Impact of Electronic Banking Transactions on the Volume of Trade of Commercial Banks in Kenya
Authors: Chepkutwo Lawrence Kipchumba , Nasieku Nasieku Tabitha 
Published: October 2022

Purpose: Electronic banking is a mechanism that enables a financial institution's clients to conduct a number of financial transactions via an electronic device such as a cell phone or a personal digital assistant. Electronic banking refers to the provision of banking and financial services through electronic devices over a network. Commercial banks have been at the forefront of embracing and assimilating electronic fund transfer technology into their core tasks in order to achieve competitive advantages and manage their overhead operating costs. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of electronic banking transactions on the volume of trade of commercial banks in Kenya. The research was guided by the following specific objectives: To determine the impact of mobile banking transactions on the volume of trade of commercial banks in Kenya; To determine the impact of Automated teller Machines transactions on the volume of trade of commercial banks in Kenya; To ascertain the impact of electronic fund transfers on the volume of trade of commercial banks in Kenya; To ascertain the impact of online/internet banking activities on the volume of trade of commercial banks in Kenya. Theories are reviewed in this section which will direct the study. It comprises of the theories leading the performance of commercial banks in their operations and precisely in the field of Electronic banking. The section evaluates the financial intermediation theory in particular which deals with the main function of financial institutions which is intermediating between the surplus and the deficit units for sustained economic development. It also reviews the classical economics theory which holds that for a business to make returns, it has to obey the modern economics.

Methodology: Simple random sampling method was used in this research. 10 representative banks were obtained from a population of 42 banks listed by the central bank of Kenya. In essence the method of statistical enumeration allows all members of the population to be studied. A population refers to the set of all observations under concern.

A descriptive research design was used. The design allows us, according to Best et al (2003), to capture all relevant aspects of a situation when hiring a research and investigation team. Similarly, Namusonge (2010) states that this approach is best suited to gather detailed information where, by direct request, the researcher will reach all the population. Data for this case was majorly quantitative since it is readily available from the bank records for example the financial statements, publications, transactions. Secondary data is easy model of extracting data especially for quantitative research and this prompted the researcher to utilize it as the immediate tool for data collection. Panel data analysis was applied. This was done using the E-views panel data software.

Findings: The results showed that there was a partial positive and statistically significant correlation between volume of banks trade and Mobile banking transactions (r= 2.854, p=0.000), Automatic Teller Machines (r=2.314, p=0.000) and usage of internet banking transactions (r=2.442, p=0.000). However, findings also revealed that electronic funds transfer (r=-0.5075, p= 0.000) has no significant influence on banks volume of trade. The null hypothesis Ho1: Mobile banking transactions has no significant influence banks volume of trade was rejected. The null hypothesis HO2: Automatic Teller Machines transactions have no significant influence on the banks volume of trade was rejected. The null hypothesis HO3: electronic funds transfer has no significant influence on banks volume of trade was true and thus was not rejected. Similarly, Null hypothesis HO4: internet banking transactions do not have a significant influence on project performance was not true and thus rejected.

Unique Contribution to Theory and Practice: The findings of this study will be absolutely relevant to the stakeholders in the banking industry, government regulatory authorities and monetary policy frameworks implementation and monitoring. Banking institutions as well can be able to make decisions on the key areas they will need to improve transactions by customers in order to boost the volume of trade.