Abstract:
Risk management has become a major point of focus in the banking industry. Despite
increasing efforts and strategies for mitigating risk in the banking industry, there
continues to be a sense of neglect of records and records management as an essential
component of risk management.
This study investigated records management and risk management at Kenya Commercial
Bank (KCB) Ltd, Nairobi. The specific objectives of the study were to: establish the
nature and type of risks KCB is exposed to; conduct business process analysis and
identify the records generated; establish the extent to which records management is
emphasized within KCB as a tool for managing risk; identify vital records that need
protection because of their nature and value to the Bank.
The study was informed by Frank Upward’s (1980) Records Continuum Model and the
Government of Canada (2000) Integrated Risk Management Model.
The study population sample size constituted thirty six (36) respondents drawn from five
KCB Nairobi braches and five Head Office units comprising management and non-
management cadres of staff. Face-to-face interviews were used as the data collection
method.
Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to analyse, present and
interpret data. Analysis of data was done by use of thematic method.
Key findings of the study were that: KCB is exposed to a wide range of risks by virtue of
its business; KCB generates a lot of records in the course of its business activities; there
are inadequate records management practices and systems, which undermine risk
management function. Recommendations include: KCB Operations Division should
develop a comprehensive enterprise-wide records management programme for the Bank;
KCB Risk Management Division should include Records Management as part of its risk
management strategies.
