Co-op Bank Profit Growth Streak Continues with KSh 14.08B H1 2025 Profit

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The Co-operative Bank has recorded a Profit After Tax (PAT) of KSh 14.08 billion for the first half of 2025, an 8.39% increase from KSh 12.99 billion in the same period last year. Profit Before Tax (PBT) rose by 8.26% to KSh 19.66 billion from KSh 18.16 billion, extending the bank’s run of first-half profit growth to a fourth consecutive year.

In its H1 2025 earnings released on August 14, the lender reported Net Interest Income of KSh 29.38 billion, up 23.13% from KSh 23.86 billion in H1 2024, supported by loan book growth and improved yields. Non-Interest Income fell by 8.20% to KSh 14.11 billion from KSh 15.37 billion, with slower growth in fees, commissions, and other non-funded income streams.

Total operating income increased by 10.86% to KSh 43.49 billion from KSh 39.23 billion, while operating expenses rose by 13.02% to KSh 24.04 billion from KSh 21.27 billion. Loan loss provisions climbed to KSh 4.5 billion, a 50.5% increase from KSh 3 billion in H1 2024, marking the highest level since the KSh 4.2 billion peak in 2021.

The Co-operative Bank H1 25 balance sheet showed total assets expanding by 13.25% to KSh 811.91 billion from KSh 716.93 billion. Total equity rose by 23.39% to KSh 156.33 billion from KSh 126.70 billion.

Customer deposits reached KSh 547.72 billion, up 7.95% from KSh 507.39 billion, while net loans and advances grew by 4.16% to KSh 391.26 billion from KSh 375.63 billion. Gross non-performing loans increased by 9.69% to KSh 76.29 billion from KSh 69.55 billion.

Earnings per share improved to KSh 2.41, up 9.05% from KSh 2.21 a year earlier, indicating stronger shareholder returns despite a decline in non-interest income and higher provisioning costs.

Several other banks have also published their half-year results. KCB Bank Group posted an 8% rise in net profit to KSh 32.3 billion, supported by asset growth, regional diversification, and customer-focused innovations. The lender announced its largest-ever interim payout and first special dividend, with a total KSh 13 billion distribution to shareholders.

This will be split between an interim dividend of KSh 2.00 per share and a special dividend of KSh 2.00 per share, the latter linked to the sale of the National Bank of Kenya. The combined KSh 4.00 per share will be paid on or about 11 November 2025.

Stanbic Bank Kenya reported a 9% drop in profit after tax to KSh 6.5 billion from KSh 7.2 billion in H1 2024, citing reduced interest income and higher operating expenses. Profit before tax fell 14.2% to KSh 8.6 billion from KSh 10 billion, while total income declined to KSh 19.4 billion from KSh 20.1 billion.

Net interest income dropped 5.8% to KSh 11.8 billion, reflecting a 24% fall in interest income due to a 180-basis point cut in lending rates, partially cushioned by lower funding costs.

Absa Bank Kenya PLC recorded a 9% rise in profit after tax to KSh 11.7 billion, achieving a 26.5% return on equity. Customer deposits increased 2.3% to KSh 361 billion, and total assets grew 10.4% to KSh 532 billion, supported by operational efficiency, capital management, and diversified revenue streams.

Equity Group delivered its strongest quarter on record, with a profit before tax of KSh 22.9 billion in Q2 2025, surpassing its four-year average quarterly profit before tax of KSh 14.8 billion. For the first half, profit before tax reached KSh 41.5 billion, while profit after tax rose 17% to KSh 34.6 billion from KSh 29.6 billion a year earlier.

Jefferson Wachira is a writer at Africa Digest News, specializing in banking and finance trends, and their impact on African economies.