Fifth birthday
Laxmi Bank celebrated its fifth anniversary at the start of the month. The bank, which started in Birganj and in 2005 set up its corporate office in Hattisar, Kathmandu, now has eight branches around the country. The bank's assets now stand at Rs 8 billion, and their non-performing loan rate-0.5 percent-is the best in the industry. Laxmi Bank provides online banking through Laxmi iBank and mobile phone banking through SMS Alert. The bank has won the Best Presented Accounts award from the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAN) for the last two years.

Golf winners
For the first time in its 13-year history, Surya Nepal Masters this year was won by a Nepali. Deepak Thapa Magar shot a one-over 73 and finished with a tournament tally of eight-under 280 to bag the winner's cheque of Rs 324,000. Sabin Sapkota won second place and Rs 224,000 with a six-under 66 to finish at five-under 283. Malaysian Sasidaran and Nepali Deepak Acharya tied for third place at one-under 287, and were awarded Rs 114,000 each. In the amateur category, Rabi Khadka shot a final round 75 to win the amateur title with a tournament tally of six over 294. Surya Prasad Sharma finished second at 303, while Tashi Ghale finished third at 305. Suman Sapkota was nominated the Most Promising Nepali Golfer.

Lions on Everest
Glucovita is the main sponsor of the 2007 Nepal Television Lions Everest Expedition. Glucovita is Nepal's leading energy drink and is a unit of Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting. Wipro\'s other products include Santoor and Chandika bathing soaps, cooking oil, baby care products, and electrical lighting parts.


NEW PRODUCTS
Zen: The Zen Estilo is the newest addition to Maruti Suzuki's compact car range. The Estilo is taller and more spacious than the older Zen, and is available in eight colours. The 1,100cc and 64 bhp car's features include power windows, power lock, an internally controlled rear view mirror, anti-lock braking system, and driver's side airbag. The car is being marketed by Arun Intercontinental traders. Maruti's other compact cars are the Alto, the Swift, and the WagonR.