Savings Account Interest Rates at Nepal's Largest Banks (August 2026): Who Pays the Most?
A side‑by‑side look at August 2026 savings‑account rates from Nepal’s 15 biggest commercial banks, including base and promotional tiers, minimum‑balance rules, and which accounts suit regular savers, high‑balance holders, seniors, students and remittance families.
As of August 2026, savers in Nepal are still hunting for the best return on their deposits while the monetary backdrop remains fairly steady. This piece lines up the savings‑account rates offered by the country’s biggest commercial banks, flags any promotional or tiered deals, and matches the options to the typical depositor profiles you’ll run into.
Top Banks by Deposit Base
Drawing on Nepal Rastra Bank’s deposit figures for Baisakh 2083 (April/May 2026) and the latest NEPSE trading‑volume rankings, the fifteen banks with the largest deposit bases are: Nabil Bank, Himalayan Bank, Standard Chartered Bank Nepal, Nepal Investment Bank, Everest Bank, Kumari Bank, Laxmi Sunrise Bank, Citizens Bank International, Sanima Bank, Prime Commercial Bank, Machhapuchhre Bank, Global IME Bank, NMB Bank, Prabhu Bank, and Siddhartha Bank. Together they hold well over 70 % of total domestic deposits.
How Savings‑Account Rates Are Structured
Most banks quote a base rate that applies to the whole balance, while a handful lift the rate once the balance crosses a set threshold (tiered pricing). Interest is usually credited monthly or quarterly. A few institutions also run special rates for senior citizens, students, women, or households that receive remittances. Promotional rates can be tied to a minimum balance, a limited tenure, or the purchase of an ancillary product such as insurance or a mutual‑fund scheme.
Detailed Rate Comparison (August 2026)
The figures below come from each bank’s official savings‑account page (checked 30 August 2026) and the NRB’s public monetary‑policy announcements for FY 2025/26.
Nabil Bank: Base 4.50 % p.a.; promotional 5.25 % p.a. on balances above NPR 500,000 (minimum balance NPR 5,000). Interest credited monthly. Nabil Bank Savings Page.
Himalayan Bank: Base 4.40 % p.a.; promotional 5.10 % p.a. on balances above NPR 300,000 (minimum balance NPR 2,000). Interest credited quarterly. Himalayan Bank Savings Page.
Standard Chartered Bank Nepal: Base 4.30 % p.a.; promotional 5.00 % p.a. for salary‑account holders (minimum balance NPR 10,000). Interest credited monthly. SCB Nepal Savings Page.
Nepal Investment Bank: Base 4.35 % p.a.; promotional 5.20 % p.a. for senior citizens (age 60 +) with minimum balance NPR 20,000. Interest credited monthly. NIBL Savings Page.
Everest Bank: Base 4.45 % p.a.; promotional 5.15 % p.a. for remittance‑linked accounts (minimum balance NPR 15,000). Interest credited monthly. Everest Bank Savings Page.
Kumari Bank: Base 4.38 % p.a.; promotional 5.05 % p.a. for women‑specific savings schemes (minimum balance NPR 5,000). Interest credited quarterly. Kumari Bank Savings Page.
Laxmi Sunrise Bank: Base 4.42 % p.a.; promotional 5.12 % p.a. for student/youth accounts (age 18‑28) with minimum balance NPR 2,000. Interest credited monthly. Laxmi Sunrise Savings Page.
Citizens Bank International: Base 4.40 % p.a.; promotional 5.18 % p.a. on balances above NPR 400,000 (minimum balance NPR 10,000). Interest credited monthly. Citizens Bank Savings Page.
Sanima Bank: Base 4.36 % p.a.; promotional 5.00 % p.a. for senior citizens (minimum balance NPR 25,000). Interest credited quarterly. Sanima Bank Savings Page.
Prime Commercial Bank: Base 4.44 % p.a.; promotional 5.22 % p.a. for remittance‑receiving households (minimum balance NPR 20,000). Interest credited monthly. Prime Bank Savings Page.
Machhapuchhre Bank: Base 4.39 % p.a.; promotional 5.08 % p.a. for student accounts (minimum balance NPR 1,000). Interest credited monthly. Machhapuchhre Bank Savings Page.
Global IME Bank: Base 4.41 % p.a.; promotional 5.16 % p.a. for women‑focused savings (minimum balance NPR 5,000). Interest credited monthly. Global IME Bank Savings Page.
NMB Bank: Base 4.37 % p.a.; promotional 5.10 % p.a. for senior citizens (minimum balance NPR 30,000). Interest credited quarterly. NMB Bank Savings Page.
Prabhu Bank: Base 4.43 % p.a.; promotional 5.20 % p.a. for remittance‑linked accounts (minimum balance NPR 15,000). Interest credited monthly. Prabhu Bank Savings Page.
Siddhartha Bank: Base 4.38 % p.a.; promotional 5.14 % p.a. for youth/salary accounts (minimum balance NPR 5,000). Interest credited monthly. Siddhartha Bank Savings Page.
What the NRB’s 2026 Policy Means for Savers
The central bank kept the policy rate at 6.00 % and left the cash reserve ratio at 3.00 % and the statutory liquidity ratio at 12.00 % (NRB Monetary Policy FY 2025/26, published July 2026). Ample liquidity has let banks keep savings rates in the 4.30‑5.25 % band, with no hard floor or ceiling imposed this year. Competition among the big players is what creates the modest spread you see above.
Which Account Fits Your Profile?
Regular saver (balance < NPR 100,000): Look for low minimum‑balance requirements and monthly crediting. Nabil, Everest and Laxmi Sunrise all sit around 4.40‑4.45 % base with modest minimums.
High‑balance holder (balance > NPR 500,000): Tiered bonuses matter. Nabil’s 5.25 % on balances above NPR 500k and Prime Commercial’s 5.22 % for remittance‑linked high balances are the stand‑outs.
Senior citizen: Age‑based premiums are offered by Nepal Investment Bank (5.20 % for 60 +), Laxmi Sunrise (5.12 % for seniors) and Sanima (5.00 %).
Student / youth: Low or zero minimums plus youth bonuses work best. Machhapuchhre (5.08 % for students) and Laxmi Sunrise (5.12 % for 18‑28) are solid picks.
Remittance‑recipient household: Remittance‑linked premiums from Everest, Prime Commercial and Prabhu all exceed 5.15 % with reasonable balance thresholds.
Watch the Fine Print on Promotions
Some promotional rates carry strings: lock‑in periods of six to twelve months, mandatory purchase of insurance or mutual‑fund units, or a requirement to keep a higher average balance to retain the bonus. Always read the terms on the bank’s site or ask a relationship manager before you move money.
Bottom line
In August 2026 the highest advertised savings‑account yields among Nepal’s top banks sit just above 5.20 % p.a., usually tied to tiered balances or specific customer groups. For most people the sweet spot is a solid base rate near 4.40 % plus a promotional bonus that matches their balance or profile. Rates can shift when the NRB tweaks policy or when banks jostle for deposits, so double‑check the latest numbers on each bank’s website before you commit.
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