Out of the 19 commercial banks listed in the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE), seven have declared dividends from their profits for the fiscal year 2023/24. Standard Chartered Bank, Everest Bank, Nabil Bank, Global IME Bank, Sanima Bank, Prime Commercial Bank, and Citizens Bank International announced that they will distribute dividends to shareholders from last year’s profits.

Among these banks, Everest Bank and Citizens Bank have approved the dividends through their annual general meetings, with Everest Bank already disbursing cash dividends to shareholders’ accounts. Of the seven banks, only Standard Chartered Bank has increased its dividend rate this year, declaring a total dividend of 25.5 percent, which includes 6.5 percent bonus shares and a 19 percent cash dividend. Last year, the bank provided a 19 percent cash dividend. This increase is in stark contrast with the reduced dividend rates announced by all other banks.

Everest Bank has announced a 15.53 percent dividend, comprising 10 percent bonus shares and a 5.53 percent cash dividend from last year’s profit. Last year, it distributed a total dividend of 20.53 percent, with 10 percent bonus shares and a 10.53 percent cash dividend. The dividend has been approved by the annual general meeting.

Nabil Bank will distribute a 10 percent cash dividend from last year’s profit. However, the bank has not yet scheduled its annual general meeting. Last year, it provided an 11 percent cash dividend to shareholders.

Global IME Bank plans to distribute 5.5 percent bonus shares from last year’s profits. This bank has also not yet scheduled its annual general meeting. In the previous year, it distributed a total of 9 percent dividend, with 1 percent as bonus shares and 8 percent as a cash dividend.

Sanima Bank announced a 5.2632 percent cash dividend. It has scheduled its 20th Annual General Meeting on November 19 at Amrapali Banquet in Bhatbhateni to finalize this proposal. The bank has set November 10 as the book closure date for the meeting, and only shareholders as of that date will be eligible to participate and receive dividends. Last year, Sanima Bank distributed a total of 14.7 percent dividend, including 9 percent bonus shares and a 5.7 percent cash dividend.

Prime Commercial Bank has proposed a 5 percent cash dividend from last year’s profits, although the date of the annual general meeting is yet to be announced. The bank did not distribute any dividend last year.

Citizens Bank announced a total dividend of 4.21 percent dividend, with 4 percent in bonus shares and 0.21 percent as a cash dividend. This proposal was approved at the bank's annual general meeting. Last year, Citizens Bank distributed a 5.79 percent cash dividend from the previous year’s profits.