by John Oyuke

Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) branch network in East Africa region has hit the 200 mark, with the opening of a new branch in Juba, Southern Sudan.

Group Chief Executive, Martin Oduor-Otieno said the milestone reflected the bank’s commitment to taking financial and banking services closer to the marketplace.

"To operate 200 branches in five countries is a major milestone for the bank and a big statement on the direction we want this business to take as a leader in financial intermediation in the region," he said yesterday.

He added that the bank this week opened its 199th branch in Kigali, Rwanda.

KCB currently operates in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and in Juba, Rumbek, Yei and Bentiu urban centres in Southern Sudan.

Meanwhile, KCB’s Quickserve ATM network has been boosted by the installation of another 25 units across the region bringing the total number of machines to 280.

KCB Deputy Chief Executive, Group Businesses, Peter Munyiri, said the additional machines would complement the bank’s other channels in providing added customer access and convenience.

"We are strategically growing our Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) network targeting our branches, malls and supermarkets as well as petrol stations to increase customer access and convenience," said Munyiri.

KCB recently launched a modern contact centre that has improved the way it interacts with its customers.