Only borrow from licensed, CBK-regulated institutions. Protect yourself from scams and predatory lenders.
All CBK Regulated
Kenya has seen a rise in unlicensed lenders operating illegally, charging excessive interest rates, and using harassment tactics. Borrowing from unregulated lenders puts you at serious risk of:
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) licenses and regulates financial institutions to ensure:
Full-service banks offering loans, deposits, mortgages, and other financial services.
License Type: Commercial Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 1896
Kenya's largest bank by assets, offering personal loans, mortgages, business loans, and KCB M-Pesa services.
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Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 1984
Leading bank offering Equitel services, personal loans, mortgages, and business financing across East Africa.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Commercial Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 1965
SACCO-based bank providing loans, mortgages, MCo-op Cash services, and business financing.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Commercial Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 1916
Formerly Barclays Bank, offering premium banking, credit cards, personal loans, and mortgages.
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Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 2019
Merger of NIC and CBA, operating M-Shwari with Safaricom and providing comprehensive banking services.
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Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 1906
Part of Standard Bank Group, offering corporate and retail banking, loans, and mortgages.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Commercial Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 1911
International bank offering premium credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, and wealth management.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Commercial Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 1974
Regional bank offering personal and business loans, mortgages, and investment services.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Commercial Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 1945
Pan-African bank providing personal loans, business financing, and trade finance.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Commercial Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 1984
SACCO-based bank offering affordable loans, mortgages, and Pesa Pap instant loans.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Commercial Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 2004
French-backed bank offering personal loans, business financing, and bancassurance.
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Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 2013
Nigerian bank offering digital banking, loans, and 737 USSD banking services.
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Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 1953
Indian state-owned bank providing loans, trade finance, and international banking.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Commercial Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 1974
American bank offering corporate banking, cash management, and wealth solutions.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Commercial Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 1992
Mid-tier bank offering personal loans, mortgages, and SME financing.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Commercial Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 1984
Formerly K-Rep Bank, focused on SME banking and microfinance.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Commercial Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 1968
State-owned bank offering loans, mortgages, and agricultural financing.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Commercial Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 1965
Specialist mortgage lender offering home loans and construction financing.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Commercial Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 1980
Bank offering personal loans, mortgages, and Islamic banking services.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Commercial Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 1986
Mid-tier bank offering personal loans, business financing, and agency banking.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Commercial Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 1987
Boutique bank offering personalized banking, loans, and investment services.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Commercial Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 1992
Small bank offering personal and business loans with focus on customer service.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Commercial Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 1989
State-owned bank offering affordable loans and deposit services.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Commercial Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 2007
Formerly Paramount Universal Bank, offering banking and microfinance services.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Development Finance Institution
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 1963
State-owned development bank providing long-term business and project financing.
Visit Website âSpecialized banks serving SMEs, low-income households, and underserved communities.
License Type: Microfinance Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 2009
Women-focused microfinance bank offering loans, savings, and financial empowerment.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Microfinance Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 2009
Leading microfinance bank providing SME loans, personal loans, and mobile banking.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Microfinance Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 2010
Microfinance bank focused on small businesses, groups, and agricultural financing.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Microfinance Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 2010
Microfinance bank offering loans, savings, and mobile money services.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Microfinance Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 2011
Catholic Church-affiliated microfinance bank providing ethical financial services.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Microfinance Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 2010
Microfinance bank serving SMEs and low-income households.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Microfinance Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 2010
Microfinance bank offering business and personal loans to underserved communities.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Microfinance Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 2011
Microfinance bank providing group and individual loans.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Microfinance Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 2012
Youth-focused microfinance bank offering loans and savings.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Microfinance Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 2011
Microfinance bank serving small traders and entrepreneurs.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Microfinance Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 2012
Microfinance bank offering affordable loans and savings products.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Microfinance Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 2010
Microfinance bank focused on SMEs and low-income earners.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Microfinance Bank
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Established: 2011
Microfinance bank empowering small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Visit Website âMobile app and USSD-based lenders regulated by CBK or operating through licensed banks.
Important Note About Digital Lenders
Some digital lenders are licensed as "Credit-Only" institutions by CBK (cannot take deposits). Others operate through partnerships with licensed banks. Both types are regulated, but always verify the licensing status on the CBK website before borrowing.
License Type: Digital Lending Service
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya (via NCBA Bank)
Launched: 2012
Partnership between Safaricom and NCBA Bank offering instant M-Pesa loans and savings.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Digital Lending Service
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya (via KCB Bank)
Launched: 2015
Joint venture between KCB and Safaricom offering instant loans via M-Pesa.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Overdraft Service
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya (via KCB & NCBA)
Launched: 2019
M-Pesa overdraft service by Safaricom, KCB, and NCBA Bank.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Digital Lender (Credit-Only)
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Launched: 2014
International digital lender offering instant mobile loans using smartphone data.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Digital Lender (Credit-Only)
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Launched: 2015
US-based digital lender providing instant loans and savings via mobile app.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Digital Lending Service
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya (via ABSA Bank)
Launched: 2018
ABSA Bank's digital lending platform offering instant loans via app.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Digital Lending Service
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya (via Family Bank)
Launched: 2018
Family Bank's mobile loan app offering instant loans to customers.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Digital Lending Service
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya (via Co-operative Bank)
Launched: 2015
Co-operative Bank's mobile loan service via M-Pesa.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Digital Lending Service
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya (via Equity Bank)
Launched: 2015
Equity Bank's mobile virtual network offering instant loans via Equitel SIM.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Digital Lender (Credit-Only)
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Launched: 2018
Digital lender offering instant mobile loans with flexible repayment.
Visit Website âLicense Type: Digital Lender (Credit-Only)
Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya
Launched: 2017
Chinese-owned digital lender providing instant mobile loans.
Visit Website âSavings and Credit Cooperatives regulated by the SACCO Societies Regulatory Authority.
SACCOs (Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations) are member-owned financial cooperatives regulated by SASRA (Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority), not CBK. There are over 170 licensed SACCOs in Kenya offering loans and savings to members.
FOSA SACCOs (Front Office Service Activity) can provide banking-like services including loans, while regular SACCOs serve their members only.
Popular SACCOs Include:
Before borrowing from any lender, follow these steps to confirm they are legitimate.
Visit www.centralbank.go.ke and look for the list of licensed financial institutions.
Legitimate lenders must display their CBK license number on their website and marketing materials.
Check company registration on eCitizen or with the Registrar of Companies.
Look for reviews on Google, Trustpilot, and Facebook. Be wary of lenders with many complaints.
If in doubt, contact CBK directly at +254 20 286 3000 or email info@centralbank.go.ke
Cannot find them in CBK's official list of licensed institutions.
No verifiable physical address or office location in Kenya.
Promises guaranteed approval without any verification or credit check.
Charges more than 4% monthly interest (48% annually) - likely illegal.
Asks for payment before loan disbursement - classic scam tactic.
Uses threats, insults, or contacts your phone contacts for collection.
Website or app does not show CBK license number or regulatory information.
Borrowing from unlicensed lenders is extremely risky. You have no legal protection, and they often use harassment, threats, and illegal collection practices. Many have been known to:
Always verify your lender is CBK-licensed before borrowing. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Phone: +254 20 286 3000
Email: info@centralbank.go.ke
Website: www.centralbank.go.ke
Address:
Haile Selassie Avenue
P.O. Box 60000-00200
Nairobi, Kenya
If you have a complaint against a licensed financial institution, you can file it through CBK's Financial Consumer Protection Department.
Hotline: +254 20 286 3000
Email: customercare@centralbank.go.ke
Before contacting CBK:
Try resolving the issue directly with your lender first. CBK expects you to have attempted resolution with the institution before escalating.
Check the CBK website at www.centralbank.go.ke. They maintain an official list of all licensed banks, microfinance institutions, and digital lenders. Licensed institutions must also display their license number on their website and marketing materials.
No. While many popular apps like M-Shwari, KCB M-Pesa, Branch, and Tala are licensed or operate through licensed banks, some apps operate illegally. Always verify licensing before borrowing. Unlicensed apps often charge excessive rates and use harassment tactics.
You have no legal protection. Unlicensed lenders often charge illegal interest rates, harass borrowers and their contacts, access phone data without permission, and use threats. You also cannot report them to CBK since they operate illegally. Some may not even be real lenders but scammers.
Report unlicensed lenders to CBK at customercare@centralbank.go.ke or call +254 20 286 3000. You can also report to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) if they've committed fraud or harassment. Consider reporting to Kenya Police's Cyber Crime Unit if harassment involves digital channels.
Yes. All CBK-licensed financial institutions are required to display their license number on their website, mobile app, and marketing materials. If a lender cannot provide their license number or you cannot verify it on CBK's website, do not borrow from them.
Yes, but only if your lender is licensed. CBK's Financial Consumer Protection Department handles complaints about licensed institutions. You must first try to resolve the issue with your lender directly. If that fails, you can escalate to CBK with documentation of your complaint and the lender's response.
Yes, all commercial banks and microfinance banks operating in Kenya must be licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya. SACCOs, however, are regulated by SASRA (Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority), not CBK.
Commercial banks are full-service institutions offering deposits, loans, mortgages, foreign exchange, and other services. Microfinance banks are specialized institutions focused on serving SMEs, low-income earners, and underserved communities with smaller loan amounts and simplified processes. Both are licensed by CBK but have different capital requirements and operational scopes.
This directory is compiled from Central Bank of Kenya public records and institutional websites. While we strive for accuracy, licensing status can change. Always verify directly with CBK at www.centralbank.go.ke before making financial decisions.
Last Updated: November 2025
Information verified from Central Bank of Kenya official records
This directory is for informational purposes only. PesaMarket is not affiliated with CBK. Always verify licensing directly with the regulator.