10 Kenyan Banks Fail to Meet 2025 CBK’s KSh 3 Billion Core Capital Requirement; What It Means

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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