Last verified: Shrawan 2083 (July 2026). Fixed deposit rates change every Nepali month - always confirm the live figure with the bank before you deposit.
If you are shopping for the best fixed deposit rate in Nepal today, the honest answer is that "highest" depends on which month you are reading this and whether you are comparing commercial banks, development banks, or a remittance-linked FD scheme. Rates have been sliding through 2082-83 as Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) keeps its policy rate low to encourage lending, and the gap between the best and worst payers has narrowed to just over a percentage point among commercial banks.
This guide pulls together the most recently published rate sheets, explains why the "highest" rate keeps moving, and shows you exactly what a deposit is worth after tax - not just the headline percentage that banks advertise.
Quick answer
As of Shrawan 2083 (July 2026), Nabil Bank and Prabhu Bank shared the highest standard 1-year FD rate among commercial banks at 4.55% p.a. for individual depositors, and 5.55% p.a. on remittance-linked FD schemes. A month earlier (Asar 2083), NIMB briefly led the market at 5.25%. Outside the commercial-bank tier, some development banks - such as Karnali Development Bank - have advertised considerably higher rates (up to 8.50% in Asar 2083), though these come with higher institutional risk and lower DCGC-relevant liquidity, so they deserve extra scrutiny before you commit a large sum.
Why "highest FD rate" is a moving target
Nepali banks revise their deposit rates roughly once a month, in line with the interest rate corridor NRB publishes and their own liquidity position. When a bank is flush with deposits and lending demand is soft, it quietly trims FD rates. When it needs deposits to fund loan growth, it raises them - sometimes for a limited window. That is why you will see different "highest rate" figures depending on exactly which week an article or comparison site was last updated.
Through most of 2082-83, the broader trend has been downward. NRB has been cutting its policy rate to support economic activity, and commercial banks have followed by lowering deposit rates in step. The chart below illustrates the direction of travel rather than exact weekly figures.
Commercial bank FD rates compared (Asar 2083)
The table below is the most complete and internally consistent snapshot available: standard 1-year individual fixed deposit rates for all 20 commercial banks, published for Asar 2083 (June 2026). Treat it as a reference point for the shape of the market - who tends to lead, who tends to sit at the floor - rather than today's exact number, since several of these banks have already revised their rates since this snapshot.
| Rank | Bank | Rate (p.a.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NIMB Bank | 5.25% |
| 2 | Agricultural Development Bank (ADBL) | 5.15% |
| 3 | Prime Commercial Bank | 5.00% |
| 4 | Sanima Bank | 4.75% |
| 5 | Rastriya Banijya Bank (RBB) | 4.75% |
| 6 | NMB Bank | 4.75% |
| 7 | Prabhu Bank | 4.55% |
| 8 | Nabil Bank | 4.55% |
| 9 | Machhapuchchhre Bank (MBL) | 4.50% |
| 10 | Global IME Bank | 4.50% |
| 11 | Nepal Bank Limited | 4.25% |
| 12 | Nepal SBI Bank | 4.10% |
| 13 | Everest Bank | 4.05% |
| 14 | Siddhartha Bank | 4.05% |
| 15 | Citizens Bank International | 4.05% |
| 16 | NIC Asia Bank | 4.00% |
| 17 | Himalayan Bank | 4.00% |
| 18 | Laxmi Sunrise Bank | 4.00% |
| 19 | Standard Chartered Bank Nepal (SCB) | 3.95% |
| 20 | Kumari Bank | 3.91% |
Market average for the period: 4.41% p.a. (median 4.38%). By the following month (Shrawan 2083), the top of the table had already changed, with Nabil and Prabhu emerging as joint leaders at 4.55% - a reminder that this table is a snapshot, not a live feed.
Before you chase the top number
A rate that looks highest today can be a short-term promotional offer tied to a minimum deposit size, a specific tenure, or new-money-only conditions. Always ask the branch for the written rate sheet and confirm whether the quoted rate applies to your exact deposit amount and tenure before you sign anything.
What about development banks and finance companies?
If you widen the search beyond the 20 commercial banks, development banks (Class B) have generally offered noticeably higher headline rates. In Asar 2083, Karnali Development Bank was quoted at 8.50% p.a., well above the commercial bank ceiling, with Narayani Development Bank next at 7.50% and a 17-bank sector average of 5.83%.
Higher rates from smaller development banks are not free money - they typically reflect a bank's need to attract deposits more aggressively, sometimes because it has a smaller branch network or is working to grow its loan book quickly. Every NRB-licensed bank and development bank in Nepal is covered by the Deposit and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DCGC) up to Rs 5,00,000 per depositor per institution, which limits your downside on any single account, but it is still worth checking a development bank's capital adequacy and NRB compliance history before placing a large sum with it.
Remittance FD schemes: often the real "highest rate"
If part of your deposit comes from remittance income, do not stop at the standard FD table. Several banks run a separate, higher-rate FD product specifically for remittance-linked deposits, as part of NRB's push to channel more remittance into the formal banking system. In Shrawan 2083, Nabil and Prabhu both offered 5.55% on remittance FD - a full percentage point above their standard rate - and Muktinath Bikas Bank, a development bank, advertised remittance FD rates as high as 6.50%.
To qualify, you typically need to show that the deposited funds arrived through a licensed remittance company or bank wire from abroad, so keep your remittance receipts or transfer records on hand when you open the account.
FD maturity calculator
Estimate what your FD is really worth
Enter your deposit, the rate a bank has quoted you, and the tenure. This gives a simple-interest estimate before and after the standard 5% TDS for individual depositors. It is an estimate for planning purposes, not a substitute for the bank's official calculation.
Calculation uses simple annual interest (P x r x t), the convention most Nepali banks quote on their rate sheets. Actual payout may differ slightly if your bank compounds quarterly or applies a different day-count method - confirm the exact figure with your branch before depositing.
Common mistakes when chasing the highest FD rate
- Comparing headline rates only. A 5.25% offer with a Rs 50 lakh minimum is not comparable to a 4.55% offer with no minimum if you only have Rs 2 lakh to deposit.
- Ignoring TDS. The rate on the board is always gross. Individuals lose 5% of the interest to TDS automatically, so your real return is about 5% lower than the quoted figure, not the same number.
- Overlooking premature withdrawal penalties. Breaking an FD early usually means losing part of the promised interest, sometimes down to the savings account rate. Only lock money you will not need before maturity.
- Forgetting the DCGC ceiling. If you are depositing more than Rs 5,00,000 in a single bank purely to chase a slightly higher rate, you may be taking on more institutional risk than the extra interest is worth. Spreading large sums across two or three licensed banks keeps each account within DCGC coverage.
- Assuming a "highest rate" article is still current. Because rates move monthly, any published ranking - including this one - is a snapshot. Confirm today's number directly with the bank.
Expert tips for locking in a strong rate
Practical tips
Ask your existing bank whether it offers a rate match or loyalty bonus before moving funds elsewhere - many banks will quietly match a competitor's rate to retain a good customer. If you expect NRB to keep cutting rates, consider locking a longer tenure now rather than a 3-month FD that you will have to renew at a lower rate later. If you have remittance income, always ask specifically about the remittance FD product - it is rarely advertised on the main rate board but often pays meaningfully more than the standard FD.
Frequently asked questions
As of the most recent verification (Shrawan 2083 / July 2026), Nabil Bank and Prabhu Bank shared the highest standard commercial bank rate at 4.55% p.a. Because rates change monthly, always check the bank's current published rate sheet before deciding.
Often yes on paper - some development banks have advertised rates well above 7% - but higher rates usually reflect a smaller institution working harder to attract deposits. Check the bank's NRB compliance standing and keep any single deposit within the Rs 5,00,000 DCGC insurance limit.
Yes. Banks deduct 5% TDS from interest paid to individual depositors before crediting it to your account, and for most individuals this is treated as a final tax on that income. See our dedicated guide on FD TDS for the exceptions and edge cases.
Most banks add an extra 0.25% to 1.00% on top of the published rate for senior citizen depositors, but the exact margin varies by bank and is not always shown on the public rate sheet. Ask the branch directly.
Nearly every Nepali bank applies a penalty for premature withdrawal, typically reducing your effective rate down toward the savings account rate for the period the money was actually deposited. Some banks also require a minimum holding period before any withdrawal is allowed at all. Confirm the specific penalty clause before you deposit.
Conclusion
There is no single permanent answer to "which Nepali bank has the highest FD rate" - the leaderboard reshuffles most months as NRB's policy stance and each bank's liquidity needs shift. What stays useful over time is the process: compare the current rate sheet across several banks, check whether a remittance FD applies to you, account for the 5% TDS individuals pay, and confirm the premature-withdrawal terms before you commit. Use the calculator above with today's quoted rate to see your real, after-tax return before you decide where to deposit.
Want the full 20-bank comparison table with after-tax figures, or curious whether TDS on your FD should really be 5% or 15%? Read the related guides below.
Compare All Banks ->Rate data referenced from published commercial and development bank rate sheets and Nepal Rastra Bank disclosures for Asar-Shrawan 2083 (June-July 2026). FD rates change monthly; figures here may not reflect the current rate at the time you are reading this. This article is for general information only and is not personalized financial advice - confirm current rates and terms directly with your bank or NRB before making a deposit decision.
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