Pravesh Rijal, 34, is to lead innovation-driven financial services at Cross River bank
New York, May 6: Cross River Bank, one of New York's leading innovation-driven financial institutions, appointed Pravesh Rijal as its Chief Data & AI Officer. The 34-year old joins the bank's C-suite leadership, regarded as a rare feat in the highly competitive finance and technology sectors of Wall Street. Rijal comes from Biratnagar. His ascent to the top ranks of an international bank has inspired the Nepali community across the US, particularly the New Yorker Nepalis.
Cross River Bank created the new Chief Data & AI Officer position as part of a strategic shift towards an intelligence-led future. The company’s decision to entrust Rijal with the pioneering role reflects its strong confidence in his vision, technical leadership, and business acumen.
By-election: Chief Election Officer appointed in Ilam-2
Rijal began his professional journey at Citigroup, where he quickly rose through the ranks from Vice President to Senior Vice President in the bank's Global Modeling Group, specializing in quantitative portfolio modeling. After joining Cross River, he founded and scaled the Quantitative Strategies division, transforming it into a core driver of the bank's innovation and operational strength.
Widely regarded as a financial engineer and visionary leader, Rijal has earned accolades across the banking and fintech sectors for building high-impact organizations that bridge cutting-edge technology with real-world financial strategy.
Rijal holds a Master's degree in Financial Engineering from New York University (NYU) — one of the world's premier programs in quantitative finance — and is currently pursuing a PhD in Finance at EDHEC Business School in France.
His appointment signals more than personal achievement — it represents a broader narrative of Nepali excellence on the world stage. "Nepal's future leaders are emerging across industries," a colleague remarked, "and Pravesh's journey from Biratnagar to New York's financial core is a powerful inspiration."
Founded in 2008, Cross River Bank has established itself as a global leader at the intersection of regulated banking and advanced technology. The bank powers major fintech platforms and investment firms across payments, lending, and embedded finance, with a reputation for innovation, compliance, and customer-centricity.
With Rijal now leading its Data & AI strategy, Cross River is expected to further accelerate its push into next-generation, intelligence-driven financial services.
