Sharp Daily
No Result
View All Result
Monday, September 1, 2025
  • Home
  • News
    • Politics
  • Business
    • Banking
  • Investments
  • Technology
  • Startups
  • Real Estate
  • Features
  • Appointments
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team
Sharp Daily
  • Home
  • News
    • Politics
  • Business
    • Banking
  • Investments
  • Technology
  • Startups
  • Real Estate
  • Features
  • Appointments
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team
No Result
View All Result
Sharp Daily
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Banks grapple with lending risks amid non-performing loans surge

Kennedy Waweru by Kennedy Waweru
December 29, 2023
in News
Reading Time: 2 mins read

The latest Cytonn report that tracks the performance of Kenya banks reinforces a marked increase in Non-Performing Loans (NPL) during the third quarter of 2023.

The market-weighted average gross NPL ratio escalated from 12.2% in Q3’2022 to 13.1% in Q3’2023, indicating a deterioration in asset quality and raising concerns about the country’s economic outlook, in contrast to the ten-year average of 11.1%.

Prominent banks, including Equity Group, ABSA Bank Kenya, HF Group, I&M Holdings, and Coop Bank, experienced a significant decline in their asset quality. Equity Group, in particular, witnessed a substantial increase in its NPL ratio, soaring from 9.5% in Q3’2022 to 13.6% in Q3’2023.

Equally alarming is the decline in the market-weighted average NPL coverage, a metric reflecting a listed bank’s capacity to absorb potential losses from bad loans. It decreased from 67.8% in Q3’2022 to 62.0% in Q3’2023, mainly influenced by diminished ratios reported by I&M Holdings, ABSA Bank, Equity Group, NCBA Group, Co-operative Bank, and HF Group of Kenya.

RELATEDPOSTS

How governance overhauls can save struggling banks

June 12, 2025

Kenya’s real estate sector struggles amid surging non-performing loans and interest rate debate

November 7, 2024

Despite the concerning trend, some banks managed to strengthen their NPL coverage ratios. KCB Group, Diamond Trust Bank, and Stanbic Bank, notably, exhibited increases of 9.3% points, 3.4% points, and 3.0% points, reaching 62.1%, 48.7%, and 66.3% in Q3’2023, respectively.

The rise in NPLs and the decrease in NPL coverage ratios among key banks in Kenya cast a shadow over the lending landscape. A higher NPL ratio suggests elevated credit risk and potential loan defaults, impacting a bank’s financial health and lending capability.

For Kenya’s business environment, this implies a potential tightening of credit availability and higher borrowing costs. Elevated risks may lead banks to exercise caution in lending, posing challenges for businesses seeking financing for expansion, investments, or daily operations. This could impede economic growth and hinder entrepreneurial efforts for both established firms and startups.

In response to these challenges, regulatory bodies and banking institutions should collaborate closely to mitigate risks. Strengthening risk management frameworks, improving credit assessment procedures, and promoting an environment conducive to responsible borrowing and lending practices are crucial in navigating these challenging times.

As the Kenyan banking sector grapples with heightened lending risks, stakeholders must take proactive measures to stabilize the financial landscape and ensure sustainable economic growth in the years ahead.

 

Previous Post

Kenya Railways cautions against fraudsters posing as SGR ticket sellers

Next Post

Ruto is not my president, Karua says

Kennedy Waweru

Kennedy Waweru

Related Posts

News

Kick financial goals: Invest with CMMF this football season

August 22, 2025
commercial illustrator
News

Why Kenyan private equity firms should consider continuation funds as an exit strategy

July 23, 2025
Business

Del Monte foods files for bankruptcy in USA

July 3, 2025
News

Private vs Public Pension Funds in Kenya

June 30, 2025
Investments

Investor shift to long term bonds drives oversubscription in CBK’s reopened auction

June 19, 2025
News

The real price of Israel – Iran Conflict for Kenya.

June 19, 2025

LATEST STORIES

The Importance of Including Pension Plans in Corporate Benefits Packages

August 29, 2025

The informal labor market and classical unemployment in the Kenyan context

August 28, 2025

Kenya’s Eurobond yields ease after S&P rating upgrade

August 28, 2025

Kenya’s strategic debt pivot: Smoothing, Strengthening, Sustaining

August 27, 2025

Bank on your paycheck: Invest smart with CMMF

August 26, 2025

Finding Balance: My Journey with Internet Self-Care

August 22, 2025

Why Young Kenyans Cannot Afford to Ignore Private Pensions

August 22, 2025

Strategies for Nairobi to emerge as Africa’s financial hub

August 22, 2025
  • About Us
  • Meet The Team
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
Email us: editor@thesharpdaily.com

Sharp Daily © 2024

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Politics
  • Business
    • Banking
  • Investments
  • Technology
  • Startups
  • Real Estate
  • Features
  • Appointments
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team

Sharp Daily © 2024