USD Fixed Deposit Rates in Kenya — Dollar FD Comparison 2026

Compare USD-denominated fixed deposit rates from Kenyan banks. Minimum deposits, terms, and withholding tax info.

Verified rates 13 Aug 2026 · 17 banks tracked

Highest Advertised Rate

6.25%

Kingdom Bank

Average Rate

2.44%

Across all banks

Lowest Minimum

$100

ABSA Kenya

Banks Tracked

MMF Average

9.41%

For comparison

Data as of 13 Aug 2026

Kenya Macro Indicators

Currency Converter →

Top Fixed Deposit Rates

Ranked by published 12-month rate. Banks that don't publish rates online are listed as 'Negotiable' — contact branch for terms. All rates verified from bank product pages (March 2026).

Kingdom Bank

6.25% per annum

Best Published Rate

Min USD 50KTerm 1-12m

Strict Penalty

DTB Bank

3.50% per annum

Best Published Rate

Min USD 5KTerm 1-12m

Strict Penalty

Mayfair CIB Bank

3.50% per annum

Best Published Rate

Min USD 1KTerm 1-12m

Strict Penalty

Before you lock your money in a fixed deposit

Most published fixed deposit rates in Kenya (4-10%) are lower than the average MMF yield (~9.4%). Only Kingdom Bank and Victoria Commercial Bank (both 10%) beat it, with Consolidated Bank (9.5%) close behind. Banks may offer higher negotiated rates for large deposits (KES 1M+), but most published retail rates still trail MMFs. Fixed deposits make sense if you need a locked commitment to avoid spending, want KDIC insurance, or can negotiate a premium rate.

How Do Fixed Deposits Compare to MMFs?

Decision this informs

Should you lock your money in a fixed deposit or put it in an MMF? This chart shows every bank's FD rate alongside the MMF market average (dashed line). Any bank below the line is paying you less than what you'd earn in an MMF — with worse liquidity. The line shows the current MMF average for comparison.

Fixed Deposit Rate Comparison

Each bank's best published FD rate ranked against the MMF market average — banks below the dashed line offer less than an MMF with worse liquidity.

MMF Average: 9.41%

Where Is the Best Value for Your Deposit Size?

Decision this informs

Does depositing more money get you a better rate? The top-left is the sweet spot — high yield, low minimum. Bottom-right: large minimum, low yield.

FD Yield vs Minimum Deposit Size

Bank FD rates plotted against their minimum deposit requirements — the top-left is the sweet spot of high yield and low minimum.

Are Strict Penalties Worth the Extra Yield?

Decision this informs

Banks with strict penalties (forfeit all interest on early withdrawal) tend to offer higher rates. If you are certain you won't need the money before the term ends, the extra yield may be worth it. If there's any chance you'll need early access, a flexible option or an MMF is safer.

Flexible

3.5%

Avg yield (1 bank)

Negotiable rates, no published penalty

Moderate

2.3%

Avg yield (2 banks)

Partial interest forfeiture or reduced rate

Strict

1.6%

Avg yield (5 banks)

Forfeit all accrued interest on early withdrawal

All Fixed Deposits — Compared

Click any column header to sort. Pay close attention to the penalty column — it determines what happens if you need your money before the term ends.


Kingdom Bank	6.25%	USD 50K	1, 3, 6, 12 months	Strict	Contact bank for early withdrawal terms.
DTB Bank	3.50%	USD 5K	1, 3, 6, 12 months	Strict	Contact bank for early withdrawal terms.
Mayfair CIB Bank	3.50%	USD 1K	1, 3, 6, 12 months	Strict	Contact bank for early withdrawal terms.
KCB Bank	3.25%	USD 5K	1, 3, 6, 12 months	Strict	Contact bank for early withdrawal terms.
Consolidated Bank of Kenya	3.00%	USD 10K	1, 3, 6, 12 months	Strict	Contact bank for early withdrawal terms.
HFC	2.80%	USD 5K	1, 3, 6, 12 months	Strict	Contact bank for early withdrawal terms.
Sidian Bank	2.75%	USD 10K	1, 3, 6, 12 months	Strict	Contact bank for early withdrawal terms.
Gulf African	2.63%	USD 500	1, 3, 6, 12 months	Strict	Contact bank for early withdrawal terms.
Victoria Commercial Bank	2.50%	USD 1K	1, 3, 6, 12 months	Strict	Contact bank for early withdrawal terms.
ABSA Kenya	2.30%	USD 100	3, 6, 12 months	Strict	Contact bank for early withdrawal terms.
Prime Bank	2.25%	USD 10K	1, 3, 6, 12 months	Strict	Contact bank for early withdrawal terms.
Co-operative Bank	2.00%	USD 380	1, 3, 6, 12 months	Strict	Contact bank for early withdrawal terms.
NCBA Bank	1.35%	USD 1K	1, 3, 12 months	Strict	Contact bank for early withdrawal terms.
Family Bank	1.25%	USD 50K	3, 6, 12 months	Strict	Contact bank for early withdrawal terms.
UBA Kenya	1.10%	USD 50K	1, 3, 6, 12 months	Strict	Contact bank for early withdrawal terms.
BOA	1.00%	USD 50K	1, 3, 6, 12 months	Strict	Contact bank for early withdrawal terms.
Standard Chartered	0.10%*	USD 5K	1, 3, 6, 12 months	Strict	Contact bank for early withdrawal terms.

* Published rate may vary based on account tier, deposit amount, or negotiated terms. Verify directly with the institution.

Fixed Deposit Returns Calculator

Estimate returns and compare with an MMF. The comparison includes 15% withholding tax (as of March 2026) on interest for both products.

Fixed Deposit vs. MMF — Side by Side

Same amount, same period — which earns more?

Choose a bank

Deposit amount (USD)

Term (months)

Using Kingdom Bank’s published 12-month rate of 2.75%.

Fixed Deposit Earnings (after tax)

KES 2,338

KES 102,338

FD total value at maturity

KES 108,353

Same amount in MMF (avg ~9.4%)

+KES 6,015

MMF advantage over FD

KES 2,750

Lost if you withdraw early (FD)

Based on recent average yields, MMFs may offer higher returns than this FD, though returns are not guaranteed.

Past performance does not guarantee future results. Actual returns may differ.

How Fixed Deposits Work

A fixed deposit locks money with a bank for a set period in exchange for a fixed interest rate for the agreed term. Simple — but the terms matter.

Your money is locked for a fixed term

You deposit for a fixed period — typically 1 to 12 months — at a fixed rate (set by the bank at the time of deposit) that does not change during the term.

Interest is paid at maturity

Most FDs pay all interest as a lump sum when the term ends. Some banks offer monthly interest on larger deposits.

Early withdrawal usually costs you everything

Most Kenyan banks forfeit all accrued interest on early withdrawal. All banks in our tracker enforce strict penalties — you lose all interest if you withdraw early.

KDIC insured up to KES 500,000 (as of March 2026)

Deposits are insured by KDIC up to KES 500,000 per depositor per institution (as of March 2026).

Frequently Asked Questions

MMFs invest directly in Treasury bills and other money market instruments. Banks use your fixed deposit money to fund loans but only pass you 4–10% in published retail rates. The spread is the bank’s profit margin. MMFs pass most of the yield to you, minus a 1–2.5% management fee. Most published FD rates are still below the MMF average (~9.4%), making MMFs the better deal for most retail savers. MMFs invest heavily in Treasury Bills — compare live T-Bill rates to see the underlying yield. Compare FDs and MMFs side-by-side →

In three scenarios: (1) Large deposits (KES 1M+) where banks may offer negotiated rates above published sheets. (2) You specifically want to lock the money away to prevent yourself from spending it — the penalty acts as a behavioral commitment device. (3) You want KDIC deposit insurance (up to KES 500K, as of March 2026) which MMFs don’t offer. Most published FD rates (4–10%) still sit below the MMF average (~9.4%), so an MMF is usually the better choice — though the top tier-3 banks now match or beat it.

It varies by bank. UBA Kenya starts from KES 10,000. Stanbic, DTB and Consolidated Bank start from KES 20,000. Family Bank from KES 30,000. Equity, KCB, Co-op, I&M, HF Group, Bank of Africa, Gulf African, Sidian, SBM and Kingdom Bank start at KES 50,000. NCBA, ABSA, Standard Chartered, Prime Bank, ABC Bank and Victoria Commercial Bank require KES 100,000. By contrast, many MMFs start at KES 100.

Yes — most Kenyan banks negotiate FD rates based on deposit amount, term, and relationship. Published 12-month rates range from 4% (ABSA Kenya) to 10% (Kingdom Bank and Victoria Commercial Bank). A few banks (Family Bank, UBA Kenya) don’t publish rates at all and quote based on the amount you are saving. If you’re depositing KES 500K or more, call the bank’s treasury desk directly — you may get rates above the published sheets.

Fixed deposit interest is subject to 15% withholding tax (as of March 2026), same as MMFs. The bank deducts it automatically before paying you. A 10% FD rate nets you about 8.5% after tax. Our calculator shows after-tax numbers.

Most banks auto-renew at maturity unless you instruct otherwise. Check whether the renewal rate is the “prevailing rate” (which may be different) or the original rate. Some banks give a grace period of 1–7 days after maturity to withdraw without penalty.

We track published fixed deposit rates, minimum deposit requirements, available terms, and early withdrawal penalties for 12 Kenyan banks. Rates are sourced directly from bank product pages and verified periodically. Banks that don’t publish rates online (Stanbic, DTB, Family) are listed as “Negotiable.” Actual rates may vary — contact your bank for a quote.

Explore higher-yielding alternatives

Build wealth with higher-yielding alternatives — compare MMFs (avg ~9.3%), treasury bonds, and more.

MMF Dashboard Bond Dashboard

USD Fixed Deposits →Savings Accounts →MMF Beginner's Guide →Speak to an Analyst →Wealth Builder →Investment Marketplace →← Back to Market Indexes

News

Kingdom Bank

6.25%

USD 50K

DTB Bank

3.50%

USD 5K

Mayfair CIB Bank

3.50%

USD 1K

KCB Bank

3.25%

USD 5K

Consolidated Bank of Kenya

3.00%

USD 10K

HFC

2.80%

USD 5K

Sidian Bank

2.75%

USD 10K

Gulf African

2.63%

USD 500

Victoria Commercial Bank

2.50%

USD 1K

ABSA Kenya

2.30%

USD 100

Prime Bank

2.25%

USD 10K

Co-operative Bank

2.00%

USD 380

NCBA Bank

1.35%

USD 1K

Family Bank

1.25%

USD 50K

UBA Kenya

1.10%

USD 50K

BOA

1.00%

USD 50K

Standard Chartered

0.10%*

USD 5K

USD Fixed Deposit Rates in Kenya — Dollar FD Comparison 2026

Top Fixed Deposit Rates

Before you lock your money in a fixed deposit

How Do Fixed Deposits Compare to MMFs?

Fixed Deposit Rate Comparison

Where Is the Best Value for Your Deposit Size?

FD Yield vs Minimum Deposit Size

Are Strict Penalties Worth the Extra Yield?

All Fixed Deposits — Compared

Fixed Deposit Returns Calculator

Fixed Deposit vs. MMF — Side by Side

How Fixed Deposits Work

Your money is locked for a fixed term

Interest is paid at maturity

Early withdrawal usually costs you everything

KDIC insured up to KES 500,000 (as of March 2026)

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore higher-yielding alternatives

USD Fixed Deposit Rates in Kenya — Dollar FD Comparison 2026

Top Fixed Deposit Rates

Before you lock your money in a fixed deposit

How Do Fixed Deposits Compare to MMFs?

Fixed Deposit Rate Comparison

Where Is the Best Value for Your Deposit Size?

FD Yield vs Minimum Deposit Size

Are Strict Penalties Worth the Extra Yield?

All Fixed Deposits — Compared

Fixed Deposit Returns Calculator

Fixed Deposit vs. MMF — Side by Side

How Fixed Deposits Work

Your money is locked for a fixed term

Interest is paid at maturity

Early withdrawal usually costs you everything

KDIC insured up to KES 500,000 (as of March 2026)

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore higher-yielding alternatives

Compare Investments

Market Dashboards

Learn & Tools

Company