Kenya’s tier-1 banks delivered mixed results in their FY 2025 earnings, with some posting positive profits and others posting losses.
While a few banks posted record profits on the back of rising interest income and cost control, others saw earnings weaken, reflecting challenges from narrowing margins and one-off charges.
This divergence in performance underscores differences in strategy and operating environments among tier-1 banks.
Kenyan Tier 1 banks’ Post Profits and Losses
Equity Group Holdings stood out as the most profitable lender in the sector for the 2025 financial year.
The bank posted a Profit After Tax (PAT) of KSh 75.5 billion, an increase of 55 percent from 2024.
This performance cemented Equity’s position as a regional profit leader, driven by higher net interest income, diversified fee‑based revenue, and improved efficiency.
Similarly, KCB Group reported a profit after tax of KSh 68.35 billion, up around 10 percent for 2025.
Also Read: Equity and KCB Banks Eye Ethiopia Market Following Strong Performance
According to the KCB, the bank’s increased earnings were influenced by lower funding costs and improved net interest margin.
It also recorded the highest profit in the bank’s history, supported by strong underlying balance-sheet growth.
Co‑operative Bank of Kenya reported a profit after tax of about 16.9% to KSh 29.75 billion.
NCBA Group recorded a 7 percent year‑on‑year increase in profit to KSh 23.4 billion, with the bank also raising dividends as it maintained a steady performance in a challenging macroeconomic environment.
Absa Bank Kenya delivered another positive result with its profit after tax increasing by roughly 10 percent to KSh 22.9 billion, according to corporate disclosures reported on financial forums.
In the tier 1 banks, Standard Chartered Bank recorded a 38 % decline in profit, with PAT falling to KSh 12.4 billion
| Bank | Profit After Tax (2025) | Year‑on‑Year Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Group Holdings | KSh 75.5 B | +55 % |
| KCB Group | KSh 68.35 B | +10.6 % |
| Co‑operative Bank of Kenya | KSh 29.75 B | +16.9 % |
| Absa Bank Kenya | KSh 22.9 B | +9.7 % |
| Stanbic Holdings | KSh 13.72 B | Flat/minimal change |
| Standard Chartered Bank Kenya | KSh 12.4 B | −38 % |
| NCBA Group | KSh 23.4 B | +7 % |
Banks Set to Distribute Record Dividends in FY 2025
Kenya’s leading tier-1 banks are set to return KSh 111.3 billion to shareholders for FY 2025, marking a 30.3 % increase from KSh 85.4 billion paid out in the previous year.
The dividend payout represents 40.4 % of combined profits, reflecting both strong earnings and healthy capital positions across the sector.
Also Read: National Bank Records 125% Profit Jump in FY 2025
KCB Group leads the dividend charts with a record KSh 22.49 billion, a massive 133 percent increase from FY 2024.
Equity Group follows closely, with KSh 21.70 billion, up 35.3%, while Co-operative Bank of Kenya will pay KSh 14.67 billion, a 66.7% increase over the prior year.
NCBA and Absa Bank Kenya will return KSh 11.70 billion and KSh 11.13 billion, respectively, representing 29.1 % and 17.1 % growth in dividends.
Standard Chartered Bank Kenya, in contrast, reported a 31.1 percent drop in dividends to KSh 11.71 billion, mirroring the significant reduction in profits and underscoring the different performance dynamics across tier-1 banks for the year.
| Bank | Profit After Tax (KSh, 2025) | YoY Profit Growth | Dividend (KSh, 2025) | YoY Dividend Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KCB Group | 68.35 B | +10.6 % | 22.49 B | +133.3 % |
| Equity Group Holdings | 75.5 B | +55 % | 21.70 B | +35.3 % |
| Co‑operative Bank | 29.75 B | +16.9 % | 14.67 B | +66.7 % |
| NCBA Group | 23.4 B | +7 % | 11.70 B | +29.1 % |
| Absa Bank Kenya | 22.9 B | +10 % | 11.13 B | +17.1 % |
| Standard Chartered Bank Kenya | 12.4 B | −38 % | 11.71 B | −31.1 % |
| Stanbic Holdings | 13.72 B | Flat | 8.83 B | +7.8 % |
| I&M Group | 4.50 B | — | 6.53 B | +25 % |
| DTB Kenya | 3.00 B | — | 2.52 B | +28.6 % |
| Combined Total | 111.3 B |
+30.3 % |
Equity and KCB Expansions to Ethiopia
Equity Bank has been preparing for Ethiopia for several years. In 2019, the bank received a license to operate and set up a Commercial Representative Office in Addis Ababa. Hassan Maalim was appointed as Head of the office, bringing extensive experience from his time at Equity since 2005.
The establishment of a local office in Addis Ababa was intended to understand the market, build relationships with regulators, and lay the groundwork for full commercial operations.
Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) is also targeting entry into Ethiopia’s market before the end of 2026 through the acquisition of a stake in a local bank.
