Effect of Financial Technology on Financial Performance of Commercial Banks in Kenya

Abstract

Performance in the financial markets is an essential component in the study of finance. Over the last decade, Kenya's commercial banks have increased their use of different types of financial technology (2011-2021). Mobile banking, agency banking, internet banking, and automated teller machines are just some of the various forms of financial technology available today. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact that financial technology has had, if any, on the overall financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The specific goals were to establish the effect of mobile banking on financial performance; to determine the effect of internet banking on financial performance; to determine the effect of agency banking on financial performance; to determine the effect of ATMs on financial performance; and to establish the moderating role of bank size on the relationship between financial technology and the financial performance of commercial banks. The research was predicated on the technological adoption model, the financial intermediation theory, the diffusion of innovation theory, and the profit maximization theory. The positivist research philosophy was used for this study, and a panel longitudinal research methodology was used for the research. The population of the study was the 38 commercial banks that have been in continuous operation throughout the last decade. The study was a census. Secondary information was gathered on an annual basis, and it covered a span of ten years (January 2012 to December 2021). The data was evaluated making use of descriptive statistics as well as inferential statistics entailing correlation and panel multiple linear regression analysis. The current research conclusions revealed that financial technology fairly explains financial performance and the current research discoveries also revealed that the financial technology is sufficient in predicting financial performance. Additional study findings were that mobile banking, internet banking, agency banking, adoption of ATMs, and bank size had positive significant correlations with financial performance. Moreover, findings were that adoption of ATMs had a significant negative link with financial performance. Meanwhile, mobile banking and agency banking had negative insignificant link with financial performance. Finally, both internet banking and bank size had a positive insignificant relationship with financial performance. Policy recommendations to the government officials and policy formulators in the Treasury and the CBK to not mainly advocate for financial technology policy as a means of boosting bank financial performance and it is recommended to the policy makers to utilize other policies when aiming to boost bank financial performance. Recommendations are also generated to the bank management and consultants not to mainly consider financial technology will significantly boost the banks’ financial performance.

Keywords: Financial Technology, Financial Performance, ATM, Mobile banking, Internet banking, Agency Banking