Kenyan commercial banks are required to meet an interim minimum core capital of Ksh 3 billion by the end of 2025, as set by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) following amendments to the Business Laws Act.
Core capital, also known as Tier 1 capital, consists mainly of shareholders’ equity and retained earnings and serves as a primary buffer against losses.
Potential Consequences
Banks failing to meet the CBK’s core capital requirement face regulatory and operational consequences designed to protect depositors and maintain financial stability.
This includes;
- Non-compliance risks CBK penalties, such as: Restrictions on operations
- Leadership changes
- Downgraded licenses
- In extreme cases, statutory management or closure (to protect depositors)
Kenyan Banks Still Below CBK’s KSh 3 Billion Core Capital Minimum
The following banks reported core capital below KSh 3 billion as of 31 Dec 2025
Also Read: Top Kenyan Banks Bow to Pressure, Change Loan Formula for Customers
- M-Oriental Commercial Bank Ltd: Dec 2024 = KSh 2,846 million; Sept 2025 = KSh 2,946 million
- African Banking Corporation Ltd: Dec 2024 = KSh 2,490 million; Sept 2025 = KSh 2,490 million
- Premier Bank Limited: Dec 2024 = KSh 2,300 million; Sept 2025 = KSh 2,300 million
- Commercial International Bank (CIB) Bank: Dec 2024 = KSh 2,294 million; Sept 2025 = KSh 2,294 million
- Middle East Bank of Kenya Ltd: Dec 2024 = KSh 1,228 million; Sept 2025 = KSh 1,228 million
- Development Bank of Kenya: Dec 2024 = KSh 1,024 million; Sept 2025 = KSh 1,024 million
- UBA Kenya Bank Ltd: Dec 2024 = KSh 926 million; Sept 2025 = KSh 926 million
- Access Bank PLC: Dec 2024 = KSh 152 million; Sept 2025 = KSh 766 million
- Consolidated Bank of Kenya: Dec 2024 = Not available; Sept 2025 = Not available
Banks Meeting the 2025 Core Capital Requirement
Also Read: CBK Unpacks the New Loan Pricing Model- What it Means for Kenyans and Banks
As of September 2025, the following banks reported core capital above the KSh 3 billion threshold:
- KCB Bank Kenya Ltd: KSh 163.6 billion
- Equity Bank Kenya Ltd: KSh 141.4 billion
- Co-operative Bank of Kenya: KSh 86.3 billion
- NCBA Bank Kenya PLC: KSh 78.0 billion
- Absa Bank Kenya PLC: KSh 72.0 billion
- Standard Bank Kenya Ltd: KSh 59.5 billion
- Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Ltd: KSh 57.0 billion
- Diamond Trust Bank Kenya Ltd: KSh 51.0 billion
- I&M Bank Ltd: KSh 51.0 billion
- Bank of Baroda (Kenya) Ltd: KSh 37.0 billion
- Prime Bank Ltd: KSh 31.0 billion
- Citibank N.A. Kenya: KSh 26.0 billion
- Family Bank Ltd: KSh 19.0 billion
- National Bank of Kenya Ltd: KSh 13.4 billion
- HFC Ltd: KSh 10.4 billion
- Gulf African Bank Ltd: KSh 9.0 billion
- Victoria Commercial Bank Ltd: KSh 6.5 billion
- Sidian Bank Ltd: KSh 6.5 billion
- Bank of India: KSh 5.5 billion
- DIB Bank Kenya Ltd: KSh 4.85 billion
- Kingdom Bank Ltd: KSh 4.25 billion
- Guardian Bank Ltd: KSh 3.8 billion
- Habib A.G Zurich: KSh 3.38 billion (June 2025)
- Paramount Bank Ltd: KSh 3.12 billion
These institutions complied with the CBK’s 2025 interim capital requirement.
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SBM Bank Kenya Limited is in neither group. In which group should t be?