Kenya’s DTB posts $75.7 million half-year profit as loans, deposits grow

Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), reported a 37 percent increase in pretax profit to KSh9.8 billion ($75.7 million) in the first half of 2026, as stronger lending, higher customer deposits and rising digital activity lifted earnings across its three main markets.

The bank, led by CEO Nasim Mohamed Devji, said the increase came as it expanded its balance sheet in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda while keeping a tighter watch on operating costs.

What are DTB’s total assets?

DTB’s total assets rose more than 10 percent from a year earlier to KSh675 billion ($5.21 billion) by June. 

Customer deposits increased 11 percent to KSh534 billion ($4.12 billion), giving the lender a larger pool of funds to support lending. Loans and advances rose 14 percent to KSh328 billion ($2.53 billion).

The improvement in lending came alongside better asset quality. DTB’s nonperforming loan ratio fell to 11.6 percent from 13 percent, remaining below the Kenyan banking industry average.

The specific provision coverage ratio also improved to 56.6 percent from 40.7 percent, giving the bank greater protection against potential losses from bad loans.

What drove DTB revenue growth?

Revenue increased 21 percent during the period, helped by a 26 percent rise in net interest income and a 7 percent increase in noninterest income. 

Operating expenses rose 6 percent, slower than revenue growth, while loan-loss provisions increased 37 percent as the bank set aside more money to cover credit risks.

The results mark a stronger showing for DTB’s DTB3.0 Business Growth Strategy, which places greater emphasis on technology, digital banking and acquiring customers through business ecosystems.

The strategy has helped the bank expand its customer base rapidly. DTB said the number of customers across East Africa rose 44 percent over the past year to 5.9 million.

Digital channels accounted for 99 percent of new customer onboarding and processed more than 86 percent of all transactions during the six months.

That shift has also opened a larger market for digital lending. DTB disbursed KSh10 billion ($77.2 million) in digital credit to retail and micro, small and medium-sized enterprise customers during the first half of the year.

What is DTB’s growth strategy?

“Across the three operating markets, DTB continues to pursue growth opportunities across retail, SME and corporate segments,” Devji said.

She pointed to ecosystem-led customer acquisition, digital products, targeted lending and deposits, revenue growth and technology as key parts of the bank’s strategy.

Devji said the bank remains confident in its ability to grow its balance sheet and earnings, supported by its 80-year presence in the region.

How is DTB expanding across East Africa?

DTB is also combining its digital expansion with a wider physical branch network.

The bank plans to open its 100th branch in Kenya by Christmas 2026, taking its total regional branch network to 163 locations.

Beyond banking, the lender is targeting sectors including agriculture, education and public sector agencies as it looks for new customers and lending opportunities.

It also plans to introduce robotic process automation and agentic artificial intelligence tools to reduce manual work and improve customer service.

The expansion comes as DTB seeks to build on the stronger first-half results while using its growing digital customer base and branch network to deepen its presence across East Africa.