Regulatory Body
The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) is the sole body that regulates the national banking system and also functions as the government’s central bank.
As a regulator, NRB controls foreign exchange; supervises, monitors, and governs operations of banking and non -banking financial institutions; determines interest rates for commercial loans and deposits; and also determines exchange rates of foreign currencies.
As the government’s bank, NRB maintains all government income and expenditure accounts, issues Nepali bills and treasury notes, as well as loans to the government, and determines monetary policy.
Commercial lending in Nepal is governed under the Bank and Financial Institutions Act (BAFIA), 2073.
There are 20 A category Commercial Banks in Nepal (as of 12 Jan 2024). This includes international banks such as Standard Chartered Bank Ltd. that is part of Standard Chartered Group and Nepal SBI Bank Ltd that is a subsidiary of State Bank of India. Similarly Everest Bank Ltd. has Punjab National Bank as its JV partner and Himalayan Bank Ltd. has Habib Bank Limited of Pakistan as its JV partner.
A foreigner or international companies can open account in any commercial bank if required documentation is met. Please refer further details on opening bank account here.
Available Facilities
- Foreign Currency Accounts
- Mobile Banking.
- ATM/Debit Card and Credit Card
- International Wire Transfers/SWIFT
- Loans and Credit Facilities
- Safe Deposit Locker.
- QR Code Payment.
- Internet Banking.
- Currency Exchange
- SMS banking.
- Financial Advice and Services
- Electronic Alerts
- Fund transfer services.
- Point of sales banking.
- Multi-Currency Card
- Branchless Banking
Banks and Financial Institutions in Nepal
| Banks/BFI Class | No. Of BFIs | No. Of Branches |
| Commercial Banks (A) | 20 | 5,049 |
| Development Banks (B) | 17 | 1,128 |
| Finance (C) | 17 | 284 |
| Microfinance (D) | 57 | 5,128 |
| Infrastructure Development Bank | 1 | |
| Total | 112 | 11,589 |
Province wise BFIs
| Province | A | B | C | D | Total |
| Koshi | 762 | 194 | 36 | 871 | 1,863 |
| Madhesh | 578 | 82 | 51 | 1,061 | 1,772 |
| Bagmati | 1,824 | 332 | 106 | 763 | 3,025 |
| Gandaki | 601 | 190 | 37 | 576 | 1,404 |
| Lumbini | 748 | 257 | 46 | 1,051 | 2,213 |
| Karnali | 206 | 21 | 3 | 236 | 466 |
| Sudurpaschim | 330 | 52 | 5 | 459 | 846 |
| Total | 5,049 | 1,128 | 284 | 5,128 | 11,589 |
Mobile & Online Users
| Details | A | B | C | Total |
| No. of Mobile Banking Customers | 18,438,455 | 2,772,852 | 152,682 | 21,363,989 |
| No. of Internet Banking Customers | 1,347,970 | 494,753 | 13,472 | 1,856,195 |
| No. of ATMs | 4,465 | 346 | 44 | 4,855 |
Commercial Bank Nepal
- Nepal Bank Ltd. (NBL)
- Rastriya Banijya Bank Ltd. (RBB)
- Nabil Bank Ltd. (NABIL)
- Nepal Investment Bank Ltd. (NIBL)
- Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Ltd. (SCBNL)
- Himalayan Bank Ltd. (HBL)
- Laxmi Sunrise Bank Ltd.
- Nepal SBI Bank Ltd. (NSBI)
- Everest Bank Ltd. (EBL)
- Bank of Kathmandu Lumbini Ltd. (BOK)
- NIC ASIA Bank Ltd. (NIC)
- Machhapuchhre Bank Ltd. (MBL)
- Kumari Bank Ltd. (Kumari)
- Siddhartha Bank Ltd. (SBL)
- Agriculture Development Bank Ltd. (ADBNL)
- Global IME Bank Ltd. (Global)
- Citizens Bank International Ltd. (Citizens)
- Prime Commercial Bank Ltd. (Prime)
- NMB Bank Ltd. (NMB)
- Prabhu Bank Ltd. (PRABHU)
- Century Commercial Bank Ltd. (Century)
- Sanima Bank Ltd. (Sanima)
