For generations, a silent disconnect has existed. On one side, the vibrant, chaotic, and brilliant world of the creative economy—an ecosystem fueled by ideas, talent, and intellectual property. On the other, the structured, formal, and often rigid world of banking, built on the language of payslips and traditional collateral. The two have coexisted, but they have rarely spoken the same language. Until now.This is not the story of a new banking product. It is the story of a fundamental shift in perspective. It is the story of Kreate na KCB.
The Idea: From Mismatch to MovementWe began with a simple, yet profound, realization: to truly support the creative economy, we had to stop trying to fit creators into our world and instead, step into theirs. We saw an economy where income is irregular but not invisible, where assets are not always land or logbooks but are instead cameras, software, and the intellectual property behind a hit song. We saw a generation of artists, musicians, filmmakers, and digital creators building enterprises from the ground up, and we knew that “banking as usual” was failing them.Kreate na KCB was born from this realization. It is our answer to a critical question: What if a bank could become a true partner to the creative spirit? What if we measured success not by the predictability of a salary, but by the verifiable flow of royalties, contracts, and digital earnings? This initiative is our deliberate pivot—a commitment to learn a new language and build a new kind of partnership.The Execution: Beyond Banking, Into PartnershipWe knew that words were not enough. This new vision had to be anchored in tangible action, built on three core pillars that define our partnership with the creative economy. In 2025 alone, we invested over 50 million shillings to bring this vision to life.1. Products and Services, Reimagined: We started by transforming our own DNA. We moved from asking “Where is your payslip?” to “How does your money flow?” We began to see movable assets—studio gear, production equipment—as valid collateral through our Boresha Biashara facility, offering a direct solution for creators to access capital. This is about providing financial tools that fit the industry, not forcing the industry to fit our tools.
2. Deepening Financial Literacy: A true partnership is built on shared knowledge. We are committed to empowering creators with the financial acumen to build sustainable careers. We co-created with influencer Azziad Nasenya, embracing a partnership for financial education that other brands might have shied away from, because we believe in growth through adversity and the power of relatable storytelling. We appreciate that creators do not exist in isolation, to ensure that our partnerships are truly meaningful we have gone a step further to create of impactful in-person engagements for financial education for the creative economy eco-system players through partnerships with established organisations and platforms such as the Recording Industy of Kenya (RIKE), Sol Generation and more.
3. The Power of Collaboration: We believe that when we create with artists, we unlock something extraordinary. We partnered with nine music artists to produce three original songs and a music video that went on to win four awards. We co-created a podcast with a leading podcaster, featuring nine of our own female directors from Kenya and Rwanda in a series that celebrated African women in finance. We sponsored Sol Fest, celebrating our 13-year relationship with Sol Generation and our shared vision for world-class experiences. These are not transactions; they are relationships.The Opportunity: Powering East Africa’s Creative FutureKreate na KCB is not confined to Kenya. It is a vision for all of East Africa. From the filmmakers in Kigali to the fashion designers in Dar es Salaam, we see a regional creative force that is ready to take on the world. Our role is to be the financial institution that powers this future—unlocking access, knowledge, capital, and markets for millions of creators.This is our commitment to building regional pathways for income, learning, and mobility. It is the embodiment of our purpose, For People. For Better., extended to the artists, the storytellers, and the innovators who define our culture and are building our future economy.
The Future: An Invitation to CreateThe name, Kreate na KCB, is a promise. It means “Create with KCB.” It is an open invitation to every creator who has ever felt misunderstood by the financial world. It is a call to bring your boldest visions, your most ambitious projects, and your most audacious dreams.We are not just here to finance your work; we are here to amplify it. The era of banking as usual is over. A new chapter of co-creation has begun. Join us in writing it.
