By Our Reporter Renowned banker Prithvi Bahadur Pande has been facilitated for his remarkable contribution to the country’s banking sector for over four decades and his role in strengthening Nepal’s financial sector. Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Governor Chiranjibi Nepal felicitated Pande during the 23rd annual general meeting of the Nepal Bankers’ Association (NBA) this week. Pande is the chairperson of Nepal Investment Bank Ltd (NIBL), one of the pioneers in the country’s banking industry. Pande who is also the former president of NBA, has started his banking career as a chartered accountant at NRB in October 1978. “The experience I garnered during my time at NRB laid the foundation, opened up opportunities, boosted my self-confidence and expanded my network, which in turn prepped me for my career shift as a commercial banker,” said Pande after his felicitation. After serving in Rastra Bank for a decade, he went to work in the Himalayan Bank Ltd in 1988. After managing Himalayan Bank for 10 years, Pande joined Indo Suez Bank, the current NIBL. It has now been seven years since he stepped away from his role as an executive chairman of NIBL. Pande has urged banks to keep pace with rapid advancements in technology and come up with new products in tune with the times. Pande said he would devote his time to promote arts and culture.