Global IME Bank kicks off AI/ML Hackathon 2026 to encourage AI innovation in banking

KATHMANDU: Global IME Bank on Friday kicked off the 'AI/ML Hackathon 2026', a competition aimed at encouraging innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for the banking sector.

The event was formally opened by Global IME Bank Chief Executive  Officer (CEO) Surendra Raj Regmi at a special inauguration ceremony. The bank said the second edition follows a successful inaugural event last year and seeks to expand the use of advanced technology across Nepal’s financial services.

A total of 14 teams were selected through an open application process to take part in the residential competition, which will take place in two phases. The first phase features a 36-hour continuous coding session, followed by an on-site hackathon in the second phase. Participating teams include students, start-ups, developers, engineers, data scientists and researchers.

Teams will work on projects across categories set by the bank, with an emphasis on solutions that make banking services more secure, simpler and more technology-friendly. The bank said outstanding teams will receive cash prizes and opportunities for professional collaboration with Global IME.

Regmi said he expects the hackathon to help identify future digital banking services and solutions to emerging sector challenges. The bank also noted that residential arrangements have been made for competing teams during the event.

Global IME highlighted its recent recognition and network reach, citing awards such as 'Bank of the Year' 2014, 'Best Internet Bank' 2016 and 'Best Bank Nepal' for 2024–2026, as well as multiple Euromoney Awards for Excellence. The bank said it operates more than 1,000 service points nationwide, including 344 branches, 368 ATMs, 147 branchless banking outlets, 69 extension and revenue collection counters and three foreign representative offices, and that it channels remittances from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and India.