Nepal Rastra Bank has issued an amendment to its Unified Directives, 2025, requiring 'A', 'B', and 'C' class banks and financial institutions to act on verbal requests from law enforcement officers to temporarily freeze accounts in cases involving suspected financial crimes.
Under the new provision, financial institutions must maintain 24-hour, seven-day availability to respond to both verbal and written freeze requests. They are also required to publish dedicated contact numbers to facilitate coordination with investigating agencies.
The directive is aimed at closing a gap in which delays caused by waiting for written orders could allow funds linked to financial crimes to be moved before action is taken.