Our Methodology - How We Compare Financial Products

At PesaMarket, we believe that transparency builds trust. This page explains exactly how we collect data, compare products, rank results, and maintain independence in our recommendations. Our goal is to provide accurate, unbiased information that helps you make informed financial decisions.

How We Collect Product Data

1. Primary Sources

We collect product information directly from official sources:

Bank and lender official websites
Published terms and conditions documents
Official mobile banking apps
Press releases and product announcements
Direct communication with financial institutions

2. Data Verification

Every piece of information goes through our verification process:

Cross-reference data from multiple official sources
Contact financial institutions to confirm rates and terms
Review published tariff guides and brochures
Monitor for changes through automated alerts
Flag discrepancies for manual review

3. Update Frequency

We maintain data freshness based on product category:

Fast Loans & Mobile Money: Updated weekly (rates change frequently)
Credit Cards & Personal Loans: Updated monthly
Mortgages & Business Loans: Updated quarterly
Savings Accounts: Updated bi-monthly
Crypto Products: Updated bi-weekly

Major changes (rate adjustments, new fees) are updated immediately upon announcement.

How We Compare Products

We evaluate financial products across multiple dimensions to provide comprehensive comparisons:

1. Interest Rates & APR

Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for standardized comparison
Flat vs reducing balance interest calculations
Promotional rates vs standard rates
Variable vs fixed rate products

2. Fees & Charges

Processing/application fees
Annual fees (for credit cards)
Late payment penalties
Early settlement fees
Hidden charges and fine print fees

3. Eligibility Requirements

Minimum age and maximum age limits
Minimum income requirements
Employment type (salaried, self-employed, student)
Credit score/CRB requirements
Collateral or guarantor needs

4. User Experience

Application process complexity
Approval turnaround time
Disbursement speed
Digital vs manual application
Customer service quality

5. Additional Features

Rewards programs and cashback
Insurance coverage included
Flexible repayment options
Top-up facility availability
Special benefits (lounge access, discounts)

How We Rank Products

Our "Recommended" sorting uses a comparison score based on multiple weighted factors:

Comparison Score Formula

35%Interest Rate: Lower rates score higher

25%Total Cost: Fees + interest over loan term

20%User Experience: Approval speed + application ease

10%Features & Benefits: Additional value provided

10%Popularity: Application volume + user reviews

Important: Our ranking methodology is designed to favor consumer value, not commission rates. Products that pay us higher commissions do not automatically rank higher. Featured placements are clearly labeled as "Sponsored" or "Featured".

Editorial Independence

How We Maintain Independence

Separation of Business and Editorial: Our commercial team (advertising, partnerships) does not influence our comparison methodology or product rankings.
No Pay-to-Rank: Financial institutions cannot pay to improve their ranking position. Rankings are determined purely by our comparison algorithm.
Clear Labeling: Featured placements and sponsored content are always clearly marked to distinguish them from organic rankings.
Affiliate Disclosure: We earn commissions when users apply through our links, but this doesn't affect the accuracy of product information or comparison results.

Our Editorial Standards

✓ All product data is fact-checked from official sources
✓ We correct errors within 24 hours of discovery
✓ We disclose conflicts of interest transparently
✓ We accept user feedback and investigate inaccuracies
✓ We never remove negative reviews or suppress criticism

Limitations of Our Service

We believe in honesty about what we can and cannot do:

We Are NOT Financial Advisors

PesaMarket provides information to help you compare products, but we do not provide personalized financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making major financial decisions.

We Do NOT Guarantee Approval

Lenders make their own approval decisions based on their criteria. We cannot influence approval outcomes or guarantee that you will be accepted for any product.

Information May Become Outdated

Despite our regular updates, rates and terms can change. Always verify current information directly with the financial institution before applying. Each product page shows "Last Updated" dates.

Coverage Limitations

We cover major banks and popular lenders, but may not include every financial product available in Kenya, particularly from smaller microfinance institutions or SACCOs.

How We Handle User Reviews

Verification Process

All user reviews go through moderation to ensure authenticity:

Reviews are checked for spam, profanity, and irrelevant content
We verify that reviewers have interacted with the product (where possible)
Fake reviews or reviews from competitors are removed
We do not edit reviews but may remove those violating our guidelines

Balanced Representation

We display both positive and negative reviews. Financial institutions cannot pay to remove negative reviews or promote only positive ones. Review ratings are calculated as simple averages of all verified reviews.

Report Inaccurate Information

Found an error or outdated information? We want to know!

Email: feedback@pesamarket.com

Please include: Product name, specific inaccuracy, correct information (with source if possible), and date noticed. We investigate all reports within 48 hours and update confirmed errors within 24 hours.

Last Updated: November 4, 2025

This methodology is reviewed and updated quarterly to ensure continued accuracy and relevance.