Rebecca Mbithi is the current Chief Executive Officer of Family Bank. The corporate lawyer turned banker became the fifth female CEO of commercial bank in Kenya after Nasim Dejvi, Betty Korir, Anne Karanja and Joyce Wainaina.
Barely a year into her term as CEO, the bank saw a major increase in growth and profitability, showing she was the right fit for the job. In the first three quarters of 2019, Family Bank registered 300% growth in profitability, from a similar period in 2018.
She is steadfast and determined to ensure that the bank provides better services to its customers as well as maintaining a healthy profit margin.
So impactful is the CEO that Business Monthly Magazine (a top business publication in the country) celebrated her as one of the top CEOs to watch in 2020, as part of the magazine’s 25th anniversary issue. She was humbled by the recognition and expressed her gratitude.
Away from her banking career, she loves mentoring young girls and is a strong believer in promoting women leadership. She is also a physical fitness enthusiast who has run five out of the six major world marathons including New York, Chicago, London and Berlin marathons.
Here is her story as told by WoK.
Education
She holds a Master’s in Business Administration (Strategic Management) from United States International University (USIU) and an LLB degree from the University of Nairobi. She is also a certified public accountant and a certified public secretary as well.
Career
In February 2019, she was appointed as managing director and CEO of Family bank.
“Taking over as CEO has given me the opportunity to steer the ship with formidable strategies that have put us back to profitability and we continue on an upward trajectory,” she said.
She also added how privileged she was to be heading a team of focused staff.
Less than a year after her appointment, Rebecca showed just how determined and skillful she was by propelling family back to a great level. The bank registered a profitability of 300% in the first three quarters of 2019.
The bank’s net interest income also rose by 16.1 percent to Ksh3.6 billion anchored on a flat Ksh1.2 billion interest expense to depositing customers and a fall in other interest expenses.
Prior to being appointed CEO, she worked in the bank as secretary and director of legal services, a position she held from 2015
Previously, she had worked at KTDA (Kenya Tea Development Agencies) and at Rift Valley Railways.
Ms. Mbithi is also a member of the law society of Kenya and an advocate of the high court.
