CBK and KBA Build Electronic Collateral Registry for Loans

In Short

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) are developing an electronic collateral registry. The aim is to make it easier for borrowers to move secured loans between banks.

What Happened

CBK Governor Kamau Thugge told the National Assembly’s Finance and Planning Committee that the proposed system would allow borrowers to transfer collateral from one lender to another with fewer administrative and legal costs.

Thugge said the electronic registry would reduce the need for borrowers to engage multiple lawyers and complete lengthy procedures when moving their security to a competing bank. He said this would make the process “almost costless.”

“If you have that electronic collateral registry, it becomes very easy for you to be able to move your collateral from one bank to another bank,” Thugge told lawmakers.

Why It Matters

This is a system where banks assess the risk linked to an individual borrower when setting loan prices.

By lowering the friction and cost of transferring collateral, borrowers who find more favourable interest rates or loan terms at another bank may find it easier to switch. CBK and KBA say this could reduce costs that discourage borrowers from moving secured loans, and give borrowers more flexibility when comparing offers.