NCBA Group PLC has reported a strong financial performance for the first half of 2026, with profit after tax rising by 12.2 per cent to KES 12.4 billion, driven by increased digital lending, customer activity and expansion across East Africa.
The banking group’s operating income increased by 15.1 per cent to KES 40.7 billion, while profit before tax grew by 14.3 per cent to KES 15.5 billion during the six months ending June 30, 2026.
The performance reflects growing demand for digital financial services as customers increasingly adopt mobile banking, digital lending platforms and technology-enabled financial solutions.
NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora said the results demonstrate the strength of the bank’s strategy, supported by innovation, disciplined execution and continued focus on customer needs despite challenging economic conditions.
He said the Group’s UBUNTU Strategy has helped drive business growth through improved customer engagement, stronger margins and sustainable expansion across its markets.
Following the improved earnings, NCBA’s Board declared an interim dividend of KES 3.75 per share, an increase from KES 2.50 per share paid during the same period last year, providing shareholders with higher returns.
Digital banking remained a major contributor to NCBA’s performance, with the lender disbursing KES 819 billion in digital loans, representing a 26.9 per cent year-on-year increase.
The bank said mobile platforms accounted for 94 per cent of all customer transactions, highlighting the increasing role of technology in improving access to financial services for individuals and businesses.
To support digital transformation, NCBA invested KES 2.4 billion in technology infrastructure during the period, focusing on artificial intelligence adoption, cybersecurity improvements and modernising its banking systems.
The investment contributed to improved service reliability, with system uptime reaching 99.68 per cent, while the bank’s Digital Net Promoter Score increased to 69 per cent, reflecting improved customer satisfaction.
NCBA also strengthened its balance sheet during the period, with customer deposits increasing by 11 per cent to KES 551 billion, while total assets grew by 11.5 per cent to KES 739 billion.
The lender maintained a strong financial position, recording a capital adequacy ratio of 21.7 per cent and a Return on Average Equity of 19 per cent.
Mr Gachora said the bank continued applying responsible lending practices, maintaining non-performing loans at 10.5 per cent, below the Kenyan banking industry average of 15.3 per cent.
Kenya remained the largest contributor to NCBA’s earnings, with the banking subsidiary recording a 24.3 per cent increase in profitability to KES 13.7 billion.
The Group’s regional subsidiaries in Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda posted combined profits of KES 1.6 billion, supported by increased lending activity and income growth.
NCBA’s non-banking businesses, including investment banking, leasing, insurance and bancassurance, also recorded strong growth, contributing KES 1.1 billion in profit, representing a 40 per cent increase compared with the previous year.
The bank continued expanding financing support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with its SME loan portfolio growing by 12 per cent to KES 44.7 billion.
Its wealth management business also expanded, with assets under management reaching KES 101 billion and active wealth clients exceeding 60,000.
NCBA further strengthened its role in supporting sustainable investments through financing solutions for electric vehicles and solar leasing, while its digital vehicle marketplace, CarDuka, facilitated vehicle transactions worth KES 1.94 billion.
Retail banking growth was supported by the bank’s regional network of 123 branches, digital customer onboarding initiatives and targeted solutions that attracted more than 10,000 new core banking customers every month.
The Group also continued implementing its sustainability agenda through environmental and community programmes.
During the period, NCBA planted and nurtured more than 340,000 trees, while its community initiatives positively impacted more than 400,000 livelihoods.
The bank invested more than 100,000 employee learning hours and maintained a strong workforce retention rate of 91 per cent.
Looking ahead, NCBA said it remains focused on expanding financial inclusion, supporting businesses and leveraging technology to create new growth opportunities across East Africa.
Mr Gachora said the Group remains committed to delivering long-term value for customers, shareholders, employees and communities through innovation and responsible banking.
The results position NCBA among the region’s financial institutions benefiting from increased digital adoption and growing demand for accessible banking solutions.