KCB Group Q3 Profit Hits KSh47.3bn as Assets Surge Past KSh2 Trillion

KCB Group Q3 Profit Hits KSh47.3bn as Assets Surge Past KSh2 Trillion

KCB Group Chairman Dr. Joseph Kinyua (left) and Chief Executive Officer Paul Russo (centre) during the release of the Group’s profit report, which confirmed assets surpassing the KSh2 trillion mark, in Nairobi.

By Jeff Oyugi 

Nairobi - November 19, 2025

KCB Group Plc has reported a profit after tax of KSh47.3 billion for the nine months ending September 2025, buoyed by higher income across its business lines and tight cost management. The strong performance came as the lender’s balance sheet expanded by 2.6% to KSh2.04 trillion, despite the sale of National Bank of Kenya (NBK) in May. On a like-for-like basis, the Group’s assets grew by 10.9%, underscoring its ability to support customers across its seven operating markets.

Financial statements released on Wednesday show that KCB’s gross loans and advances rose 7% to KSh1.24 trillion. The lender attributed this growth to deliberate investment in key sectors of the economy, including building and construction, agriculture, manufacturing, energy and water.

Subsidiaries outside Kenya remained key earnings drivers, contributing 35% to the Group’s profit before tax and accounting for 31.3% of the consolidated balance sheet. KCB’s non-banking units also posted strong results, with KCB Bancassurance Intermediary recording a 16% rise in PBT to KSh833 million, KCB Investment Bank registering a 90% jump to KSh230 million, and KCB Asset Management delivering 71% growth to KSh118 million.

Group Chief Executive Officer Paul Russo said the performance reflects resilience amid economic pressures across the region.

“Despite a tough operating environment in all our markets, we have delivered a strong performance showing the resilience of the Group. We continue to execute our strategy anchored on 'Transforming Today Together’and build an agile business that transforms the lives of our customers while delivering value to shareholders,” said Mr. Russo.

Total revenue increased by 4.5% to KSh149.4 billion, driven by a 12.4% growth in net interest income to KSh104.3 billion. Non-interest income closed at KSh45.1 billion, supported by the Group’s digital channels despite pressure from reduced foreign exchange earnings and lower fees from Trust Merchant Bank (TMB) following branch closures in Eastern DRC. The rollout of a new mobile banking app this year helped sustain digital transactions, with non-funded income contributing 30.2% of total revenue.

Operating costs rose marginally by 2%, below prevailing inflation levels, helping cut the cost-to-income ratio to 46.2% from 47.4% last year. Deposits remained stable across all markets, closing the period at KSh1.52 trillion.

The Group’s asset quality improved slightly, with the non-performing loan ratio easing to 17.8% from 18.5%, supported by recovery efforts and the NBK sale. KCB also maintained strong capital buffers across its subsidiaries, with core capital to risk-weighted assets at 17% against a 10.5% regulatory minimum. Total capital ratio stood at 19.6%, while liquidity was firm at 46.7%.

Shareholder returns remained solid, with Return on Equity at 21.6% and Return on Assets at 3.1%. Equity attributable to KCB shareholders rose to KSh308.5 billion.

Group Chairman Dr. Joseph Kinyua said the lender remains on track for a strong full-year performance.

“We are optimistic that we will close the year strong. The Group is well positioned to navigate the impacts in the operating environment to deliver the best outcome for all our stakeholders,” said Dr. Kinyua.

On November 11, the Group paid a dividend of KSh4.00 per share, amounting to KSh13 billion, on november 3, KCB announced plans to acquire a minority stake in Pesapal Limited, a fintech expected to accelerate digital payments and commerce across Africa, pending regulatory approvals and in october, KCB Bank Kenya partnered with the Kenya Investment Authority (Invest Kenya) to support foreign investors expanding operations in the country.

The Group released its latest sustainability report highlighting KSh578.3 billion in loans assessed for environmental and social risks and KSh53.2 billion disbursed as green loans, raising its green portfolio to 21.3% from 15% in 2023.

In September, KCB and Afreximbank signed a deal to provide a combined US$800 million in financing and trade facilitation for investors in the Vipingo Special Economic Zone, the sale of NBK to Access Bank was completed on May 30, 2025.

KCB continued supporting community initiatives and received multiple global accolades, including recognition by the Financial Times as one of Africa’s fastest-growing companies.

Established in 1896, KCB Group is East Africa’s largest commercial bank, headquartered in Nairobi with operations in Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Group also owns various non-banking subsidiaries and runs the region’s most extensive branch and agent network, complemented by mobile and internet banking as well as over 200 correspondent bank relationships worldwide.