𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵IPS
𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵IPS

Citizens Bank International becomes the first bank to enable NEPALPAY through NCHL-EFT Card Services

By
0

 (11th February 2026)

 Kathmandu, – Citizens Bank International Limited has signed agreement with Nepal Clearing House Limited (NCHL) to enable payment processing of NEPALPAY Card through EFT Card Switch and Services being operated by NCHL. The agreement was signed and exchanged between Mr. Ganesh Raj Pokharel, Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Bank and Mr. Neelesh Man Singh Pradhan, Chief Executive Officer of NCHL. This makes Citizen Bank the first EFT member bank to be officially onboarded within EFT for acquiring and issuing of NEPALPAY Cards.

With this agreement, Citizens Bank will be able to issue and accept NEPALPAY Cards for its customers, as NCHL’s EFT switch is already integrated with National Card Switch (NPS-NCS). In the first phase, Bank shall be initiating acquiring of NEPALPAY Card by activating its 168 ATMs and 491 POS, followed by issuing of such cards to its account holders.

NCHL has recently executed the commercial rollout of NEPALPAY Card as national card scheme through National Payment Switch (NPS) that works within Nepal and is globally acceptance through its collaboration with international Discover® Network. The NEPALPAY card, under the NPS, allows the participating banks & financial institutions, payment service providers (PSPs), and payment system operators (PSOs) to issue NEPALPAY Cards that are accepted at POS and ATM terminals across Nepal and globally. It also allows the international Discover cards to be accepted in Nepal.

NCHL’s EFT service is currently used by 10 member BFIs for processing of various international card schemes and with recent integration of EFT with NPS, it has been possible to process NEPALPAY Card also. Other member BFIs of EFT are also preparing for the acquiring and issuance of NEPALPAY card. NEPALPAY has already been subscribed by over 34 BFIs, which are currently at various stages of rollout.

Catering to over 1.8 million customers, Citizens Bank International is among one of the leading commercial banks in Nepal. In recent times, the bank has been aggressive in driving digital transformation within the bank and for its services delivers to the customers. The bank has total of 197 branches, 3 extension counters, 74 branchless banking, 162 ATM terminals. Currently the bank has more than 4 lakh cardholder customers.