Garima Bikas Bank: Pioneering Financial Inclusion Through Innovation and Access

7th January 2026, Kathmandu

Garima Bikas Bank Limited (GBBL) is a premier national-level development bank in Nepal that has redefined the boundaries of retail and development banking. Founded on November 23, 2007 (Mangsir 7, 2064 B.S.), the bank began its journey as a regional financial institution in Syangja with a modest paid-up capital of 26.5 million Nepalese Rupees.

Garima Bikas Bank Limited

Over the course of nearly two decades, Garima Bikas Bank has transformed into a financial powerhouse through a series of strategic mergers and organic expansions. Guided by its unwavering motto “Access to All,” the bank has become a vital link in Nepal’s economic chain, serving both urban centers and the most remote rural communities. As of early 2026, it stands as a pillar of stability and a leader in digital banking innovation within the B-class financial category.

A LEGACY OF STRATEGIC GROWTH AND MERGERS

The evolution of Garima Bikas Bank is a masterclass in institutional scaling. The bank’s transition from a three-district operation to a national-level entity was accelerated by several landmark mergers. In 2015 (2072 B.S.), it merged with Nilgiri Bikas Bank, followed by a merger with Subekshya Bikas Bank in 2016 (2073 B.S.). Its most recent significant expansion occurred in 2021 (2078 B.S.) with the acquisition of Sahara Bikas Bank. These moves did not just increase the bank’s capital; they significantly widened its geographical footprint and diversified its customer base.

Headquartered in Lazimpat, Kathmandu, the bank now manages a robust infrastructure comprising 126 branch offices and 51 ATMs. This network is strategically distributed to ensure that the bank’s vision of inclusive banking is realized for over a million customers.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS 2025-2026

Heading into the first quarter of the fiscal year 2082/83 (ending mid-October 2025), Garima Bikas Bank has demonstrated remarkable financial resilience. According to its latest unaudited financial statements, the bank posted a net profit of 188.10 million Nepalese Rupees for the first quarter. This performance is particularly noteworthy given the broader economic headwinds facing the development banking sector in Nepal.

Key financial indicators as of late 2025 include:

Total Deposits: Over 90.98 billion Nepalese Rupees.

Loans and Advances: Approximately 68.42 billion Nepalese Rupees.

Paid-Up Capital: 5.68 billion Nepalese Rupees, placing it as the second-highest among all development banks in Nepal.

Reserves and Surplus: 3.52 billion Nepalese Rupees.

Net Worth Per Share: 161.89 Nepalese Rupees.

Non-Performing Loan (NPL) Ratio: Managed effectively at approximately 2.95 percent through stringent risk management protocols.

In November 2025, the bank successfully concluded its 19th Annual General Meeting (AGM), where it reviewed its stellar performance for the previous fiscal year and outlined its roadmap for 2026, focusing on maintaining its position as one of the most profitable and well-capitalized development banks in the country.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND THE DIGI BATUWA REVOLUTION

One of Garima Bikas Bank’s greatest strengths in 2026 is its technological leadership. The bank has successfully transitioned from traditional banking to a comprehensive digital ecosystem. The centerpiece of this transition is “Garima Digi Batuwa,” an all-in-one digital banking solution that revamped the old “Garima Smart” application.

Digi Batuwa offers a unified experience across web and mobile platforms, allowing customers to use a single set of credentials for all digital services. Key features include:

Garima Smart Teller: A revolutionary service that allows customers to withdraw cash at any branch or extension counter using a QR code, eliminating the need for physical cheques or debit cards.

Virtual Credit Cards: In late 2025, the bank introduced Nepal’s first fully digital virtual credit card, which can be created instantly via the app and used for secure online and offline payments through the Fonepay network.

Omnichannel Utility Payments: Seamless payment options for electricity, water, internet, and even government traffic fines (chits).

Advanced Security: Implementation of AI-driven fraud detection and biometric authentication to protect customer assets.

LATEST SAVINGS AND FIXED DEPOSIT INTEREST RATES 2026

For the third quarter of the 2082/83 fiscal year, Garima Bikas Bank continues to offer highly competitive interest rates to encourage domestic savings. The bank provides a variety of specialized accounts:

Foreign Remittance Saving Account: Offering a premium rate of 4.75 percent to support the inflow of formal remittances.

Mero Share Bachat Khata: Tailored for stock market investors with an interest rate of 3.75 percent.

Fixed Deposits (Individual): Rates range from 2.75 percent for 3 months to a high of 5.55 percent for tenures of 5 years and above.

Garima Green Saver: A specialized account designed to fund environmentally friendly projects, offering 3.75 percent interest.

These rates are designed to balance the bank’s liquidity needs while providing maximum value to its depositors in a fluctuating market environment.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND THE 19TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

Garima Bikas Bank views social responsibility as a core component of its identity. In November 2025, to mark its 19th anniversary, the bank organized 19 major CSR activities nationwide. This included a grand blood donation program across eight cities—including Kathmandu, Pokhara, Itahari, and Butwal—where 624 units of blood were collected.

Other impactful CSR initiatives in 2025-2026 include:

Educational Support: Distributing school uniforms, water filter machines, and sound systems to public schools in 16 different locations.

Environmental Conservation: The “Bar-Pipal Plantation Program,” where the bank planted historically and ecologically significant saplings across six locations, aiming to create community rest areas (Chautaris).

Garima Road Race: An annual event held in late 2025 that promotes health and fitness, recently introducing a veteran category to ensure inclusivity for senior citizens.

AWARDS AND INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION

The bank’s excellence has been recognized both domestically and internationally. In August 2025, Garima Bikas Bank was honored at the Emerging Asia Banking Conclave and Awards for its outstanding contribution to MSME acceleration. The bank has also received accolades for its implementation of AI and Machine Learning in banking, marking it as a leader in technical innovation within the South Asian banking community.

STRATEGIC OUTLOOK AND CHALLENGES FOR 2026

As Garima Bikas Bank moves forward, its primary challenge lies in navigating the complexities of the current Nepalese economy, specifically the slow credit demand and the ongoing management of non-performing assets in the agriculture and SME sectors. However, with its strong capital adequacy ratio and a low cost of funds, the bank is well-positioned for aggressive growth.

The strategic goals for the remainder of 2026 include:

Expanding the “Garima Smart Teller” and QR merchant network into the most remote parts of the Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces.

Focusing on “Green Banking” by providing concessional loans for electric vehicles and renewable energy projects.

Strengthening corporate governance to maintain its status as a trusted, zero-tolerance-for-non-compliance institution.

CONCLUSION

Garima Bikas Bank Limited represents the ideal evolution of a development bank. From its regional roots in Syangja to its current status as a national leader in both capital and technology, it has remained steadfast in its commitment to the common citizen. With its innovative “Digi Batuwa” ecosystem, attractive 2026 interest rates, and a deep-seated culture of social responsibility, Garima Bikas Bank is not just a place for financial transactions—it is a partner in Nepal’s journey toward a prosperous and inclusive future. It truly embodies the spirit of its mission: ensuring that the doors of quality banking are open to all.

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