Kenyan Banks Say No To Cbk’s New Loan Pricing System

Kenyan commercial banks have rejected the Central Bank’s proposed loan pricing model, arguing it risks reintroducing interest rate controls through the back door. The Central Bank wants lenders to price credit using the Central Bank Rate plus a regulated premium known as “K”—but banks prefer a market-driven benchmark like the interbank rate. The CBK aims to make interest rates more transparent and better aligned with monetary policy however the banks say the new formula could limit their ability to price risk effectively, especially when lending to small businesses. They argue that strict pricing rules would reduce credit flow to riskier sectors and undermine efforts to support economic growth. Banks also noted the potential disruption to their existing SME loan commitments. The Kenya Bankers Association says lenders have pledged to disburse KES150 billion (annually to SMEs. Imposing a rigid pricing formulacould make those goals harder to meet.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/africa-business-news--4166630/support.