My Chat with a Bank CEO 2026: Growing Your Income and Your Business

Money plays a role in almost every major decision we make. It determines how households manage their day-to-day needs, how individuals prepare for the future and how businesses move from an idea to something that can generate income and create opportunities.

Yet, making money work effectively is not simply about having access to it. It is also about knowing when to save, when to borrow, how much financing is appropriate, how to manage cash flow and how to prepare for opportunities before they arrive.

This is the focus of the latest edition of My Chat with a Bank CEO, a public social media event presented by the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA).

Under the theme “Growing Your Income and Your Business,” this year’s edition will bring the public into conversations with banking leaders on some of the financial questions that matter to households, entrepreneurs, young people and growing businesses.

The series will look at finance from both the personal and business perspective, with practical conversations around borrowing, saving, business opportunities, financial preparation and responsible growth.

Rather than focusing on the products or operations of individual banks, the programme takes an industry-wide approach. The conversations will explore the broader role of banks in supporting individuals and businesses, while giving the public an opportunity to ask questions and better understand how to approach different financial decisions.

From finding an opportunity to financing it

For an entrepreneur, getting financing is rarely the first question. Before seeking money, there is a more fundamental question: is there a viable business opportunity worth financing?

The series will explore how entrepreneurs can identify opportunities with real market potential, test business ideas before investing heavily and determine what makes an idea capable of becoming a sustainable business.

For young businesses that are ready to grow, the conversation will move into the practical realities of financing. When is the right time to take a loan? How much should a business borrow? What do banks consider when assessing a financing application? And what can an entrepreneur do when they have a promising business but limited financial records?

These questions are particularly relevant to businesses that need financing to purchase equipment, increase stock, manage cash flow or take advantage of new opportunities.

The discussions will also consider financing beyond traditional bank loans, including when equity may be more appropriate than debt and how businesses can structure financing so that it supports growth rather than simply helping them survive from one month to the next.

Becoming ready for Financing

Access to financing is not only about having a good business idea. Businesses also need to demonstrate that they understand their finances and have a plan for using and repaying the money.

Across the series, entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to learn more about the basic financial practices that can strengthen a business. These include keeping clear financial records, understanding cash flow, knowing how much financing is actually needed and being able to present a realistic repayment plan.

The conversations will also address common reasons financing applications fail and what young businesses can do to improve their chances of accessing financing.

For businesses that are still developing, becoming “bank-ready” does not have to mean having years of operating history or a complicated financial system. It can begin with simple but consistent practices that give both the entrepreneur and potential financiers a clearer picture of how the business is performing.

Making personal money work better

The series will also turn its attention from businesses to everyday personal finances.

For young people entering the workforce, households managing different income needs and anyone trying to build stronger financial habits, the fundamentals matter. How do you start saving when your income is small or irregular? What does a simple budget look like? When does borrowing make sense, and how much debt can you realistically afford?

The conversations will explore these questions alongside issues such as building good financial habits from the first income, avoiding predatory lenders, using remittances and informal savings wisely, and understanding the role of insurance in protecting personal finances.

Investment will also form part of the discussion, particularly around how someone can begin investing with a small amount of money. For those who have already experienced financial setbacks, the series will also address practical questions such as how to rebuild a credit history after a missed payment.

The broader message is that better financial management does not necessarily begin with having more money. It begins with understanding the money you have and making deliberate decisions about how it is used.

Preparing for a stronger financial future

Financial planning is also about looking beyond today’s needs.

Individuals and businesses need to be able to prepare for future opportunities while remaining resilient when circumstances change. For businesses, this can mean anticipating financing needs rather than waiting until cash is already under pressure. It can mean building a stronger financial track record, managing cash flow more effectively and balancing short-term requirements with longer-term growth.

For individuals, preparation can mean building savings, protecting income and creating enough financial flexibility to take advantage of opportunities when they arise.

The series will explore how technology can support better financial management, how businesses can plan their financing needs ahead of time and the role that banks can play beyond simply providing credit.

Looking towards the businesses of tomorrow

The final conversations will also look beyond businesses that exist today to the opportunities emerging in sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, technology, water, waste management and the creative industries.

For young entrepreneurs, these sectors may present new possibilities for building businesses and creating income. However, emerging businesses can also face unique challenges when trying to demonstrate their potential to financiers.

The series will explore what makes an emerging business attractive to banks, how startups can demonstrate revenue and market potential, what metrics entrepreneurs should track and how mentorship, incubation and early-stage funding can help promising ideas develop.

It will also consider how banks and investors can work together to support businesses with high growth potential, and what financing may be appropriate for different types of businesses.

A conversation for anyone making financial decisions

At its heart, My Chat with a Bank CEO is about making financial conversations more accessible.

Whether someone is considering their first loan, trying to grow a small business, looking for ways to save, exploring an investment opportunity or thinking about a business they could build in an emerging sector, the questions are often similar: What should I consider? What should I prepare? What are my options? And how do I make a decision that supports my future rather than creating a new financial problem?

The KBA CEO Chat series is an opportunity for the public to hear directly from banking leaders, ask questions and gain a clearer understanding of how individuals and businesses can approach money, financing and growth more deliberately.

These conversations will run throughout October and November and streamed live on YouTube and LinkedIn. You should definitely aim to attend, interact, and learn. Register to join the conversations: https://chat.kba.co.ke/

#KBACEOChat #Growing Your Income