NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 23 – The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has approved the transfer of Access Bank Kenya’s business, assets and liabilities to National Bank of Kenya (NBK) following the lender’s takeover last year.

The approval follows CBK’s approval of the merger on August 17, 2026, under Section 13(4) of the Banking Act, and approval by the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning on September 21 under Section 9(1) of the Act.

“The transfer shall take effect upon completion of the transaction in accordance with the terms of the Business and Assets Transfer Agreement between the parties,” CBK said.

CBK approved Access Bank PLC’s 100 percent acquisition of NBK in April 2025 after the transaction met regulatory requirements.

NBK was incorporated in 1968 and was fully acquired by KCB Group in 2019 before being sold to Access Bank.

Access Bank entered the Kenyan market in 2020 after acquiring 100 percent of Transnational Bank, which began operations in 1985, and renaming it Access Bank Kenya.