Housing Finance Company of Kenya

Housing Finance Company of Kenya, whose official name is Housing Finance Company Limited, but is also known as Housing Finance (HF), is a mortgage finance provider in Kenya. The company is the only mortgage company regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya, the national banking regulator.^[1]

Overview

Housing Finance Limited is a large mortgage finance company, serving the mortgage needs of the Kenyan population. As of June 2010^[update], the company's gross mortgage loan portifolio stood at over US$212 million, representing approximately 35% of all mortgages in Kenya, by value. Shares of the stock of Housing Finance are listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE), where they trade under the symbol HOUS. On 25 October 2010, the company's market capitalization was estimated at over US$845 million.^[2]

History

The company was established in November 1965, to promote a savings culture and home ownership among the citizens on newly independent Kenya. Major investors in the company included the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC), whose shareholding at one time was as high as 60%, and the Government of Kenya, which at one time owned 50% of the company. CDC has since divested from Housing Finance Limited and the Kenyan Government has substantially reduced its shareholding.

In 1992 Housing Finance Company of Kenya became listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange, where it trades under the symbol HOUS. The company adopted the shorter name of Housing Finance Limited, in 2002. In 2010, the Central Bank of Kenya, authorized HFL to issue and operate checking accounts; having been authorized to issue and operate savings accounts in the past.^[3]

Ownership

As of October 2010^[update], the shares of stock of Housing Finance Company of Kenya, are listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange. The major shareholders in the mortgage company are listed in the table below:^[4]