KCB wins top lender award in digital banking and corporate social responsibility

The Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) won the top lender award in digital banking during this year's Think Business Banking Awards. 

Equity and Sidian banks were ranked second and third, respectively, in the same category. 

In the sustainable corporate social responsibility (CSR) awards, KCB also emerged as number one, followed closely by Equity and I&M Group PLC banks. 

Organisers of the event, Think Business Limited, recognised banks which have an imprint in changing society, with projects that transform livelihoods and impact the economy. 

KCB was not only recognised for its digital projects but also for offering financial solutions that impact both the customers and the community. 

Think Business Limited, a strategic research and competitive intelligence powerhouse widely respected for its surveys, ranked Equity and Sidian banks as second and third, respectively, in the same category. 

20th-anniversary partner award

Think Business Limited awarded the Think Business Banking Awards 20th-anniversary partner to KCB, celebrating its input and transformation of the banking industry in Kenya for the last 20 years and above. 

Retail banking

In the retail banking category, Equity emerged at the top, with Standard Chartered at number two and KCB at number 3 for banks in the Tier 1 category. 

Equity Bank Kenya Managing Director, Gerald Warui (right), receives a certificate of recognition in Class Acts of 20 years from the CEO of Think Business, Ochieng’ Oloo (left), during the 2024 Think Business Awards.

Best green banks 

Equity scooped its second award of the night, emerging at the top of the list of best green banks. 

KCB emerged as number two, with Think Business Limited recognising financial institutions that have greatly contributed to environmental sustainability. 

Equity Bank was also feted for leading in trade finance and was also included in the Roll of Class Acts of 20 Years, which celebrates banks that have consistently delivered value and maintained high performance over the past two decades.

Other awards 

Citibank NA was feted as the best bank in Kenya, with Standard Chartered and Equity following closely at positions two and three, respectively. 

Citibank was also the best bank in Internet banking, corporate banking, and product innovation categories.

Citibank team pose for a photo with the 2024 Think Business Banking Awards. (Photo: Courtesy)

I&M Group PLC was feted as the best customer-centric bank, and HFC won the Excellence in Mortgage Finance award. 

The 2024 Think Business Banking Awards aimed to foster innovation, prudence and stability in the banking sector by recognising, awarding and celebrating exemplary performance.

Special awards

Richard Etemesi, Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank, won the Lifetime Achievement Award for his remarkable 24-year tenure at the helm of the bank. 

Etemesi was lauded for leading the bank across Kenya, Singapore, Uganda, Zambia, and the UK, in different capacities over the past two decades. 

Kariuki Ngugi, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank, was feted as the Chief Executive Officer of the year. 

Reacting to the awards, KCB Bank Kenya managing director, Annastacia Kimtai, said, "We are proud of our team's dedication to providing top-notch services and making a positive impact on society. We remain committed to our mission to drive growth and create value for all our stakeholders.” 

Equity Bank stated, “ These recognitions underscore Equity Bank's longstanding impact and innovative approach in the banking industry.”