Access Bank Kenya Business Moves to National Bank: What Customers Need to Know
By Faith Jepkirui | October 1, 2026
The Central Bank of Kenya announced in September that the business, assets and liabilities of Access Bank (Kenya) PLC would be transferred to National Bank of Kenya Limited, marking another consolidation move in Kenya’s banking sector.
What a Transfer of Business Means
A transfer of business generally means customer accounts, loans, deposits and other contractual relationships move to the acquiring institution under an approved transaction framework.
Customers should rely on direct communication from the banks and CBK for account numbers, branch arrangements, digital banking access or any service changes rather than acting on unofficial social-media messages.
Why CBK Approval Matters
Bank acquisitions and transfers in Kenya require regulatory oversight because they affect depositors, borrowers and the stability of the financial system. CBK reviews such transactions before they take effect.
What Customers Should Check
- Official notices on account migration and service continuity.
- Changes to branch or ATM access.
- Any new mobile or internet banking instructions.
- Whether loan repayment channels have changed.
- Fraud alerts during the transition period.
Be Alert to Impersonation Scams
Bank transitions can create opportunities for fraudsters. Customers should not disclose PINs, passwords or one-time codes to callers claiming to be helping with the migration.
What Happens to Existing Deposits and Loans?
In an approved transfer of business, customer relationships do not simply disappear. Deposits, loan obligations and other contractual positions are transferred under the approved arrangement, subject to the terms communicated by the institutions and the regulator.
Customers should therefore continue meeting existing loan obligations unless they receive verified instructions changing the repayment channel. Missing a payment because of an unofficial message or social-media rumour can still create problems on an account.
Why Bank Consolidation Matters
Kenya’s banking sector has experienced several mergers, acquisitions and transfers as institutions seek scale, stronger capital positions and wider distribution networks. Regulatory approval is intended to protect depositors and ensure that the acquiring bank can safely absorb the transferred business.
How Customers Can Protect Themselves During the Transition
Customers should verify any migration message using official bank contacts, check statements after the transfer, confirm new digital-banking details through trusted channels and immediately report unauthorised transactions. Banks do not need a customer’s PIN or one-time password to migrate an account.
Source and Verification
This article is based on the Central Bank of Kenya’s September 23, 2026 press release on the transfer of Access Bank Kenya’s business, assets and liabilities to National Bank of Kenya.
