Updated 1 November 2026
Standard Chartered loan interest rates in Kenya average 16.84% a year for personal loans in 2026, according to the bank’s filing on the industry Total Cost of Credit portal (updated 2 October 2026). That is the Central Bank Rate of 8.75% plus an average premium of 8.09%, within a range of 15.75% to 20.25%. The bank lends up to KSh 10 million unsecured over 6 to 84 months, but you must move your salary to Standard Chartered. Updated November 2026.
Updated November 2026. Sources: Total Cost of Credit portal (read 1 November 2026) and Standard Chartered Kenya’s personal loans page (read 1 November 2026). Standard Chartered Bank Kenya is licensed by the Central Bank of Kenya. This is information, not financial advice.
Standard Chartered loan interest rates by loan type (2026)
| Loan category | Premium (average) | Average rate | Lowest | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal | 8.09% | 16.84% | 15.75% | 20.25% |
| Business (MSME and trade finance) | 7.63% | 16.38% | 15.63% | 17.13% |
| Corporate | 0.51% | 9.26% | 8.80% | 13.25% |
| Mortgages | 6.52% | 15.27% | 15.21% | 16.71% |
All lines were updated on 2 October 2026 and are priced off the Central Bank Rate (8.75%). Standard Chartered did not file asset finance or digital loan rates. Its website separately advertises a home loan “at an affordable rate of 9.5% p.a.”, which is below the 15.27% average filed on the portal, so ask which customers and terms that offer covers.
Standard Chartered personal loan: limits and terms
- Amount: up to KSh 10,000,000, unsecured, subject to the bank’s terms.
- Term: 6 to 84 months, in fixed monthly instalments.
- Currency: Kenya shillings, or US dollars if your salary is paid in USD.
- Salary transfer: mandatory. The bank’s FAQ says you must move your salary to Standard Chartered to get a personal loan.
- Cover: retrenchment cover of up to 9 months and death and disability cover of up to the outstanding loan (excluding arrears).
- Disbursement: typically 3 to 5 business days after you sign and submit all documents.
- Fees: as per the bank’s Fees and Charges Guide; ask for the Total Cost of Credit statement.
The minimum income is set case by case. New customers provide the last 3 months’ bank statements.
What a Standard Chartered personal loan costs: worked example
KSh 500,000 over 36 months on a reducing balance at the bank’s lowest, average and highest filed personal rates (fees and insurance not included):
| Rate | Monthly instalment (KSh) | Total interest over 3 years (KSh) |
|---|---|---|
| 15.75% (lowest) | 17,517 | 130,607 |
| 16.84% (average) | 17,787 | 140,317 |
| 20.25% (highest) | 18,646 | 171,240 |
Its range is narrower than most big banks, so offers vary less between borrowers. Run other amounts in the Standard Chartered loan calculator.
How Standard Chartered compares
| Bank | Average personal rate | Range | Max unsecured |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCB | 15.54% | 12.92% to 19.63% | KSh 4 million |
| Standard Chartered | 16.84% | 15.75% to 20.25% | KSh 10 million |
| Absa | 17.08% | 14.50% to 21.49% | KSh 6 million |
| DTB | 17.61% | 14.84% to 24.00% | KSh 6 million |
Rates from the Total Cost of Credit portal, limits from each bank’s page, read 1 November 2026. Compare banks side by side in Absa vs Stanbic vs Standard Chartered and best banks for personal loans in Kenya.
Who the loan suits
The KSh 10 million ceiling and USD option suit higher earners and people paid in dollars. If you do not want to move your salary, look at banks that lend without salary transfer, such as DTB. Contacts are in Standard Chartered paybill, SWIFT code and contacts.
How to read the Standard Chartered rate before you borrow
The figures above are what Standard Chartered filed on the Total Cost of Credit portal, the industry site where Kenyan banks publish their pricing. The “premium” is the margin Standard Chartered adds to the reference rate for each type of loan; the “lowest” and “highest” figures show the range it actually charges different borrowers. If the Central Bank Rate changes at a Monetary Policy Committee meeting, a variable loan rate usually moves with it, so a loan priced at CBR plus a fixed premium can get cheaper or dearer during its life. Always ask whether your rate is fixed or variable, and get the full cost in writing before you sign.
Standard Chartered loan interest rates: frequently asked questions
What is the Standard Chartered personal loan interest rate in Kenya?
The average filed on the Total Cost of Credit portal is 16.84% a year (CBR 8.75% plus 8.09%), with a range of 15.75% to 20.25%, as updated on 2 October 2026.
How much can I borrow from Standard Chartered Kenya?
Up to KSh 10,000,000 unsecured, repaid over 6 to 84 months, subject to the bank’s terms and your income.
Do I have to move my salary to Standard Chartered?
Yes. The bank’s FAQ says salary transfer is mandatory for a personal loan.
How long does a Standard Chartered loan take?
The bank says funds are typically sent within three to five business days after you sign and submit all required documents.
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