KCB Group closed the first half of 2025 with a Sh32.3 billion profit after tax, up from Sh29.9 billion in the same period last year, marking an 8 per cent improvement.
The Group’s regional subsidiaries delivered 33.4 per cent of the regional financial institution’s pre-tax profit and accounted for 31.4 per cent of total assets.
Non-banking arms, KCB Investment Bank, KCB Asset Management, and KCB Bancassurance Intermediary Limited, contributed 2.1 per cent of profit before tax, up from 1.8 per cent last year.
The Group’s assets were valued at Sh1.97 trillion, unchanged despite the sale of National Bank of Kenya (NBK) in the second quarter of this financial year.
Loans stood at Sh1.18 trillion, a 2.8 per cent increase, or 12 per cent improvement if they exclude the impact of the sale of NBK.
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Customer deposits were at Sh1.48 trillion, supported by mobilisation across subsidiaries and offset by Uganda’s shift to its own Government-to-Government oil importation scheme.
The Group’s revenue went up by 4.3 per cent, with net interest income rising to Sh69.1 billion from Sh61.3 billion on higher lending volumes and improved yields.
Non-funded income grew to Sh29.5 billion, making up 29.9 per cent of the Group’s revenue.
KCB Group revealed that 99 per cent of its customer transactions were conducted through its digital platforms.
Operating expenses rose 2.4 per cent to Sh45.4 billion, keeping the cost-to-income ratio at 46.0 per cent.
Provisions for bad loans realized an upsurge, with non-performing loans at Sh221.1 billion, accounting for 18.7 per cent of the loan book, down from 19.2 per cent in December 2024.
The Group’s capital and liquidity remained above statutory requirements, with core capital at 17.0 per cent, total capital at 19.7 per cent, and liquidity at 47.2 per cent.
Return on equity was 22.2 per cent, return on assets 3.3 per cent, and shareholder equity rose 27.3 per cent to Sh306.8 billion.
Group Chief Executive Officer Paul Russo indicated that the business had held firm despite the economic pressure being witnesses in key markets in the region in which it operates.
“The business across markets remains resilient despite the tough operating environment in key markets like Kenya. Despite this, we have placed our customers at the fore, to ensure we meet their needs in a timely manner,” Russo stated.
Group Chairman Dr Joseph Kinyua said the results reflected KCB Group’s ability to deliver value for its shareholders while pursuing growth.
"Noting that we are operating in a regional environment that is prone to growing uncertainties and evolving dynamics, we continue to leverage our Group strengths and capabilities to deliver on our strategic goals," Kinyua remarked.
He added: "We have set ambitious growth goals under our strategy to transform communities and deliver returns for our shareholders by putting People and Planet first, while pursuing business growth.”
Similarly, the board has proposed an interim dividend of Sh2.00 per share and an additional Sh2.00 special dividend from the sale of the National Bank of Kenya, bringing the total payout to Sh13 billion, the largest interim and first special dividend in the lender’s history.
"The strong half year performance and the projected trajectory of the business has allowed us a great bandwidth to propose a historic special and interim dividend to shareholders," Kinyua concluded.
