Laxmi Bank is the 16th commercial bank in Nepal, founded in 2002. In 2004 Laxmi Bank merged with HISEF Finance Limited, a first-generation finance company. This is the first merger in Nepali corporate history.[2] In 2016, the Bank also acquired Professional Diyalo Bikas Bank, a regional development Bank. Laxmi Bank is a Category ‘A’ Financial Institution and re-registered in 2006 under the Banks and Financial Institutions Act of Nepal. The Bank’s shares are listed and actively traded in the Nepal Stock Exchange. The bank also promoted a life insurance company known as Prime Life Insurance in 2007[5] and holds 15% shareholding stake in it.