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This digital evolution ensures that I&M Bank clients are not merely observers of market volatility, but active participants equipped to capture value at the exact moment it arises.
Regulator Approves KCB’s US$15mn Acquisition of Riverbank
The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) has approved KCB Group’s acquisition of a 75% stake in Riverbank Solutions, a payments technology company.Why Afreximbank Ended its Relationship with Fitch Ratings
Afreximbank terminated its credit rating relationship with Fitch Ratings saying the global ratings agency does not understand its structure.
Nigerian Banking Group Zenith Bank Inches Closer to Acquiring Paramount Bank
Zenith Bank has secured Competition Authority of Kenya approval to acquire 100% of Paramount Bank, removing the competition hurdle to its entry into Kenya. CAK found the deal would not alter market concentration, noting Paramount’s small market share and Zenith’s lack of prior Kenyan operations. The approval is subject to staff retention conditions, with Central Bank of Kenya clearance now the final step.
Cash in Circulation Rises to KSh 357Bn as Bank Withdrawals Outpace Deposits
Kenya’s currency in circulation rose 7.0 percent to KSh 357.02 billion in the year to June 2025, up KSh 23.2 billion, after net withdrawals from the Central Bank of Kenya reached KSh 23.23 billion. Banknotes grew 7.1 percent to KSh 345.64 billion, while coins rose 3.2 percent to KSh 11.38 billion. Currency inflows fell 7.8 percent to KSh 476.32 billion and outflows declined 6.6 percent to KSh 499.56 billion, indicating slower cash recycling.Kariuki Ngari Set to Retire as StanChart CEO, Birju Sanghrajka to Take Over
Standard Chartered Bank Kenya has appointed Birju Sanghrajka as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, subject to approvals, ahead of the retirement of Kariuki Ngari in April 2026. Ngari exits after a 24-year career at the group, having led the Kenyan unit since 2019 and also held an Africa regional chief executive role. During his tenure, profit more than doubled, dividends rose sharply, and the bank shifted toward higher-quality earnings and digital-led growth at Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limited.South Africa's Nedbank Moves to Acquire Majority Stake in NCBA
Nedbank has moved to acquire a 66% controlling stake in NCBA through a partial tender offer, securing binding commitments covering 71.2% of the bank’s shares. The deal values NCBA at about 1.4x book value and combines 80% Nedbank shares with 20% cash, while keeping 34% of NCBA listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close within six to nine months.Regulatory Uncertainty is Weighing on East Africa's Banks
Banks across East Africa are growing increasingly uneasy about policy and regulatory uncertainty, with more than two-thirds warning that unpredictable rule changes are becoming a material riskKenya Bans Use of Tea Farmers’ Funds as Loan Collateral
Kenya has banned the use of tea farmers’ funds as collateral for bank loans, tightening government oversight of the ailing tea sector to shield smallholders from financial abuseHustler Fund, Credit Guarantees Face Repayment Test as Treasury Scales MSME Lending
The government’s plan to expand the Hustler Fund to KSh100 billion and unlock KSh50 billion in commercial bank lending through the Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) has brought renewed focus on the sustainability of state-backed MSME financingEquity Bank Faces Litigation Threat as South Sudan Cash Runs Dry
Equity Bank’s Juba branch is facing a formal legal threat over its inability to release cash to a customer, a dispute that exemplifies South Sudan’s deepening liquidity crisisWhy the Global Payments Race Is Pushing Banks Toward PayTech Acquisitions
Banks are increasingly acquiring payment technology firms as competition intensifies for control of payments infrastructure, customer data, and low-cost liquidity.
