NAIROBI, Kenya June 5 – The Central Bank of Kenya has approved an application by NCBA Bank Kenya PLC to merge and close 14 branches.
In a public notice, NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachara said the proposed action will enable the bank to accelerate the realization of merger synergies, create operational efficiencies and enhance service delivery.
Gachara said the bank has selected branches near each other, or where they are co-located, to undertake the action.
Among the branches affected include those in the Village Market Mall, Harbor House in Mombasa, Galleria Mall, Thika Road Mall, Hilton Agency in Hilton Hotel, and the KMA Centre located in Upper Hill.
Other affected branches include Harbor House(Mombasa), Thika Arcade, CPA Centre(Thika Road), Watatu Developments in Diani, Union Place in Meru, Mbolu Molo road in Machakos, Zion mall in Eldoret, Union place management in Meru, Airport Centre in Changamwe and the Settlers Stores building in Nanyuki.
Already, 7 of the affected branches had been temporarily closed, a result of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We encourage our customers to use alternative banking channels including digital and online banking,” part of the statement issued read.
The exercise came into effect Thursday.
The move comes several months after the formation of the bank, following a merger between Commercial Bank of Africa and NIC Group in 2019.