Effects of Relationship Lending on Profitability of Commercial Banks in Kenya

Abstract

As a result of the increased competition among financial institutions coupled with financial distress and unpredictable economic conditions commercial banks are now taking to relationship lending to increase their profits. This study specifically sought to;to find out the effect of Credit supply on bank’s profitability, To establish the effect of Cross selling on bank’s profitability, to find out the effect of competition on bank’s Profitability and lastly to examine the effect of the default risk of borrowers on Bank’s profitability.This study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population for this study was all the commercial banks in Kenya licensed and registered under the Banking Act. The target respondents comprised of the relationship managers based at the head office of the selected Banks. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlations, and linear regression analysis.The study established that bank relationship lending has a significant effect on the profitability of banks in Kenya. Thestudy recommended that a similar research should be carried out across East Africa and beyond and establish whether the same results would be replicated