CBK REVEALS BANKS WITH CHEAPEST AND MOST EXPENSIVE LOANS

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has released fresh data showing wide disparities in lending rates among commercial banks, with Citibank and Standard Chartered emerging as the most affordable lenders while Equity Bank and Family Bank rank among the most expensive.
According to the CBK’s July 2025 statistics, Citibank is offering the lowest rates across most loan categories. The lender charges 13.50 per cent for overdrafts, 14.75 per cent for personal loans, 12.25 per cent for asset finance, 13.00 per cent for SME loans, 11.50 per cent for corporate loans and 10.75 per cent for mortgages. Standard Chartered closely mirrors these rates, also maintaining mortgages at 10.75 per cent.
Other banks with competitive pricing include Co-operative Bank, Stanbic, I&M, KCB, NIC, and First Community Bank, where mortgage rates range between 11.25 and 11.50 per cent, while personal loan rates are pegged at 15.50 to 15.75 per cent.
On the higher end, Equity Bank is charging customers overdraft rates at 15.50 per cent, personal loans at 16.75 per cent, asset finance at 14.00 per cent, SME loans at 14.75 per cent, corporate loans at 13.25 per cent, and mortgages at 12.50 per cent. Family Bank, Sidian Bank and Middle East Bank also posted elevated rates, with personal loans at 16.50 per cent and mortgages at 12.25 per cent.
The CBK data highlights the significant gap between the cheapest and most expensive lenders, a disparity that could influence borrowing decisions at a time when businesses and households are grappling with economic headwinds.
Financial analysts say the variation reflects differences in each bank’s cost of funds, risk appetite, and target clientele. “Borrowers now have an opportunity to make informed choices by comparing rates, especially on big-ticket items like mortgages and business loans,” said one Nairobi-based economist.
The CBK publishes the quarterly data as part of efforts to promote transparency and encourage competition in the credit market.