KCB Profit Hits KSh 68.4 Billion as Regional Growth Boosts Earnings

Last Updated on March 11, 2026 by courtnews reporter

KCB Profit Hits KSh 68.4 Billion as Regional Operations Strengthen Bank’s Growth

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | 4:26 PM

KCB Group Plc has announced improved financial results for the year ending December 2025 after posting strong growth in profits, lending, and customer deposits across East Africa.

The bank recorded a net profit of KSh 68.4 billion. This represents an increase of about 11 percent compared to the previous financial year. The results reflect stronger lending activity, rising customer deposits, and increased banking transactions across the group’s markets.

Total income also rose during the year. The group generated KSh 214 billion in revenue compared to KSh 204 billion recorded in the previous year. The increase came from interest earned on loans and growth in digital banking transactions.

The bank’s asset base also expanded. Total assets reached KSh 2.15 trillion, marking an increase of more than 9 percent compared to the previous year. Growth in lending and deposits contributed to the expansion of the balance sheet.

Customer lending remained a key driver of performance. The bank’s loan book grew by about 15 percent to reach KSh 1.59 trillion. The growth reflects increased borrowing by businesses and households across sectors such as trade, agriculture, and manufacturing.

Customer deposits also recorded strong growth. Deposits rose by about 15 percent to reach KSh 1.59 trillion. This increase signals continued trust from customers who rely on KCB for savings, business transactions, and financial services.

Regional operations continued to support the group’s growth. Subsidiaries outside Kenya contributed about 30 percent of the group’s profit before tax and accounted for a similar share of the balance sheet. KCB operates in several markets including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Non banking subsidiaries also contributed to the group’s performance. The bancassurance business reported profits of about KSh 1.14 billion while the investment banking unit recorded KSh 348 million. The asset management arm also generated profits of about KSh 160 million.

The bank also improved its cost management. Operating expenses declined by about 2.5 percent compared to the previous year. The cost to income ratio improved to about 42.5 percent from 45.4 percent recorded a year earlier. Lower operating costs helped strengthen the bank’s overall profitability.

Loan quality also showed improvement. The ratio of non performing loans declined to about 16.9 percent compared to 19.2 percent in the previous year. The total stock of bad loans also reduced to about KSh 211.8 billion from more than KSh 225 billion the year before.

The bank maintained strong capital and liquidity levels during the year. Core capital stood at about 18.4 percent while the total capital ratio reached about 22.1 percent. Liquidity levels remained strong at about 50.8 percent, well above regulatory minimum requirements.

Shareholders are expected to benefit from the improved performance. The board proposed a final dividend of KSh 3 per share after paying an interim dividend of KSh 4 per share earlier in the year. This brings the total dividend payout for the year to KSh 7 per share, translating to a total payout of about KSh 22 billion.

During the year the bank also expanded its strategic partnerships and digital services. The group secured a financing facility of about 150 million dollars from the African Development Bank to support trade finance and green investment projects across the region.

KCB also entered into an agreement to invest in payments technology company Pesapal as part of efforts to strengthen digital payments and expand financial services to businesses across Africa.

The bank also launched a new unified mobile banking application designed to provide payments, savings, and investment services in a single platform as part of its push to expand digital banking services.

KCB also continued its support for national sporting events. The bank committed KSh 227 million to sponsor the Safari Rally in Nakuru, marking the sixth consecutive year of sponsorship.

The bank says it expects economic activity across East Africa to remain stable despite global economic challenges. Its leadership says the group will continue expanding lending, strengthening digital banking services, and supporting business growth across the region.