NAIROBI, Kenya, Apri 26 – Equity Bank has been named the Overall Best Bank in Kenya at the 2026 Think Business Banking Awards, after topping multiple categories in the annual industry ranking.
The lender emerged best in 10 categories and ranked second in two others, underscoring its performance across key banking segments.
Its Group Managing Director and CEO, James Mwangi, was also named CEO of the Year.
The awards ceremony, held in Nairobi, brought together industry players to assess performance based on financial strength, innovation, governance and customer focus.
Equity Bank was ranked first in retail banking, product innovation, agriculture and livestock financing, asset financing, microfinance, and corporate social responsibility.
It also secured a special judges’ award for product innovation, while placing second in trade financing and the Tier One category.
Speaking after the recognition, Mwangi said the awards reflect the bank’s long-term strategy.
“This recognition as the Overall Best Bank in Kenya reflects years of deliberate investment in building a resilient, inclusive and future-ready financial institution,” he said.
Chief judge Priscillah Mogaka said the evaluation process was based on a rigorous framework assessing both financial and qualitative indicators.
“We assessed 160 entries against a rigorous 100-point framework, looking at both quantitative data such as financial ratios and qualitative factors including governance and innovation,” she said.
The Think Business Banking Awards come at a time when lenders are under pressure to balance growth, innovation and affordability while adapting to changing customer needs.