KCB Group has been recognised for a second consecutive year in the Financial Times Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies 2026 ranking, compiled in partnership with data firm Statista, the lender said in a statement.

The ranking assesses companies based on their compound annual growth rate between 2020 and 2023, according to KCB’s press release. The list, now in its fifth year since launching in 2021, tracks firms seen as contributing to job creation and competitiveness across African economies, the lender added.

The recognition comes as Kenyan banks face a tougher operating environment shaped by elevated interest rates in recent years, pressure on household and SME purchasing power, and intensified competition from mobile money and fintechs. For listed lenders, growth and profitability metrics are closely watched by investors on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) as they balance credit growth, asset quality and capital allocation.

KCB said it delivered improved profitability in its latest reported full-year performance. “In 2025, the Group posted a resilient result, with net profit rising by 11% to a record KShs. 68.4 billion, translating to a 22.5% return on equity,” the statement said. The group added that the performance “positioned the Group among the top-performing companies on the Nairobi Securities Exchange.”

On its balance sheet, KCB said it “maintained its leadership position by asset size,” reporting that total assets increased by 9.3% to KShs. 2.15 trillion.

The bank attributed its performance to its business mix and investments across the region. “The Group’s regional diversification strategy continues to strengthen resilience and drive performance across markets,” KCB said. It added that results reflected “the strength of the core banking business, sustained customer franchise growth, the benefits of regional diversification and continued investments in digital transformation and operational efficiency.”

For Kenya’s banking sector, KCB’s inclusion on the Financial Times-Statista list may reinforce the market’s focus on scale, cross-border earnings and technology-led cost discipline as key levers for growth. Analysts typically view regional diversification as a buffer against localised shocks, though it can also increase exposure to multiple regulatory regimes and currency volatility across East Africa.

Looking ahead, the extent to which KCB sustains growth rates comparable to the period assessed by the ranking (2020–2023) is likely to depend on credit demand, funding costs, asset quality trends and execution of its digital and efficiency programmes. Investors will also watch for updates on performance across its regional subsidiaries and the group’s ability to defend margins as competition for deposits and loans remains tight.

Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) on 23 March 2026 announced its financial results for the year ended 31 December 2025, reporting a 26% rise in pre-tax profit and a 21% increase in profit after tax to KES 10.7 billion, according to the bank’s statement issued in Nairobi.

DTB attributed the performance to a 15% increase in total assets, a 14% rise in top-line revenues and cost controls that limited operating expense growth to 7% during the year. Customer deposits grew 14% to KES 509 billion, while net loans expanded 14% to KES 324 billion, the bank said.

The lender said customer numbers across East Africa increased to 4.5 million at the end of 2025 from 3.1 million a year earlier, supported by a 157-branch network and a focus on mid-market, SME and retail segments through what it described as “ecosystem banking”.

Asset quality metrics improved, with DTB reporting a reduction in the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio to 10.8% from 12.3% in the prior year. The group’s specific coverage ratio rose to 51.1% from 39.6%, DTB said, adding it is targeting a single-digit NPL ratio by the end of 2026. The bank also reported shareholders’ equity had crossed KES 100 billion.

Following the results, DTB said its Board of Directors has recommended an increased dividend of KES 9 per share.

Nasim Devji, Group Chief Executive Officer at DTB, said the lender’s results reflected execution and operational efficiency. “These results reflect the strength of our strategy and the resilience of our business model. We have delivered quality growth while maintaining strong discipline and enhancing operational efficiency. Our continued investment in digital capabilities is enabling us to serve our customers better and expand access to financial services across our markets,” Devji said.

Murali Natarajan, DTB Kenya Chief Executive Officer, said the bank was also tracking non-financial outcomes alongside profit. “Our performance is not only measured by financial returns, but also by the impact we create. Through our initiatives, we are supporting communities, advancing financial inclusion, and contributing to climate action,” Natarajan said.

DTB’s results come as Kenyan lenders continue to navigate credit risk, funding competition and the shifting cost of capital environment, with NPL management and deposit mobilisation remaining central to profitability. DTB’s reported decline in NPLs and improved provisioning coverage point to a tighter approach to credit risk and recovery, while double-digit growth in deposits and loans suggests continued appetite for credit in its target segments, particularly SMEs and retail borrowers.

The bank also disclosed selected sustainability and social metrics. DTB said it had grown over one million trees under its Much More Than Trees initiative, reached more than 30,000 girls through its Achieve More Girl programme, and trained over 10,000 individuals and MSMEs in financial literacy and enterprise development as at the end of 2025.

Looking ahead, DTB said it will continue focusing on business growth, digital innovation and customer support across segments, while advancing its sustainability agenda. Investors will watch for the bank’s progress towards its single-digit NPL target by end-2026 and for further guidance on dividend approval timelines and capital deployment as loan growth continues.