Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of Internet Banking on the financial performance of listed commercial banks in Kenya.Methodology: This study used descriptive survey design. The target population was all employees of listed commercial banks in Kenya. Simple random sampling method was used to identify the study respondents. Primary sources of information were used and were gathered using questionnaires. Finally data from the questionnaires was sorted, coded and input into a software for analysis. Data was analysed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) to generate diagrams, frequencies, descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.Results: The key finding of the study revealed that internet backing has positive influence on bank incomes, operating costs, loan book and customer deposits.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Due to the growing demand for the internet as a key service delivery, it is recommended to bank management to ensure that there is tight security of data and information being operated on the internet bank platform. The study also recommends that the bank managers should emphasize on training their clients on use of internet banking via advertisements as this will make ease on communication. Commercial banks need to emphasize the use of internet banking as this will enhance banks growth and customers saving on much time which they could have wasted on queues to be attended the traditional way.

Following the global financial crisis of 2007-2009, policy makers, regulators and financial institutions have heavily invested in initiatives and reforms aimed at improving the financial stability of the banking sector. However, despite these initiatives, many of the listed commercial banks in the recent past have continued to report dismal performance. Additionally, the stability levels of the banks remain low despite implementation of financial inclusion policies which raises concern. The study sought to determine the effect of financial inclusion on bank stability of Commercial banks listed in Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya. The specific objectives were to establish the effect of financial availability, financial accessibility, financial usage, and service delivery on bank stability. The study employed a descriptive research design and targeted 11 commercial banks listed in Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya. The period scope was year 2014 to year 2018 and purposive sampling was applied in picking a sample of 55 respondents. Primary data was collected using questionnaires while secondary data was gathered utilizing a document review guide. Multiple regression analysis, correlation analysis, and descriptive statistics were applied in the data analysis. The study found that financial availability (p=0.033), financial accessibility (p=0.015), financial usage (p=0.039) and service delivery (p=0.023) all had significant effects on bank stability of commercial banks listed in Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya. The study concludes that financial availability, financial accessibility, financial usage, and service delivery play a crucial role in fostering stability of listed commercial banks in Kenya. The study recommends that central bank should ensure compliance on Central Bank of Kenya policies that govern capital adequacy to avert risks associated with Non-Performing Loans. Commercial banks listed in Nairobi Securities Exchange are recommended to embrace latest technologies in service provision. In addition, financial institutions need to invest in customer service by first providing employees with the right skills and technology to provide exceptional customer service. Further, banks are recommended to put in place strong lending policies as well as debt recovery measures which will improve their stability levels.

Firm value is dependent on corporate which leads to increased value. High valued firms attract more investors. Towards firm value protection, minimum capital requirements were raised by the Central Bank of Kenya from 250 million to 1 billion shillings on commercial banks to cushion bank shareholders value. Despite the increased oversight and regulatory efforts on corporate governance to protect and enhance firm value, some commercial banks have recorded low firm value. Hence, this study sought to investigate the mediating effect of financial performance on the relationship between corporate governance and firm value of commercial banks in Kenya. The study was anchored on Agency Theory. Explanatory research design was adopted. Target population was forty four Kenyan commercial banks, where a census was conducted. Secondary data was collected from published financial statements and bank websites for the period 2009 to 2018. STATA version 13.0 was used for data analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics specifically panel regression was used in data analysis. The study findings established that there is a statistically significant effect between financial performance and firm value of commercial banks in Kenya. Therefore, the study concluded that firms with good financial performance have high firm value. And as such, these calls for the management of the commercial banks improve financial performance which will go a long way in improving firm value. There is also need for Central bank of Kenya, Capital Markets Authority and Nairobi Securities Exchange to emphasis on corporate governance and short term goals to enable achievement of long term goals .

The collective investment schemes in Kenya have witnessed increased volatility in their earnings, resulting in irregular growth in the industry. This necessitates the need to understand the factors contributing to poor financial returns from collective investment schemes. Hence this study sought to investigate the effect of equity investments and bond investments on Kenyan CIS’s performance. The specific objectives were: To assess the effect of equity investments, bond investments on financial performance of collective investment schemes in Kenya. The study was anchored on: modern portfolio theory and the efficient market hypothesis. The positivism philosophy was applied, with the firms adopting an explanatory research design. The target population was 17 Collective Investment Schemes registered by the Capital Markets Authority and were operational in the period 2010 to 2018.  Secondary data was sought from the Capital Markets Authority Annual reports and from the respective websites of the CIS’. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlational analysis and panel regression analysis. Hypotheses were tested at a significance level of 0.05. Findings indicate that equity investment, bond investments have an insignificant effect on CIS’ return on assets. Further, equity investments had a positive and significant effect on liquidity whereas bond investments had an insignificant effect on liquidity. The study recommends that CISs actively revise their equity investments and bond investments to stimulate financial returns.

Financial Characteristics and Firm Value of Commercial Banks Listed at Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya 1. Introduction and Background Firm value is a measure that indicates the fair economic worth of an enterprise (Patrice, 2013). According to Thakor (2014), it is the summation of all the claims of every claimants including shareholders (common and preferred) and creditors (unsecured and secured). In measuring firm value, different approaches are applied when assessing value of private and public companies. Measuring the value of private firms is complicated and is based on a variety of assumptions. Various methods applied in valuing private firms include comparable company analysis, equity valuation metrics and discounted cash flow methods. Conversely, valuation of a public company is easier. Tobin's Q is the most prevalent measure of market value of public companies. This is a ratio of the market value of a publicly listed company to its book value. It is important to establish the factors that influence firm value so as to effectively manage them. In the US, Tailab (2014) indicate that firm value is dictated by age of the firm, leverage, growth rate and liquidity. Other factors that influence firm value include sales revenue and management efficiency. This was supported by Gharaibeh and Qader (2017) who observes that firm value in Saudi Arabia is affected by the firm's growth opportunities, profitability, firm's solvency and market capitalization. Moreover, Purwohandoko (2017) observed that value of the firm is determined by capital structure, return on investment of the firm's projects and the risk management competence of the firm leadership. In Indonesia, Purwohandoko (2017) found that for companies listed in the country's stock exchange, firm value was influenced by capital structure, size of the firm, profitability and growth of the company. This was later supported by Sabrina, Witjaksono and Lusianah (2018) who observed that firm value of public companies in Indonesia was largely influenced by capital structure, investment decisions and dividend policy. In Vietnam, Dang, Vu, Ngo and Hoang (2019) indicated that key positive determinants of firm value were profitability and firm size while capital structure (debt-equity ratio) was a negative influencer of firm value.

The fluctuation return on equity of commercial banks in Nigeria over the years has been a source of concern. This is largely due to the vital roles of commercial banks in the economic growth and development of the country. The study sought to assess the effect of price levels, exchange rates and interest rates on return on equity of commercial banks in Nigeria. The study applied annual panel data for the period 2010 to 2017. Correlation analysis indicates that price levels, exchange rates and interest rates had significant correlation with return on equity of commercial banks in Nigeria. Based on the panel regression analysis, the study found that price levels had insignificant effect on return on equity (β=0.0027, p=0.0660). The study findings indicate that exchange rates had insignificant effect on return on equity (β=-0.0002, p=0.0560). Interest rates had a significant effect on return on equity (β=0.0139, p=0.0110) of commercial banks in Nigeria. The study therefore recommends that price discrimination can be employed by banks so as to apply different interest rates on loans to different customers which can be guided by their credit history. Additionally, the Central Bank should put in place effective monitoring mechanism in line with floors and ceiling for lending rates so as to protect customers from exploitation by commercial banks. Further studies can be done on the effect of price levels and exchange rates on return on equity of commercial banks in Nigeria due to the unique results obtained in this study.

The deposits taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies have continued to play a critical role in Kenya's financial sector in terms of access, savings mobilization and wealth creation. Given the importance of the sector in economic growth, there has been considerable interest in their efficiency. In Kenya, DTS have been reported to have low efficiency, with the average efficiency being less than one. There is limited empirical literature to explain the inefficiency of DTS. In view of this, the study sought to establish the effect of asset quality on efficiency. The study was anchored on Asymmetric Information Theory. The study adopted positivist philosophy and explanatory research design. The target population comprised 110 DTS as at 2017.The study used secondary data that was collected from the audited financial statements for the period 2012-2016.Data was collected using a document review guide. Data Envelopment Analysis methodology was used to generate efficiency scores. Both descriptive analysis and inferential statistics which included panel Tobit regression was done and was aided by stata version 11. Descriptive analysis indicates that the mean of asset quality is above the required maximum by the regulator. In addition, asset quality had a statistically significant effect on efficiency. The study concluded that: increase in non-performing loans reduces efficiency. The study recommends that DTS Societies should develop credit administration strategies that reduce the amount of non-performing loans; a policy for credit information sharing to make it compulsory for Deposit Taking Savings and credit Cooperative Societies to share credit information.

Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) continue to be major players in the economic growth of Uganda as well as many of the emerging economies. The Uganda Investment Authority had projected 5.5% economic growth by 2030 in anticipation of stable market conditions necessary for the sustained financial performance of SMEs. However, the business failure rate of SMEs in Uganda had persistently revolved around 70% in 2018 from 50% in 2004. This problem had been linked to the turbulent market conditions characterized by intensive competition as well as volatile consumption behavior of the customers. Empirical literature indicates that competitive intensity, as well as volatile customer demand, presents a negative impact on financial performance. Hence, the study sought to determine the moderating effect of market conditions on the capital structure-financial performance relationship of SMEs in Uganda. From a population of 218,561 SMEs, a sample of 453 respondents was selected out of which, 423 responded to the questionnaire. Primary data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression techniques. The hypothesis was tested at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings indicated that Market conditions had a positive and significant moderating effect on the capital structure-financial performance relationship (?= 0.175 and p = -0.027). We conclude that market conditions can strengthen/ weaken the effect of capital structure on the financial performance of SMEs. We recommend that SMEs should evaluate the market conditions during the process of deciding the financing mix for their operations to optimize the impact of capital structure on financial performance