31st October 2025, Kathmandu
Himalayan Bank Limited (HBL), one of Nepal’s premier commercial banks, has announced a significant opportunity for the general public and interested institutions to acquire a substantial stake in the bank’s ownership structure.
HBL Founder Shares for Sale
The bank has formally opened the sale of approximately 1,20,000 founder shares—specifically, 1,19,997 units—which were previously held by five of its original promoters. This move, which follows the bank’s strict adherence to regulatory guidelines, provides a rare window for investors to participate directly in the ownership and potential growth of a well-established and financially stable banking institution.
The Regulatory Path to Public Sale
The decision to offer the founder shares to the public follows a meticulously defined regulatory procedure mandated by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the central bank. The sale of founder (or promoter) shares in a Bank and Financial Institution (BFI) is subject to strict rules to maintain stability and control within the financial system.
First Right of Refusal: According to the regulations stipulated by the NRB, when an existing founder shareholder decides to divest their stake, the shares must first be offered exclusively to the bank’s existing founder shareholders. This process is designed to give the current promoter group the first right of refusal, ensuring that the control and strategic direction of the institution remain, where possible, within the existing founder group.
Failure to Secure Promoter Interest: In this specific instance involving the 1,19,997 shares, the bank had initially invited applications from its current founder shareholders. However, due to a lack of applications or insufficient interest from the founder shareholders within the stipulated priority period, HBL is now authorized to broaden the sale. This procedural requirement allows the bank to move to the second stage of the sale, making the shares available for public purchase by any interested individual or institutional investor, in accordance with prevailing laws. This secondary offering is what now presents the opportunity to the wider investment community.
Breakdown of Shares and Application Procedure
The nearly 120,000 founder shares now available for public purchase originate from five individual promoter shareholders, with the holdings broken down as follows:
Jyotikumari Begani: 74,075 shares
Savitri Devi Agrawal: 26,454 shares
Suraksha Sijapati: 11,156 shares
Maiya Shrestha Basnet: 5,141 shares
Chiranjivi Lal Agrawal: 3,171 shares
The availability of a block of shares, particularly from the coveted founder category, is noteworthy, as these shares typically offer superior corporate governance rights compared to general public shares. While the market price of these shares is not explicitly stated in the public notice, founder shares are typically sold at a price determined by the bank’s board and the selling shareholder, often above the secondary market’s ordinary share price due to their unique voting rights and influence.
Application Submission: Interested investors, whether individuals or institutions, are required to submit their applications along with all necessary documents directly to the bank. The collection point for applications is the Legal and Share Department at the Himalayan Bank’s Central Office in Kamaladi, Kathmandu.
Application Deadline: The public has a limited window of 15 days from the date of the notice’s publication to submit their applications. This short deadline emphasizes the need for immediate action from interested parties to avoid missing this unique investment opportunity.
Procedural Details: For granular details concerning the share sale price, the specific amount of shares one can apply for, and the full procedural requirements, applicants are advised to directly contact the bank’s Legal and Share Department.
Significance for Investors and Market Dynamics
This public offering holds significant appeal for investors looking for long-term value and stability, especially given Himalayan Bank’s strong positioning within the commercial banking space in Nepal.
Investment in Stability: Himalayan Bank is a well-established entity known for its extensive network, robust financial metrics, and historically consistent performance in the competitive Nepali banking landscape. Acquiring founder shares offers an entry point into the bank’s ownership structure at a fundamental level, providing a stake in its continued growth and profitability.
Broader Market Trend: The divestment of founder shares is a recurring theme in the Nepali banking sector, often occurring when original promoters seek to realize their long-term investment or adjust their portfolios. In recent times, large institutional buyers, particularly insurance companies and institutional investors, have shown keen interest in acquiring such large blocks of founder shares, recognizing their strategic long-term value. This public sale opens that same opportunity, albeit on a smaller scale, to high-net-worth individual investors and smaller institutional funds.
By adhering to the regulatory mandate and opening the sale to the public, Himalayan Bank is ensuring a transparent and fair process for the divestment of promoter holdings, allowing the investment community to directly participate in the ownership and capital structure of one of Nepal’s leading financial institutions.
For More: HBL Founder Shares for Sale