Equity Bank’s New Look

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Executive Corner

Equity Bank’s New Look

Staff Writer - October 4, 2019

Equity has unveiled a refreshed identity in line with the ongoing journey of transformation and regional expansion. The new identity is aimed at creating sustainable growth...

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SBM Bank Kenya: A mobile-first digital banking strategy takes shape With a career spanning multiple continents, Bartesh Shah, the Chief Executive Officer of SBM Bank Kenya brings a wealth of international experience to SBM Bank Kenya. Known for his passion for innovation, Mr Shah’s strategy revolves around innovation and the creation of a mobile-first approach to digital banking. His ability to blend global best practices with local insights has been a driving force behind the bank’s renewed vigour. He talked to Business Insights Africa about his plans to make SBM Bank the most preffered financial partner for retail, SME and institutional customers. Excerpts How has digitalization impacted the bank’s business? Digitalization has transformed SBM Bank, enhancing efficiency, accessibility, and customer experience. Our Mfukoni mobile and internet banking platform has expanded to include services such as ITAX, eCitizen payments, and Platinum Saver account management, ensuring seamless banking for our customers. . SBM bank gained recognition for The ‘Digital Banking Innovation of the Year’ Award by the FDI Insider Awards, which serves as a testament to delivering quality banking experience to our customers By automating banking processes, we have improved operational efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced transaction security. We also use data-driven insights to personalize customer experiences and provide tailored banking solutions. Additionally, our robust cybersecurity measures protect customer transactions, ensuring trust and reliability. On the security front, digitalization has improved our ability to manage risks, with advanced cybersecurity measures ensuring safe transactions and protecting sensitive data. Briefly touch on key performance indicators Our key performance indicators (KPIs) are designed to capture the full scope of our performance in the banking sector, especially in a challenging business environment. Customer growth is a fundamental metric, and we’ve seen a steady increase in both individual and corporate clients, which reflects the trust we’ve built over time. Deposit growth has been another area of focus, where we’ve maintained strong inflows despite economic pressures, demonstrating the resilience of our business model. Profitability is a critical KPI, and SBM Bank has remained consistently profitable, even during periods of market volatility. This robust performance is a testament to our effective risk management strategies and our ability to adapt to shifting market conditions. Additionally, we track customer satisfaction metrics to ensure we are delivering exceptional service and value, which has remained strong due to our focus on personalized banking and customer-centric solutions. We also monitor the rate of digital adoption, as more customers embrace our mobile and online banking platforms. This shift has been crucial for expanding our reach and ensuring that customers in remote or underserved areas can access our services. Lastly, we closely drive the impact of our initiatives targeting SMEs, youth, and women-led businesses. The success of these programs, reflected in the increased number of successful businesses and clients served affirms our commitment to driving economic inclusion. As an experienced hand in banking, where do you want to take SBM Bank? My vision is for SBM Bank to become the preferred financial partner, offering innovative banking solutions and fostering economic growth. Our strategic location along the Indian Ocean rim positions us as a key player in cross-border trade finance. We are committed to digital transformation, customer-centric solutions, and sustainable banking practices. Our corporate responsibility initiatives include environmental conservation, where we have conducted tree planting and turtle conservation initiatives. We also undertake gender equality and youth empowerment programs, ensuring a positive societal impact. As SBM, we aim to expand our reach, strengthen our digital capabilities, and continue supporting key sectors such as agriculture, service, health, manufacturing, hospitality and many more. We also appreciate that customers need a trusted banking partner in their financial journey and we offer reliable payments solutions to drive their growth as individuals, institutions or communities. Our payment solutions span across different channels, namely; Mfukoni, Bulk Payments and international remittance and this ensures efficient transactions for various payment needs. We believe in empowering our customers with solutions that transcend mere functionality. Our payment services are more than just tools—they are enablers of success, growth, and financial freedom. Whether you are an individual managing everyday transactions, an SME scaling operations, or a corporate entity expanding internationally, SBM Bank aspires to be your trusted payments partner every step of the way to enable you experience seamless payments and limitless possibilities with SBM Bank. What kind of impact have you made as a bank? SBM Bank has played a pivotal role in enhancing financial accessibility, supporting business growth, and promoting economic development. Our tailored financial solutions, structured credit services, and commitment to sustainability have strengthened the banking sector. We continue to invest in financial literacy, entrepreneurship support, and community development initiatives. Our vision is to redefine banking by making it more accessible, innovative, and inclusive, driving long-term prosperity in Kenya. What’s SBM Bank’s outlook? Looking ahead, we would like our legacy to be defined by the transformative impact we’ve had on Kenya’s financial sector—making banking more accessible, innovative, and inclusive. Our strategy is focused on sustainable growth, continuous innovation, and deep community engagement, ensuring that SBM Bank Kenya remains a trusted partner in shaping the country’s economic future.

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Smartphone For All (www.SmartphoneForAll.ai), a business committed to digital inclusion, has won the 2025 Pinnacle Awards (Telecoms and Wireless Category) Digital Inclusion & Accessibility Champion and the 2026 Merit Award (Telecoms and Wireless) Digital Divide. The Pinnacle Awards is a reputable global program honoring innovation and excellence across industries. According to Katie Lang, Executive Director of the Pinnacle Awards, “The Telecom and Wireless Sector continue to set the pace for innovation, connecting people and businesses worldwide. We are proud to recognize the organizations that exemplify ingenuity, reliability and impact in one of the most dynamic industries on the planet”. In the same vein, Marie Zander, Executive Director of Merit Awards states that “this year’s winners reflect excellence across the ecosystem—demonstrating the technologies and strategies that are shaping the future of communications”. Smartphone For All had earlier in the year 2025 unveiled an ambitious campaign to bridge Africa’s digital divide by providing affordable, high-quality smartphones and connectivity and AI at the edge to consumers who are excluded from the digital world across the continent. Established on the belief that exclusion from the digital ecosystem locks people out of opportunities and lifestyle enhancements. Smartphone For All aims that every individual—regardless of income, geography, or background- can fully participate in the digital economy and the evolving AI transformation. According to Mr. Babatunde Osho, Founder/CEO of Smartphone For All, “The digital divide is not just a technology gap—it’s an opportunity gap. When someone does not have access to a smartphone, they are cut off from education, jobs, healthcare, financial services, and even their own voice. Our mission is to close that gap, one device at a time and build Africa’s largest digital inclusion platform. We are glad that the Pinnacle and Telecom & Wireless Awards have recognized what we are doing to improve digital inclusion and accessibility in Africa” Smartphone For All partners with MNOs to provide smartphones to 2G/3G subscribers who cannot afford 4G smartphone across Africa. The initiative was launched with MTN in South Africa in May 2025 for an initial period of one year with a smartphone device at ZAR 99 or $5. The plan is targeting about 1.2m devices. The vision of Smartphone for All is to take the offering to other African countries like Cote D’Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and other markets. Apart from the benefits for the subscribers, there are obvious MNO benefits of better spectrum utilization with 4G+ networks over legacy 2G/3G networks. For regulators and government, the benefits include productivity enhancements and digital inclusion among citizens. According to a report from the Economist Intelligence Unit, 10% growth in broadband connectivity results in 1.4% growth in GDP in low- and middle-income countries and 1.2% growth in high income countries. African countries like South Africa are actively incentivizing this growth through policies like a ban on new 2G/3G device activations starting from December 31, 2024, and a complete shutdown by December 31, 2027. The government has also reduced taxes on certain classes of smartphones to drive adoption. According to Jeff Miller, Director at Smartphone for all, ‘Smartphone For All is not just a business, it is a movement powering Africa into the next phase of development. Digital access is the foundation of inclusion in commerce, wellbeing and civic engagement. The pathway to growth for Africa is to bring more Africans into the digital ecosystem spanning financial, educational, public health, trade and other streams of innovation.’

Smartphone For All wins the Pinnacle Awards (Platinum) and Merit Awards...

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Canon Europe (www.Canon-Europe.com), in partnership with Visa pour l’Image, announces two grants to support long-term documentary projects both in the photography and filmmaking space. Championing the very best in storytelling, the 26th Canon Female Photojournalist Grant celebrates an outstanding photographer in recognition of her contribution to photojournalism, whilst the 7th Canon Video Grant acknowledges those wanting to magnify a social, cultural or economic issue in documentary form. The grants are open to individuals worldwide. Canon Female Photojournalist Grant For the 26th year in a row, Canon and Visa pour l’Image will award an €8,000 grant to a female photojournalist pursuing a long-term documentary project. The grant is designed to either support the completion of an existing project or facilitate the making of a new one. Entries will be judged by a jury of renowned industry experts. In 2025, French photojournalist Marion Péhée was awarded for her long-term project documenting young adults in Ukraine. Former grantees (https://apo-opa.co/41JgwcU) include Anastasia Taylor-Lind, Natalya Saprunova and Acacia Johnson. Canon Video Grant Alongside this, Canon together with Visa pour l’Image are seeking documentary filmmakers for the 7th Canon Video Grant. In 2025, Shiho Fukada, photojournalist and filmmaker, was awarded for her project ‘Echoes of Little Tokyo’, focusing on a fifth-generation funeral home serving Los Angeles' Japanese-American community. The grant winner will receive €8,000, along with a loan of video kit including a Canon video camera and two lenses to make a short documentary of approximately eight minutes in length. Both grants form part of a long-standing partnership between Visa pour l’Image and Canon, celebrating its 37th anniversary this year. The winning projects of 2025 (Marion Péhée and Shiho Fukada's projects) will be presented at this year’s Visa pour l’Image festival in Perpignan, France. How to apply Canon Female Photojournalist Grant: Application window: 18 March – 19 May 2026 Granted to professional photojournalists actively working in the field Worldwide submissions accepted Entry is free Apply here: https://apo-opa.co/4tfKRf4 Canon Video Grant: Application window: 25 March – 27 May 2026 Granted to professional documentary filmmakers actively working in the field Worldwide submissions accepted Entry is free Apply here: https://VisaPourlImage.com

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Sending money to Canada has been harder than it should be. Wire queues, unpredictable fees, days of uncertainty, whether you’re supporting family in Ontario, paying a Canadian contractor, or settling a business invoice. Starting today, Grey (https://Grey.co) users can send Canadian Dollars directly to any Canadian bank account, arriving in minutes via Interac for $3.00, or the next business day via bank transfer for $2.50. No percentage fee. No wire delays. Canada is home to one of the world’s most diverse diaspora populations, with communities from Nigeria, India, the Philippines, and other emerging markets deeply connected to their homes. The corridor has been dominated by legacy services that charge $15-30 on a typical $500 transfer and settle in days. Grey's flat fee and Interac delivery address both problems at once. The Interac integration matters more than the price. Interac is the payment rail built into the daily financial life of virtually every Canadian bank account holder, the same network used for everyday domestic payments. When Grey settles through Interac, the transfer doesn’t enter a wire queue. It moves the way domestic payments do: fast, confirmed, and predictable. Recipients don’t need a new app or account. The money arrives at the bank, where they already have an account. "Canada kept coming up. From Lagos to Mumbai to Manila, our users had someone in Canada they needed to pay, but no good way to do so. Expensive wires, slow settlement, no certainty. We fixed that,” said Idorenyin Obong, CEO and co-founder of Grey. The service supports all Canadian banks for both personal and business accounts and joins Grey's local-currency transfer network across 170+ destinations. Users can send from USD, EUR, GBP, or NGN balances, with individual transaction limits of $10,000 CAD and business limits of up to $100,000 CAD via bank transfer. Grey holds a Money Service Business license from FINTRAC in Canada and FinCEN in the USA.

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Tag: Equity Bank Kenya

Equity Bank’s New Look

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