The Central Bank of Nepal reported that Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari inaugurated Everest Bank’s branch office in Saipal Rural Municipality, Bajhang, bringing “class C” commercial bank services to all 753 local levels and marking completion of the central bank’s campaign to ensure banking access across every local level. The branch has started operating in Dhauligadh, Ward No. 1 of Saipal Rural Municipality. Saipal was the last remaining local level without commercial bank branch coverage after a branch was established in Rubival Rural Municipality of Dhading in Asar 2078, and the Government of Nepal’s fiscal year 2081/82 budget had also prioritised opening a commercial bank branch in Saipal; the governor noted the opening removes the need for residents to travel to the district headquarters for banking services.