Agricultural Development Bank

What Agricultural Development Bank does

Agricultural Development Bank Limited (ADBL) is a government-owned, publicly listed commercial bank in Nepal operating under a Class A financial institution license issued by Nepal Rastra Bank in 2005/2006. Founded in 1967 (Magh 7, 2024 B.S.) and headquartered at Ramshah Path, Kathmandu, ADBL combines a full commercial banking license with a statutory agricultural development mandate. It operates 300+ branches and 129-134 ATMs across Nepal, with a wholly-owned subsidiary (Sana Kisan Bank) focused on small-farmer banking and an in-house Training Institute. The bank's product portfolio spans deposits (savings accounts up to 6.51% on remittance FDs, fixed deposits, current and call accounts), a broad agricultural and consumer loan book (Saral Krishi Karja, VITA, home, auto, education, gold, margin lending), corporate and trade finance (letters of credit, bank guarantees, hydropower loans), and an extensive subsidized-lending program targeting women entrepreneurs, educated youth, returned migrants, earthquake victims, and backward communities.

ADBL's digital stack centers on the ADBL Smart and ADBL Smart Plus mobile applications, internet banking portals, Corporate Pay (institutional payments with 2FA and Maker-Checker controls), Smart Teller branchless cash withdrawal, SMS banking, and the ADBL Demat and ASBA services for capital-market participation. Remittance distribution spans SWIFT transfers, ADBL Visa Direct (180+ countries), agency partnerships (Western Union, MoneyGram, IME, Siddhartha, Prabhu, Easy Link, Himal, City, BOOM, Prithivi, Sewa), and an Indo-Nepal corridor via Axis Bank. Card services include Visa Debit (NPR 300 issuance), Visa Credit (limits NPR 25,000 to NPR 10 lakh), and the Kisan Credit Card with QR-code functionality for farmers. Underlying integrations cover Connect IPS (interbank transfers up to NPR 20 lakh/day), Esewa and Khalti wallet top-ups, and NTC/NCELL mobile recharges.

ADBL generates revenue primarily through net interest spread on its lending and deposit book, supplemented by transaction fees on cards and remittances, commissions on bank guarantees and trade finance instruments, internet banking subscription fees (NPR 200 registration, NPR 150 annual renewal), and interest income from margin lending up to 70% of share value. The customer base is highly diversified across six segments—agricultural producers, retail individuals, corporate and business borrowers, subsidized/special-target groups, the Nepali diaspora, and government/corporate payroll—with strategic partnerships anchored by IFAD (VITA program), Visa, SWIFT, Connect IPS, and Axis Bank.

Name

Agricultural Development Bank

Legal name

Agricultural Development Bank Limited

Website

https://adbl.gov.np

Company type

Public

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Agricultural Development Bank Limited is a Nepalese government-owned Class A commercial bank operating 300+ branches with a statutory agricultural credit mandate. It offers deposits, agricultural and consumer loans, remittances, cards, and digital banking to retail, agricultural, corporate, and diaspora customers across Nepal.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Banking

NAICS

Commercial Banking (522110), Depository Credit Intermediation (5221), Commercial Banking (52211)

SIC

National Commercial Banks (6021)

akta.pro primary industry

Agricultural & Rural Development Banks (FSABAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

SME Business Lending (Term Loans, Lines of Credit, Overdrafts) (FSABABAB), SME Deposits & Business Accounts (Operating, Savings, CDs) (FSABABAC), Lending & Credit Disbursements (FSAMAKAH)

Keywords

• Agricultural lending
• Commercial banking services
• International remittance
• Digital banking
• Trade finance

Headquarters

HQ city

Kathmandu

HQ country

Nepal

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Interest Income from Loans: Primary revenue stream from interest charged on agricultural loans, consumer loans, corporate loans, and subsidized loans. Interest rates vary by product type and tenure.
2. Deposit Interest Expense Recovery: Interest paid to depositors on savings accounts, fixed deposits, and call deposits generates revenue when lending rates exceed deposit rates
3. Card Services: Revenue from credit card annual fees, Visa debit card issuance charges (NPR 300), and transaction fees on card payments
4. Remittance Services: Commission and fees from international money transfers through SWIFT, Western Union, MoneyGram, and other agency remittance services
5. Internet Banking Fees: Registration fee (NPR 200 one-time), renewal fee (NPR 150 yearly), and password reset fees (NPR 20)
6. Bank Guarantee Commission: Commission charged for bid bonds, performance guarantees, advance payment guarantees, and custody guarantees
7. Margin Lending: Interest income from loan against shares with margin lending facilities up to 70% for ordinary shares

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Agricultural Development Bank Limited (ADBL) is a Class A government-owned public sector bank in Nepal providing a full suite of banking services to retail, agricultural, corporate, and diaspora customers. Its core offerings include deposit accounts (savings, fixed deposits, current, and call accounts), a broad loan portfolio (agricultural loans, consumer loans, corporate loans, and subsidized priority-sector loans), card services (Visa debit, credit, and Kisan Credit Card), digital banking (ADBL Smart mobile app, Internet Banking, Corporate Pay), remittance services (SWIFT, Visa Direct, agency remittances), and trade finance (letters of credit, bank guarantees). The bank operates 300+ branches and 129+ ATMs across Nepal's 77 districts.

Product overview

Agricultural Development Bank (ADBL) operates as a Class A financial institution in Nepal offering a comprehensive banking platform with traditional and digital products. The product portfolio includes deposit accounts (savings, fixed deposits, current accounts, call accounts, and specialized accounts for various segments), loan products (agricultural loans including VITA and Saral Krishi Karja, consumer loans for home/auto/education, corporate loans, and subsidized loans for priority sectors), card services (VISA debit and credit cards, Kisan Credit Card), and digital banking channels (ADBL Smart mobile app, Internet Banking, Corporate Pay). Remittance services span international transfers via SWIFT, Visa Direct, agency networks (Western Union, MoneyGram), and Indo-Nepal transfers via Axis Bank. Trade finance products include Letters of Credit and Bank Guarantees. The bank also provides investment services (Demat accounts, ASBA for IPOs), payment services (RTGS, Connect IPS, ABBS), and SMS banking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ADBL Smart: Official mobile banking application offering secure, 24/7 banking services with 128-bit SSL encryption for Android and iOS devices.
• ADBL Smart Plus
• ADBL Smart Fone Loan
• ADBL Visa Direct
• ADBL Smart Fone Loan
• Agency Remit
• Kisan Credit Card
• SWIFT Transfer

Products and services

• ADBL Smart Mobile Banking Application Official mobile banking application enabling customers to manage finances from smartphones, offering fund transfers, bill payments, QR code payments, mobile top-ups, and account management with 128-bit SSL encryption.
• ADBL Smart Fone Loan Fully digital short-term loan service providing instant pre-approved financing up to NPR 200,000 through the ADBL Smart Plus mobile application without collateral or paperwork.
• ADBL Visa Direct Global money transfer service enabling send and receive money from over 180 countries using Visa card numbers.
• Internet Banking Web-based banking platform enabling account access, fund transfers, DC and NTC/NCELL top-up, bill payments, and cheque book management for individual and corporate customers.
• Corporate Pay Secure payment system for institutional customers to transfer small or large amounts online quickly and reliably with 2-Factor Authentication, Maker-Checker controls, and customizable transaction limits.
• Visa Debit Card Debit card accepted at ATMs and POS outlets in Nepal and India, valid for four years with free cash withdrawals at ADBL ATMs and nominal fees at other banks.
• Credit Card VISA Credit Card with limits from NPR 25,000 to NPR 10 lakh for customers with fixed regular income, EMV compliant, usable in Nepal and India with contactless payment support.
• ATM Service ATM services operating at 129+ locations across branches for cash withdrawals, balance inquiry, and mini statement services. Free cash withdrawals at ADBL ATMs.
• Kisan Credit Card Credit card for farmers to purchase agriculture goods, tools, and access finances with QR code features for digitized transactions, usable for agricultural purchases and identity card functionality.
• Saral Krishi Karja Agricultural Loan Agricultural loan up to NPR 20 lakhs for livestock, poultry, fish farming, agriculture/forest produce/herbs, and other agriculture-related commercial production. Interest rate up to Base Rate + 5%.
• VITA Loan (IFAD Value Chain) Agricultural value chain loan facilitated through International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) funding for vegetable farming, livestock, and agro-processing in partnership with the Government of Nepal.
• Home Loan Housing construction loan up to 70% of construction cost for Nepali citizens below 65 years with tenure up to 15 years. Fixed and floating rate options available.
• Auto Loan Vehicle financing up to 60% of invoice price with tenure up to 7 years for cars and other vehicles.
• Education Loan Education financing up to 80% of institutional fees for domestic and international studies with tenure up to 7 years.
• Agency Remit Services International money transfer service through multiple agencies including Western Union, MoneyGram, IME, Siddhartha, Prabhu, Easy Link, Himal, City, BOOM, Prithivi, and Sewa for diaspora remittances.
• SWIFT Transfer International fund transfer service using SWIFT code ADBLNPKA for secure transfers from any country worldwide to Nepal, with funds collectible from any ADBL branch.
• Indo-Nepal Remit (Axis Bank) Cross-border remittance service via Axis Bank branches in India enabling money transfers to any Agricultural Development Bank branch in Nepal.
• Letter of Credit Trade finance instrument available as Sight LC or Usance LC for import/export transactions.
• Bank Guarantee Guarantee services including bid bond, performance bond, advance payment guarantee, and custody guarantee for commercial and government contracting.
• General Fixed Deposit Traditional fixed deposit with minimum NPR 10,000, tenure 3 months to 5 years, quarterly interest payout, and loan facility up to 90% of deposit.
• Remittance Bachat Khata Savings account for Nepali citizens working abroad and family members, accepting only remittance funds with NPR 500 minimum balance, attractive interest rates, and value-added services.
• General Savings Account Basic savings account for general public with straightforward terms and essential banking services.
• Current Account Non-interest bearing account with unlimited deposits and withdrawals for corporate houses, traders, SMEs, NGOs, and individuals.
• Sambridhi Bachat Khata High-value savings account designed for individual depositors, ensuring safety and security of savings with maximum returns and attractive interest rates.
• Chetanshil Nari Bachat Khata Savings account for women and female customers providing attractive interest rates, free cheque book, VISA debit card, and discounts on locker charges.
• Wholesale Lending Wholesale lending to development banks (up to NPR 5 crores), financial institutions (up to NPR 1 crore), and cooperatives for on-lending purposes.
• Hydropower and Alternative Energy Loan Working capital up to 80% and fixed capital up to 70% for hydropower and renewable energy projects with tenure up to 20 years.
• Industry Loan Industrial financing with working capital up to 80% and fixed capital up to 70% for manufacturing and processing industries.
• ADBL Demat Account Dematerialization account for electronic share management, eliminating risks of lost, torn, or damaged physical share certificates.
• ASBA (Application Supported by Blocked Amount) Application Supported by Blocked Amount service for IPO/FPO share purchases through ADBL.
• Forex Transaction Service Currency exchange services for purchasing, selling, and exchanging various foreign currencies specified by Nepal Rastra Bank.
• RTGS Service Real-time gross settlement service enabling instant money transfers to accounts at any commercial bank in Nepal.
• SMS Banking Service Text-based banking facility sending transaction alerts and enabling banking commands via SMS to 32425.
• Margin Lending Facility Share-backed loan up to 70% for ordinary and 50% for promoter shares with minimum NPR 5 lakh.
• Women Entrepreneurship Loan Subsidized loan up to NPR 15 lakhs for women entrepreneurs with group lending option for 5+ members.

Quantifiable outcome

• ATM services at 129 locations and growing
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration19 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerADBL provides VITA (Value Chains for Inclusive Transformation of Agriculture) loans through funding assistance from IFAD, facilitated by the Government of Nepal through the Ministry of Finance. Loan disbursement is facilitated through branches under Madhesh Province, Bagmati Province, Lumbini Province, and Karnali Province.
• VisacoreTechnology or IntegrationVisa Direct service enabling global money transfers to and from over 180 countries using 16-digit Visa card numbers. Also includes Visa Debit Card and Credit Card services.
• Western UnionmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational remittance agency partner enabling money transfer collection from locations worldwide through ADBL branches across Nepal.
• MoneyGrammajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational remittance agency partner for money transfer collection through ADBL's nationwide branch network.
• IME (International Money Express)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRemittance agency partner enabling Nepali diaspora to send money to Nepal through ADBL branches.
• Siddhartha Financial InstitutionmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRemittance agency partner (Siddhartha) for money transfer services through ADBL branches.
• Prabhu Money TransfermajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRemittance agency partner for international money transfer collection.
• Easy Link, Himal, City, BOOM, Prithivi, SewaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdditional remittance agency partners for money transfer services.
• Axis Bank (India)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndo-Nepal Remit service allows sending money from Axis Bank branches in India to any Agricultural Development Bank branch in Nepal.
• Connect IPS / Nepal Bankers AssociationcoreTechnology or IntegrationInterbank payment system enabling fund transfers between different banks and financial institutions. Connect IPS supports transfers up to NPR 20 lakh per day.
• SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication)coreTechnology or IntegrationSWIFT code ADBLNPKA enables secure international fund transfers from any country worldwide to Nepal, with funds collectible from any ADBL branch.
• Corporate Pay PlatformcoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment system developed for institutional customers to transfer funds securely 24/7 with 2-Factor Authentication and Maker-Checker controls.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Nabil Bank: Nabil Bank is one of Nepal's largest private commercial banks offering comprehensive retail, corporate, and digital banking services. It competes directly with ADBL for deposits, corporate lending, and government payroll mandates, and is widely regarded as a leading technology-forward bank in Nepal.
• Nepal Investment Mega Bank (NIMB): Formed via merger of Nepal Investment Bank and Mega Bank, NIMB is a top-tier Nepalese commercial bank with full-service retail, SME, and corporate banking. It is a direct peer to ADBL in commercial deposit-taking, trade finance, and government-related lending.
• NIC Asia Bank: NIC Asia Bank is a leading Nepalese commercial bank providing retail, corporate, SME, and remittance services across a national branch network. It directly competes with ADBL on consumer deposits, home/auto lending, and digital banking channels.
• Himalayan Bank: Himalayan Bank is a major Nepalese commercial bank offering retail, corporate, and trade finance services with a national branch footprint. It is a comparable full-service bank competing against ADBL for deposit mobilization, corporate accounts, and remittance flows.
• Kumari Bank: Kumari Bank is a Nepalese class A commercial bank providing deposits, consumer loans, SME lending, and digital banking products. It is comparable to ADBL in product breadth and customer segments, particularly in retail banking and remittance services.
• Citizens Bank International: Citizens Bank International is a Nepalese commercial bank offering retail, corporate, and trade finance services with a national branch presence. It competes directly with ADBL for SMEs, corporate accounts, and consumer lending across Nepal.
• NMB Bank Nepal: NMB Bank is a Nepalese commercial bank offering retail, SME, and corporate banking with a strong focus on microfinance and rural lending. It overlaps with ADBL in agricultural and rural financial inclusion segments and competes for government and institutional deposit mandates.
• Sanima Bank: Sanima Bank is a Nepalese commercial bank providing retail deposits, consumer loans, and corporate banking services. It is comparable to ADBL in product offerings, customer segments, and branch-based distribution across Nepal.
• Prime Commercial Bank: Prime Commercial Bank is a Nepalese commercial bank offering a full suite of retail, corporate, and digital banking products. It competes directly with ADBL for deposit customers, loan clients, and government payroll mandates across urban and semi-urban markets.
• Everest Bank: Everest Bank is a Nepalese class A commercial bank offering retail, corporate, and trade finance services. It is comparable to ADBL in regulatory status, branch network, and traditional full-service banking offerings across Nepal.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/agricultural-development-bank-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Agricultural Development Bank