Lending

Branch Kenya review (2026): rates, regulatory status, and how it differs from Tala

Branch operates as a microfinance bank, not a digital credit provider. That matters for the products, the deposits, and how you complain if something goes wrong.

by Arnold Ochieng Reviewed by Michael Mwangi 9 min read Updated 26 August 2026Verified 26 Aug 2026

Who runs Branch in Kenya

Branch International operates in Kenya through Branch Microfinance Bank Kenya Ltd, which holds a CBK microfinance bank licence rather than a non-deposit-taking credit business licence. That is the regime under the Microfinance Act, not under the CBK Digital Credit Providers Regulations, 2022 that most of the app-based lenders sit under.

The practical consequence is that Branch can take deposits and hold savings for customers, whereas Tala, Zenka, and other non-deposit-taking credit providers cannot. Branch does in fact operate a savings product alongside the loan product.

How the product works

Branch is app-based. You download the app, complete KYC and a permissions flow, and are scored for an initial loan limit. Approved loans disburse to M-PESA within minutes. Tenures typically run 4 to 68 weeks depending on product and history, which is materially longer than most competing apps.

Branch says its scoring uses phone metadata, M-PESA transaction patterns where accessible, prior Branch repayment, and CRB signal. On Android the app historically requests SMS and device metadata permissions; contacts access has been phased down in the wake of regulatory pressure across the sector.

What Branch costs

Branch prices loans as a flat facility fee on the disbursed amount. Headline fees fall in the 5 to 15 percent per loan range for standard tenures. Over a 4-week loan a 10 percent fee is materially cheaper on an annualised basis than the same 10 percent fee over a 1-week loan, so read the tenure carefully. We did not independently verify Branch's current rate card in this review because pricing is surfaced inside the authenticated app flow; treat published third-party figures as unverified until you read your own repayment screen.

For the methodology, see our effective APR explainer.

CRB reporting and defaults

Branch reports defaults to the three CBK-licensed CRBs. Standard practice is escalation over 30 to 90 days of default, with formal CRB listing at the end of that window. Once listed, unwinding the record follows the standard 5-step process; see our how to get off CRB Kenya guide.

Branch vs Tala

Both are app-based, similarly priced, and CBK-supervised. Differences that matter:

Regime. Branch is a microfinance bank; Tala is a non-deposit-taking credit provider. Different Act, different supervisor team at CBK, but the same consumer-protection principles apply.
Tenures. Branch tends to offer longer terms for established users; Tala focuses on 21 to 30 day loans.
Savings. Branch offers savings; Tala does not.
Loyalty pricing. Branch has historically rewarded on-time repayment with lower per-loan fees more visibly than Tala.

For the head-to-head, see the paybillke Tala vs Branch comparison.

Common complaints

Limit stagnation. Users report limits capping at KES 3,000 to 5,000 for months despite on-time repayment. Branch says limits are behavioural, not tenure-linked.
App bugs on Android updates. Post-OS-upgrade crashes are the single most common support ticket category.
Repayment lag. Occasional 24 to 48 hour lag between M-PESA payment and Branch reflecting the credit against the loan. Usually resolves without contact.

Who Branch actually suits

Branch is a reasonable fit if: (1) you want a longer tenure than the 21-to-30-day norm of pure app lenders, (2) you want a lender that also lets you hold a modest savings balance in the same app, and (3) you have been declined by M-Shwari and KCB M-PESA. If your primary need is the very cheapest short loan and Hustler Fund can meet it, that is still the first stop.

If something goes wrong

Raise a ticket in-app in writing. Screenshot everything.
Escalate to Branch Microfinance Bank Kenya customer service via the published channels on their site.
If still unresolved after 15 working days, complain to CBK Consumer Protection on 0800 720 000, citing that the licence is a microfinance bank licence.
For data-protection breaches, file with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.

Sources

Central Bank of Kenya. Directory of licensed microfinance banks (verify against current CBK publication).
Central Bank of Kenya. Digital Credit Providers Code of Conduct, 2022, extended under Business Laws (Amendment) Act No. 20 of 2024.
Kenya Data Protection Act, 2019.
Branch Kenya pricing not independently verified for this review. Treat rate quotes as unverified until confirmed in-app.

FAQ

Is Branch a CBK-licensed digital credit provider?

Branch operates in Kenya as Branch Microfinance Bank, licensed under the CBK Microfinance Act, not under the 2022 Digital Credit Providers Regulations. It is CBK-supervised, but under a different regime that also lets it take deposits.

What does Branch charge?

Branch prices loans as a flat facility fee over short tenures, generally in the 5 to 15 percent per loan range depending on your tenure and history. Effective monthly rates run higher than the headline once annualised. Confirm the fee on your own repayment screen; treat any specific number here as unverified until you see it in-app.

How is Branch different from Tala?

Both are app-based, both underwrite using phone data and repayment history, both report to CRB. The key difference is regulatory: Branch is a microfinance bank (deposit-taking, Microfinance Act) and Tala is a non-deposit-taking credit business (Digital Credit Providers Regulations). Branch also offers a savings product.

Does Branch call my contacts if I default?

No. Contacting third parties in the borrower phone contacts is prohibited by CBK conduct rules across both regimes. If it happens, escalate to CBK Consumer Protection on 0800 720 000.