SBM Bank Turns The Corner With Sh283 Million Profit After Years Of Turbulence

By Robai Ludenyi

After several difficult years, SBM Bank Kenya has finally turned a corner, posting a profit that signals a new chapter for the lender. The bank reported a net profit of Sh283.4 million for the nine months ending September 2025, bouncing back from a Sh1.34 billion loss during the same period last year.

The positive results mark a major turnaround for SBM Bank, which has spent the past few years reorganizing its business, tightening its spending, and improving how it serves customers. The strong performance was mainly supported by higher income from loans and a reduction in operating costs. In simple terms, the bank earned more from lending while spending less to run its daily operations.

SBM’s interest income, money earned from loans, advances, and government securities, grew steadily over the review period. This shows that more customers are taking up loans and that the bank is managing its credit risks better than before.

At the same time, the lender managed to keep expenses under control. Sources within the banking industry say SBM has been cutting unnecessary costs, reviewing its digital platforms, and streamlining its branch operations to become more efficient. These measures seem to be paying off, as the bank’s profit margins have improved significantly.

SBM Bank entered the Kenyan market in 2017 after taking over the assets of the collapsed Chase Bank and part of Imperial Bank. That expansion gave SBM a bigger footprint in the local market but also brought challenges such as integrating systems and managing inherited bad loans. The latest results suggest that those early struggles are now behind it.

Analysts believe the profit will boost confidence among depositors and investors, especially at a time when many mid-sized banks are battling to remain profitable amid high interest rates and tough economic conditions.

Although the Sh283 million profit may seem small compared to Kenya’s largest banks, it represents an important milestone for SBM. The bank’s steady recovery shows that resilience, discipline, and a focus on efficiency can turn things around even in a challenging market.

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The author is Robai Ludenyi. Journalist and Media Innovator