SBM Bank Kenya has bounced back to profitability, reporting a net profit of Ksh 200 million for the first half of 2025. This marks a significant turnaround for the lender, which had previously posted losses. The strong performance was driven by robust growth in income and a disciplined approach to cost management.
According to financial results released by the bank, operating income surged by 65 percent year-on-year, climbing to Ksh 2.8 billion from Ksh 1.7 billion recorded in the same period last year. The bank attributes this impressive growth to enhanced revenue streams and strategic investments in digital platforms and customer-centric products.
SBM Bank also managed to reduce its operating expenses by 2 percent, thanks to what Chief Executive Officer Bhartesh Shah described as “strong cost discipline and operational efficiency.” Shah noted that the lender’s strategic focus on innovation and partnerships is beginning to yield positive results.
“Our performance affirms the strategic bets we’ve made—investing in intelligent digital platforms, launching innovative products, and forging partnerships that deliver more value to our customers,” said Shah. “We are committed to becoming Kenya’s preferred payments bank by building for scale, speed, and trust. This is just the beginning of a bold new chapter for SBM.”
The bank also recorded a strong performance in customer deposits, which grew by 37 percent to Ksh 76.2 billion, up from the previous year’s Ksh 55.6 billion. This increase was driven by an expanding customer base and strengthened relationships across key market segments.
Total assets rose to Ksh 105.7 billion, compared to Ksh 92.6 billion in the corresponding period last year, underscoring the bank’s solid financial footing and growing market confidence.
The results reflect a broader recovery trend in Kenya’s banking sector, where institutions are leveraging digital innovation and customer-centric strategies to drive growth and profitability. With a renewed focus on payments and digital transformation, SBM Bank appears well-positioned to build on this momentum in the second half of the year.
