Branch Loan: How to Apply and Repay Mobile Loans in Kenya

Most people have been stuck financially at one point for either lacking school fees, house rent, medical bills, capital for their business and many more situations.

The last resort for many Kenyans has been borrowing from banks, despite their notorious high-interest rates.

Luckily, a variety of loan providers in Kenya have since cropped up, which grant you instant online loans eliminating the need for borrowers to reach out to lending institutions.

In this article, you are going to learn everything you need to know about the Branch loan app, which provides a convenient, fast, and reliable way to access credit whenever you are in need.

What is Branch Loan?

Branch loan is a product of Branch International, which is a microfinance lending institution that operates in Kenya and other countries.

The Branch loan application is easy to download and use. It only takes a few seconds to sign up into the application and apply for a loan.

Once approved, the money is sent straight to your phone.

Advantages of Branch Loans

Branch loan products are designed to fit your needs.

Branch loans do not have late penalties or rollover fees.

A customer does not need a savings account to access use Branch loan app services.

Good credit history with Branch qualifies you for larger loans with flexible terms.

How does Branch loan works?

The Branch international loan application utilises machine learning algorithms to process numerous data entries and assess customers’ credit profiles, as well as, design tailored loan products.

The data is collected by accessing information on customers’ phone.

The information assessed includes:

1. GPS data Call logs

2. Text message logs

3. Contact lists

4. Mpesa activity

5. Handset details

6. Social network data

Note: Branch accesses this type of information by first requesting permission from the customer.

The company uses this information to verify a customer’s identity, as well as, to create a credit score for them. It also encrypts the data to protect the privacy of its clients.

What are the requirements for applying for a Branch loan? 

Before making a branch online loan application request, there are some things that you should have. Here are branch loan requirements:

1. A Safaricom line that is registered with Mpesa

2. A Smartphone – Android-enabled

3. National ID number

Having satisfied these requirements, you can then go ahead and complete your branch loan application in Kenya using the following steps:

How to download Branch loan application

1. On your Smartphone, go to your Play Store and search for the Branch application

2. Download branch loan application and install it on your phone.

3. Once installed, open the application.

4. Log into the application using your phone number. Note that Branch only allows one account per individual. This means that you should use the phone number you intend the application to always associate with your account to log in the first time.

5. Fill out the form provided to enable branch to conduct a review. The form includes details such as your country, your National ID number, your name, and your date of birth.

6. Wait for feedback to apply for your loan.

7. Once feedback is obtained and your account gets validated, you will be taken to the loans offer page. The highest loan limit for first-time borrowers is Kshs. 1,000.

8. Select the amount you want to borrow and submit.

9. Wait for a text message informing you about your branch loan application status.

10. If approved, the money is sent into your Mpesa account.

Branch loan limits and interest rate charges

Branch loan limits in Kenya range between Kshs 250 and Kshs 70,000 over a period ranging between 4 and 68 weeks.

You can grow your loan limit by repaying loans earlier; that is, before the due dates.

Furthermore, you can boost your Branch loan limit by requesting for their loans occasionally. This increases your digital footprint in their system.

The Branch loan interest rates in Kenya range from 10 to 27 per cent. This translates to a monthly interest rate of between 1 and 21 per cent.

How to Repaying your Branch loan

The good news with the Branch loan is that it can easily be repaid through Mpesa or using the automatic pay feature.

The following steps are a guide on how to pay branch loan via Mpesa:

1. Open the Mpesa Menu on your phone.

2. Choose the Lipa na Mpesa option.

3. Click paybill.

You will be prompted to enter the paybill number. The Branch loan paybill number is 998608. This is the number you enter here.

4. Key in the account number. The account number refers to the mobile number you registered with Branch. In this case, it is your Safaricom number.

5. Key in the amount you wish to repay.

6. Enter your Mpesa pin and authorise the transaction.

7. Wait for a message from Mpesa confirming the transaction.

How to Make automatic ATM card payments in the Branch app

1. Go to 'My Loan', tap the round 'Tap to Pay' button.

2. Select the Amount you wish to repay. You can choose to pay the:

Next Amount Due

Total Balance

Other Amount (you will be required to fill the amount you want to pay)

3. After you have made your selection, tap 'Continue'.

4. Add your Debit (ATM) card details:

Enter your ATM card details:

Card Number (16 or 19-digit in front of your card)

Card Expiry Date (Month and Year in which your card expires)

CVV (a 3-digit number at the back of your card)

5. After you have filled in the details, tap 'Continue'.

6. Choose your auto-debit setting under 'Payment Options' and tap 'Continue'.

7. To secure your payment, some banks will ask for your pin or send a security code to your phone.

8. Your payment is done. If successful, your account will be updated automatically within a few seconds.

What are the Branch loan contacts details

There are many ways to get branch loan contacts and here are the 4 main ways you as a client can use to contact the mobile loan lender;

The first way is through the APP itself where there is a customer care service.

You can also use this email address support@branch.co to contact Branch International.

They have an active Facebook page.

You can also find them on Twitter.

How to invite friends on social media

Tap on the three bars on the upper left-hand corner of the app

Select ‘invite friends’ (your code will show)

Tap ‘invite friends’ at the bottom center

Select the messaging or social media app to invite friends from.

Your friends will finally receive your invitation message for their action.

How to earn commission on Branch loan app

Branch is a Mobile loan app with a difference. They appreciate the trust you have with them to the point of rewarding you commissions for any referral made.

Your friends should enter your promotion code in the branch app under the ‘promotions’ tab

You will receive a message when your invited friends apply your promotion code

You will receive ksh500 every time a friend repays their first loan