nepal. Khunjeli, who started her career in the Grindlays Bank (now Standard Chartered) in 1991 and has been a part of Mega since its pre-inception, talks to Sunny Mahat of APEX about her almost three-decade long banking career.

As a woman, how is the experience of being in a top management position of a commercial bank?

I believe it is the same for men and women—you have to put in a lot of hard work, recognize the opportunities when they knock your door, and yes, being dedicated is the most important thing. But first, you have to enjoy your job. Give your best every day to achieve your goals and nothing will be difficult for you.

Is there a difference between how management treats its male and female employees in the banking fra­ternity?

That ‘difference’ is there and we cannot change it overnight. You see one female CEO after several decades of commercial banking in the country. That in itself shows where we stand in terms of oppor­tunities to females. It has been a tough journey for women, and there sure is differentiation. We will take some time in coming out with the message that women are capable of taking up decision-making roles. I also believe that for women, their families have to be very supportive. We need as much support at home, as we support the men who go out to work.

What prompted you into taking bank­ing as a career and what has kept you motivated for so long?

I was a commerce graduate and joined my first bank because I liked how bank­ing touched so many lives. Everyone has financial matters—be it borrowing, lending, saving or investing. As a banker, you’re reaching out to each and every Nepali. Now that the country is striving for economic prosperity, especially when we are moving towards political stability, the job gets more interesting.

At Mega Bank, our vision has always been to reach non-banking populous across the country. When you see the economic upliftment of people with scarce resources and you know you’ve touched their lives, you get motivated to work every day. That is what kept me in banking so long.

My complete dedication to the job and my ability to bounce back from failures have kept me going.

As a dedicated banker, how do you maintain your work-life balance?

This is one question that arises every time. I believe that if you want to be successful in your career, you have to give time to the job you’re doing. And for that, your family needs to be supportive. There’s no doubt that banking requires long hours and you cannot achieve what­ever you’re determined to without the family’s unending support.

My family has always been supportive and understanding, thus making me com­fortable in this demanding profession. I also make sure I spend time with them whenever possible.

What suggestions would you give to prospective candidates who want to enter banking?

I know a lot of commerce graduates want to join banking because it has evolved as a prestigious career with respectable pay and job security.

But first, I would like to tell them—make sure you take a job that you would want to continue and be prepared to put in a lot of time, effort and hard work. Also make sure you enjoy working. Every morning you come to office, you should come fresh, energetic and you should be able to do what your organization is asking of you. You should be able to match your goals with your organization’s goals. Be ready to contribute to the betterment of the organization.

How has Mega Bank maintained a health number of female employees compared to other banks?

When Mega started, 60 percent of our employees were women. The ratio has changed a little due to recent mergers but are proud to have three women, including me, at the top decision making level.

Right now, whenever we try to recruit new employees, we see more female applicants. I think the men have left the country. (Laughs.) The women have stayed behind and want to join the prestigious banking fraternity. Women want to be bankers and the way we look at it, we will probably see more women decision-makers in banking in near future.