Bank Charges in Kenya 2026: Fees Compared for 6 Banks

Updated 2 November 2026

Bank charges in Kenya vary more than most people expect. Every major bank charges KSh 30 to withdraw at its own ATM, but a counter withdrawal ranges from KSh 100 at Equity and Co-op Bank to KSh 400 at Absa for amounts below KSh 40,000. Sending KSh 50,000 by PesaLink costs KSh 20 at DTB, KSh 50 at Equity, KSh 80 at Absa and KSh 100 at NCBA. Free everyday accounts exist at Absa (Absa One), Co-op (Salary Account) and Equity (Ordinary Account). The tables below compare the fees that matter most, from each bank’s own tariff guide.

Updated November 2026 from the published tariff guides of Absa Bank Kenya (June 2026), Co-operative Bank (9 September 2026), DTB Kenya (August 2026), Equity Bank and NCBA, plus CBK weighted average lending rates for August 2026. Fees are as listed by each bank. Excise duty (20% on most bank fees) is added on top where the guide quotes fees before tax.

Bank charges in Kenya: everyday fees side by side

For Family Bank’s full list, see the Family Bank tariff guide.

Cheapest bank for each type of user

1. You withdraw cash over the counter often: Equity or Co-op Bank (KSh 100), against KSh 300 to KSh 400 at DTB, NCBA and Absa.
2. You send money to other banks often: DTB’s flat KSh 20 PesaLink fee is the lowest in this group for amounts above KSh 1,000.
3. You move money to M-Pesa often: Equity is cheapest at most amounts (KSh 13 for KSh 1,000, KSh 66 for KSh 20,000). Absa is the dearest.
4. You want a free account: Absa One, Co-op’s Salary Account or Equity’s Ordinary Account.
5. You borrow: among these five, NCBA (14.00%) and DTB (13.97%) had the lowest CBK average lending rates in August 2026, and Absa was 13.83%. Co-op (15.01%) and Equity (14.90%) were above the 14.34% market average.

Average lending rates (CBK, August 2026)

Averages hide a wide spread: your rate depends on the loan type, security and your credit record. Ask for the annual percentage rate and the total cost of credit before you sign. Compare banks with Saccos in bank vs Sacco loans in Kenya.

How a typical month adds up

Take a customer who makes four own-ATM withdrawals, two small counter withdrawals and four PesaLink transfers of KSh 50,000 a month. Before excise duty, the monthly bill comes to:

Co-op is left out because its PesaLink fee depends on the band in its tariff guide. The counter fee drives most of the gap, so moving withdrawals to the ATM or app saves the most. Read more in PesaLink vs RTGS vs EFT.

Hidden bank charges to watch

• Ledger fees: Co-op charges KSh 35 per entry on individual current accounts and DTB KSh 30 per entry.
• Failed standing orders: about KSh 2,400 at both Co-op and DTB.
• Cheques returned unpaid: KSh 2,400 to KSh 2,500.
• Premium account fees: Absa Premier is KSh 3,100 a month and Equity Supreme KSh 2,000 a month if the balance falls below KSh 50,000.
• Excise duty: 20% added to most fees.

How to cut your bank charges

1. Use your own bank’s ATM, app or agents rather than the counter.
2. Batch M-Pesa transfers: one KSh 10,000 transfer costs less than five of KSh 2,000.
3. For large transfers, compare PesaLink and RTGS. PesaLink is usually cheaper below KSh 999,999.
4. Move to a no-fee account if you pay a monthly charge but rarely use the premium benefits.
5. Ask for the tariff guide when opening any account. Banks must publish their charges.

Looking for a bank overall? See the best banks in Kenya guide.

Sources

• CBK weighted average lending rates
• Absa Bank Kenya tariff guide, Co-op Bank tariff guide, DTB tariff guide, Equity Bank tariffs, NCBA tariffs

Frequently asked questions

Which bank has the lowest charges in Kenya?

It depends on how you bank. Equity and Co-op have the cheapest counter withdrawals (KSh 100), Equity the cheapest bank-to-M-Pesa fees, and DTB the cheapest PesaLink (KSh 20 flat) among the banks compared.

How much is an ATM withdrawal in Kenya?

KSh 30 at your own bank’s ATM at Absa, Co-op, DTB, Equity and NCBA. Using another bank’s ATM costs KSh 68 to KSh 220.

Which banks offer free accounts?

Absa One has no monthly fee, Co-op’s Salary Account has nil opening and maintenance fees, and Equity’s Ordinary Account has no monthly fee after a KSh 400 opening charge.

Is excise duty charged on bank fees?

Yes. Excise duty at 20% applies to most bank fees and commissions. Some tariff guides show fees before excise and some after, so check the notes in each guide.