Updated 1 November 2026
KCB vs Standard Chartered comes down to who you are as a borrower: on the rates both banks file with the Kenya Bankers Association, KCB’s average personal loan and mortgage rates are lower, while Standard Chartered’s corporate rate is much lower and its business rate slightly lower. The figures below come from the KBA Total Cost of Credit (TCC) site, where every bank publishes its average, minimum and maximum lending rates by loan category.
Updated November 2026. Rates as published on costofcredit.co.ke: KCB updated 24 September 2026 (mortgages 11 June 2026); Standard Chartered updated 2 October 2026.
KCB vs Standard Chartered loan rates at a glance
Each figure is the Central Bank Rate (CBR) plus the bank’s own premium, called “K”. The TCC site shows the CBR at 8.75%, so a bank’s premium is simply its rate minus 8.75 points.
| Loan category | KCB average (min–max) | Standard Chartered average (min–max) |
|---|---|---|
| Personal | 15.54% (12.92%–19.63%) | 16.84% (15.75%–20.25%) |
| Mortgages | 13.7% (12.79%–17.48%) | 15.27% (15.21%–16.71%) |
| Business (MSME + trade finance) | 17.28% (13.82%–19.88%) | 16.38% (15.63%–17.13%) |
| Asset Finance | 15.88% (14.32%–19.88%) | Not published |
| Corporate | 13.21% (12.22%–17.64%) | 9.26% (8.8%–13.25%) |
| Digital loans | Not published | Not published |
Source: KBA Total Cost of Credit, average, minimum and maximum interest rate reports (costofcredit.co.ke/site/interest-rate), accessed 1 November 2026. “Not published” means the bank had no figure on the site for that category.
Personal loans: KCB is cheaper on average
KCB’s average personal loan rate of 15.54% is about 1.3 percentage points below Standard Chartered’s 16.84%. KCB’s range is also wider: its best borrowers pay as little as 12.92%, while its riskiest pay up to 19.63%. Standard Chartered’s floor is higher at 15.75% and its ceiling is 20.25%.
In practice, a salaried borrower with a strong check-off or payroll arrangement is more likely to land near the bottom of KCB’s range. Standard Chartered’s narrower band suggests less difference between its best and average customers. Before you sign, run the numbers on the KCB loan calculator and the Standard Chartered loan calculator using the rate you are actually quoted.
Mortgages: KCB’s average is lower, but check the date
KCB’s average mortgage rate is 13.7%, against 15.27% at Standard Chartered. Note that KCB’s mortgage figure was last updated on 11 June 2026, older than its other categories, so ask the bank for a current quote. Standard Chartered’s mortgage band is very tight (15.21% to 16.71%), which makes its pricing more predictable.
For a long-term home loan, a 1.5-point gap is large. On a KSh 5 million loan over 20 years, it changes the monthly instalment by thousands of shillings, so use our mortgage calculator to compare. Also read how to get a mortgage in Kenya for the documents both banks ask for, and check whether you qualify for KRA mortgage interest relief.
Business and corporate loans: Standard Chartered leads
For MSME and trade finance, Standard Chartered averages 16.38% against KCB’s 17.28%. The gap widens sharply for large companies: Standard Chartered’s average corporate rate is 9.26%, with some borrowers paying 8.8%, while KCB averages 13.21%. That reflects Standard Chartered’s focus on multinational and large corporate clients.
KCB publishes an asset finance rate (15.88% average) while Standard Chartered does not, so if you want a vehicle or equipment loan, KCB at least shows you its pricing upfront.
Who should pick which?
- Salaried individuals wanting a personal loan: KCB’s published average and minimum are both lower.
- Home buyers: KCB’s average is lower; Standard Chartered’s range is narrower. Get written quotes from both.
- Large companies: Standard Chartered’s corporate pricing is markedly lower on the TCC data.
- SMEs: the two are close; Standard Chartered is under a point cheaper on average.
- Vehicle and equipment buyers: only KCB publishes asset finance rates.
Interest is not the whole cost
The TCC site exists because the interest rate alone hides fees. Ask each bank for the full TCC statement for your loan amount: it lists the arrangement fee, legal and valuation fees, insurance and excise duty, and gives you an annual percentage rate. Compare those totals, not just the headline rate. Our guide to the best banks for personal loans in Kenya ranks lenders on total cost.
For contacts, see KCB paybill and customer care and Standard Chartered Kenya contacts.
Frequently asked questions
Is KCB or Standard Chartered cheaper for a personal loan?
On the KBA cost of credit data, KCB is cheaper on average: 15.54% against 16.84% for Standard Chartered. Your own rate depends on your credit profile and income.
Which bank has lower mortgage rates, KCB or Standard Chartered?
KCB’s published average mortgage rate is 13.7% and Standard Chartered’s is 15.27%. KCB’s mortgage figure dates from June 2026, so request a current quote.
Where do these interest rates come from?
From costofcredit.co.ke, the Kenya Bankers Association’s Total Cost of Credit site, where banks publish their average, minimum and maximum lending rates by loan category.
What does CBR plus K mean?
Kenyan bank loans are priced as the Central Bank Rate plus a bank-specific premium (K). The TCC site shows the CBR at 8.75%, so a 15.54% loan carries a premium of 6.79 points.
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