KCB Group posts Ksh. 68.4bn net profit in 2025, up 11% year-on-year

KCB Group has reported a net profit of KSh. 68.4 billion ($529 million) for the full year ended 31 December 2025, marking an 11% rise from the Ksh. 61.8 billion($478 million) recorded in the same period a year earlier, as the East African banking giant demonstrated resilience despite a major divestiture during the year.

Total revenues climbed to Ksh. 214 billion, up from Ksh. 204 billion in 2024, buoyed by strong net interest income and a growing contribution from Non-Funded Income (NFI), which now accounts for 31% of the Group’s total revenue.

The bank’s sustained investment in digital banking infrastructure is widely credited with driving this more diversified income mix, enabling greater earnings from transaction fees and commissions beyond traditional lending.

Total assets grew 9.3% to close the year at Ksh. 2.15 trillion — a notable achievement given that KCB completed the divestiture of the National Bank of Kenya (NBK) during the period. Customer loans expanded by 15% to Ksh. 1.59 trillion, matched by a corresponding 15% rise in customer deposits to the same figure, reflecting continued regional confidence in the KCB brand.

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Perhaps the most closely watched figure in the results was asset quality. The Non-Performing Loans (NPL) ratio fell to 16.9%, down from 19.2% in 2024, as the Group pursued aggressive debt recoveries, proactive loan restructuring with distressed borrowers, and the removal of legacy NPLs tied to the NBK hive-out. The gross NPL stock declined from Ksh. 225.7 billion to Ksh. 211.8 billion.

The Group’s capital and liquidity positions remain well above regulatory thresholds. Core capital to risk-weighted assets stood at 18.4%, against a minimum requirement of 10.5%, while the liquidity ratio reached 50.8% — more than double the statutory 20% floor. Return on Equity came in at 22.5% and Return on Assets at 3.3%.

The Board has proposed a final dividend of Ksh. 3.00 per share. Combined with the Ksh. 4.00 interim dividend paid in November 2025, total dividends for the year amount to Ksh. 7.00 per share, translating to a total shareholder payout of Ksh. 22 billion — a figure expected to draw a warm reception at the Group’s upcoming Annual General Meeting.