37% growth: Kenyan bank to open 100th branch after KSh 6.4b half-year profit

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- Diamond Trust Bank Kenya (DTK) reported a KSh 9.8 billion pre-tax profit for the half-year ending June 30, 2026

- The Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed lender recorded a 37% year-on-year surge in half-year earnings, driven by retail, SME and corporate growth

- DTB Group CEO Nasim Devji credited turnaround initiatives anchored on an 80-year customer base across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda

Diamond Trust Bank Kenya Limited (NSE: DTK) has reported a KSh 9.8 billion pre-tax profit for the six months ending June 30, 2026, reflecting a 37% rise compared to the same period a year earlier.

Profit after tax came in at KSh 6.4 billion.

How DTB profit rose

The Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed Tier 1 lender released the results on Monday, with group chief executive officer Nasim Devji attributing the performance to a deliberate set of turnaround measures that have gathered momentum across the bank's three operating markets.

Devji said the group's expansion rests on a combination of ecosystem-driven customer acquisition, digital-led service propositions, targeted lending and deposit mobilisation, and technology-backed operational efficiency.

"With a focus on ecosystem-driven customer acquisition, digital-led value propositions, targeted lending and deposit mobilisation, sustained revenue generation, and technology-anchored operational efficiencies, DTB continues to pursue growth opportunities across the retail, SME, and corporate segments of the three operating markets," Devji said in a statement seen by TUKO.co.ke.

The bank's customer base expanded sharply, reaching 5.9 million across East Africa by mid-year, a 44% increase over the preceding 12 months.

What strategy did DTB deploy?

DTB Kenya MD Murali Natarajan pointed to the bank's DTB3.0 Business Growth Strategy as central to the results, describing it as a framework designed to strengthen digital capabilities and deepen customer retention across all segments.

"Our DTB3.0 business growth strategy is driving customer acquisition and retention across segments, strengthening our digital capabilities, customer propositions and ultimately enriching the lives of the customers we serve and the broader communities we operate in," Natarajan said.

He added that the bank is on course to open its 100th branch in Kenya before the end of 2026, which would bring its total East African network to 163 branches.

"We plan to launch our 100th branch in Kenya by Christmas this year, expanding our network to 163 locations throughout East Africa. This, together with the reach our digital platforms offer, will help us achieve our goal of greatly expanding our retail, SME, and mid-market portfolios over the next years and further diversify our clientele." Natarajan said.

How much did KCB make?

We also highlighted facts about KCB Group's impressive financial performance for the first half of 2026.

This included a 20.8% rise in profit before tax to KSh 49.3 billion and a significant interim dividend increase.

This rapid growth positions KCB as a pivotal player in Kenya's banking sector, showcasing its resilience amid challenging economic conditions and its commitment to supporting regional development.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.