Centenary Bank Overview Including Ownership and Location

Centenary Bank is a leading commercial bank in Uganda, with a rich history dating back to 1967. It was established by the government of Uganda as a state-owned bank.

The bank is headquartered in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, and has a strong presence in the country's financial sector. Centenary Bank is a member of the Uganda Bankers Association and is regulated by the Bank of Uganda.

Centenary Bank offers a wide range of financial services to individuals, businesses, and organizations, including savings accounts, loans, and investment products. Its services are designed to promote financial inclusion and economic development in Uganda.

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Centenary Bank is making banking more accessible and convenient with their innovative WhatsApp banking service, CenteWhatsApp. This platform allows customers to check their account balances, transfer money, pay bills, and even apply for a mobile loan up to UGX 5 million ($1,307.76).

To use CenteWhatsApp, simply save the bank's verified WhatsApp number, 0744 200 555, in your phone contacts and start the process by sending a message. A menu will appear, allowing you to select your preferred option and follow the prompts to finish the transaction.

All transactions are secured with a One Time PIN (OTP) sent to your registered bank number, providing an extra layer of protection. This secure and easy-to-use interface makes it possible to manage your finances via instant messaging, even including prompt responses and the option to speak with a call centre representative in case of a complaint.

By 2024, 7.48 million people are expected to be online in Uganda, accounting for 14.99% of the total population. This growing online presence presents a significant opportunity for Centenary Bank to offer easy, secure, and accessible banking solutions to a wider audience.

In fact, the bank's Managing Director, Fabian Kasi, sees the widespread use of WhatsApp as a chance to provide banking services to everyone, regardless of their background or location. This aligns with a Juniper research study forecasting that by 2026, 53% of the world's population will access digital banking services, marking a significant increase from 2.5 billion users in 2021 to over 4.2 billion.

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Centenary Bank has a strong commitment to supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Uganda.

The bank has extended a loan portfolio of approximately UGX.160 billion to SMEs in the economy, opening new possibilities across the country.

Uganda Investments Authority defines SMEs as entities that employ between 5 to 100 people, have assets not exceeding UGX 100 million, and register revenue not exceeding shs360 million per annum.

Centenary Bank is working with the African Guarantee Fund to provide affordable finance to SMEs in Uganda, aiming to unlock financing and facilitate the promotion, growth, and development of SMEs.

With a vibrant and youthful population, providing funds that aid SMEs to thrive, create more jobs, and contribute to the tax base is what Uganda's economy needs today.

AGF's objective is to provide partial credit guarantees and capacity development to financial institutions to stimulate financing of SMEs, thereby unlocking their potential to deliver exclusive growth in the continent.

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Centenary Bank has a presence in Uganda with over 100 branches and a large network of agents and ATMs.

Their banking services are available to individuals, businesses, and organizations, offering a range of products and solutions.

Their head office is located in Kampala, Uganda, and they have a strong commitment to serving their customers and contributing to the country's economic growth.

Centenary Bank has a unique ownership structure. As of December 2021, the bank's stock was privately owned by several corporate entities and individuals.

The largest shareholder is the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Uganda, holding a 41.0% stake in the bank. This is a significant stake, indicating a strong connection between the bank and the Catholic Church in Uganda.

The Uganda Roman Catholic Secretariat is the second-largest shareholder, owning 31.7% of the bank's stock. This suggests a strong partnership between the bank and the Catholic Church in Uganda.

Solidarité Internationale pour le Développement et l'Investissement, a French investment bank, holds a 10.5% stake in the bank. This international investment adds diversity to the bank's ownership structure.

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The Triodos Bank group, a Dutch bank known for its sustainable banking practices, also has a significant stake in Centenary Bank. Two of its subsidiaries, Triodos Sicav II–Triodos Microfinance Fund and Triodos Custody BV, each own 7.5% of the bank's stock.

Four Ugandan individuals also hold a small stake in the bank, collectively owning 1.8% of the shares. This indicates that the bank has a diverse range of shareholders.

Here's a summary of the top shareholders in Centenary Bank as of December 2021:

In contrast, Centenary Bank Malawi Limited has a different ownership structure. As of December 2022, the bank's largest shareholder is the Centenary Group of Uganda, holding a 51.0% stake in the bank.

If you're looking for Centenary Bank Malawi Limited, you can find them at Ekistics House, Convention Drive, Lilongwe 3, in Malawi.