StanChart Kenya Hikes Cash Access Fees: Customers Hit by New ATM, M-Pesa, and Counter Charges.

The changes, effective immediately, aim to offset operational expenses but squeeze everyday banking for many Kenyans.

The revised schedule, which takes effect in December 2025, outlines fees on mobile money transfers, credit cards, bundled accounts, cheque services and salary processing, among other services.

The updated tariff also lists charges for other banking services, including account maintenance, cash handling, funds transfers, standing orders, overdrafts, personal loans, foreign exchange transactions, drafts, and international money transfers.

These charges vary depending on account type, transaction channel, and currency.

Breakdown of New ChargesStan

Chart now levies KSh 40 per withdrawal at its own ATMs, up from prior rates, while non-StanChart ATMs carry even higher fees.

Over-the-counter cash-outs start at KSh 400 or more depending on account type, and M-PESA-linked services face added surcharges that compound till-point costs.

Customers who will be transferring money from their bank accounts to mobile money will be charged based on the transaction amount. Transfers of Ksh0 to Ksh100 are free. Transfers of Ksh101 to Ksh500 cost Ksh11, while between Ksh501 and Ksh1,000 attract a charge of Ksh15.

For transfers of Ksh1,001 to Ksh1,500, customers will pay Ksh18. Transfers between Ksh1,501 and Ksh2,500 incur a fee of Ksh25, while those between Ksh2,501 and Ksh3,500 incur a fee of Ksh35.

Amounts of Ksh3,501 to Ksh5,000 are charged at Ksh47; Ksh5,001 to Ksh7,500 at Ksh57; and transfers of Ksh7,501 to Ksh20,000 at Ksh67. Higher-value transfers between Ksh20,001 and Ksh250,000 are charged Ksh70.

These hikes contrast with promotional “free withdrawal” accounts like All-in-One, which still impose monthly maintenance fees of KSh 1,000.

Why the Increase?

The bank cites inflation, digital upgrades, and regulatory compliance as drivers, following a strong Q3 2025 profit of KSh 13.2 billion despite one-off pension costs.

This is highlighted as part of broader sector trends, where lenders pass on Central Bank rate pressures repo at 12.25% to consumers already grappling with 5.5% inflation.

Customers holding Standard Chartered credit cards must now pay tiered annual fees: KSh 6,000 for Gold cards, KSh 7,000 for Platinum, and KSh 8,000 for Infinite cards.

Additional fees include KSh 1,500 for late payments, KSh 2,000 for over-limit usage, KSh 1,000 for supplementary cards, and KSh 1,000 for replacements. Cash advances incur 5% of the transaction value, while international POS or cash advances add a 3% fee.

Accessing statements and balances via ATMs or the call centre is free. Account closure and balance enquiries over the counter are also free.

Customers requesting duplicate paper statements will pay Ksh250, while paper statements sent by post attract a fee of Ksh50 per statement. Electronic statements remain free.

Electronic salary processing is charged at Ksh150, while manual salary processing attracts a fee of Ksh500.

Customer Impact and Alternatives

Ordinary users of Hifadhi or standard accounts pay KSh 35+ per ATM pull, pushing many toward competitors like Equity or KCB with lower tiers.

Social media buzzes with complaints, urging switches to digital wallets or fee-free neobanks.

Financial experts advise checking personalized tariffs via the bank’s app to minimize hits.

This move echoes 2025 CBK-guided adjustments across lenders, balancing profitability with fintech rivalry. As Kenya’s digital economy booms M-PESA handles 60% of transactions duch fees could accelerate shifts to apps like Timiza or branchless options.