NMB Bank Announces Open Branches on October 6, 2025

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6th October 2025, Kathmandu

The announcement by NMB Bank Limited to keep a significant number of its branches operational on Monday, October 6, 2025 (Ashoj 20, 2082), despite a government-declared public holiday, is a clear demonstration of its prioritization of customer service and its role in supporting the essential functions of the national economy.

NMB Branches Remain Open

This strategic decision aligns with the bank’s ethos of being “Committed to Customer Convenience” by ensuring that critical financial services remain accessible during a period typically marked by widespread closures.

This operational plan is particularly notable for two key reasons: its extensive geographical coverage across all seven provinces, and the explicit confirmation that core payment infrastructure services—IPS, RTGS, and Clearing—will be available as usual.

1. The Imperative of Holiday Banking and Economic Continuity

The date of October 6, 2025, falls within or immediately following the period of Nepal’s largest festivals (likely Dashain or Tihar, as per the typical Hindu calendar alignment for 2082 BS). During these festivals, there is a surge in cash demand for Dakshina, large-scale transactions related to family gatherings, and increased remittance payouts. The decision to keep the major payment systems, IPS (Interbank Payment System), RTGS (Real-Time Gross Settlement), and Clearing, functional is paramount.

Clearing Services: The availability of cheque clearing means that commercial transactions (like payments to suppliers or urgent settlement of festival bonuses) processed immediately before the holiday can be settled swiftly, preventing significant cash flow disruption for businesses.

RTGS/IPS: These high-value and bulk transfer mechanisms ensure that large-scale financial obligations, often related to corporate financing or government-mandated payments, can be executed without delay.

By maintaining these core financial backbones, NMB Bank effectively minimizes the economic cost of the public holiday, distinguishing its service continuity from simple, essential cash-in/cash-out operations.

2. Strategic Depth of Provincial Coverage and Prioritization

NMB Bank has implemented a sophisticated, multi-tiered approach to its holiday banking hours, ranging from four to five hours, based on perceived regional necessity and operational capacity. The decision to open almost all branches in several provinces indicates a strong focus on serving high-population and economically vibrant areas:

A. Maximum Coverage (10 AM – 3 PM): High-Volume Regions
The bank has chosen to open the majority of branches in four provinces for an extended, five-hour period (10 AM – 3 PM), reflecting their central importance to the bank’s operations and the national economy:

Madhesh Province (All except Sonma and Mahottari): Known for its high remittance volume and trade activity with India, the extended hours here are crucial for facilitating foreign fund transfers and essential trade-related cash deposits/withdrawals.

Bagmati Province (All except Budhanilkantha, Dhunche, and Timure): By opening almost all branches in the financial capital, the bank prioritizes the immediate needs of Kathmandu Valley’s businesses and large customer base. The exceptions (Budhanilkantha, Dhunche, and Timure) are typically smaller or less trafficked remote branches, allowing the bank to concentrate resources where demand is highest.

Lumbini Province (All branches open): As a major industrial and transit hub, full service in Lumbini is key to supporting ongoing commercial activities that often pause only briefly for the festival’s peak days.

Sudurpaschim Province (All branches open): Commitment to full coverage in the Far-West ensures that customers in this region, which often faces logistical challenges, do not experience disproportionate service disruption.

B. Targeted Service (10 AM – 2 PM): Essential Hubs
The four-hour window focuses on strategic branches in areas where daily transactional demand might be lower or where logistical challenges necessitate tighter operational control:

Koshi Province: A long, comprehensive list of 20 strategically located branches (e.g., Dharan, Biratnagar, Birtamod) is open. This ensures that the primary commercial centers of Eastern Nepal have access to cash and essential services, vital for the region’s trade-heavy economy.

Gandaki Province: The focus on Pokhara-Lekhnath, Baglung, and Damauli secures key financial access for the tourist and administrative centers.

Karnali Province: The single, strategically important Surkhet branch open for service ensures that the financial and administrative hub of this province is covered, offering a central point for all urgent regional needs.

C. The Special Case of Galchhi Branch (11 AM – 3 PM)
The designation of the Galchhi branch in Bagmati Province with a unique 11 AM – 3 PM time slot (shifted one hour later) suggests a specific operational reason. Galchhi is a key transit point on the Prithvi Highway, and its special hours may be tailored to align with peak travel times during the holiday, facilitating banking for travelers or local vendors operating on a different schedule.

3. Comprehensive Digital and Human Support

While the physical branches are necessary for cash and cheque transactions, the NMB Bank advisory is incomplete without the crucial layer of its digital and human support network. The official contact information reinforces the bank’s 365-day commitment:

•  Customer Care: 01-5970150
•  Email: [email protected]

This 24/7 lifeline is indispensable on a public holiday. Customers can manage the majority of their banking needs, including fund transfers, bill payments, and balance inquiries, via mobile and internet banking. The dedicated customer care line ensures that any digital complications, lost cards, or fraudulent activity can be reported and addressed instantly, providing a seamless and highly reliable service channel that runs in parallel with the physical branches.

In conclusion, NMB Bank Limited’s decision to open numerous branches on October 6, 2025, goes far beyond a simple courtesy. It is a carefully managed, infrastructure-focused operational strategy designed to prevent financial disruption, support commerce, and ensure customer peace of mind. By keeping both the physical service points and the critical payment systems (IPS, RTGS, Clearing) active, NMB Bank is powerfully asserting its role as a stable and reliable partner in maintaining the country’s financial health, solidifying its commitment to its customers.

For More: NMB Branches Remain Open