List of Banks in Nepal with Key Information

Nepal has a well-established banking system with numerous banks catering to various financial needs.

There are over 30 banks in Nepal, including commercial, development, and specialized banks.

Some of the notable banks in Nepal include Nepal Bank Limited, established in 1937, and Rastriya Banijya Bank, which is the central bank of Nepal.

Commercial banks like Nabil Bank and Himalayan Bank offer a range of services, including personal and corporate banking.

Nepal has a well-established banking system with a range of commercial banks to choose from. There are 20 'A' Class Commercial Banks in Nepal.

The top bank in Nepal is the Agricultural Development Bank, followed closely by Citizens Bank International. Everest Bank ranks third in the list.

Agricultural Development Bank is the number one bank in Nepal, while Citizens Bank International ranks second. Everest Bank takes the third spot.

Here is the list of top 20 banks in Nepal:

Rastriya Banijya Bank ranks 17th in the list of top 20 banks in Nepal, while Sanima Bank ranks 18th.

In Nepal, there are four main types of banks operating in the country. Commercial banks are the oldest and largest type of banks in Nepal, providing a full range of banking services like deposits, loans, trade finance, and remittances.

Commercial banks mostly focus on corporate banking and high networth individuals. There are 27 commercial banks in Nepal as of July 2022.

Development banks emerged after commercial banks to provide financial access to productive sectors. They provide services like deposits, loans, and remittances, focusing on retail lending, SMEs, agricultural, and tourism sectors. As of July 2022, there are 79 development banks in Nepal.

Finance companies provide limited banking services compared to commercial banks, specializing in vehicle financing, housing loans, hire purchase financing, and personal loans. They cater to urban middle class and businesses. There are 79 finance companies in Nepal as of July 2022.

Microfinance banks provide microfinance services to low-income individuals and groups, offering small savings and credit products for rural households and microenterprises. Interest rates are higher than banks but easy accessibility makes them a popular option. As of July 2022, there are 44 microfinance banks in Nepal.

Here's a summary of the main types of banks in Nepal:

The Central Bank is Nepal Rastra Bank, established in 1956 AD as the Central Bank of Nepal. It is the monetary, regulatory, and supervisory authority of banks and financial institutions.

Its key objectives include achieving price and balance of payments stability, managing liquidity, and ensuring financial stability. This is crucial for maintaining a stable economy.

The Bank's operations are controlled by Nepal Rastra Bank, which oversees all the banks in Nepal. This ensures that all banks operate within the guidelines set by the Central Bank.

See what others are reading: List of Central Banks

Defunct (National) banks in Nepal have undergone significant changes in recent years.

Several Development Banks have ceased operations and merged with or been acquired by other banks. For instance, Om Development Bank merged with NMB Bank in 2019.

Some notable examples of Defunct Development Banks include Om Development Bank, which merged with NMB Bank in 2019, and Kailash Bikash Bank, which merged with Prime Commercial Bank in 2020.

In 2020, Deva Development Bank was acquired by Kumari Bank, while Gandaki Bikash Bank merged with Mega Bank Nepal. Tourism Development Bank and NIDC Development Bank also underwent similar changes in 2018 and 2018, respectively.

Here is a list of some of the Defunct Development Banks in Nepal:

In Nepal, there are various types of financial institutions that cater to different needs. Nepal Rastra Bank has licensed 17 finance companies as of mid-July 2014.

These finance companies are classified as Class C institutions. Among them, 15 are operational, while 2 are problematic.

One of the finance companies, Best Finance, has its headquarters in Chabahil, Kathmandu, and operates nationwide. It has a paid-up capital of रु 0.85 Arab and 19 branches.

Here's a list of some of the finance companies licensed by Nepal Rastra Bank:

In addition to these finance companies, there are also microfinance financial institutions in Nepal. As of July 2024, there are 52 microfinance companies, with 49 being retail microfinance and 3 being wholesale microfinance companies.

In Nepal, there are four main types of banks: commercial banks, development banks, finance companies, and microfinance banks. These banks cater to different segments of the population.

Commercial banks are the largest and provide a full range of banking services to the corporate sector and urban elite. They are the backbone of the banking system in Nepal.

Development banks focus on providing credit and services to productive sectors like agriculture, SMEs, and tourism for wider financial inclusion. This helps bridge the gap in financial services for rural communities.

Finance companies specialize in consumer finance such as vehicle loans and housing loans for the urban middle class. They offer a range of financial products tailored to meet the needs of this segment.

Microfinance banks provide small-scale savings, credit, and microinsurance services for the rural poor and marginalized groups. They play a vital role in promoting financial inclusion in rural areas.

The central bank, Nepal Rastra Bank, regulates all banks and financial institutions under the Banking and Financial Institutions Act (BAFIA). This ensures that banks operate within a framework of rules and regulations.

Here is a breakdown of the number of banks in Nepal as of July 2022:

The different types of banks serve distinct clientele and enable financial access across the spectrum – from corporate sector to rural microenterprises.