Ecobank has earmarked nine branches for closure in a move aimed at taking the lending venture into digital platforms. 

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According to the bank's chief executive Sam Adjei, the decision was reached at early in the year following a review of the bank's operating model.

"The decision to close the nine branches was arrived at early this year after we reviewed our business operating model and elected to use a more effective and efficient way of serving our customers," he said. 

He added that they have since notified customers who could be affected by the move that they will be served using pay bill services after the closure. 

The affected branches include Embakasi, Malindi, Busia, Chambers, Meru, Kitale, Thika Road Mall (TRM), Ongata Rongai and Gikomba.

The bank has 20 other branches that will, however, operate normally. 

The Pan-African lender which made its entry into the Kenyan market in 2008 following its acquisition of the East African Building Society has registered mixed fortunes in the lending industry registering a profit lately after experiencing a string of losses in the last three years.