Press release
Stanbic Bank Kenya Upgrades Credit Platform to Advance Lending Efficiency and Risk Management
Stanbic Bank Kenya has upgraded its credit management platform in a move aimed at improving lending efficiency, sharpening risk assessment and strengthening decision making across its credit operations.
- Nairobi, Kenya
- November 4, 2026
- Media release
Nairobi, Kenya | November 4, 2026
The platform uses artificial intelligence and data analytics to support the full credit lifecycle, from onboarding and appraisal to covenant monitoring and post-disbursement oversight, supporting the bank's aim to cut turnaround times while maintaining credit discipline and governance.
AI and data analytics across the full credit lifecycle
- 01 Onboarding
- 02 Appraisal
- 03 Covenant monitoring
- 04 Post-disbursement oversight
Faster Lending, with Credit Discipline
The upgrade is aimed at four outcomes across the bank's credit operations.
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Improving lending efficiency
Cutting turnaround times across the bank's credit operations.
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Sharpening risk assessment
Artificial intelligence and data analytics applied across the full credit lifecycle.
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Strengthening decision making
Sound credit decisions, made at pace.
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Maintaining credit discipline and governance
Speed in lending, without loosening credit discipline or governance.
Sound Credit Decisions at Pace
Edwin Mucai, Chief Risk Officer at Stanbic Bank Kenya, said:
Lending today requires speed, discipline and optimized data utilization. This investment strengthens our ability to make sound credit decisions at pace, while improving the experience for clients and reinforcing the resilience of our lending book.
Implemented with Axe Finance
The new system was implemented with support from Axe Finance, as a key phase of the bank's wider programme to modernise its lending infrastructure.
Axe Finance is an established provider of credit and risk management software, serving more than 45 leading financial institutions in over 30 countries. Its core product, the Axe Credit Portal (ACP), is a modular, end-to-end platform that covers the full credit lifecycle, from loan origination to servicing and collections, with built-in artificial intelligence.
- 45+
- leading financial institutions
- 30+
- countries
- ACP
- end-to-end credit lifecycle, with built-in AI
Chris Kneen, Chief Commercial Officer at Axe Finance, added:
Our work with Stanbic Bank Kenya reflects the wider transformation under way across African financial institutions, as they move towards smarter, more scalable and better-governed lending. Together, we share a commitment to modernising lending through stronger governance, closer operational oversight and AI-driven technology.
For more information, please contact:
Issued by Hill and Knowlton on behalf of Stanbic Bank Kenya and Axe Finance
About
Stanbic Bank Kenya
Stanbic Bank Kenya is a member of Standard Bank Group, the largest African bank by assets, operating in 21 African countries, 4 global financial centres and 2 offshore hubs. The group's largest shareholder is the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), the world's largest Bank, with a 19.4% shareholding. In addition, Standard Bank Group and ICBC share a strategic partnership that facilitates trade and deal flow between Africa, China and select emerging markets.
With a solid foundation in Kenya and history spanning over 100 years, Stanbic Bank is one of the top Banks operating in Kenya that provides the full spectrum of financial services. Stanbic Bank Kenya provides the full spectrum of financial services.
The Personal and Private Banking division continues to serve the people of Kenya with a range of personal Banking products and solutions. Stanbic Bank also offers Wealth services and product offerings, including insurance, investment, fiduciary, bespoke Banking and multi-generational wealth preservation solutions to high-net-worth individuals, retail, business, commercial, and corporate clients across the Bank's footprint.
Its Corporate and Investment Banking division serves a wide range of requirements for Banking, finance, trading, investment, risk management and advisory services. Corporate and Investment Banking delivers this comprehensive range of products and services relating to investment Banking; global markets; and global transactional products and services. Stanbic Bank's Corporate and Investment Banking expertise is focused on industry sectors that are most relevant to emerging markets. It has strong offerings in oil, gas and renewables, power and infrastructure and agriculture.
Regarding the Business and Commercial Banking, Stanbic Bank Kenya offers Banking and other financial services to medium-sized enterprises and high value small businesses. This unit serves the increasing need among Africa's small business and individual customers for Banking products that can meet their shifting expectations and growing wealth.
The Insurance and Asset Management unit partners with our clients to fulfil their long and short-term insurance, investment, and asset management needs. The products cater to a wide range of clientele ranging from individuals to corporate and institutional clients.
About
Axe Finance
Founded in 2004, Axe Finance is a global software provider specializing in credit risk automation for financial institutions. The company's flagship software suite, Axe Credit Portal (ACP), is an AI-driven, end-to-end digital lending solution that automates the entire credit lifecycle, from credit origination and scoring to servicing, limit and collateral management and early warning signals. ACP is a multi-segment platform supporting Retail, SME, Corporate, Microfinance and Financial Institution (FI) lending, available as both a locally hosted and SaaS solution. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, with a global presence spanning the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific, Axe Finance is trusted by Tier-1 banks and beyond. The company has been recognized as a leader in the Quadrant KS Group SPARK Matrix® as well as the Everest Group PEAK Matrix®.