DETERMINANTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF COMMERCIAL BANKS LISTED AT NSE IN KENYA

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the determinants of financial performance of NSE listed commercial banks in Kenya.
 Methodology: A descriptive study design attributed to a census approach aiming at the eleven listed commercial banks in Kenya was applied. The research relied on secondary data obtained from the audited financial statements of the said banks to create the correlation between the research variables. The information on the financial effecting of the listed banks was collected using a data collection matrix. The data was analyzed by the assistance of SPSS and the outcome presented in tables using statistical aspects, which include means and standard deviations.
 Results: The study established that government securities (r = 0.680) had a positive and strong correlation with financial performance. Similarly, Real estate (r = 0.738), Loans (r = 0.922) and, stocks (r=.469) had a positive and weak correlation with financial performance. The findings of study show loans (p=0.000) was most significant, followed by funds allocated to Government securities at p=0.149 then by funds allocated to stocks (p=.850) and least significant was real estate financing at p=0.972 at 95% confidence level. The findings show that there was a strong positive correlation (r=0.926) between Funds allocation and financial performance of commercial banks, according to the findings, 85.7% of financial performance of commercial banks could be attributed to the funds allocation to various assets. Adding another variable say, x5 will lower the strength of the model from 85.7 % to 84.6 %. 
 Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that listed commercial banks should diversify their real estate finance schemes to make it reachable to more customers since real estate had a significant effect of their financial performance. A study should be conducted on other variables such as inflation, exchange rates and interest rates fluctuations. A study should also be conducted to investigate the low yield of investment in loans in contrast to investment in government securities