Analyzing Effect of Alternative Banking Channels on Financial Performance of Burundi Commercial Banks: Evidence from Kenya Commercial Bank in Burundi

The study sought to assess the effect of channels of alternative banking on financial performance of Kenya Commercial Banks in Burundi. The specific objectives were: to examine the effect of mobile banking on financial performance of Kenya Commercial Bank, Burundi; to assess the effect of internet banking on financial performance of Kenya Commercial Bank, Burundi; to examine the effect of auto teller machines on financial performance of Kenya Commercial Bank, Burundi; and to assess the effect of agency banking on financial performance of Kenya Commercial Bank, Burundi. The study employed descriptive survey research design as well as correlation research designs. Based on information obtained from KCB, the target population for the study was 37 employees and 114 customers. The researcher used Slovin’s formula to define the sample population n = 60 (14 employees and 46 customers). A questionnaire was used for data collection. The data was qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. The results of the study showed that there was a strong relationship between the different banking distribution channels and the financial performance of KCB Bank. It also found that 14.1% of the total variance in financial performance of KCB Bank could be attributed to alternative banking channels. The remaining 85.9% of the variance in financial performance could be attributed to other determinants of financial performance that were not the focus of this study. ANOVA statistics revealed that the regression model was ideal since it had a significance level of 0.0%. The study also found that mobile banking, Automated Teller Machine, agencies and Internet banking affected the performance of commercial banks in a positive and statistically significant way. The study recommends that Burundian commercial bank sought to invest heavily in alternative banking as this will lead to an improvement in banks' financial performance. The study also recommended that KCB should examine the competitive environment and determine the means to achieve the goal of interoperability, and continue to make electronic banking products available, offering various types of bank cards adapted to the needs of each client.