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The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has released a list of commercial banks offering the cheapest loans in the country, based on its latest lending rate data for February 2026.
In a notice dated April 7, 2026, the regulator published average lending rates for 38 banks, ranking them from the lowest to the highest.
According to the data, Citibank N.A Kenya offered the cheapest loans at an average lending rate of 10.21 per cent, followed by Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limited at 12.07 per cent and Stanbic Bank Kenya Limited at 12.12 per cent.
Habib Bank A.G Zurich and Guardian Bank Limited recorded lending rates of 12.80 per cent and 13.51 per cent, respectively, while ABSA Bank Kenya PLC, Bank of Baroda Kenya Limited, and Prime Bank Limited posted rates of 13.79 per cent, 13.87 per cent, and 13.97 per cent.
The rates continue to rise gradually across the sector, with Consolidated Bank of Kenya Limited at 13.99 per cent, Paramount Bank Limited at 14.00 per cent, and Gulf African Bank Limited at 14.15 per cent.
Bank of India recorded 14.28 per cent, followed by Victoria Commercial Bank PLC at 14.34 per cent and Diamond Trust Bank Kenya Limited at 14.45 per cent.
Premier Bank Kenya Limited and I&M Bank Limited posted 14.69 per cent and 14.82 per cent, respectively, while M-Oriental Bank Limited stood at 14.97 per cent.
CBK Banks With Lending Rates of More than 15%
Among the larger lenders, Equity Bank Kenya Limited recorded a lending rate of 14.98 per cent, KCB Bank Kenya Limited 15.17 per cent, and Kingdom Bank Limited 15.19 per cent.
Ecobank Kenya Limited posted 15.22 per cent, Guaranty Trust Bank (K) Limited 15.26 per cent and African Banking Corporation Limited 15.36 per cent, while NCBA Bank Kenya PLC recorded 15.42 per cent.
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Elsewhere, Commercial International Bank (CIB) Kenya Limited had a lending rate of 15.43%.
Co-operative Bank of Kenya Limited followed closely with a rate of 15.45%, then UBA Kenya Bank Limited at 15.50%, and National Bank of Kenya Limited at 15.64%.
Sidian Bank Limited and Family Bank Limited reported rates of 15.88% and 15.98%, respectively.
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DIB Bank Kenya Limited stood at 16.40 per cent, while Middle East Bank (K) Limited and Development Bank of Kenya Limited posted 16.44 per cent and 16.49 per cent respectively.
HFC Limited recorded 17.39 per cent, followed by SBM Bank Kenya Limited at 17.71 per cent.
Banks that posted higher interest rates in February 2026 included Bank of Africa Kenya Limited, which posted a lending rate of 18.20 per cent, Credit Bank PLC, 18.41 per cent, while Access Bank Kenya PLC recorded the highest rate at 19.05 per cent.
Overall, the average lending rate across the banking sector stood at 14.78 per cent in February 2026.
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CBK Governor Kamau Thugge. PHOTO/CBK