Nepal Bank Finder by District

Nepal Bank Finder by District: Complete Guide to All 20 Commercial Banks and 17 Development Banks

Finding the right bank branch in Nepal has never been more relevant. With the banking sector having undergone its most dramatic consolidation in decades — the Nepal Rastra Bank reducing commercial banks from 27 to 20 through mandated mergers — and branch networks expanding even as the number of banks shrinks, knowing where your nearest branch is has become a genuinely practical concern for millions of Nepalis.

How Many Banks Does Nepal Have in 2025 and 2026?

Nepal Rastra Bank has licensed 107 BFIs (Banks and Financial Institutions) as of mid-2025, with 4 declared problematic and transactions suspended. As of mid-October 2025 there are 20 Class A commercial banks operating nationwide, 17 Class B development banks, 17 Class C finance companies, and 52 Class D microfinance institutions, alongside one infrastructure development bank.

This is a significant reduction from just a decade ago, when Nepal had over 30 commercial banks, over 80 development banks, and dozens of finance companies. NRB pushed hard for mergers starting around 2015, accelerating through 2022–2023. The rationale: a banking system with too many small, undercapitalised institutions is fragile. Mergers created fewer but stronger banks with better digital infrastructure and more resilience against financial shocks.

The Four Classes of Nepal's Banking System

Class A: Commercial Banks (वाणिज्य बैंक)

Commercial banks are the backbone of Nepal's formal financial system. They can accept deposits, provide loans, engage in foreign exchange, issue letters of credit, conduct trade finance, and offer the full range of banking services. All 20 commercial banks have national-level operating licenses and maintain branches across all seven provinces. The minimum paid-up capital requirement is Rs. 8 billion (arba).

Class B: Development Banks (विकास बैंक)

Development banks were designed to serve sectors and regions that commercial banks underserved - particularly rural areas, agriculture, and SMEs. There are 8 national-level development banks and 9 provincial or district-level banks as of 2025–2026. The minimum paid-up capital for national-level development banks is Rs. 2.5 arba; provincial-level Rs. 1.20 arba; district-level Rs. 50 crore.

Class C: Finance Companies (वित्त कम्पनी)

Finance companies offer deposits, personal loans, hire purchase financing, and other financial services. They cannot issue bank accounts or checkbooks in the same way commercial banks can. There are 17 licensed finance companies as of mid-2026, of which 15 are fully operational.

Class D: Microfinance Institutions (लघुवित्त संस्था)

Microfinance institutions serve the lowest-income segments of Nepali society, providing small loans (often Rs. 5,000–50,000) using group lending models where clusters of borrowers guarantee each other's loans. There are 52 Class D microfinance institutions as of 2026.

Complete List of Nepal's 20 Commercial Banks (Class A) in 2025

All 20 commercial banks are headquartered in Kathmandu and operate nationally. Listed by branch count:

How the 2022–2023 Merger Wave Changed Nepal's Banking Landscape

The period from 2022 to 2023 was the most transformative in Nepali banking history. NRB's firm stance on minimum capital requirements forced institutions that could not meet the bar independently to either merge with a stronger partner or face regulatory consequences.

For most customers the effect has been positive. Larger banks have better digital infrastructure, wider ATM networks, more robust mobile banking apps, and more resilience against financial shocks. Customers of the smaller banks found their accounts held by larger institutions, products standardised, and combined institutions emerging with stronger capital positions.

Development Banks: What They Do and Who They Serve

The 8 national-level development banks as of 2025–2026 are:

• Muktinath Bikas Bank (MNBBL) — 191 branches, Rs. 8 arba paid-up capital. Largest development bank, strong agricultural lending focus.
• Garima Bikas Bank (GBBL) — 137 branches, Lazimpat, Kathmandu.
• Kamana Sewa Bikas Bank (KSBBL) — 128 branches, Gyaneshwor, Kathmandu.
• Jyoti Bikas Bank (JBBL) — 120 branches, Kamaladi, Kathmandu.
• Sangrila Development Bank (SADBL) — 109 branches, Baluwatar, Kathmandu.
• Mahalaxmi Development Bank (MLBL) — 104 branches, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu.
• Lumbini Bikas Bank (LBBL) — 91 branches, Dillibazaar, Kathmandu.
• Shine Resunga Development Bank (SRDB) — 90 branches, Kalikanagar, Butwal. One of the few development banks rooted outside Kathmandu.

Regional development banks include Excel Development Bank (Jhapa), Saptakoshi Development Bank (Biratnagar), Sindhu Bikas Bank (Banepa), Miteri Development Bank (Dharan), Green Development Bank (Pokhara), Corporate Development Bank (Birgunj), Salapa Bikash Bank (Khotang), Narayani Development Bank (Chitwan), and Kanchan Development Bank (Mahendranagar).

Province-by-Province Banking Access

Nepal's seven provinces have very different levels of banking access:

• Bagmati Province (Kathmandu Valley) — highest banking density. Hosts HQs of all 20 commercial banks.
• Koshi Province (Biratnagar, Dharan, Birtamode) — second most developed. Regional banks like Saptakoshi and Miteri serve local needs.
• Madhesh Province (Birgunj, Janakpur) — strong coverage in major towns. Birgunj, Nepal's most important land border trading point, has branches of nearly every major commercial bank.
• Gandaki Province (Pokhara) — comprehensive coverage. Machhapuchhre Bank's spiritual home. Even Standard Chartered maintains a Pokhara branch.
• Lumbini Province (Butwal, Nepalgunj) — strong commercial presence in Butwal and Rupandehi. Shine Resunga Development Bank is a notable regional institution.
• Karnali Province (Surkhet, Jumla) — thinnest coverage. Provincial capital Birendranagar has major bank branches; remote districts like Dolpa and Humla rely heavily on branchless banking (BLB) units.
• Sudurpashchim Province (Dhangadhi, Mahendranagar) — growing access. Dhangadhi has branches from most major commercial banks; Kanchan Development Bank is locally rooted here.

How to Open a Bank Account in Nepal

Opening a bank account is more straightforward than many people expect. Here is what you need:

• Citizenship certificate (nagarikta)
• One to two recent passport-size photographs
• Permanent Account Number (PAN) — increasingly required
• Initial deposit (typically Rs. 500–5,000 minimum for savings accounts)

For foreign nationals: valid passport, visa or residency permit showing legal status in Nepal, and photographs. Your account is typically activated within 24–48 hours for straightforward applications.

Choosing the Right Bank

With 20 commercial banks offering broadly similar products, the criteria that actually matter are:

• Branch and ATM network — If you travel frequently between Kathmandu and your home district, choose a bank with branches in both locations. NIC Asia and NMB are known for the largest ATM networks outside Kathmandu. Rastriya Banijya Bank has the widest reach in remote government-payroll-dependent areas.
• Digital banking quality — Global IME, Nabil, NMB, and Himalayan Bank are generally praised for their digital banking interfaces. Check whether the app supports the specific functions you need — NEPSE investment account linking, bill payments, international remittance receipt.
• Interest rates — Compare current savings and FD rates directly on each bank's website. A 0.5% difference on Rs. 5,00,000 is Rs. 2,500 per year.
• Specialised products — ADBL has loan products specifically designed for agriculture. Corporate Development Bank understands the Birgunj trading environment. Rastriya Banijya Bank processes government payroll.

Digital Banking and Mobile Payments in Nepal

Nepal's digital payment ecosystem has developed rapidly. The primary platforms are ConnectIPS (NCHL-operated interbank fund transfers), eSewa (Nepal's largest digital wallet for P2P transfers, bill payments, bookings), Khalti (the second-largest digital wallet), and IME Pay (leverages IME Group's dominant remittance network). All major commercial banks offer their own mobile apps with QR code payment capabilities.

Banking for Nepalis Living Abroad

Nepal has one of the highest remittance-to-GDP ratios in the world — approximately 25–27% of GDP in recent years, with the largest flows from Malaysia, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Australia, and South Korea. Maintaining a Nepali bank account is important for receiving remittances, investing in Nepal (property, FDs, NEPSE), and applying for IPOs through Mero Share. All 20 commercial banks now offer NRN Banking facilities with dedicated NRN account types.

SWIFT / BIC Codes for Nepal's 20 Commercial Banks

When receiving an international wire transfer or remittance to a Nepali bank account, the sender needs the SWIFT code (also called a BIC — Bank Identifier Code) of the receiving bank. All 20 Class A commercial banks in Nepal have an 8-character SWIFT code. Development banks (Class B) generally do not handle international wire transfers directly, so you will want a commercial bank account for receiving remittances from abroad.

The format follows ISO 9362: four letters for the bank, two letters for the country (NP for Nepal), two characters for the location, and optionally three more for a specific branch (if absent or shown as XXX, it refers to the head office, which still routes to any branch).

Note: Nepal Investment Mega Bank's SWIFT code uses KT as the location suffix (inherited from pre-merger Nepal Investment Bank), while the other 19 banks use KA. The 8-character code routes to the bank's head office, which then forwards to your specific branch. You may also see these codes written with a trailing XXX (e.g. NARBNPKAXXX) — both the 8-character and 11-character forms are valid for international wires.

Always confirm the SWIFT code with your bank branch directly before sharing it with an overseas sender, as banks occasionally update their codes after mergers or restructuring. For the most current SWIFT code, check your bank's official website or call their customer service.

What to Do If Your Bank Was Merged

If your bank was absorbed in the 2022–2023 merger wave, your account continues with the new institution — but your account number may have changed. The bank should have sent you notification. If not, visit the nearest branch of the surviving bank with your old passbook or card.

Your debit card from the old bank likely still works for a transition period, but you will need a new card from the merged entity. Your mobile app from the old bank will have been replaced and you will need to re-register. For NEPSE investors, your Mero Share and broker accounts linked to the old account number may need to be updated — your broker can guide you through the process.

Security and Fraud Awareness

As digital banking adoption grows, banking fraud has become more sophisticated. The most common patterns in Nepal's current environment:

• Phishing calls — Fraudsters posing as bank officials asking for PIN or OTP. No genuine bank official will ever ask for your PIN or OTP. Disconnect and call your bank's official number immediately.
• SMS spoofing — Fraudulent SMS messages directing you to fake websites. Always access your bank's website by typing the address directly, never by clicking links in SMS.
• Social engineering at ATMs — Always shield the keypad when entering your PIN. Never accept help from strangers at ATMs.
• QR code fraud — Verify the merchant name shown on your payment app before confirming any QR code payment.

Nepal's Banking System in 2025: Stronger Than Ever

The consolidation from over 200 BFIs a decade ago to around 107 today, with 20 well-capitalised commercial banks at the core, has created a more resilient financial system than Nepal has ever had. The total branch count of commercial banks has actually increased even as the number of banks decreased, because merged institutions maintained the branches of both combining banks. Better digital infrastructure, competitive deposit rates from scale efficiencies, and significantly more sophisticated NRB oversight have made Nepal's banking system genuinely more accessible and stable for ordinary Nepalis.

Last updated: April 2026. Bank branch counts, merger status, and operating details based on Nepal Rastra Bank data as of 2025–2026. Branch locations change frequently — always verify with your specific bank before visiting.