The Mediating Effect of Financial Inclusion on the Relationship between Branchless Banking Strategy and Performance of Commercial Banks in an Emerging market Context: The Case of Kenya

Since 1990 to date, a lot of banking innovation has taken place in order to improve commercial banks financial performance. Branchless banking which involves the use of agency banking and electronic banking channels in the distribution of banking products and services is one such innovation. This study investigated the role of financial inclusion on the relationship between branchless banking strategy and financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to analyze the effect of agency banking and electronic banking channels on the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The study also aimed at determining the mediating effect of financial inclusion on the relationship between branchless banking and financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The study adopted a correlational research design. A survey of all the 42 licensed commercial banks in Kenya was done. Both primary and secondary data on branchless banking and financial performance of banks was obtained from the commercial banks and Central Bank of Kenya banking annual supervision reports respectively. Return on Assets (ROA) was used as the main indicator of commercial banks financial performance. The amount of investment in agency and electronic banking was used as indicators for agency and electronic banking. Data analysis was done using SPSS and STATA statistical software. Study findings indicated that when used in isolation; both agency and electronic banking had a significant negative effect on the financial performance of commercial banks. However when agency and electronic banking channels were used together as a multichannel strategy, the effect on bank¡¯s financial performance was found to be positive and significant at the 95 percent significance level. Study findings also indicate that the strength of the relationship between branchless banking strategy and financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya depends on the level of financial inclusion. The study recommends that for positive returns, commercial banks should invest in both agency and electronic banking as a multichannel strategy since these channels are complimentary to each other and calls on the government to come up with policies to foster financial inclusion within the banking industry in order for the industry to achieve maximum returns from branchless banking strategies.