KCB Group has announced a 20.8% increase in profit before tax for the first half of 2026, reaching KSh 49.3 billion compared to the same period last year. The banking giant attributed this growth to higher income and disciplined cost management.

Following the strong financial performance, the board declared an interim dividend of KSh 3.00 per share, a 50% increase from the KSh 2.00 per share paid in the corresponding period of 2025. The total dividend payout amounts to KSh 9.64 billion.

Financial Highlights

  • Total income rose by 9.5% to KSh 108.1 billion.
  • Non-funded income increased 15.4% to KSh 34.1 billion.
  • Funded income grew 7.0% to KSh 74.0 billion.
  • Total assets expanded 16.8% to KSh 2.3 trillion.
  • Customer deposits climbed 15.1% to KSh 1.7 trillion.
  • Gross loans increased by 14.2% to KSh 1.3 trillion.
  • Non-performing loans dropped by KSh 17.3 billion, improving the NPL ratio from 18.7% to 15.1%.
  • Return on equity stood at 21.1%.
  • Total equity attributable to shareholders rose 16.3% to KSh 357.0 billion.
  • Core Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio was 18.6%, surpassing the regulatory minimum of 10.5%.
  • Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio reached 21.6%, above the 14.5% threshold.

Strategic Initiatives and Recognition

KCB Group continued to advance strategic initiatives during the period. In April, it launched the "Pata Kwako" homeownership campaign, offering special mortgage products for SMEs, gig economy workers, and Kenya Defence Forces members at competitive interest rates.

KCB Bank Tanzania's Islamic bond issuance was oversubscribed by 302%, raising TZS 30.24 billion against a target of TZS 10 billion. The group also introduced a flat KSh 20 fee for PesaLink transfers and waived charges for transactions up to KSh 1,000.

Additionally, the group disclosed in its 2025 Sustainability Report that it had disbursed KSh 48.8 billion in green financing to support environmental projects.

KCB's strong performance earned it several accolades, including Kenya's Best Bank by Euromoney, Best Banking Group at the World Finance Banking Awards, and a place on Financial Times' Africa's Fastest Growing Companies 2026 list.

Leadership Comments

CEO Paul Russo highlighted the group's diversified business model and regional presence as key drivers behind the results. He emphasized the bank's commitment to supporting customers, accelerating digital transformation, and creating sustainable value.

Group Chairman Joseph Kinyua praised the governance and strategic discipline underpinning the performance, affirming the group's readiness to contribute to regional economic development.