Asha Laghubitta Bonus Shares Deposited in Demat Accounts
23rd February 2026, Kathmandu
The microfinance sector in Nepal has achieved a significant milestone in shareholder relations as Asha Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (ALBSL) officially completed the deposit of bonus shares into the demat accounts of its investors. On February 23, 2026 (Falgun 11, 2082), the company confirmed that the 9.50 percent bonus shares approved during its Ninth Annual General Meeting have been successfully credited in electronic form. This process marks the final stage of the dividend distribution cycle for the previous fiscal year, reflecting the institution’s commitment to returning value to its stakeholders while simultaneously bolstering its internal equity. By converting retained earnings into paid-up capital, the company is positioning itself for a more robust financial future, ensuring it has the necessary capital buffers to expand its micro-credit outreach across the rural and semi-urban landscapes of Nepal.
Asha Laghubitta Bonus Shares
The technical foundation for this distribution was laid during the Ninth Annual General Meeting held on December 19, 2025 (Poush 4, 2082). During this assembly, the board of directors presented a proposal to capitalize a portion of the company’s accumulated profits by issuing 9.50 percent bonus shares. For a microfinance institution like Asha Laghubitta, which operates on the front lines of financial inclusion, bonus shares are a strategic tool. They allow the company to reward its investors without depleting the cash reserves necessary for day-to-day lending operations. From the perspective of the shareholder, this issuance increases their total number of shares without requiring any additional cash investment, effectively lowering their average cost of acquisition and increasing their future dividend potential as the company grows.
A critical phase of this corporate action involved the formal listing and dematerialization of the new shares. Before the shares could appear in individual accounts, Asha Laghubitta had to complete the listing process with the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) and ensure registration with CDS and Clearing Limited. This ensures that the newly issued equity is fully fungible and tradable in the secondary market. Investors can now view these additional units in their MeroShare portals and can execute buy or sell orders through their respective brokers. The shift to a fully electronic distribution system has revolutionized the Nepali capital market, eliminating the risks of physical certificate loss and significantly reducing the time required for a company to deliver rewards to its owners.
Eligibility for the 9.50 percent bonus was determined by the book closure date, which the company had set for December 7, 2025 (Mangsir 22, 2082). In accordance with standard market practice in Nepal, only those shareholders who held the stock until one day prior to the book closure—specifically December 6 (Mangsir 21)—were entitled to receive the bonus units. This clear-cut boundary ensures that the distribution process is transparent and that the benefits are accurately allocated to those who supported the company during the relevant financial period. Investors who purchased shares on or after the book closure date are reminded that they have acquired the stock at a post-dividend price and will have to wait for the next fiscal cycle to participate in future distributions.
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An important administrative clarification has been issued regarding shares that are currently pledged as collateral. Many shareholders in Nepal use their equity holdings to secure margin loans or personal credit from various banks and financial institutions. Asha Laghubitta has noted that for shares pledged until the cut-off date of Mangsir 21, the corresponding bonus shares have been credited but remain in a locked or blocked status in the name of the lending institution. This is a standard security measure to ensure that the total value of the collateral remains intact. Shareholders who have already settled their loans are advised to coordinate with their lending banks and Prabhu Capital Limited, the share registrar, to initiate the release of these bonus units.
The role of Prabhu Capital Limited as the share registrar is central to the success of this distribution. Based in Kamaladi, Kathmandu, the registrar is responsible for maintaining the definitive list of shareholders and coordinating with the central depository system. For any investor experiencing discrepancies in their bonus calculation or delays in demat credit, the registrar serves as the primary point of contact. The accuracy of the shareholder database is vital, especially as microfinance institutions often have a large number of retail investors from diverse geographical backgrounds. Prabhu Capital ensures that every fractional share is accounted for and that the total increase in paid-up capital matches the regulatory filings submitted to the Nepal Rastra Bank.
Strategically, the issuance of bonus shares helps Asha Laghubitta meet the stringent capital adequacy requirements mandated by the central bank for Class D financial institutions. By strengthening its capital base, the company increases its capacity to borrow from commercial banks and, in turn, provide more loans to its members in the microfinance groups. This cycle of capitalization and lending is the engine of growth for the microfinance sector, facilitating entrepreneurship and poverty reduction at the grassroots level. As the company looks toward the next fiscal year, the enhanced liquidity provided by the new shares is expected to support a more active trading environment for the ALBSL ticker on the stock exchange.
In conclusion, the successful deposit of Asha Laghubitta Bonus Shares is a testament to the company’s operational efficiency and its respect for shareholder rights. With the 9.50 percent increase in equity now reflected in demat accounts, investors are seeing the tangible results of the company’s profitable performance. This milestone not only rewards the loyalty of current shareholders but also signals to the broader market that Asha Laghubitta remains a stable and growth-oriented player in the microfinance industry. As the shares become tradable, the focus now shifts to the company’s future performance and its ability to maintain high standards of governance and social impact across its nationwide branch network.
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