The Central Bank of Kenya controls Kenyan banks to stabilize prices by establishing a monetary policy. As more players continue enrolling in the banking sector, new evolutions in the industry emerge.
When you think of opening a bank account, saving, or borrowing money, the idea of an efficient bank crosses your mind. No one wants to do business with an unreliable financial institution.
Before choosing the best bank to work with, consider factors such as accessibility, banking systems used, and the customer services offered. Does the bank offer online, mobile, and USSD money transfers?
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The Best Banks in Kenya for Loans & Savings
| Rank | Bank | Products (Some) | Paybill Number | Asset Worth(2026) |
| 1 | KCB Group | Loans, Mortgages, Investments | 522522 | KES 2.25 trillion |
| 2 | Equity Group | Loans & savings, Retail banking, Microfinance | 247247 | KES 2.04 trillion |
| 3 | Co-operative Bank Group | Debit cards, Loans, Checking account | 400200 | KES 884.6 billion |
| 4 | NCBA Group | Transaction accounts, Debit and credit cards, Investment | 880100 | KES 716 billion |
| 5 | I&M Group | Insurance products, Asset finance, Custody & investment | 542542 | KES 669 billion |
| 6 | Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) Group | Insurance, Saving & deposit accounts, Asset finance | 516600 | KES 659.1 billion |
| 7 | Stanbic Holdings | Private banking, Asset management, Credit cards | 600100 | KES 541.3 billion |
| 8 | ABSA Bank Kenya | Loans, Savings, Investments | 303030 | KES 537.6 billion |
| 9 | Standard Chartered Bank Kenya | Transaction accounts, Credit cards, Savings | 329329 | KES 413.3 billion |
| 10 | Family Bank | Loans, Savings, Digital banking, SME banking | 222111 | KES 230.3 billion |
List of the Top Commercial Banks in Kenya
1. Kenya Commercial Bank
KCB is the largest bank in Kenya by assets, with a group asset base of KES 2.0 trillion as of FY2025. It also owns the widest banking network in the country, with over 500 branches across the region.
The KCB mobile app is a digital, easy-to-use, and convenient application. You can install the app and use it 24/7. The app allows customers access to the account, save money, withdraw cash and even borrow. Customers can also track credit and prepaid cards through the app.
2. Equity Bank
This financial institution is a licensed commercial bank by CBK. It is one of the biggest banks in Kenya. The bank has an extensive network of over 212 branches across Kenya.
Equity Bank ranked as the most attractive bank in Kenya in Cytonn’s FY2025 Banking Sector Report. The bank did its rebranding in recent years and now operates under Equity Group Holdings.
Equity bank is renowned for the launching of Equitel and Eazzy Banking App. Customers can now access transaction accounts, credit & debit cards, loans, and savings easily. Shopping has also been made simple through Equity Visa Card.
3. Cooperative Bank
Cooperative Bank is one of the best banks to open a business account with. Through the MCO-OP Cash, you can carry out a variety of transactions using the phone. Not only is loan application through the app trouble-free, but also sending money to other mobile services and paying bills is also simple.
The bank gives a business person a reason to smile through their small business facilities. They have several banking halls and ATMs across the country.
4. NCBA
The merger between NIC and CBA to form NCBA was completed in September 2019. It is a leading asset finance bank in Kenya. NCBA has a digital platform called Loop for simple banking at hand. Through the app, you can check your account balance, conduct real-time transfers to any bank in Kenya, pay utility bills and generate mini statements.
NCBA has a personal budget planner that helps manage money effectively through income and expense tracking.
You can have more than one bank account with different banks. A bank is a safe place to save, borrow, invest, get insurance, and many more for every Kenyan. Enjoy banking at your comfort using digital methods.
5.I & M Bank
It is one of the banks that execute personal banking sufficiently. Through the Insurance Premium Financing (IPF) facility, a customer can access general or life insurance even though not an I&M bank account holder.
The bank allows investment through a wealth management portfolio. No one under the sun would not want to have bread and butter in their golden age through investment. I&M young savers account nurtures saving habits among children.
6. Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) of Kenya
DTB Kenya began in 1945 and has grown rapidly, especially in East Africa. The bank has strong asset quality in the banking sector. The DTB 24/7 app is an easier way to access the bank online.
It has been at the forefront of the growth of East Africa’s economy by facilitating more people to come under financial inclusion. This has been achieved through serving individual consumers, middle-sized, small businesses and large corporations. DTB Kenya offers a full range of banking, investment, and asset management plans.
7. Stanbic Bank
Stanbic bank is a subsidiary of Standard Bank-South Africa. It is one of the best banks in Kenya in trade financing. The bank uses modern technology to provide services to customers. Commercial, retail and private banking, asset management, credit cards, and mortgages are some of the services that Stanbic offers.
8. ABSA
It was formerly known as Barclays Bank of Kenya. The bank has operated in Kenya for over 100 years. The financial institution fully changed to ABSA in February 2020. The bank facilitates internet banking, where you can access your accounts from the comfort of your home.
Their online loan service, Timiza, has gained popularity over the years. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020–2021, ABSA restructured loan payments by reducing monthly installments over a period of up to one year. This provided relief to many customers during that period.
9. Standard Chartered Bank
It is the oldest bank in Kenya, established in 1911. The bank offers transaction accounts, credit cards, and savings products, with total assets standing at KES 384.6 billion as of FY2025.
Employee banking is a convenient employer-employee service provided by Standard Chartered. The employer is allowed to process the employees’ salaries through the Straight2bank secured platform.
10. Family Bank
Family Bank is a fast-growing Kenyan bank that listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange in 2026. The bank has built a strong retail and SME banking franchise, with total assets reaching KES 230.30 billion as of Q1 2026.
Through the PesaPap mobile app, customers can access instant loans, transfer funds to mobile wallets and other accounts, pay bills, and purchase airtime. The bank also offers internet banking for self-service transactions, including mass payments and direct messaging.
Family Bank focuses on financial inclusion across retail, SME, and agribusiness segments, with a growing branch and agency network.
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