Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Housing Finance Company of Kenya

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Type
  
Public

Industry
  
Mortgage Banking

Founded
  
1965

Traded as
  
KN: HFCK

Headquarters
  
Nairobi

Subsidiaries
  
Theta Grove Limited

Housing Finance Company of Kenya wwwauhfcozawordpressassetsHFGjpg

Key people
  
Steve Mainda Chairman Frank Ireri Managing Director

Products
  
Loans, Checking, Savings, Investments, Mortgages

Revenue
  
Aftertax:US$11.7+ million (KES:995.2 million) (2013)

Profiles

Housing Finance Company of Kenya (HFCK), commonly referred to as Housing Finance, is a mortgage finance provider in Kenya, the largest economy in the East African Community. The company is the only mortgage company regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya, the central bank and national banking regulator.

Contents

Overview

Housing Finance Limited is a large mortgage finance company, serving the mortgage needs of the Kenyan population. As of December 2013, the company's total assets were valued at approximately US$548.4 million (KES:47.4 billion), with shareholders' equity of about US$67.8 million (KES:5.86 billion). At that time, the institution was ranked number 17, by assets, out of the 43 licensed banks and mortgage finance companies in Kenya, then. Shares of the stock of Housing Finance are listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE), where they trade under the symbol HFCK.

History

The company was established in November 1965, to promote a savings culture and home ownership among the citizens of newly independent Kenya. Major investors in the company included the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC), whose shareholding at one time was as high as 60%, and the Government of Kenya, which at one time owned 50% of the company. CDC has since divested from Housing Finance Limited and the Kenyan Government has substantially reduced its shareholding.

In 1992 Housing Finance Company of Kenya became listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange, where it trades under the symbol HFCK. The company adopted the shorter name of Housing Finance Limited, in 2002. In 2010, the Central Bank of Kenya, authorized HFL to issue and operate checking accounts; having been authorized to issue and operate savings accounts in the past.

On June 30, 2014, British-American Investments Company (the second largest shareholder in HFCK) served the Housing Finance's board with a takeover notice to acquire Equity Group Holdings Limited's 24.76% shareholding in the mortgage financier. A move that would increase Britam's stake to 46.08% and see Equity Group Holdings Limited end its seven-year investment in Housing Finance.

In December 2014, HFCK commenced a restructure of its operations. The restructure involved the following:

  • The Incorporation of a new wholly owned subsidiary under the name “HFC Limited”.
  • The transfer of the company's banking and mortgage finance business to its newly incorporated subsidiary, HFC Limited.
  • The changing of the company's name to “HF Group Limited” and operating as a non-operating holding company. This is in accordance with the CBK Banking Act and Prudential Guidelines.
  • Ownership

    As of December 2014, the major shareholders in the stock of the mortgage company were as listed in the table below:

    Note:

  • Equity Nominees Limited A/C 00104 is held on behalf of British American Insurance Company.
  • British American Insurance Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of British-American Investments Company.
  • By virtue of Indirect control, Britam had a 46.03% stake in HFCK as at December 31, 2014.
  • BAI Company Mauritius Limited and British-American Investments Company have a common shareholder.
  • Branch network

    The company maintains branches at the following locations:

    1. Rehani Branch - Rehani House, Kenyatta Avenue at Koinange Street, Nairobi
    2. Gill House Branch - Gill House, Moi Avenue, Nairobi
    3. Maserah House Branch - Maserah House, Kenyatta Market, Nairobi
    4. Buru Buru Branch - Epren Centre, Buru Buru, Nairobi
    5. Mombasa Branch - Permanent House, Moi Avenue, Mombasa
    6. Nakuru Branch - AFC Building, Geoffrey Kamau Way, Nakuru
    7. Nyeri Branch - Kimathi Way, Nyeri
    8. Eldoret Branch -KVDA Plaza, Oloo Street at Utalii Street, Eldoret
    9. Kisumu Branch - Tivoli Centre, Court Road, Kisumu
    10. Thika Branch - Uhuru Street, Thika
    11. Meru Branch - Westwind Annex Plaza, Tom Mboya Street, Meru
    12. Kitengela Branch - Red Heron Centre, Kitengela
    13. Ongata Rongai Branch - Maasai Mall, Ongata Rongai
    14. Nyali Branch - Nyali Centre, Links Road, Nyali.

    Governance

    Steve Mainda, one of the non-executive directors, is the Chairman of the board of directors. Frank Ireri is the managing director of Housing Finance.

    References

    Housing Finance Company of Kenya Wikipedia