NCBA Group posted a 12.2 percent increase in net profit for the first half of 2026, supported by stronger earnings from its Kenyan banking business and continued growth across its regional subsidiaries.
Profit after tax rose to Sh12.4 billion in the six months ended June, up from Sh11 billion recorded during the same period last year.
The lender attributed the performance to growth in lending, improved funding costs and higher contributions from its operations in Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.
“The Kenya Bank subsidiary continued to be the Group’s key profit driver, powered by disciplined cost of funds management, and grew profitability by 24.3 percent year-on-year to Sh13.7 billion,” NCBA said in a statement.
The Group added that its regional subsidiaries posted a combined Sh1.6 billion in profit, supported by a 25 percent increase in lending, 11 percent growth in income and improved loan recoveries.
During the period, NCBA disbursed Sh819 billion in digital loans, a 26.9 percent increase from a year earlier, while customer deposits rose 11 percent to Sh551 billion.
Total assets also grew by 11.5 percent to Sh739 billion, reflecting continued expansion in the bank’s balance sheet.
Group Managing Director John Gachora said the lender maintained strong asset quality despite the challenging operating environment, with its non-performing loan ratio standing at 10.5 percent, below the Kenyan banking sector average of 15.3 percent.
“Our balance sheet momentum remained strong, anchored on disciplined growth in quality lending demonstrated by well-managed non-performing loans of 10.5 per cent compared to the market’s 15.3 per cent and stable funding provided by customer deposit growth. We have increased provisions to Sh5.2 billion, reflecting the realities of the current operating environment, which positions us well to absorb potential risks,” Gachora said.
He said the Group’s return on average equity stood at 19 percent, while its capital adequacy ratio of 21.7 percent provides a strong foundation to support future growth and strategic investments.
