KATHMANDU, Feb. 13 -- Most commercial banks in Nepal have kept their interest rates unchanged for Falgun (mid-February to mid-March), with 18 out of 20 banks maintaining the same rates as last month. Only one bank raised its rates, while another lowered them.

The maximum interest rate on individual term deposits remains at 6.001 percent on average. However, Laxmi Sunrise Bank and Global IME Bank have reduced their rates by 0.25 percentage points.

Despite ample liquidity, loan demand remains low. The total deposits in banks have reached Rs 6.722 trllion, while credit investment stands at Rs 5.428 trllion. The credit-to-deposit (CD) ratio is at 79.44 percent, well below the 90 percent limit set by the central bank.

With excess liquidity ...