The Co-operative Bank of Kenya Limited is incorporated in Kenya under the Company Act and is also licensed to do the business of banking under the Banking Act. The Bank was initially registered under the Co-operative Societies Act at the point of founding in 1965. This status was retained up to and until June 27th 2008 when the Bank's Special General Meeting resolved to incorporate under the Companies Act with a view to complying with the requirements for listing on the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE).

Shares previously held by the 3,805 Co-operatives Societies and unions were ring-fenced under CoopHoldings Co-operative Society Limited which became the strategic investor in the Bank with a 64.56% stake.

The Bank runs three subsidiary companies, namely: Kingdom Securities Limited, a stockbroking firm with the bank holding a controlling 60% stake ; Co-opTrust Investment Services Limited, the fund management subsidiary wholly-owned by the bank ; and Co-op Consultancy & Insurance Agency Limited (CCIA), the corporate finance, financial advisory and capacity-building subsidiary wholly-owned by the bank.