Vol 13 Issue 2 April 2026-June 2026
Marks Oeta Biraori, Dr Tumaini Mutungi, Dr Cynthia Waga
Abstract: Commercial banks in Kenya are increasingly adopting financial innovations to enhance competitiveness, expand access to financial services, retain customers, increase revenue, and reduce operational costs. However, limited empirical attention has been given to how specific financial innovations, particularly payment cards, influence the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. This study examined the effect of payment cards on the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya, with financial performance measured using Return on Assets. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population comprised all 38 commercial banks in Kenya, and a census approach was used. The study relied on secondary data obtained from Central Bank of Kenya reports covering the period 2015 to 2024. Data were analyzed using STATA software through descriptive and inferential statistics. The Vector Error Correction Model was employed to examine both short-run dynamics and long-run equilibrium relationships between financial innovation and financial performance. Pre-estimation diagnostic tests, including unit root tests, lag length selection, and Johansen cointegration analysis, were conducted to confirm the suitability of the model. The results revealed the existence of statistically significant long-run relationships between financial innovation and the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. Payment cards had a strong, positive, and statistically significant long-run effect on financial performance. Short-run results further indicated that payment cards contributed positively to bank performance. The study concluded that payment cards is an important financial innovation that enhance profitability and operational efficiency among commercial banks in Kenya. The study contributes to the financial innovation literature by providing empirical evidence on the role of payment cards in shaping bank performance within the Kenyan banking sector. The study recommends that commercial banks increase investment in secure, reliable, and scalable digital payment infrastructure to maximize the performance benefits of this innovation. It further recommends that regulators strengthen policy frameworks that support innovation, cybersecurity, interoperability, and consumer protection in digital financial services.
Keywords: Payment Cards, Financial Innovation, Financial Performance, Commercial Banks, Kenya.
Title: FINANCIAL INNOVATIONS AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF COMMERCIAL BANKS IN KENYA
Author: Marks Oeta Biraori, Dr Tumaini Mutungi, Dr Cynthia Waga
International Journal of Recent Research in Social Sciences and Humanities (IJRRSSH)
ISSN 2349-7831
Vol. 13, Issue 2, April 2026 - June 2026
Page No: 31-41
Paper Publications
Website: www.paperpublications.org
Published Date: 10-June-2026