Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) has opened a new branch in Nairobi’s Kilimani area, marking its 90th outlet in Kenya and 159th in East Africa. The expansion reflects how banks are still betting on physical branches, even as digital channels gain traction.
Branch banking remains relevant in Kenya, where cash transactions dominate and customers often prefer in-person services for higher-value transactions such as loans, mortgages, and business accounts. Kilimani has become a key business and residential hub, attracting corporates, startups, and a growing middle class—making it a natural target for lenders competing for deposits and lending opportunities.
The branch, located at 197 Lenana Place, will offer a full suite of services from personal and business accounts to mortgages and investment products. It also complements DTB’s digital offerings, signalling a hybrid approach rather than a full pivot to online banking.
DTB has been steadily expanding its network over the past five years, adding more than 20 branches since 2020. This comes amid pressure from mobile money operators like M-PESA and Airtel Money, which dominate low-value payments, forcing banks to differentiate through higher-value products and personalised services.
“The opening of the Kilimani branch reflects DTB’s commitment to meeting customers where they are,” said George Otiende, the bank’s director of retail banking.
The move underscores a wider trend among Kenyan banks such as KCB and Equity, which are also expanding their branch networks despite growth in digital transactions. Central Bank of Kenya data shows the total number of bank branches rose to 1,520 by mid-2025, reversing a brief decline during the pandemic years.
DTB’s bet on Kilimani is a play for affluent customers and SMEs, as competition intensifies in Nairobi’s retail and corporate banking market.
