Thesis Title: Credit Risk Mitigation Practices and Profitability of Deposit Taking Savings and Credit Cooperatives in Western Region, Kenya

Student’s Name:  Wataka Sicharani Levy.

Supervisors Name:

1. Rashid Fwamba.
2. Tecla Kirwa.

ABSTRACT

The high rocketing level of non-performing loans, in the Kenyan Money Lending Industry has been a big bottleneck to the economic success and stability. The major problem is unstable profit, which keeps on fluctuating because of default rate by customers caused by weak credit-risk mitigation practices. This has led to profit decline by 30.0 percent from 2019 to June 2020. The assets quality is deteriorating, with the ratio of non-performing loans to gross loans also rising from 12% in December 2019 to 13.1% in June 2020. This depicts some inconsistency and profitability is affected in the same way. Therefore, Credit risk mitigation needs to be carried out in order to survive the increasing competition in the sector. The study aimed to examine influence of Credit Risk Mitigation practices on profitability of Deposit-Taking Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) in western Region, Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to; Determine the effects of debt collection techniques on profitability of deposit-taking Sacco’s in western region-Kenya, to examine the effects of credit qualification terms on profitability of deposit-accepting Sacco’s in Western Region-Kenya, to investigate the effect of credit risk mapping on profitability of deposit-taking Sacco’s in Western Region-Kenya and to determine the moderating effects of Government Regulations through SASRA on profitability of deposit-taking Sacco’s in Western Region-Kenya. The study was, anchored on Credit risk theory. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The study target population comprised of 273 respondents. Yamane’s formula was used to calculate the sample size and 162 respondents out of 273were picked for the study. Primary data was collected using questionnaires. Validity of the research instrument that is content, construct and criterion validity established using expert judgments, while Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient measured internal consistency. The alpha coefficient of above 0.70 considered reliable.  Data subsequently analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Multiple regression analysis used to test the hypotheses for possible rejection or acceptance. The study revealed that there is positive and significant relationship between debt collection techniques, (R=0.591, R²=0.350, P<.05), Credit qualification terms, (R=0.621, R²=0.386, P<.05) and credit risk mapping, (R=0.683, R²=0.467, P<.05), on profitability of deposit taking Sacco’s. Based on the findings credit risk mitigation practices were key to profitability among deposit taking Sacco’s in western region, Kenya. The study concluded that there is need for strong policies regarding debt collection techniques to be put in place in order to increase deposit taking Sacco’s profitability. Further, managers should practice good credit qualification terms as they advance credit to their clients. This will help in giving out quality loans hence profitability increases.