Bank deposits surge 30pc despite slump

Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Sept 3 - Deposits in the country's commercial banks increased by an astounding Rs. 128.7 billion in the last fiscal year. Buoyed by a constant growth in remittances, total deposits in Nepal's 25 commercial banks reached Rs. 555.14 billion, a 30.18 percent increment from the previous year.
The fourth quarterly report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) shows that, along with deposits, lending and net profits of commercial banks have also increased significantly. According to the central bank's report, banks in the country have maintained growth despite the global economic crisis.
The NRB report shows that lending and net profits have increased by 29.61 percent and 33.09 percent respectively. The commercial banks provided loans and advances amounting to Rs. 384.31 billion against Rs. 296.51 billion provided by the 25 banks in the last fiscal year.
According to the unedited financial figures of the central bank, Rastriya Banijya Bank (RBB) collected the highest amount of deposits of Rs. 68.09 billion. Nepal Investment Bank (NIB) was close behind with Rs. 46.69 billion. Its deposits surged by 35.52 percent in the last fiscal year. NIB leads private banks in terms of deposits.
NRB's report also shows that NIB is the largest lender among the commercial banks. In the last fiscal year, the bank provided loans and advances worth Rs. 36.82 billion.
The Agricultural Development Bank, Nepal (ADB/N), RBB and Nabil Bank issued loans amounting to Rs. 32.56 billion, Rs. 31.60 billion and Rs. 27.58 billion respectively. The commercial banks jointly earned a net profit of Rs. 14.14 billion during the period against Rs. 10.63 billion last year. Among the 26 banks, five commercial banks have recorded over Rs. 1 billion in net profits in the last fiscal year.
Nepal Bangladesh Bank declared the highest net profit amounting to Rs. 2.47 billion, followed by RBB and ADB/N which posted net profits of Rs. 2.03 billion and Rs. 1.23 billion respectively. The profits of these three banks improved significantly due to write back of their non-performing loans.
Nabil Bank is the leader among private banks in terms of net profit with Rs. 1.03 billion followed by Standard Chartered Bank.Top Ten in terms of lending
Banks
Nepal Investment Bank 36.82
ADB/N 32.56 Rastriya Banijya Bank 31.60
Nabil Bank 27.58 Himalayan Bank 25.51
Everest Bank 24.46 Nepal Bank 19.48
Nepal SBI Bank 15.13 Bank of Kathmandu 14.94
Kumari Bank 14.59

Top Ten in terms of deposits Banks
Rastriya Banijya Bank 68.09
Nepal Investment Bank 46.69
Nepal Bank 44.62
Nabil Bank 37.34
Standard Chartered Bank 35.87
ADB/N 35.15
Himalayan Bank 34.74
Everest Bank 33.32
Nepal SBI Bank 27.95
Bank of Kathmandu 18.08