Kathmandu-Commercial banking sector posted a strong profit growth in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year 2025/26.

According to the latest financial data from Nepal Rastra Bank, the country's 20 commercial banks earned a combined net profit of Rs 64.56 billion by mid June, up 19.62 percent from Rs 53.97 billion recorded during the same period a year earlier.

Among the 20 banks, 14 increased their profits while six reported declines. Although the sector's overall profitability improved, performance varied significantly across individual banks.

Nabil Bank remained the country's most profitable commercial bank. It posted a net profit of Rs 8.49 billion by mid June, up 32.52 percent from Rs 6.41 billion a year ago.

Global IME Bank ranked second with a net profit of Rs 5.98 billion, although its profit slipped 0.96 percent from the previous year.

Kumari Bank recorded the highest profit growth among all commercial banks. Its net profit surged to Rs 4.71 billion from Rs 371.1 million a year earlier, marking a 1,168.44 percent increase. The growth lifted Kumari Bank to third place in terms of profit.

Nepal Investment Mega Bank earned Rs 4.49 billion in net profit, placing fourth among commercial banks. However, its profit fell 21.04 percent from a year ago.

Everest Bank reported a net profit of Rs 4.12 billion, ranking fifth, despite a 2.77 percent decline in earnings.

Prime Commercial Bank posted a net profit of Rs 3.75 billion, followed by Rastriya Banijya Bank with Rs 3.72 billion, NMB Bank with Rs 3.63 billion, Nepal Bank with Rs 3.33 billion and Sanima Bank with Rs 3.12 billion.

Rastriya Banijya Bank's profit jumped 68.82 percent, while Sanima Bank recorded a 44.84 percent increase.

Laxmi Sunrise Bank earned Rs 2.89 billion in net profit, Siddhartha Bank Rs 2.80 billion, Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Rs 2.62 billion and Machhapuchchhre Bank Rs 2.18 billion. Machhapuchchhre Bank's profit rose 44.25 percent from a year earlier.

Agricultural Development Bank posted a net profit of Rs 1.96 billion, Nepal SBI Bank Rs 1.84 billion, Citizens Bank International Rs 1.75 billion and Prabhu Bank Rs 1.50 billion.

Some major banks, however, reported weaker earnings.

NIC Asia Bank recorded the sharpest decline in profitability. Its net profit fell 38.81 percent to Rs 507.7 million from Rs 829.7 million a year earlier.

Prabhu Bank's profit dropped 34.91 percent. Nepal Investment Mega Bank, Everest Bank and Global IME Bank also reported declines.

Himalayan Bank increased its net profit by 28.59 percent to Rs 1.16 billion. Despite the growth, it ranked second from the bottom in terms of profit size, while NIC Asia Bank posted the lowest net profit among the country's commercial banks.