kassim f 
From Left:Bhartesh Shah CEO,SBMbBank Kenya and Mark Elliott Division President Africa-Mastercard
- SBM Bank Kenya Adopts Mastercard to Accelerate Payments Innovation;
SBM Bank Kenya announced its intended collaboration with Mastercard as part of the strategy to accelerate payment innovation and deliver an enhanced card experience for our customers.
This collaboration aims to bring greater global acceptance, advanced security features, and exclusive cardholder benefits, empowering SBM customers to transact seamlessly in Kenya’s fast-evolving digital economy and beyond.
Speaking at the launch event last month, SBM Bank Kenya Chief Executive Officer, Bhartesh Shah, noted that this transition represents more than a technology upgrade.
“This collaboration reflects our strategy to deliver superior customer experiences while driving sustainable growth for the bank.
As we continue to innovate around customer needs, this partnership enables us to offer world-class solutions that enhance convenience, security, and position SBM Bank as a leading player in Kenya’s financial landscape,” he said.
The new Mastercard offering will include tap-to-pay functionality, integration with digital wallets, travel insurance, lifestyle benefits, and enhanced fraud protection.
Customers will also benefit from Mastercard’s extensive global acceptance and leadership in digital payments innovation, resulting in a smarter, safer, and more rewarding payment experience.
Commenting on the collaboration, Shehryar Ali, Senior Vice President and Country Manager, East Africa and Indian Ocean Islands at Mastercard, said the partnership reflects a shared vision to empower customers with secure, seamless, and rewarding payment solutions.
“With SBM Bank’s customer-first approach and Mastercard’s global expertise, we are unlocking new opportunities for financial inclusion and digital transformation,” he added.
The transition to Mastercard-branded cards has already begun and will be rolled out in phases over the coming months.
Customers will receive a seamless and automatic upgrade to Mastercard, ensuring uninterrupted access to banking services while unlocking new features, enhanced security, and exclusive benefits, with no additional action required.
This strategic move comes at a time of strong financial performance for SBM Bank Kenya, which reported a profit after tax of KSh 202 million in the first half of the year, marking a significant turnaround from the same period last year.
The collaboration with Mastercard reinforces the Bank’s commitment to sustaining this growth through innovative, customer-focused solutions that create long-term value.
We look forward to continuing to serve you with smarter, safer, and more rewarding banking experiences.
