Abstract:
The study investigated the relationship between credit risk management and the level of
non-performing loans in Kenya Commercial Bank in Thika.The study adopted a
descriptive research design. Through use of descriptive and inferential statistics, this
design was deemed the best design to fulfill the objective of the study. The target
population of the study was 43 credit officials in kenya commercial bank in Thika. The
census method was used for this study since the population was small and variable and
the institutions are easily accessible. In order to achieve the set objectives of the study,
both primary and secondary data was used. The primary data was collected using a
questionnaire. The questionnaire had both closed and open-ended questions. The closed
ended questions enabled the researcher to collect quantitative data while open-ended
questions enabled the researcher to collect qualitative data. The secondary data was
obtained from the annual reports of the bank. Data collected covered a period of 5 years,
from 2017-2022. The study concluded that most bank have a sound credit risk
management system and the senior management bank develop policies and procedures
for identifying, measuring, monitoring and controlling credit risk. The study further
concludes that kenya commercial bank operate under a sound credit risk management
process that reduces loan default which leads to low non-performing loans. The study
also concluded that the bank take into consideration potential future changes in economic
conditions when assessing individual credits and their credit portfolios. For proper credit
management process, the bank should have management information systems that
provide adequate information on the composition of the credit portfolio. The study
recommended that the bank must respond to this by combining this information with
different credit risk management techniques used to evaluate the clients by reviewing the
lending terms and conditions of the clients. The overall responsibility of risk management
vests in bank’s board. The board should outline risk management strategy and formulate
well-defined policies and procedures. Risk management department be made on portfolio
or business line basis, to adopt a holistic approach judging the overall risk exposure in
assessing and managing risk profile of the bank.