Compare 10 NRB licensed development banks in Nepal in 2026. See working areas, official websites, selection criteria and tips for choosing a bank.

Top 10 Development Banks in Nepal 2026: Compare NRB Licensed Options

Published and last checked: 14 October 2026

Looking for a development bank in Nepal? Start with its licence, where it can operate, the branch you will actually use, and the total cost of its products. Nepal Rastra Bank's Mid September 2026 register lists 17 Class B development banks, including eight with national working areas. This guide compares ten of them, explains what makes development banks different, and helps you choose without confusing size with service quality.

Quick answer: There is no verified single “best” development bank for every customer. If you travel across Nepal, compare national level banks. If you live in Koshi or Gandaki, a local development bank may offer convenient access. Always check the latest deposit rate, service charges and licence status before depositing money.

Quick comparison: ten development banks to investigate

Important: The table is alphabetical, not a first-to-tenth quality ranking. Working area describes NRB's licensed scope, not the number of branches or a guarantee that every service is offered in every district.

How we selected these ten

Ratings Nepal began with all 17 Class B institutions in the NRB licensed BFI register dated Mid September 2026. The eligible field is Narayani, Karnali, Excel, Miteri, Muktinath, Corporate, Sindhu, Salapa, Green, Shangri-la, Shine Resunga, Jyoti, Garima, Mahalaxmi, Lumbini, Kamana Sewa and Saptakoshi development banks.

We included all eight banks that NRB designates national level and two additional regional options, Excel and Green, to illustrate how province and district focused banking differs. For the ten featured institutions we identified an official website and checked its public banking or contact information. Our criteria were regulatory status, geographic scope, accessibility of official information and diversity of customer use cases. We did not independently test branch service, app uptime, loan approval, complaints, deposit safety or customer satisfaction. We did not calculate an unsupported composite score.

This is an independent editorial shortlist, not a user-voted ranking. Businesses cannot buy a position. Inclusion does not mean an institution is financially stronger than an excluded bank. NRB's list is a licence reference, not an endorsement of an institution's financial health.

The ten banks explained

1. Excel Development Bank: a Koshi focused option

Excel is listed by NRB as a province level development bank with its head office in Birtamod, Jhapa. Its official site publishes contact information, account opening and fixed deposit information, along with banking services. It is worth comparing if your everyday banking is in eastern Nepal. Ask which branches support your specific loan, cash or digital transaction needs; a province level licence does not guarantee a branch in every municipality.

Check before choosing: Actual branch location, savings and fixed deposit rates, mobile banking charges and loan documentation.

2. Garima Bikas Bank: national level banking

Garima appears on NRB's national level Class B list. Its official website explains its background and provides branch, account and customer contact information. This may suit customers seeking a development bank with service access beyond one province. Published branch numbers can change, so use the current branch locator rather than an old social media graphic.

Check before choosing: Branch accessibility, deposit account conditions and complaint channels.

3. Green Development Bank: a Gandaki area comparison

Green's NRB working area covers Baglung, Myagdi, Kaski, Tanahu and Nawalparasi East, with its head office in Pokhara. Its official website provides contact details. It is included to show that a locally focused institution may be relevant to someone who banks within its licensed districts. Confirm which products and locations are currently operational.

Check before choosing: Local counter availability, digital transfers and the bank's current deposit terms.

4. Jyoti Bikas Bank: national level digital and branch services

Jyoti is a national level Class B bank. Its website describes mobile banking, online fixed deposits, utility payments, KYC services and other facilities. These published features give customers a useful checklist, but do not prove an app is faster or more reliable than a competitor's.

Check before choosing: Whether your intended transaction is supported, and the latest charges and limits.

5. Kamana Sewa Bikas Bank: compare lending products

Kamana Sewa is nationally licensed. Its official site describes deposit and lending products including mortgage, vehicle, gold and business-related loans. These are product categories to investigate, not promises of approval. Lending depends on income, collateral, eligibility and the bank's current credit policy.

Check before choosing: Effective interest rate, fees, security requirements and early repayment conditions.

6. Lumbini Bikas Bank: a broad banking services menu

Lumbini is listed as national level by NRB. Its official website lists mobile banking, online account opening, cards, QR, remittance and other services. It is a useful candidate for customers who want to compare everyday banking and digital facilities within one institution.

Check before choosing: Card and account charges, support for failed payments, and service availability at your branch.

7. Mahalaxmi Bikas Bank: established national level option

Mahalaxmi is another nationally licensed development bank. Its official introduction describes a long institutional history and a broad customer base. That history is context, not proof of superior service. Compare the actual product you need with two or three alternatives.

Check before choosing: Published interest rate notices, complaint handling and branch convenience.

8. Muktinath Bikas Bank: compare retail and business banking

Muktinath is a national level development bank. Its official site describes deposits, loans and digital services. Customers interested in both household and small business banking can use its product information to prepare specific questions for the bank.

Check before choosing: Minimum balances, loan processing charges, documentation and ongoing account costs.

9. Shangri-la Development Bank: nationwide working area

NRB lists Shangri-la as national level. Its official website describes personal and business banking and publishes its network information. Consider it when comparing an account for family use or business transactions, but confirm the nearest operating service point directly.

Check before choosing: Business account requirements, payment facilities and customer support.

10. Shine Resunga Development Bank: national bank headquartered in Butwal

Shine Resunga is national level but headquartered in Butwal, according to NRB. Its official site publishes deposit, card and digital service information. It is a practical option to investigate for people who value an institution with roots in western Nepal and a national working area.

Check before choosing: Product availability, rate notices, ATM access and fees.

Other Good Options Worth Considering

The remaining seven banks in the NRB September list are Narayani Development Bank, Karnali Development Bank, Miteri Development Bank, Corporate Development Bank, Sindhu Bikas Bank, Salapa Bikash Bank and Saptakoshi Development Bank. Some have province or district specific licences. Their omission is not a judgment that they are poor or unsafe. Before choosing any institution, check the regulator's current notices for supervisory action or operating restrictions as well as its licence listing. This is particularly important when a bank's circumstances may have changed after the register date.

Development bank versus commercial bank in Nepal

Both are regulated by Nepal Rastra Bank, but commercial banks are Class A and development banks are Class B. Their permitted activities and regulatory requirements differ. A development bank may be useful for local savings, deposits or lending; a commercial bank may have different international and corporate banking capabilities. Never assume a Class B institution offers the same foreign exchange or trade service as a Class A bank.

For context, see Ratings Nepal's commercial bank comparison and browse its Bank category. The category currently includes commercial banks and is not a complete directory of the 17 development banks.

How to choose the right development bank

1. Verify the licence and any restrictions. Use the latest NRB BFI list and regulatory notices, not an advertisement alone.
2. Visit or contact the branch. Ask about the exact account, loan or payment service you need.
3. Compare total costs. Look at account maintenance, minimum balance, ATM, mobile banking, loan processing and early settlement charges.
4. Compare rates on the same date. Savings rates, fixed deposit rates and lending base rates change.
5. Test support. Ask how to report a disputed transfer, blocked card or incorrect fee.
6. Keep records. Save the account terms, tariff sheet and transaction receipts.

If your issue remains unresolved after the bank's grievance process, Nepal Rastra Bank maintains a financial consumer complaint channel.

Frequently asked questions

How many development banks are there in Nepal in 2026?

The NRB list as of Mid September 2026 names 17 Class B development banks. Check for later changes before relying on this number.

Which development banks have national level licences?

The September list identifies Muktinath, Shangri-la, Shine Resunga, Jyoti, Garima, Mahalaxmi, Lumbini and Kamana Sewa as national level development banks.

Is the bank with the highest paid-up capital automatically best?

No. Paid-up capital is one financial measure, not a verified measure of customer experience, asset quality, liquidity or suitability for a particular depositor.

Can I open an account online?

Some banks advertise online account opening or digital onboarding. Eligibility, KYC verification and the need to visit a branch vary by institution and product.

Are development banks and microfinance companies the same?

No. NRB classifies development banks as Class B and microfinance financial institutions as Class D.

Is this a list of the safest banks in Nepal?

No. We have not performed a financial stability audit or investment analysis. Compare current regulatory disclosures and seek qualified advice for significant financial decisions.

Final thoughts

The useful question is not “Which development bank wins?” but “Which licensed institution meets my needs, in my location, at a fair total cost?” Start with NRB's list, compare current product documents and evaluate the service you actually receive.

Have you used one of these banks? Find businesses on Ratings Nepal and share a genuine, specific review about service, accessibility or complaint handling. Businesses can also add a free listing. Read other community reviews before making a decision.

Official sources and update notes

1. Nepal Rastra Bank, licensed BFI register, Mid September 2026.
2. NRB BFI archive for newer lists.
3. NRB Financial Institutions Supervision Department.
4. The ten banks' official websites are linked in the table and profiles.

Information likely to change: Licence and supervisory status, branch networks, digital features, deposit and loan rates, fees, eligibility and contact information. This article is editorial information, not deposit, credit or investment advice.