New Delhi: The 4th ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave 2026, organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) at Le Meridien, New Delhi, brought together central bankers, regulators and financial leaders from India, Sri Lanka and Nepal to discuss the future of banking under the theme “Reimagining Banking in the Age of Disruption.” The conclave focused on balancing rapid digital transformation with operational resilience and financial inclusion across the BIMSTEC region.

Welcoming the delegates, Atanu Sen, Chairman of the ICC National Expert Committee on BFSI, said trust remains the foundation of banking despite rapid technological change. He highlighted that India’s banking sector recorded 12% deposit growth and 15% credit growth in FY26, while UPI processed nearly ₹230 lakh crore in transactions. He also noted that almost 80% of adults in South Asia now own a financial account.

K.G.P. Sirikumara, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, cautioned that the next financial crisis may not originate within banks but could stem from cyberattacks, climate events or disruptions to cloud infrastructure. He stressed that resilience means ensuring uninterrupted financial services during crises through strong governance and early preparedness.

Hem Prasad Neupane, Executive Director at Nepal Rashtra Bank, highlighted Nepal’s rapid digital banking growth, with digital wallets rising from 6 million to over 27 million, mobile banking users exceeding 30 million, and over 95% of government payments now being made digitally. Nepal is also integrating its payment system with India’s UPI and piloting a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).

Gayathri Parthasarathy, Advisor to the Chairman, PwC India, said banking is being reshaped by digital public infrastructure, fintech platforms and generative AI. She emphasized that risk and compliance have become a CEO-level priority, while cybersecurity and hybrid banking talent will shape the industry’s future.

Closing the conclave, Dr. Rajeev Singh, Director General of ICC, said banks must adapt to an increasingly uncertain global environment while preserving the core values of trust, efficiency and dependability. The fourth edition of the conclave reaffirmed ICC’s commitment to fostering dialogue on the future of banking in an era of rapid digital transformation.