Kathmandu. With the expansion of access of banks and financial institutions in Lumbini Province, banking transactions have also increased significantly. The number of branches of A, B, C, and ‘D’ class banks and financial institutions has reached 2,148 in 12 districts of the province.

There are 746 ‘A’ class branches, 254 ‘B’ class branches, 47 ‘C’ class and 1,101 ‘D’ class branches in the province in the state. Rupandehi district has the highest number of branches at 525 while Rukum East has the lowest at 19.

The use of digital banking services is also increasing in the state. A total of 46,89,659 mobile banking services and 3,58,503 internet banking services have been registered as of mid-January 2082. In addition, 157 branchless banking services of commercial banks are in operation.

Rupandehi district has the highest share of mobile banking users at 32.16 percent while Rukum East has the lowest at 0.42 percent. Similarly, Rupandehi has the highest share of internet banking services at 44.87 percent while Rukum East has the lowest share of 0.12 percent. Gulmi district has the highest number of branchless banking services at 42.

The total deposit collected from the province has reached Rs 713.57 billion till mid-January 2082. Rupandehi district has the highest share of total deposits at 41.86 percent while Rukum East has the lowest deposit at 0.39 percent. The total deposit of the province has increased by 21.43 percent compared to the same period last year.

Similarly, the total loan disbursed by banks and financial institutions reached Rs 589.71 billion. It had grown by 2.72 percent compared to the same period last year. The loan-deposit ratio of the province stands at 82.64 per cent.

Rupandehi district has the highest share of total loans at 50.47 percent while Rukum East has the lowest at 0.23 percent. Banke has the highest credit-deposit ratio at 127.86 per cent while Arghakhanchi has the lowest at 13.60 per cent.

The number of loan accounts of banks and financial institutions has also increased by 2.56 percent in the review period. The loan to the poor in the province has reached Rs 30.63 billion, which is 5.19 percent of the total loan. Similarly, the concessional loan has reached Rs 7.17 billion, which is 1.21 percent of the total loan.