There are currently 27* Commercial Banks (Class ‘A’) in Nepal. There are 3 public and 25 private banks in operation. Privately owned banks in Nepal can be furthur re-grouped into domestically owned banks and foreign joint-venture banks. There are currently five foreign joint ventures out of 25 privately owned banks. Also, there is provision of minimum 40% share ownership by the general public in the banks. We have collected a brief information about them.
* Janata Bank Nepal merged with Global IME.
They are as follows (sorted by date of Operations based on NRB report.):
Date of Operation: Feb 15, 1937 A.D. / Kartik 30, 1994
Head Office: Dharmapath, Kathmandu
Website: https://www.nepalbank.com.np/
Nepal Bank is the first commercial bank of Nepal. It has head office at Dharmapath, Kathmandu. It is a national level bank. With the recent Follow-on Public Offer (FPO) offered in 2018, the bank has share ratio of Government to Public as 51:49 percent. It is currently trading at Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol ‘NBL’. Nepal bank has appointed Civil Capital Market Limited as it’s share registrar. NBL has provided a return of 17% (14% bonus shares plus 3% Cash dividend) return to its shareholders for the fiscal year 077/078.
Date of Operation: Jan 21, 1968 A.D.
Head Office: Ramshah Path, Kathmandu
Website: http://www.adbl.gov.np/
Agricultural Development Bank Limited ( ADBL ) was established with the main objective of providing institutional credit for enhancing the production and productivity of the agricultural sector in the country. This Bank is largely owned by Government of Nepal with 51 percent shares. Nepal Government used to own 100 percent shares and was upgraded to Commercial bank in 2006. ADBL has been working as a premier rural credit institutions since the last three decades, contributing a more than 67 percent of institutional credit supply in the country. ADBL has also been involved in commercial operations since 1984. ADBL is currently trading at at Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol ‘ADBL’. ADBL has provided dividend return of 21.05 percent in the fiscal year 2077/2078 B.S. ADBL has appointed NIBL Ace Capital Limited as it’s share registrar.
Date of Operation: July 7, 1984 A.D.
Head Office: Nabil Center, Durbarmarg, Kathmandu
Website: https://www.nabilbank.com/
Nabil Bank is first private sector bank in Nepal. Nabil Bank provides a full range of commercial banking services and also has 1500 Nabil Remit agents throughout Nepal. Nabil Bank is currently trading at at Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol NABIL. NABIL Bank shares are considered as blue chip stocks among investors. NABIL has provided dividend return of 38 percent (33.6% bonus shares plus 4.4% cash divided) in the fiscal year 2077/2078 B.S. Nabil Bank has appointed Nabil Investment Banking Limited as it’s share registrar.
Date of Operation: March 3, 1986 A.D.
Head Office: Durbarmarg, Kathmandu
Website: https://www.nibl.com.np
Nepal Investment Bank (previously known as Nepal Indosuez Bank Ltd.) was established as a joint venture between Nepalese and Credit Agricole Indosuez. In 2002, Nepalese Investors bought all shares of French Company that amounted to 50%, and accordingly name was also changed to Nepal Investment Bank. Nepal Investment Bank acquired Ace Development Bank with swap ratio of 100:41. NIB is traded in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol NIB. NIB has history of providing good returns and has provided dividend return of 16 percent in the fiscal year 2077/78 B.S. NIB used to be considered as another blue chip stocks among Nepalese investors. Nepal Investment Bank has appointed NIBL Ace Capital Limited as it’s share registrar.
NIB was scheduled to be merged with Himalayan Bank. The process is stalled currently (as of updating this article.)
Date of Operation: Feb 28, 1987 A.D.
Head Office: New Baneshwor, Kathmandu
Website: https://www.sc.com/np/
A subsidiary of Standard Chartered PLC, Standard Chartered Bank Nepal is a commercial bank of Nepal. It has ownership structure of 70.21:29.79 percent between Standard Chartered Group and Nepalese public. It is a largest international bank currently operating in Nepal. SCB is currently trading in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol SCB. It is one of the few banks in Nepal that didn’t have to acquire or merge with other financial institutions to reach capital of Rs. 8 arba (a mandatory provision by Nepal Rastra Bank). It did so by providing dividend return of 105.26 percent on fiscal year 2073/74. It was considered as a blue chip stocks among Nepalese investors, has now failing to achieve its previous height. SCB had provided dividend return of 13.06 percent on fiscal year 2077/78. Standard Chartered Bank Nepal has appointed Standard Chartered Bank Nepal as it’s share registrar.
Date of Operation: Jan 18, 1993 A.D.
Head Office: Kamaladi, Kathmandu
Website: http://www.himalayanbank.com
Himalayan Bank was established in joint venture with Habib Bank Limited of Pakistan. Himalayan bank has the history associated with it – one of the founders, Himalaya Shumsher Rana is the first governor and the first finance secretary of Nepal. HBL is currently trading in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol HBL. HBL has provided dividend return of 26 percent in fiscal year 2077/78. Himalayan Bank has appointed Himalayan Bank as it’s share registrar.
Himalayan Bank was scheduled to be merged with NIB. The process is stalled as of updating this article.
Date of Operation: July 07, 1993 A.D.
Head Office: Kesharmahal, Kathmandu
Website: https://nsbl.statebank/home
It is the first Indo-Nepal joint venture in the financial sector sponsored by three institutional promoters, namely State Bank of India (SBI), Employees Provident Fund and Agricultural Development Bank of Nepal through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 17 July 1992. NSBL started operation from one full-fledged office at Durbar Marg with 18 staff members. It has a subsidiary Nepal SBI Merchant Banking Ltd. (NSMBL). NSBL is currently trading in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol SBI. SBI has provided dividend return of 5.31 percent in fiscal year 2077/78. Nepal SBI Bank Limited has appointed Nepal SBI Merchant Banking Limited as it’s share registrar.
Date of Operation: June 06, 1994 A.D.
Head Office: Kamaladi, Kathmandu
Website: https://www.nbbl.com.np
A joint venture with IFIC Bank Ltd. (of Bangladesh) and NB Group (Nepal) Pvt. Ltd. (promoters), Nepal Banladesh Bank is a public owned commercial bank of Nepal. NBB met mandatory capital requirement of Rs. 8 arba through merger. It had merged with Nepal Bangladesh Finance (with swap ratio of 200:100) and Nepal Sri Lanka Merchant Finance (with swap ratio of 200:100). NBB is currently trading in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol NBB. NBB has provided dividend return of 15.5 percent in fiscal year 2077/78. Nepal Bangladesh Bank has appointed Nepal Bangladesh Capital Limited as it’s share registrar.
NBL is in process to be merge with NABIL bank. No further information is known as of updating this article.
Date of Operation: Oct 18, 1994 A.D.
Head Office: Lazimpat, Kathmandu
Website: https://www.everestbankltd.com
A joint venture with Punjab National Bank (PNB) [holding 20% equity], Everest Bank is a public owned commercial bank of Nepal. EBL is first Nepalese Bank which have Representative Office in India. EBL is currently trading in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol EBL. EBL has provided dividend return of 10.32 percent in fiscal year 2077/78. Everest Bank has appointed Everest Bank Limited as it’s share registrar.
Date of Operation: Apr 03, 2001 A.D.
Head Office: Durbarmarg, Kathmandu
Website: http://www.kumaribank.com
Kumari Bank Limited is a commercial bank in Nepal. KBL has acquired Kasthamandap Development Bank (with swap ratio of 100:85), Mahakali Bikash Bank (with swap ratio of 100:86), Kakrebihar Bikas Bank (with swap ratio of 100:87), Paschimanchal Finance (with swap ratio of 100:88). KBL is currently trading in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol KBL. KBL has provided dividend return of 8.5 percent in fiscal year 2074/75. Kumari Bank Limited has appointed Kumari Bank Limited as it’s share registrar.
Date of Operation: Apr 03, 2002 A.D.
Head Office: Hattisar, Kathmandu
Website: http://laxmi.laxmibank.com
Laxmi Bank Limited is a commercial bank in Nepal. LBL merged with HISEF Finance Limited (a first generation financial company) creating the first merger in Nepali corporate history in 2004 with swap ratio of 100:100. Laxmi Bank promotes a separate life insurance company – Prime Life Insurance which came into operation in 2009. Laxmi Bank aslo acquired Professional Diyalo Development Bank with swap ratio of 100:50. It has two subsidiaries: Laxmi Capital Market Limited (100% ownership) and Laxmi Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha (70% ownership). LBL is currently trading in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol LBL. LBL has provided dividend return of 8.67 percent in fiscal year 2077/78. Laxmi Bank Limited has appointed Kumari Capital Market Limited as it’s share registrar.
Date of Operation: Apr 20, 2007 A.D. / Baisakh 07, 2064 B.S.
Head Office: Narayanhitipath, Kathmandu
Website: https://www.ctznbank.com/
Citizens Bank International Limited has its corporate office at heart of financial sector of the country. CZBIL is promoted by eminent personalities, business and industrial houses and reputed individual having high social standing and has been managed by a team of experienced bankers and professionals. CZBIL has acquired Premier Finance (with swap ratio of 100:28), Nepal Housing and Merchant Finance (with swap ratio of 100:40) and Peoples Finance (with swap ratio of 100:40). CZBIL is currently trading in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol CZBIL. CZBIL has provided dividend return of 16 percent in fiscal year 2077/78. Citizens Bank International Limited has appointed CBIL Capital Limited as it’s share registrar.
Date of Operation: Sept 24, 2007 A.D.
Head Office: Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu
Website: http://www.primebank.com.np
Prime Commercial Bank is a commercial bank in Nepal. Prime Commercial Bank has acquired Biratlaxmi Bikas Bank (with swap ratio of 100:75) and Country Development bank (with swap ratio of 100:40). PCBL is currently trading in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol PCBL. PCBL has provided dividend return of 16.63 percent in fiscal year 2077/78. Prime Commercial Bank Ltd (PCBL) has appointed Civil Capital Market Limited as it’s share registrar.
Date of Operation: Oct 12, 2007 A.D.
Head Office: Gairidhara, Kathmandu
Website: http://wwww.sunrisebank.com.np
Sunrise Bank is a commercial bank in Nepal. Sunrise Bank’s capital structure is 51.10:48.90 percent between promoter shares and public shares. SRBL has acquired NIDC Capital Market (swap ratio of 100:65) and Narayani National Finance (with swap ratio of 100:77). SRBL is currently trading in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol SRBL. SRBL has provided dividend return of 10 percent in fiscal year 2077/78. Sunrise Bank Ltd has appointed Sunrise Capital Limited as it’s share registrar.
Date of Operation: March 10, 2011 A.D.
Head Office: Putalisadak, Kathmandu
Website: https://www.centurybank.com.np
Century Commercial Bank Limited (CCBL) is a National Level Commercial bank with the objective of providing simplified banking services by taking advantage of innovations in information and communication technology. Century Commercial Bank has acquired Sagarmatha Finance (with swap ratio of 100:95), Innovative Development Bank (with swap ratio of 100:85), Araniko Development Bank (with swap ratio of 100:90), Alpine Development Bank (with swap ratio of 100:93) and Seti Finance (with swap ratio of 100:70). CCBL is currently trading in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol CCBL. CCBL has provided dividend return of 6.05 percent in fiscal year 2077/78. Century Commercial Bank Ltd. has appointed Century Capital Market Limited as it’s share registrar.
Date of Operation: Feb 15, 2012 A.D.
Head Office: Nagpokhari, Kathmandu
Website: https://www.sanimabank.com/
Sanima, promoted by prominent and dynamic Non-Resident Nepalese (NRNs) Businessmen, commenced its operation in 2004 as a National Level Development Bank. Since February 2012, Sanima has been functioning as an “A” Class Commercial Bank with its registered office at ‘Alakapuri’, Naxal, Kathmandu. Sanima Bank has acquired Bagmati Development bank (with swap ratio of 100:41). Sanima bank has shareholding pattern of promoter to general public as 51:49 percent. Sanima bank is currently trading in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol SANIMA. SANIMA has provided dividend return of 17.8 percent in fiscal year 2077/78. Sanima Bank Limited has appointed Sanima Capital Limited as it’s share registrar.
Date of Operation: July 09, 2012 A.D.*
Head Office: Lazimpat, Kathmandu
Website: https://www.machbank.com
Machhapuchchhre Bank Limited was registered in 1998 as the first regional commercial bank from the western region of Nepal and started its banking operations from Pokhara since year 2000. The Bank has been promoted by highly renowned Non-Residential Nepalese, prominent business man and industrialists with a vision and dedication to provide the best financial products and services in the most efficient and professional manner. MBL’s date of Operation is shown as recent because it had merged with Standard Finance with the swap ratio of 100:85. MBL bank is currently trading in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol MBL. MBL has provided dividend return of 14 percent in fiscal year 2077/78. Machhapuchchhre Bank Limited has appointed Machhapuchchhre Bank Limited as it’s share registrar.
Date of Operation: June 30, 2013 A.D.*
Head Office: Thapathali, Kathmandu
Website: https://www.nicasiabank.com
NIC Bank which was established on 21st July 1998. The Bank was renamed as NIC ASIA Bank after the merger of NIC Bank with Bank of Asia Nepal on 30th June 2013. This was a historic merger in Nepalese financial landscape as the first of its kind merger between two successful commercial banks in the country. The swap ratio of merger was 100:50. Today, NIC ASIA has established itself as one of the most successful commercial banks in Nepal. NICA bank is currently trading in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol NICA. NICA has provided dividend return of 20 percent in fiscal year 2077/78. NIC Asia Bank has appointed NIC Asia Capital Limited as it’s share registrar.
Date of Operation: April 09, 2014 A.D.*
Head Office: Panipokhari, Kathmandu
Website: http://globalimebank.com
Global Bank Limited (GBL) was established in 2007 as an ‘A’ class commercial bank in Nepal which provided entire commercial banking services with largest capital base at the time with paid up capital of Rs. 1 arba. Global Bank was renamed to Global IME Bank after merger with Reliable Development Bank (with swap ratio of 100:82.9 [acquisition]), Pacific Development Bank (with swap ratio of 100:69.26 [acquisition]), Social Development Bank (with swap ratio of 100:40), Gulmi Bikas Bank (with swap ratio of 100:50), IME Finance (with swap ratio of 100:79), Lord Buddha Finance (with swap ratio of 100:70), and Commerz and Trust Bank (with swap ratio of 100:65). GBIME bank is currently trading in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol GBIME. GBIME has provided dividend return of 13.5 percent in fiscal year 2077/78. Global IME Bank Limited has appointed Global IME Capital Limited as it’s share registrar.
Date of Operation: Oct 18, 2015 A.D.*
Head Office: Babarmahal, Kathmandu
Website: http://nmbbanknepal.com
NMB has a joint venture agreement with Netherlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden (FMO), a Dutch Development Bank where FMO holds 17% of Bank’s shares and is largest shareholder of NMB. NMB has also gone merger with Pathibhara Bikas Bank (with swap ratio of 100:75), Bhrikuti Bikas Bank (with swap ratio of 100:87), Clean Energy Development Bank (with swap ratio of 100:75) and Prudential Finance (with swap ratio of 100:43). NMB Bank was awarded ‘Bank of the Year – 2017’ and ‘Bank of the Year 2018’ consecutively by The Banker, Financial Times, London. NMB bank is currently trading in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol NMB. NMB has provided dividend return of 15.8 percent in fiscal year 2077/78. NMB Bank Limited has appointed NMB Capital Limited as it’s share registrar.
Date of Operation: Feb 12, 2016 A.D.*
Head Office: Babarmahal, Kathmandu
Website: https://prabhubank.com/
Prabhu Bank attain status of a commercial bank after the merger of Prabhu Finance (with swap ratio of 100:75), Sambridhi Bikas Bank (with swap ratio of 100:57), Bhaibhav Finance (with swap ratio of 100:57), Grand Bank Nepal (with swap ratio of 121.45:65.58), Kist Bank (with swap ratio of 107.31:97.31), Gaurishankar Development Bank (with swap ratio of 107.31:107.31) and Zenith Finance (with swap ratio of 107.31:92.31). Prabhu bank is currently trading in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol PRVU. PRVU has provided dividend return of 12.63 percent in fiscal year 2077/78. Prabhu Bank Limited has appointed Prabhu Capital Limited as it’s share registrar.
Date of Operation: July 21, 2016 A.D.*
Head Office: Hattisar, Kathmandu
Website: https://www.siddharthabank.com
Siddhartha Bank Limited (SBL) was established in 2002 having promoters from a wide range of sectors. Siddhartha Bank has gone merger with Business Universal Development Bank (with swap ratio of 100:55). Sidhhartha bank is currently trading in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol SBL. SBL has provided dividend return of 15 percent in fiscal year 2077/78. Siddhartha Bank has appointed Siddhartha Capital Limited as it’s share registrar.
Date of Operation: July 14, 2016 A.D.*
Head Office: Kamaladi, Kathmandu
Website: https://www.bok.com.np/
Bank of Kathmandu is a commercial banks in Nepal. Bank of Kathmandu merged with Lumbini Bank with swap ratio of 100:83. Bank of Kathmandu is currently trading in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol BOKL. BOKL has provided dividend return of 14 percent in fiscal year 2077/78. Bank of Kathmandu Limited has appointed BOK Capital Market Limited as it’s share registrar.
Date of Operation: Oct 17, 2016 A.D.*
Head Office: Kamaladi, Kathmandu
Website: http://www.civilbank.com.np/
Civil Bank Limited is a commercial bank in Nepal which was founded in 2010 with a paid up capital of rs 1.20 arba and later raised to rs 2 arba by issuing ordinary shares. Civil Bank has gone through acquisition and merger with Unique Finance (acquisition with swap ratio of 100:90), Hama Merchant & Finance (acquisition with swap ratio of 100:89), International Leasing and Finance (with swap ratio of 100:74.72), Axis Development Bank (with swap ratio of 100:79) and Civil Merchant Bittiya Sanstha (with swap ratio of 100:79). Civil bank is currently trading in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol CBL. CBL has provided dividend return of 5.26 percent in fiscal year 2077/78. Civil Bank Limited has appointed Civil Capital Market Limited as it’s share registrar.
Date of Operation: Jan 1, 2017 A.D.*
Head Office: Bagbazar, Kathmandu
Website: http://nccbank.com.np
Formally registered as Nepal – Bank of Ceylon Ltd. (NBOC), NCCB started its operation on Oct 14, 1996 as a joint venture with Bank of Ceylon, Sri Lanka. The name of the Bank was changed to Nepal Credit & Commerce Bank Ltd., (NCC Bank) on 10th September, 2002, due to transfer of shares and management of the Bank from Bank of Ceylon, to Nepalese Promoters. NCCB has gone to merger with four Development Banks – Infrastructure Development Bank Ltd. (with swap ratio of 100:76), Apex Development Bank Ltd. (with swap ratio of 100:47), Supreme Development Bank Ltd. (with swap ratio of 100:77) and International Development Bank Ltd. (with swap ratio of 100:72). Nepal Credit & Commerce Bank Limited is currently trading in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol NCCB. NCCB Limited has appointed Sunrise Capital Limited (NCM/NIDC) as it’s share registrar.
Date of Operation: Jan 23, 1966 A.D. / Magh 10, 2022 B.S.
Head Office: Singha Durbar Plaza, Kathmandu
Website: http://www.rbb.com.np/
RBB is fully government owned bank. This bank is not listed in Nepal Stock Exchange. It was the highest profit earning bank for fiscal year 2014/15. The bank has the second highest paid up capital, after Agricultural Development bank, until the end of Fiscal Year 2015/16. Rastriya Banijya Bank provides services in remote and undeveloped areas of Nepal. RBB and NIDC Development Bank were merged together and joint operations was resumed from May 05, 2018.
Date of Operation: May 13, 2018 A.D. *
Head Office: Kamaladi, Kathmandu
Website: https://www.megabanknepal.com/
Nepal Rastra Bank had issued Mega Bank its Operating License on 4th Shrawan 2067 and the Bank had commenced banking operations from 7th Shrawan 2067. Mega Bank has gone merger with Paschimanchal Development Bank (with swap ratio of 104.25:67) and Tourism Development Bank (with swap ratio of 100:95). Mega Bank Nepal Limited is currently trading in Nepal Stock Exchange with symbol MEGA. MEGA has provided dividend return of 12.07 percent in fiscal year 2077/78. Mega Bank Limited has appointed Mega Capital Markets Limited as it’s share registrar.
