Co-operative Bank of Kenya has reported a steady rise in earnings for the first quarter of 2025, posting a net profit of Ksh 6.9 billion ($53.48 million), marking a 4.54% increase from Ksh 6.6 billion ($51.16 million) recorded in a similar period in 2024.
The bank’s strong performance was attributed to growth in interest income from loans and advances, coupled with contributions from its diversified financial services subsidiaries in insurance, fund management, and stockbroking.
The lender’s total operating income for the quarter stood at Ksh 21.2 billion ($164.34 million), a 12.8% rise from Ksh18.8 billion ($145.73 million), buoyed by a 21.7% surge in net interest income to Ksh14.2 billion ($110.07 million), up from Ksh11.7 billion ($90.69 million).
This was achieved despite a slight dip in non-interest income, which dropped 1.9% to Ksh6.9 billion ($53.48 million) from Ksh7.1 billion ($55.03 million).
Operating expenses increased by 19.1% during the same period, rising from Ksh9.9 billion ($76.74 million) to Ksh11.7 billion ($90.69 million), reflecting increased investment in operational capacity and inflationary pressures.
Total assets rose by 8.3% to reach Ksh774.1 billion ($6 billion), up from Ksh714.7 billion ($5.54 billion), while customer deposits climbed by 9% to Ksh525.2 billion ($3.73 billion), and net loans and advances grew slightly by 1.7% to Ksh384.5 billion ($2.98 billion).
The bank’s South Sudan unit reported a pre-tax profit of Ksh80.7 million ($625,581.39), but adjustments for hyperinflationary accounting resulted in a monetary loss of Ksh47 million ($364,341.08), reflecting the impact of currency depreciation and economic instability in the region.
The bank’s non-banking subsidiaries delivered strong results, adding to the group’s profitability. Co-op Bancassurance Intermediary Ltd posted a profit before tax of Ksh402.1 million ($3.11 million), leveraging on increased penetration of insurance products.
Kingdom Bank Ltd, the fully owned banking subsidiary, contributed Ksh224.7 million ($1.74 million) in pre-tax earnings. \
Co-op Trust Investment Services Ltd saw a 113.9% increase in pre-tax profit to Ksh161.5 million ($1.25 million), up from Ksh75.5 million ($585,271.31), with assets under management rising to Ksh383.9 billion ($2.97 billion).
Meanwhile, the group’s stockbroking arm, Kingdom Securities Ltd, posted a remarkable 199.6% jump in pre-tax profit to Ksh41.8 million ($324,031).
Group Managing Director and CEO Gideon Muriuki credited the bank’s performance to its long-term Soaring Eagle Transformation Plan initiated in 2014, which continues to deliver operational efficiency and sustainable profitability through digital banking innovations, strategic partnerships, and deeper engagement with the 15-million-member co-operative movement across Kenya.
The lender, which has over 9.4 million account holders and a strong digital and physical footprint, says it remains focused on resilience, risk management, and sectoral growth across retail, SME, and corporate banking segments, amid a dynamic macroeconomic landscape.
