Four commercial banks from Kenya have been placed on the inaugural Forbes Top Performing Banks 2026 list, which evaluates financial performance rather than customer surveys.

Equity Group Holdings achieved the highest national ranking, landing at 71st globally in the mid‑sized banks tier, while KCB Group followed at 79th in the same tier.

The Co‑operative Bank and Stanbic Holdings were placed 120th and 138th respectively in the tier‑six small banks category.

The assessment covered roughly 500 banks from 89 countries, distinguishing this ranking from Forbes’ existing “World’s Best Banks” list.

Methodology and weighting of the ranking

Profitability accounted for the largest share of the scoring at 30 per cent, with growth and earnings quality each weighted at 20 per cent, while capital and funding resilience and asset quality and efficiency each contributed 25 per cent.

Equity Group reported a 32 per cent rise in net profit to Sh45.5 billion for the six months ending 30 June, and KCB posted a 14.2 per cent increase to Sh36 billion in the same period.

Significance for Kenya’s economy

The Kenya Bankers Association notes that the banking sector contributed Sh194.81 billion to the National Treasury, representing about eight per cent of total government tax receipts.

With assets totaling Sh7.7 trillion, Kenyan banks play a pivotal role in financing commerce, construction and public‑infrastructure projects, underpinning national development.