KATHMANDU: Gorakh Shamsher Rana has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Standard Chartered Bank Nepal. This marks a significant milestone for the bank, as Rana is the first Nepali to hold this position since the bank began its operations in Nepal in 1987. Until now, the CEO position had been filled exclusively by foreign professionals.
Rana, who holds an MBA from the United States, has been associated with Standard Chartered Bank since 1994. He began his banking career with Grindlays Bank, which was later acquired by Standard Chartered, and has remained with the institution for nearly three decades. Over the years, he has served in various key roles, including Relationship Manager, Senior Credit Manager, and Head of Client Coverage.
Before his promotion to CEO, Rana held the position of Deputy CEO and also managed responsibilities as the Head of Corporate, Commercial, and Institutional Banking. His appointment follows the completion of the tenure of outgoing CEO Anirban Ghosh Dastidar.
Rana’s leadership journey at Standard Chartered includes managing diverse banking portfolios, including retail, private, and institutional banking. His contributions have been instrumental in strengthening the bank’s position in the Nepali financial sector.
Beyond his professional achievements, Rana is known for his royal family connection. He was married to Shruti Rajyalaxmi Shah, the daughter of the late King Birendra Shah. His wife tragically lost her life alongside King Birendra and other royal family members in the 2001 royal massacre.
Standard Chartered Bank Nepal is recognized as one of the leading commercial banks in the country, with the highest share value among its peers. The bank’s paid-up capital is NPR 9.42 billion. For the fiscal year 2080/81 (2023/24), the bank has announced a 6.5% bonus share distribution to its shareholders, along with a 19% cash dividend from the previous year’s profit.
This new leadership marks a pivotal moment for the bank as it looks to strengthen its position in Nepal’s growing financial sector under Rana’s guidance.