obiero wrote:VituVingiSana wrote:@Obiero - The 3% funds sourced by KCB probably have restrictions on on-lending. And they borrow in forex. Lending in KES at 14.5% would a huge risk.
Banks have treasury units to handle such matters.. Fact remains that they have cheap funds plus the USD is strengthening against KES hence more funds in hand upon conversion
If KCB had borrowed USD, converted it and lent it out at 14.5% then KCB needs more KES to repay the USD loan [since the USD has become stronger] which reduces the yield.
1) Are the USD loans unrestricted i.e. KCB can lend to whom they want?
2) Are the USD loans really at 3%? If GoK borrowed at 5-6% then why would someone lend unrestricted funds to KCB at 3%?
3) Has KCB "insured" (or hedged) the USD? We saw many firms/banks suffer when their USD liabilities soar in KES when the KES went from 84 to 107. KK is an example. As is KQ.
Greedy when others are fearful. Very fearful when others are greedy - to paraphrase Warren Buffett