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Abstract
The object of the study was to assess the effect of asset quality
and liquidity on financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The study
deployed explanatory research design using panel data. The period covered was
13 years from 2010 to 2022. Secondary data were mined from individual banks'
published audited financial reports and also from annual reports published by
the Central Bank of Kenya. A total of 38 commercial banks licensed in Kenya as
at December 31st, 2022 were covered under census. Both descriptive and
inferential statistics analyses were generated using Stata Soft Ware version
17.0 and Microsoft Excel. Regression analyses were applied to test the
hypothesis. Tables and figures were used for data presentation. Based on the
findings, asset quality had a statistically significant but negative impact on
financial performance. Liquidity, on the other hand, indicated positive but
non-statistical significance on financial performance. However, cumulatively,
both factors had a statistically significant influence on financial
performance. For a bank to survive in the current tempestuous financial
climate, the management has to put more emphasis on credit ratings before
issuing loans to clients. In addition, the regulatory authorities should
relentlessly pursue stringent liquidity policies. All the recommended
procedures are in line with the Anticipated Income Theory. This study
contributes immensely to the prominence roles credit risk and liquidity risk
management framework play in commercial banks’ operations.
Keywords: Asset Quality, Liquidity, Financial Performance, Commercial
Banks.