NCBA Group has disclosed that five loan accounts took up 60 per cent of its Sh44.34 billion non-performing loans (NPLs) by the end of last year, highlighting the difficulties facing large businesses.
The lender said "five big names" accounted for an equivalent of Sh26.4 billion of the stock of loans that had remained unpaid for at least three months in the year ended December 2021.
NCBA Managing Director John Gachora said in an interview that the NPLs, which grew from Sh40.06 billion in December 2020, are related to firms with historical issues.
"We had a few very large customers historically who obviously with Covid-19 got negatively affected," he said.
"These were mainly customers in transport, distribution and trade. Those got negatively affected through Covid-19 and form the bulk of that NPL book."
But NCBA's operating expenses retreated from Sh40.03 billion to Sh33.45 billion as the lender cut loan loss provisioning by 38 per cent to Sh12.72 billion.
The bank largely lends to corporates and this means its average loans are bigger compared to lenders heavy on personal loans.
Its financial results showed the NPLs ratio-the portion of loan book that has gone for at least three months without payment of interest or principal-hit 15.6 per cent at the end of December compared to the banking sector's average of 13.1 per cent.
The lender, which is eying to bring the ratio below 15 per cent this year, closed last year with the NPL ratio in manufacturing and transport at 29 per cent each while trade was at 17 per cent.
The latest Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) data shows the NPL ratio rose for three consecutive months to 14 per cent in February-the highest in eight months.
This was last seen in June 2021, and signals that the pace of loan repayments is lagging behind that of issuing new loans as banks warm up to the private sector.
NCBA Group has disclosed that five loan accounts took up 60 per cent of its Sh44.34 billion non-performing loans (NPLs) by the end of last year, highlighting the difficulties facing large businesses.
The lender said "five big names" accounted for an equivalent of Sh26.4 billion of the stock of loans that had remained unpaid for at least three months in the year ended December 2021.
NCBA Managing Director John Gachora said in an interview that the NPLs, which grew from Sh40.06 billion in December 2020, are related to firms with historical issues.
"We had a few very large customers historically who obviously with Covid-19 got negatively affected," he said.
READ MORE
Ongoing labour unrests are early signs of an economy that's about to collapse
Trailers and weighbridges: The untold story
KTDA moves to restore order in tea bonus declarations
Madagascar tycoon to buy Zuku parent firm Wananchi Group
How container cash deposits are creating a problem for Kenyan traders
Gold rush: How illegal gallbladder trade threatens Lake Victoria fishers
Real estate posts high productivity as challenges hit wholesale, retail sectors
Agencies in fresh plan to market Kenyan coffee
AI-driven smart borders transform travel security
Fresh test for Ruto as IMF urges new tax policies to unlock loans
"These were mainly customers in transport, distribution and trade. Those got negatively affected through Covid-19 and form the bulk of that NPL book."
But NCBA's operating expenses retreated from Sh40.03 billion to Sh33.45 billion as the lender cut loan loss provisioning by 38 per cent to Sh12.72 billion.
The bank largely lends to corporates and this means its average loans are bigger compared to lenders heavy on personal loans.
Its financial results showed the NPLs ratio-the portion of loan book that has gone for at least three months without payment of interest or principal-hit 15.6 per cent at the end of December compared to the banking sector's average of 13.1 per cent.
The lender, which is eying to bring the ratio below 15 per cent this year, closed last year with the NPL ratio in manufacturing and transport at 29 per cent each while trade was at 17 per cent.
The latest Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) data shows the NPL ratio rose for three consecutive months to 14 per cent in February-the highest in eight months.
This was last seen in June 2021, and signals that the pace of loan repayments is lagging behind that of issuing new loans as banks warm up to the private sector.