Updated 2 November 2026
Equity vs DTB: Diamond Trust Bank is cheaper on average for borrowers and for PesaLink, while Equity is cheaper at the counter and for small M-Pesa transfers. CBK’s August 2026 table puts DTB’s average lending rate at 13.97% and Equity’s at 14.90%. DTB charges a flat KSh 20 for PesaLink above KSh 1,000, against KSh 50 at Equity, but DTB charges KSh 300 for a counter withdrawal below KSh 35,000 where Equity charges KSh 100. Below is the side-by-side comparison with worked examples.
Updated November 2026 from CBK weighted average lending rates (August 2026), the DTB Kenya Tariff Guide as at August 2026 and the Equity Bank (Kenya) Tariff Guide (revised February 2025). Fees are before excise duty.
Equity vs DTB at a glance
| Item | Equity Bank | DTB |
|---|---|---|
| Average lending rate (CBK, Aug 2026) | 14.90% | 13.97% |
| Entry account | Ordinary: KSh 400 to open, no monthly fee | Zawadi Current: KSh 1,000 minimum balance |
| Premium account fee | Supreme: KSh 2,000 a month if below KSh 50,000 | Titan: KSh 2,000 a month; Elite: KSh 750 |
| Own ATM | KSh 30 | KSh 30 |
| Another bank’s ATM | KSh 200 | KSh 200 (KSh 70 on Kenswitch) |
| Counter withdrawal | KSh 100 | KSh 300 below KSh 35,000 |
| To M-Pesa, KSh 1,000 | KSh 13 | KSh 15 |
| To M-Pesa, KSh 5,000 | KSh 44 | KSh 47 |
| To M-Pesa, KSh 50,000 | KSh 68 | KSh 70 |
| PesaLink above KSh 1,000 | KSh 50 (KSh 100 above KSh 100,000) | KSh 20 flat to KSh 999,999 |
| RTGS online | KSh 500 | KSh 500 |
| EFT online | KSh 200 | KSh 100 |
| Digital loan | Eazzy Loan | DTB Weza (7% facilitation fee) |
| Paybill | 247247 | 516600 |
Loan cost: worked examples
| Loan | DTB monthly (13.97%) | Equity monthly (14.90%) | Extra interest at Equity |
|---|---|---|---|
| KSh 200,000, 24 months | KSh 9,600 | KSh 9,688 | about KSh 2,114 |
| KSh 500,000, 36 months | KSh 17,082 | KSh 17,308 | about KSh 8,160 |
| KSh 1,000,000, 60 months | KSh 23,253 | KSh 23,737 | about KSh 29,086 |
Upfront fees narrow or widen the gap. DTB charges a 2% appraisal fee on term loans, hire purchase and mortgages, plus 1% on every anniversary. Equity charges a Loan Application and Credit Evaluation fee of up to 5%. On a KSh 1 million five-year loan, DTB’s appraisal fees come to KSh 20,000 upfront and KSh 10,000 on each of the following anniversaries, so compare the total cost of credit from each bank, not just the rate.
Transfers: where each bank wins
- Paying another bank KSh 50,000: DTB PesaLink KSh 20; Equity PesaLink KSh 50.
- Paying KSh 300,000: DTB PesaLink KSh 20; Equity PesaLink KSh 100; RTGS KSh 500 at both.
- Five KSh 3,000 transfers to M-Pesa a month: Equity 5 x KSh 34 = KSh 170; DTB 5 x KSh 35 = KSh 175.
- Taking KSh 20,000 cash over the counter: Equity KSh 100; DTB KSh 300.
If you pay suppliers or rent to other banks often, DTB’s KSh 20 PesaLink fee is the biggest saving in this comparison. If you deal in cash at the branch, Equity wins. Our PesaLink vs RTGS vs EFT guide explains when each transfer type arrives.
Penalties to avoid
- Failed standing order: DTB KSh 2,400; Equity KSh 500.
- Cheque returned refer to drawer: DTB KSh 2,400; Equity KSh 2,000 to KSh 2,500.
- Stop cheque: DTB KSh 400 a leaf (free on mobile); Equity KSh 1,500.
- Account closure: DTB free; Equity KSh 350 (Ordinary) to KSh 1,000 (Current).
Equity Bank in brief
Equity serves the largest number of retail customers in Kenya through branches, agents and the Equity app. Its basic accounts are cheap to run, and loans across personal, SME and agriculture segments are priced at its reference rate plus a margin. Check repayments on the Equity loan calculator.
DTB in brief
Diamond Trust Bank, part of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development group, is a mid-tier bank with a strong SME and trade-finance base. It priced loans below the market average in August 2026 and cut its PesaLink fee to a flat KSh 20 in April 2026. See DTB loan interest rates and the DTB loan calculator.
Equity vs DTB for salaried workers
If your employer pays salaries into one of the two, the Equity vs DTB choice is mostly about how you spend. Workers who send money to family on M-Pesa several times a month will save a few shillings per transfer at Equity. Those who pay rent, school fees or a Sacco by bank transfer will save more at DTB, where PesaLink costs KSh 20 against KSh 50.
Equity vs DTB: verdict
- Borrowing: DTB, on average rate (13.97% vs 14.90%).
- Bank-to-bank transfers: DTB (KSh 20 PesaLink).
- Branch cash and small M-Pesa sends: Equity.
- Reach: Equity has the wider agent network; DTB is more concentrated in towns.
Related: DTB vs NCBA and KCB vs Equity.
Sources
- CBK weighted average lending rates
- DTB Tariff Guide, August 2026 (PDF)
- Equity Bank (Kenya) Tariff Guide (PDF)
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper for loans, Equity or DTB?
DTB on average: 13.97% against 14.90% at Equity on CBK’s August 2026 table. Fees differ too: DTB charges a 2% appraisal fee, Equity up to 5% LACE.
Which bank has cheaper PesaLink, Equity or DTB?
DTB. It charges a flat KSh 20 for transfers above KSh 1,000; Equity charges KSh 50 up to KSh 100,000 and KSh 100 above.
Which is cheaper for counter withdrawals?
Equity charges KSh 100. DTB charges KSh 300 below KSh 35,000 and KSh 200 above.
What are the Equity and DTB paybill numbers?
Equity 247247 and DTB 516600, with your account number as the account number.
Prefer WhatsApp? Follow Business Radar on WhatsApp
Weekly, free. We only use your email for this newsletter and you can unsubscribe in one click. Privacy policy.
