Equity Bank Personal Loan – review 2026
Pros
- Full CBK-regulated commercial bank with nationwide branch and agency network
- Both secured and unsecured personal loan options available
- Long banking relationship or salary channelling can unlock lower rates
- Formal CBK consumer-protection and complaints framework applies
Cons
- Lower end of the rate range is generally reserved for salary-channelled customers
- Secured loans require collateral valuation, which slows disbursement
- Approval is slower than app-based mobile lenders
Equity Bank (Kenya) Limited is one of the largest banks in East Africa by customer numbers and is listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. It holds a full commercial banking licence from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) under the Banking Act, which means its personal loan product is subject to CBK prudential supervision, consumer-protection rules and formal complaints channels that non-bank lenders are not required to offer.
The personal loan is aimed at salaried employees and self-employed individuals who need financing for expenses such as school fees, medical bills, home improvement, asset purchase or debt consolidation. Equity offers both secured and unsecured variants, and reported pricing on its personal loan book ranges from roughly 13% to 24% per annum, reflecting risk-based pricing rather than one flat headline rate.
Fees and Eligibility
As with most Kenyan bank loans, borrowers should expect a one-off negotiation or processing fee and, in many cases, a credit life insurance premium bundled into the facility. The final rate and amount offered depend on the applicant's credit history, whether their salary is channelled through Equity, and whether collateral is pledged. Equity's large agency and mobile banking network (Equitel/Eazzy) makes repayment and account management relatively convenient compared with branch-only lenders.
Note: the specific rate and amount figures above are general-market indicators, not confirmed from this lender's current published rate card -- always verify the exact rate, amount and fees directly with the provider before applying.Requirements
- National ID or passport
- KRA PIN certificate
- 3-6 months of payslips or bank/M-Pesa statements
- Minimum age 18 years
- Satisfactory CRB credit report
- Collateral documents if applying for a secured loan
Provider contacts
- Name
- Equity Bank (Kenya) Limited
- Address
- Equity Centre, Upper Hill, P.O. Box 75104-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
- Reg. number
- CBK/BL/0001
- Website
- https://www.equitybank.co.ke
- Online application
- Apply now →
- Regulator
- Central Bank of Kenya (CBK)
Information in this review is based on publicly available sources and is for informational purposes only. Finatino.com is not a financial product broker. Before signing any contract, we recommend reading the provider's terms and conditions.