Read on to find out the best Investment banks in Kenya. Currently, people are looking for ways to grow wealth, and one of the ways they are doing that is by saving in investment banks.
Despite wealth creation through saving being a dream for the majority, most people don’t know the right banks that they can use to achieve this goal.
On the other hand, there are those people who have tried other investment vehicles, and they ended up losing their hard-earned money.
For this reason, you will encounter people who have decided to keep their savings in the house, where it’s even riskier.
However, there are reputable investment banks in Kenya where you can save your money and have a goodnight’s sleep knowing that your payment is in good hands.
Top 10 Investment Banks in Kenya
An investment bank is a financial organization that specializes in large and complex financial transactions. Below is the list of the best investment banks in Kenyan
1. African Alliance Investment Bank (AAIB)
The African Alliance Investment Bank is among the top ten investment banks in Kenya. It originates from South Africa and has branches in other parts of Africa.
The main activities of the bank are:
- Financial research
- Wealth management
- Corporate finance
- Private Equity
- Third-party administration
It was founded in 1992 by Antonio de Castro and had its headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Contacts
- 1st Floor, Trans-national Plaza,
- P.O. Box 27639 – 00506
- Tel: 2762610/ 2762628 / 2762000/ 2762557/ 0733333140
- Fax: 2731162
- Email: securities@africanalliance.co.ke
- Web: www.africanalliance.com
2. AIB Capital Limited
It is among the first investment banks in Kenya to use mobile technology, online trading, and MPESA transfers. In 2012 it was said to be the first interactive mobile platform for trading shares.
Read also, Best Fixed Deposit Rates in Kenya in 2020
AIB uses mobile technology in this platform to buy and sell stocks, use mobile money to top up, and to monitor the accounts for their users. Their clients deal with the bank directly.
It offers the following services
- Portfolio management
- Derivatives
- CDSC services
Contact
- Finance House, 9th Floor,
- Loita Street
- P.O.Box 11019 – 00100
- Nairobi, Kenya
- Email: info@aibcapital.com
- Mobile: +254 711047000
3. Equity Bank
Equity bank is also another top investment bank in Kenya. What started as a small organization to empower the poor people in 1984 has turned into the best investment bank in the region.
Its popular product is the Equitel sim card and wings to fly scholarships.
You can use the sim card to deposit, withdraw, and apply for loans and bank statements.
The wings to fly initiative is for bright kids who are unable to afford education from all over the country.
What’s more, even foreigners can own accounts with Equity bank and carry out their business with the bank from their locations.
Its main activities are:
- Loans,
- Mortgages,
- Investments,
- Debit cards,
- Credit cards
Contacts
- Equity Centre, Hospital Road, Upper Hill,
- P.O. Box 75104 – 00200
- Tel: +254-20-2262477 Mobile: +254-732-112477/+254-711-026477
- Fax: +254 20 2711439
- Web: www.equitybankgroup.com
4. ABC Bank/ABC Capital
Abc bank has been a member of the Nairobi Securities Exchange since 1954. It comprises of ABC Capital Bank, ABC Capital, and ABC Insurance.
Apart from being an investment bank, it also advises its customers on how to invest in the Capital markets.
Services they offer are:
- Advisory services
- Corporate finance
- Portfolio management
- Stock brokerage
Contacts
- IPS Building, 5th Floor,
- P.O. Box 34137-00100
- Tel: 2246036/2245971
- Fax: 2245971
- Email: headoffice@abccapital.co.ke
5. Apex Africa Capital Limited
Apex Africa Capital Ltd (Apex) is also among the top investment banks in Kenya.
On 27th June 1994, it got licensed as HAK Securities Ltd, making it one of the first brokerage companies on the Nairobi Stock Exchange.
Its primary services are:
- Portfolio management
- Trading of equities at the NSE
- Research
- Corporate finance
- Trading in government bonds
Contacts
- Rehani House, 4th Floor,
- P.O. Box 43676- 00100
- Tel: 242170/2220517
- Fax: 2215554
- Email: invest@apexafrica.com
- Web: www.apexafrica.com
6. Dyer and Blair investment bank
Dyer and Blair were founded in 1954. It is also among the first six companies that are founding members of the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
It acquired its name in 1956 after Messrs Derek Ingram Dyer & Patrick Murdoch Blair took over its ownership from Hickman & Grey.
The Kenya Commercial bank later acquired it in 1973 as a subsidiary of the bank. But, ten years later, KCB sold the company to local investors, including businessman Jimnah Mbaru.
Dyer & Blair became a fully-fledged licensed investment bank in 2004
The services it offers are:
- Online trading
- Stock brokerage
- Managing assets
- Investment banking
- Financial research
- Mobile banking services
Contacts
- Pension Towers, 10th Floor,
- P.O. Box 45396 00100
- Tel: 3240000/2227803/4/5
- Fax: 2218633
- Email: shares@dyerandblair.com
- Web: www.dyerandblair.com
7. The Central Bank of Kenya
You may be wondering how the Central bank of Kenya falls into this category. The Central bank is not only the issuer of currency in Kenya its also an investment bank.
It deals in treasury bonds and bills too. Recently it has added to its products investment option M-Akiba which enables even Kenyans of low income to invest in the bonds.
With just Ksh 3000, you can buy the bonds and be well o your way to creating wealth.
Its primary services are:
- Formulating monetary policy to help maintain price stability
- Formulates and implements foreign exchange policies
- Issues currency
- It is a banker, adviser and fiscal agent of the government of Kenya.
How to Invest in Treasury Bills and Bonds
Here is how to invest in Treasury Bills.
- Open an account with the central bank
- Decide How You Want to Invest
- Complete and submit an Application Form. 2. Decide How You Want to Invest
- Get the Auction Results
- After getting the auction results, you make payment for the bonds you have bought.
- Maturity Proceeds. Your investments mature every 91-, 182- or 364-day period whereby your proceeds will be credited on account of your choice.
Note that investing in the treasury bills and bonds of the Central bank of Kenya is secure and offers attractive rates.
Contacts
- Haile Selassie Avenue
- P.O Box 60000 – 00200,
- Nairobi, Kenya
- mobile/ fax: +254 20 286 0000
- Phone: +254 20 286 1000,
- +254 20 286 3000,
- +254 709 081 000.
8. NIC Bank
The NIC Bank is another excellent investment bank in Kenya. Also, it has branches in Tanzania and Uganda.
It is user-friendly to the clients, for example, you can use your mobile phone to transfer money to and from your account.
Its services include:
- Mortgages
- Personal loans
- Commercial banking
- Foreign exchange. Nairobi Capital Market
Contacts
- Ground Floor, NIC House, Masaba Road,
- P.O.Box 44599-00100
- Tel: 2888 444 / 0711 041 444
- Fax: 2888 505
- Email: info@nic-securities.com
- Web: www.nic-securities.com
9. Kestrel Capital
Kestrel Capital is one of the high ranked stockbrokers and bond trader on the NSE. This is made possible by the fact that it has investors with high net worth.
Its main services are:
- Investment advice
- Market research
- Stockbroking and bond trading
- IPO and NSE listings
- Commercial paper placing
- Fairness opinion and valuations
Contacts
- ICEA Building, 5th Floor,
- P.O. Box 40005-00100
- Tel: 251758/2251893,2251815,2250082
- Fax: 2243264
- Email: info@kestrelcapital.com
- Web: www.kestrelcapital.com
10. Francis Drummond & Company Limited
Francis Drummond & Co. Ltd (F.D.) was incorporated in 1949. Also, it is the first East African broking company and was established on the NSE in 1954.
The capital market authority in Kenya licenses it.
It has proven to be a reliable, trusted, and innovative investment partner.
Contacts
- Hughes Building, 2nd Floor,
- P.O. Box 45465 00100
- Tel: 318690/318689
- Fax: 2223061
- Email: info@drummond.co.ke
- Web: www.drummond.co.ke
Functions of Investment Banks in Kenya
1. They act as mediators between the investor and large corporations.
2. Most of the investment banks in Kenya are also stockbrokers. (Stockbroking is selling shares on the stock exchange on behalf of the clients.
3. They also advise governments and businesses on how to get their financial interdependence hence earn revenue from the advisory services they render.
Read also: List of Tier 1 banks in Kenya.
Factors to Consider when Choosing an Investment Bank in Kenya
Before you decide on the investment bank to partner with here are essential factors to consider.
1. Accessibility
How easily can you access the investment bank? If it’s not easy to get services from your location, then that is not the right place to invest.
2. The investment bank’s Reputation and Experience
How long has the bank been an investment business? What are people saying about their services? A reliable? If the bank has a history of losses, then it’s not the right place to place your money.
Ensure that the bank you choose has a history of closing profitable deals and whose operations are successful.
3. Chemistry and trust
Can your investment banker be trusted? Remember, you are putting your hard-earned cash in an institution where you have no control over. It should be a bank that you can trust to take good care of your investments.
4. Adequate Resources
Now, this point is crucial. You cannot invest in a company that is not stable. A company that suffers from financial issues or maybe is facing bankruptcy is not healthy for your investments. A company with enough resources gives you the confidence that your investments will be maximized.
5. Network of Contacts
Through social media or google, it’s easy for you to track the connections that the investment bank has before making up your mind to hire them to manage your investments.
Final Thoughts on Investment Banks in Kenya
As stated above, these are the leading investment banks that you can hire to manage your investments. However, other companies are also prime for this purpose.
Old Mutual Securities, Kenya Commercial bank, Afrika Investment Bank, and Genghis Capital are some of the other investment banks in Kenya you can consider.
Armed with the factors above, choosing the right investment bank should not be a daunting task.
Check this fantastic list of bank codes in Kenya.
