CDH Investment Bank is a private investment bank operating in Malawi under license from the Reserve Bank of Malawi. Established in 1998, the institution has evolved from a discount house into a fully licensed commercial and investment bank. Over the years, it has positioned itself as a medium-sized financial services provider serving corporate clients, institutions and individual customers.
Headquartered in Blantyre, Malawi’s commercial capital, CDH Investment Bank plays an active role in the country’s banking and financial services sector. The bank offers a mix of commercial and investment banking services designed to support business growth, capital markets activity and retail banking needs.
Company Profile
- Company Type: Private
- Industry: Banking
- Founded: 1998
- Headquarters: Blantyre, Malawi
- Chairman: Franklin Kennedy
- Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director: Thoko Mkavea
- Number of Employees: 98+ (as of 2021)
Services Offered by CDH Investment Bank
CDH Investment Bank provides a broad range of financial services, including:
- Investment banking
- Corporate loans
- Savings accounts
- Transaction accounts
- Investment advisory services
- Debit and credit cards
- Mortgages
The bank continues to provide services traditionally associated with discount houses, such as trading financial instruments and corporate financial advisory, alongside full commercial banking operations.
Financial Performance and Assets
As of 2021, CDH Investment Bank reported the following financial figures:
- Revenue after tax: MWK 4,900 million (approximately US$6.1 million)
- Total assets: MWK 154 billion (approximately US$192 million)
Earlier data from December 2018 indicated total assets of MWK 154,005,233,000, with shareholders’ equity of MWK 15.995 billion.
These figures place CDH Investment Bank among the medium-sized financial institutions in Malawi’s banking sector.
Location and Headquarters
The headquarters and main branch of CDH Investment Bank are located at:
CDH House
5 Independence Drive
Blantyre, Malawi
Geographical Coordinates:
Latitude: -15.788611
Longitude: 35.003611
Blantyre serves as Malawi’s financial and commercial hub, making it a strategic location for the bank’s headquarters.
History and Evolution
CDH Investment Bank was founded in August 1998 as Continental Discount House Limited (CDH). Initially operating under a discount house license, the institution focused on money market operations and financial advisory services.
In May 2011, CDH was granted a banking license by the Reserve Bank of Malawi. Following this milestone, the institution transitioned from a discount house to a full investment bank and rebranded as CDH Investment Bank.
In April 2012, CDH Investment Bank commenced both commercial and investment banking operations. It opened its main branch in Blantyre and established a second branch in Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital city.
Ownership Structure
As of December 2018, CDH Investment Bank was privately owned by the following corporate shareholders:
- Continental Holdings Limited of Malawi – 82.46%
- Investments Alliance Limited – 10.17%
- Kesaart Capital Limited – 4.84%
- Savannah Investments Limited – 2.52%
Total ownership equals 100 percent.
Branch Network
As of the latest publicly available information, CDH Investment Bank operates the following branches:
- CDH Branch – CDH House, 5 Independence Drive, Blantyre
- Capital City Banking Centre – CDH Investment Bank Centre, Lilongwe
- Lilongwe Banking Centre – City Mall Complex, Lilongwe
These branches are networked to provide seamless banking services across locations.
Role in Malawi’s Financial Sector
CDH Investment Bank contributes to Malawi’s financial system through capital markets activities, corporate financing and retail banking services. By offering both investment and commercial banking solutions, the institution supports business expansion, infrastructure financing and personal financial management.
As Malawi’s economy continues to grow and diversify, institutions such as CDH Investment Bank play a vital role in facilitating investment, savings mobilization and financial intermediation.
