I&M Bank received two awards for its retail and SME banking performance in Kenya. The bank acquired more than 170,000 retail customers and over 41,000 SME customers in 2025. Digital activity reached 99.8% among retail customers and 99.6% among SME customers, supported by expanded financing solutions and distribution channels. I&M Bank received two awards at The Asian Banker Africa Awards 2026, recognising its performance in retail and SME banking, customer acquisition and continued investment in digital financial services. The bank was named Best Retail Bank in Kenya and Best SME Bank in Kenya. The awards recognised its expansion across both customer segments, supported by digital banking capabilities, financing products and a growing physical distribution network. I&M Bank expands its retail banking franchise I&M Bank received Best Retail Bank in Kenya for its retail business growth, customer acquisition and expansion of digital and physical banking services. I&M Bank served approximately 600,000 retail customers in 2025, having acquired more than 170,000 new customers during the year. The increase reflected its efforts to expand access to everyday banking through both digital and physical channels. Digital onboarding supported customer acquisition, with 69% of new-to-bank customers enrolled through electronic know-your-customer (e-KYC) processes. New customers also contributed to the growth of the bank’s current and savings account (CASA) base. Digital activity reached 99.8% among retail customers, while digital channels accounted for 30% of sales. The figures show broad use of digital services, with further scope to increase digital product origination. The bank also opened ten additional branches, extending its physical distribution network alongside digital channels. Its retail offering includes short-term digital lending, buy now, pay later (BNPL), workplace banking, salary advances and asset financing. Together, customer acquisition, additional branches and a broader product range strengthened I&M Bank’s position in Kenya’s retail banking market. Strengthening SME banking through customer acquisition and digital services I&M Bank was also named Best SME Bank in Kenya, recognising its expansion in SME banking, strong digital customer engagement and development of financing and transaction-banking capabilities. I&M Bank served 76,994 SME customers and added more than 41,000 during 2025, reflecting the expansion of its business banking franchise. Digital activity reached 99.6% among SME customers, reflecting widespread use of electronic banking services. The bank also expanded its financing and payment solutions to support the banking requirements of small and medium-sized businesses. The combination of customer acquisition, high digital engagement and a wider range of financing and transaction services supported I&M Bank’s development in the SME segment. The recognition reflects the bank's progress in developing SME banking beyond customer acquisition by strengthening its financing and transaction-banking proposition. Combining customer growth with digital banking capabilities I&M Bank's two awards reflect its approach to expanding retail and SME banking through customer acquisition, digital engagement and investment in distribution and financial products. Across both segments, the bank reported digital activity exceeding 99%, while its continued branch expansion and development of financing solutions supported customers requiring different forms of banking access. I&M Bank’s recognition at The Asian Banker Africa Awards 2026 reflects its expansion in customer reach, digital banking adoption and banking services for households and businesses across Kenya. About The Asian Banker Africa Awards 2026 The Asian Banker Africa Awards recognise achievements in retail finance, SME banking, digital banking, transaction finance, financial inclusion and other areas of financial services across African markets. Financial institutions are assessed under TAB Global's international awards programmes, which recognise institutional performance, service capabilities, innovation and achievements in financial services. About TAB Global TAB Global owns and manages a number of world-class digital content platforms, namely The Asian Banker, Wealth and Society and BankQuality.com, as well as learning platforms including The Banking Academy and The Skill Store. Incorporated in Singapore, it has offices in Beijing and Dubai and support offices in Kuala Lumpur and Manila, with plans to expand to Johannesburg, London, Zurich and New York. Visit https://www.tab.global/ for details.
