Fintrust Securities secures Investment Bank License to expand into Capital Markets

The licence allows the firm to engage in bond trading, equity trading, and fund management, positioning it within a more regulated segment of the financial services sector.  The move broadens its activities beyond brokerage services and strengthens its role in Kenya’s capital markets ecosystem.

According to the firm, a subsidiary of Fincorp Credit, the new licence will support the development of investment products aimed at both retail and institutional clients, with a focus on digital-enabled access to markets. The company says it intends to use technology to simplify participation in bonds and equities trading while expanding access to managed investment solutions.

Gibson Wachaga, founder of Fintrust Securities, said the approval represents an opportunity to deepen participation in Kenya’s capital markets and expand financial inclusion. 

"This license is not just a win for our team, but a win for Kenya’s capital markets. It allows us to contribute meaningfully to the growth and deepening of the financial sector while creating avenues for young people to actively participate in the markets. We believe this will foster financial literacy, inclusion, and empowerment for the next generation of investors," said Wachaga.

The licence comes at a time when Kenya’s capital markets are seeking to broaden participation beyond institutional investors, with regulators encouraging innovation in brokerage and asset management services.

The development is expected to intensify competition among licensed investment banks while potentially increasing retail access to structured investment products in the local market.