SBM Bank Kenya has entered into a new collaboration with Mastercard aimed at expanding its card services and advancing digital payment capabilities in the country.

Under the partnership, SBM customers will transition to Mastercard-branded cards, which will include features such as tap-to-pay functionality, compatibility with digital wallets, improved security tools, and additional travel and lifestyle benefits.

The rollout has begun and will be conducted in phases, with customers set to receive upgraded cards without needing to take additional action.

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SBM Bank Kenya CEO Bhartesh Shah said the shift aligns with the bank’s strategy to enhance its service offering and strengthen its position in the evolving digital banking environment.

“This transition is more than a technology upgrade; it reflects our strategy to deliver improved customer experiences while supporting the bank’s growth,” he said.

Mastercard’s Senior Vice President and Country Manager for East Africa & Indian Ocean Islands, Shehryar Ali, noted that the partnership aims to support the adoption of secure and convenient digital payments in Kenya.

The move comes as SBM Bank Kenya reports a profit after tax of KSh 202 million for the first half of the year, a reversal from a loss of KSh 943.1 million in the same period in the previous year. The bank says the collaboration is part of its broader plan to sustain its financial recovery and invest in customer-focused innovation.