Equity Group posts highest half-year profit among major Kenyan banks

Kenya’s largest banks have reported billions of shillings in profits for the first half of 2026. Equity Group, KCB Group and Co-operative Bank posted strong earnings growth despite changes in interest income, credit costs and operating expenses.

Equity Group recorded the highest profit before tax among the lenders whose results have been released. It reported KSh57.8 billion for the six months ended June 2026, a 39 per cent increase from KSh41.5 billion in the same period last year.

KCB Group followed with a KSh49.32 billion profit before tax, representing a 20.8 per cent increase from the previous year. Co-operative Bank reported KSh23.1 billion in profit before tax, while Diamond Trust Bank recorded KSh9.84 billion.

Stanbic Bank Kenya posted KSh9.09 billion, while Sidian Bank reported KSh2.15 billion. The results show continued growth across the banking sector, with lenders benefiting from increased lending, non-interest income, lower credit impairment in some cases and improved cost management.

Equity Group’s profit after tax rose by 32 per cent to KSh45.5 billion. The group attributed the increase to improved balance sheet quality and growth, stronger contributions from its regional subsidiaries and higher non-funded income.

Net interest income increased by 17 per cent to KSh69.3 billion. Loan-loss provisions stood at KSh6.5 billion, down from KSh6.9 billion in the first half of 2025.

KCB Group became the second Kenyan banking group to cross KSh100 billion in half-year operating income. Income rose 9.5 per cent to a record KSh108.09 billion. Profit after tax rose by 14 per cent to KSh36.87 billion.

KCB’s balance sheet expanded by 16.8 per cent to KSh2.30 trillion. The board raised the interim dividend by 50 per cent to KSh3 per share.

Co-operative Bank recorded its best-ever half-year performance. Profit before tax rose 17.3 per cent to KSh23.1 billion, while profit after tax increased by 28 per cent to KSh18 billion. Total assets grew by 7.1 per cent to KSh869.5 billion.

Absa Bank Kenya recorded KSh10.5 billion in profit after tax. Profit before tax dropped 15.8 per cent to KSh14.15 billion. Diamond Trust Bank Group saw a 37 per cent increase in profit before tax to KSh9.84 billion.

Stanbic Bank Kenya reported a profit before tax of KSh9.09 billion, an 8.2 per cent increase. Sidian Bank recorded one of the fastest growth rates, with profit before tax increasing by 57.7 per cent to KSh2.15 billion.

The half-year results point to continued expansion among Kenya’s major lenders, although performance has not been uniform across the sector.