Which Banks Are Safest for Depositors in Nepal?

When it comes to deposit safety, two critical indicators stand out in Nepal Rastra Bank’s July 2025 data: Net Liquidity Ratio (NLR) and Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR). These ratios reflect how much liquidity a bank maintains relative to its deposits, and whether it has enough liquid assets like government securities to honor withdrawals even during stress.

State-owned banks such as Rastriya Banijya Bank (NLR 44.24%, SLR 40.33%) and Nepal Bank (NLR 38.33%, SLR 35.40%) rank among the safest in terms of liquidity cushions. Their conservative lending and stronger liquidity management make them highly reliable for depositors, even though their profitability indicators lag behind private banks. Similarly, Agriculture Development Bank (NLR 37.76%, SLR 38.95%) holds robust liquid assets, reinforcing depositor safety.

Among private banks, Standard Chartered Bank Nepal (NLR 46.33%, SLR 35.29%) stands out with one of the strongest liquidity positions in the industry. Its international backing and conservative credit exposure make it a top choice for risk-averse depositors. Other strong performers include Everest Bank (NLR 38.94%, SLR 32.12%) and NIC Asia (NLR 36.19%, SLR 33.05%), both of which manage to balance lending growth with adequate liquidity reserves.

On the other hand, some private banks like NMB (NLR 27.39%, SLR 22.92%) and Prime Commercial (NLR 27.37%, SLR 25.41%) run tighter liquidity margins. While still above regulatory requirements, these lower cushions mean depositors face relatively higher liquidity risks compared to more conservative banks.