The 2024 Think Business Banking Awards saw Kenya’s banking sector celebrate excellence and innovation.
KCB Bank Kenya emerged as a major winner taking home top honours in two key categories.
KCB beat out Equity and Sidian for the top spot, reflecting their efforts in digital transformation and providing innovative financial solutions. In addition, KCB secured first place in Sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility ahead of Equity and I&M, showcasing their commitment to positive community impact.
The lender was also the 1st Runner-Up: Best Retail Banking (behind Equity); and 2nd Runner-Up Best Bank in Tier 1 Category (behind Equity and Standard Chartered). It was also ranked 2nd Place as Best Green Bank (behind Equity).
KCB Bank Kenya’s Managing Director, Annastacia Kimtai, expressed pride in the awards, highlighting their dedication to excellence, innovation, and community engagement.
“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,” Kimtai said.
Citibank Takes Top Bank Award
While KCB dominated digital banking and CSR, Citibank NA was named the overall Best Bank in Kenya.
Standard Chartered and Equity followed in second and third place, respectively.
Citibank also excelled in Internet banking, corporate banking, and product innovation categories.
Equity Bank’s Trade Finance Domination
Equity Bank emerged as the undisputed leader in trade finance, securing the top spot in eight categories. This win highlights their commitment to supporting Kenyan businesses through accessible financial services for international trade.
Equity also received recognition in various other categories, solidifying its position as a major player in the Kenyan banking sector.
“These recognitions underscore Equity Bank’s longstanding impact and innovative approach in the banking industry,” noted Gerald Warui, the managing director at Equity Bank Kenya.
Sidian Bank’s Achievements
Sidian Bank was also recognized at the awards, receiving 1st Runner-Up: Best Bank in Trade Finance and 1st Runner-Up: The Bank with Lowest Tariff.
Sidian Bank’s CEO, Chege Thumbi, noted these awards reflect their dedication to excellence, innovation, and offering affordable banking services for financial inclusion and economic growth.
“We are thrilled to be recognized at the Think Business Bank Awards 2024,” Thumbi remarked adding that, “These accolades reflect our unwavering commitment to our clients and our continuous effort to innovate and provide exceptional financial solutions. We remain dedicated to enhancing our services and maintaining our customer-first philosophy.”
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Individual and Lifetime Achievement Awards
Mr. Richard Etemesi, Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank received the Lifetime Achievement Award. He has had a remarkable 24-year tenure at Standard Chartered. Mr Etemesi has served in various capacities across Kenya, Singapore, Uganda, Zambia, and the UK, showcasing exceptional performance.
Mr Kariuki Ngugi, CEO Standard Chartered Bank, was recognized as the Chief Executive Officer of the year; while Lucy Kagia, Marketing Manager at Absa Bank Kenya was awarded Outstanding Young Banker of the Year.
Focus on Green Banking
Themed “Making The Transition Towards Green Banking,” the awards emphasised ethical practices, environmental protection, and social responsibility.
Founder and CEO of Think Business, Ochieng Oloo, underscored the importance of green banking in today’s financial landscape.
“Green banks not only commit to financing environmentally sustainable projects but also advocate for reducing carbon footprints through initiatives like paperless transactions and online banking,” Mr Oloo said.
“Our goal is to drive the banking sector towards long-term sustainable, ethical and environmentally friendly policies and practices. These awards are designed to spur competition, innovation, prudence and stability in the banking industry, showcasing the best performers and enabling the public to make informed banking decisions.”
