The Central Bank of Afghanistan has cancelled the operating license of the only Iranian Bank which was operating in Afghanistan.

The Arian Bank started its operations under a joint venture between Bank Melli of Afghanistan Iran’s Sedarat Bank in 2004.

However, officials in Central Bank of Afghanistan have said that the operating license of Arian Bank was cancelled since the bank was not respecting the laws and regulations of the government.The Central Bank officials are saying that Arian Bank was operating in defiance to the orders and instructions of the Central Bank of Afghanistan besides having no contribution to the economic development of the country.(20190519)

Afghan money traders said they were told this month (August 2012)  by American officials to not conduct business with Arian Bank, an Afghan bank owned by a pair of Iranian banks.(20120821)

Arian bank is established in Afghanistan with the patronage of two major Iranian banks, Bank Melli and Bank Saderat Iran. Arian Bank (“the Bank”) is a limited liability company incorporated in Afghanistan. The Bank is registered with Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA) on June 25, 2004 and received commercial banking license from the Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) on December 04, 2004. The Bank is a 50:50 Joint venture between Bank Saderat Iran (BSI) and Bank Melli Iran (BMI). The Bank is primary engaged in commercial banking services in Afghanistan.