Kumari Bank Puts 1.46 Million Founder Shares on Sale

19th January 2026, Kathmandu

Kumari Bank Limited has announced the sale of a significant volume of shares belonging to its founder group, offering a rare opportunity for eligible investors to increase their stake in the bank. According to the official notice published on Poush 8, 2082 (December 23, 2025), a total of 1,462,935 units of founder shares have been placed on the market. This move marks an important development in the bank’s ownership structure as it enters early 2026.

Kumari Bank Founder Shares 

The shares offered for sale belong exclusively to the founder shareholder group of Kumari Bank Limited. Currently, the bank has clarified that the sale is restricted only to existing founder shareholders in the first phase. These eligible investors may submit applications to purchase the offered shares at the price determined by the sellers. This structured approach follows the standard regulatory practices of Nepal Rastra Bank, where internal stakeholders are given the right of first refusal before shares are offered to the general public.

Application Process and Submission Locations

Interested founder shareholders are required to submit their formal applications within 35 days from the date of the first publication. This makes the final deadline for current founders Magh 12, 2082 (January 26, 2026). Applications must include the specific number of units the investor intends to purchase along with the necessary identification and corporate documentation.

Eligible investors can file their applications at two designated locations:

Kumari Capital Limited: Located in Nagpokhari, Kathmandu.

Kumari Bank Limited Head Office: Located in Tangal, Kathmandu.

The bank has emphasized that investors should strictly adhere to the 35-day window to ensure their priority status as founder shareholders is maintained.

Potential Sale to External Individuals and Institutions

Kumari Bank has also outlined the secondary phase of this sale. If the bank does not receive sufficient applications from the existing founder shareholders within the initial 35-day period, the remaining 1,462,935 shares will be opened for sale to other individuals and institutions. This allows the bank to maintain liquidity in its founder-level capital while complying with legal requirements for share transfers.

Opening the sale to external parties often attracts high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors who are looking for a long-term strategic presence in the Nepalese banking sector. Founder shares are typically sought after by those who prioritize institutional influence over short-term trading liquidity.

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Strategic Significance for Founder Shareholders

The availability of over 1.46 million units represents a substantial block of the bank’s founder equity. For existing founders, acquiring these shares is a way to consolidate voting power and strengthen their voice in the bank’s governance. In the context of Nepal’s evolving financial landscape, where mergers and capital enhancements are frequent, maintaining a strong founder position is often seen as a protective measure for long-term interests.

Founder shares generally carry the same dividend rights as ordinary shares but have different lock-in periods and regulatory hurdles for selling in the secondary market. This makes them an “anchor” investment that signals stability and long-term commitment to the bank’s future growth and policy direction.

Impact on Bank Governance and Ownership

While this transaction primarily involves the founder group, the results will be closely watched by the market. Large transfers within the founder group can signal shifts in the bank’s strategic alliances or changes in the interests of major promoters. Kumari Bank, which became a significantly larger entity following its merger with Nepal Credit and Commerce (NCC) Bank in early 2023, is currently focused on optimizing its capital structure and enhancing its digital banking capabilities.

Regulatory bodies, including the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) and Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), oversee these transfers to ensure they meet the fit-and-proper criteria for bank owners. This ensures that the bank remains under the stewardship of reputable and financially capable individuals.

Investor Considerations and Risk Assessment

Potential buyers, particularly if the sale opens to the general public in late January 2026, should evaluate several factors before applying:

Price Discovery: Since the price is determined by the seller, investors must ensure it aligns with the bank’s book value and current market performance.

Liquidity: Founder shares are not traded on the regular NEPSE floor daily; they require a separate approval process for transfer.

Bank Performance: Kumari Bank’s latest quarterly reports show a focus on increasing its net interest income and managing non-performing loans (NPLs) as it integrates its post-merger systems.

Conclusion

The sale of 1,462,935 founder shares by Kumari Bank Limited is a notable event in the Nepali financial market for early 2026. By following a transparent 35-day internal offering period, the bank ensures that its existing promoters have the first opportunity to manage the institution’s capital structure. Whether these units are absorbed internally or eventually opened to the general public, the outcome will likely shape the bank’s ownership landscape for years to come.

For More: Kumari Bank Founder Shares