You both clock in at 8. You both complain about taxes and traffic. You even eat lunch at the same kibandaski. Same salary, same struggles, same boss. But when you check your KCB mobile loan limit, your friend is basking in a sweet 15,000 while you’re stuck staring at 2,000 like it owes you an apology.
You start thinking, "Is there a secret handshake I missed?" Not really. But there is a system. And that system is watching your financial behaviour like a hawk in a suit.
Let’s unpack why your loan limit is playing hide and seek while your friend’s is thriving.
If your salary enters your KCB account directly, that’s like walking through the VIP entrance. But if it goes to another financial institution and only stops by your KCB account when you need airtime or a quick bill payment, the system might think, "This one just passes through."
Your friend could be fully in the KCB ecosystem. They pay bills here, receive money here, maybe even save a little. That kind of loyalty earns you credit points.
If your account is living hand to mouth, cash in, cash out, zero balance before the weekend, it’s not a good look. Banks love stability. If your friend leaves some money in their account, repays what they borrowed, and avoids that 3-bob balance, the system takes notes.
It’s like dating. If you show consistency, you get trust. If you keep disappearing, well... the system stops texting back.
You may have borrowed before and forgotten to clear. Or maybe it was just late. That tiny delay in 2021 could still be chilling on your CRB report. Meanwhile, your friend’s report is probably squeaky clean. When you both show up for a new loan, their profile says “reliable,” yours says “let’s talk.”
Maybe you’re in a chama. Maybe you have a SACCO loan. Maybe a shylock knows your house. The bank looks at your total financial exposure. It’s not just about what you owe KCB, it’s about what you owe everywhere.
If your friend is loan-free and your calendar has reminder alerts for five repayment dates, the system sees that you’re stretched.
Scrolling through the app once a month isn’t enough. The more you transact — pay bills, buy airtime, receive payments, save money — the more KCB sees you as a regular. The system says, “Ah, they’re one of us.”
Think of it like points on a loyalty card. You don’t get a free burger just for looking at the menu.
So, What Now?
Your friend’s higher limit didn’t come from a magic ritual. It came from habits, patterns, and smart money use. The good news? You can get there too.
Start small.
Let your salary land in your KCB account.
Start transacting like you mean it.
Clear your debts, even the small ones.
Keep your CRB clean.
And give it a little time.
Because when it comes to loan limits, it’s not about what you earn — it’s about what your money says about you. So polish up that financial CV and give the system something to clap for.
Coming Next Week
Monday, 21st July
"So You Hit ‘Apply’... Then Got Cold Feet? Here’s What Happens When You Try to Cancel a Loan Application.”
We’re unpacking the loan love story that ended before it began — can you really ghost a loan?
Warm regards,
Witty Banker
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