Updated 1 November 2026
DTB loan interest rates in 2026 average 17.61% a year for personal loans, according to the figures Diamond Trust Bank Kenya filed on the industry Total Cost of Credit portal (updated 2 October 2026). That is the Central Bank Rate of 8.75% plus an average DTB premium of 8.86%, with a range of 14.84% to 24.00%. The DTB Unsecured Loan runs from KSh 50,000 to KSh 6 million over 6 to 96 months, and you do not need to bank with DTB to apply. Updated November 2026.
Updated November 2026. Sources: Total Cost of Credit portal (read 1 November 2026) and DTB Kenya’s Unsecured Loan page (read 1 November 2026). Diamond Trust Bank Kenya is licensed by the Central Bank of Kenya. This is information, not financial advice.
DTB loan interest rates by loan type (2026)
| Loan category | DTB premium (average) | Average rate | Lowest | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal | 8.86% | 17.61% | 14.84% | 24.00% |
| Asset finance | 7.31% | 16.06% | 11.01% | 19.04% |
| Business (MSME and trade finance) | 7.81% | 16.56% | 14.42% | 20.13% |
| Corporate | 6.09% | 14.84% | 10.81% | 18.45% |
| Mortgages | 6.81% | 15.56% | 14.51% | 16.73% |
All lines were updated on 2 October 2026 and are priced off the Central Bank Rate (8.75%). DTB did not file a digital loan rate.
DTB Unsecured Loan: amount, term and fees
- Amount: KSh 50,000 to KSh 6,000,000, based on verified income, commitments, credit history and repayment capacity.
- Term: 6 to 96 months.
- Security: none. Check-off and non-check-off options, balance transfer (buy-out) and loan protection cover are available.
- Processing fee: one-off 2.5% of the loan, plus 20% excise duty on that fee.
- Credit life insurance premium: 0.036%, as listed by DTB.
- Interest: on a reducing balance.
DTB says your employer does not need an agreement (MOU) with the bank, and non-DTB customers can apply with six months’ certified bank statements.
Documents DTB asks for
- Latest three months’ payslips.
- Six months’ certified bank statements if you do not bank with DTB.
- An employer introduction letter in DTB’s format.
- Certified ID or passport and certified KRA PIN certificate.
- A completed application form.
What a DTB personal loan costs: worked example
On a KSh 500,000 loan, the processing fee is KSh 12,500 and excise duty on it KSh 2,500, so KSh 15,000 comes off upfront. Over 36 months on a reducing balance, interest looks like this (insurance not included):
| Rate | Monthly instalment (KSh) | Total interest (KSh) | Interest plus fee and excise (KSh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14.84% (lowest) | 17,294 | 122,566 | 137,566 |
| 17.61% (average) | 17,979 | 147,227 | 162,227 |
| 24.00% (highest) | 19,616 | 206,191 | 221,191 |
Try other amounts in the DTB loan calculator.
How DTB compares with other banks
| Bank | Average personal rate | Range | Max unsecured |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCB | 15.54% | 12.92% to 19.63% | KSh 4 million |
| Absa | 17.08% | 14.50% to 21.49% | KSh 6 million |
| NCBA | 17.30% | 12.75% to 30.80% | KSh 6 million (check-off) |
| DTB | 17.61% | 14.84% to 24.00% | KSh 6 million |
Rates from the Total Cost of Credit portal; limits from each bank’s own page, read 1 November 2026. More detail in KCB loan interest rates and best banks for personal loans in Kenya.
Tips before you sign
- Ask DTB for the Total Cost of Credit statement showing interest, the 2.5% fee, excise and insurance together.
- If you are moving a loan from another bank, use the balance transfer option and compare the new total cost with what you would still pay on the old loan.
- Check your CRB report first; DTB looks at your history across lenders.
Branch contacts: DTB paybill, SWIFT code and contacts.
How to read the DTB rate before you borrow
The figures above are what DTB filed on the Total Cost of Credit portal, the industry site where Kenyan banks publish their pricing. The “premium” is the margin DTB adds to the reference rate for each type of loan; the “lowest” and “highest” figures show the range it actually charges different borrowers. If the Central Bank Rate changes at a Monetary Policy Committee meeting, a variable loan rate usually moves with it, so a loan priced at CBR plus a fixed premium can get cheaper or dearer during its life. Always ask whether your rate is fixed or variable, and get the full cost in writing before you sign.
DTB loan interest rates: frequently asked questions
What is the DTB personal loan interest rate in 2026?
DTB’s average personal loan rate on the Total Cost of Credit portal is 17.61% a year (CBR 8.75% plus 8.86%), ranging from 14.84% to 24.00%, as updated on 2 October 2026.
How much can I borrow from DTB without security?
From KSh 50,000 to KSh 6,000,000 under the DTB Unsecured Loan, repaid over 6 to 96 months, depending on your income and repayment capacity.
What fees does DTB charge on an unsecured loan?
A one-off processing fee of 2.5% of the loan, 20% excise duty on that fee, and a credit life insurance premium of 0.036% listed by DTB.
Do I need to bank with DTB to get the loan?
No. DTB accepts applications from non-customers who provide six months’ certified bank statements, and your employer does not need an MOU with the bank.
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