Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) has opened a new branch in Kilimani, Nairobi, expanding its network to 90 branches in Kenya and 150 across East Africa.

• The new branch is strategically located at 197 Lenana Place along Lenana Road.
• George Otiende, Director of Retail Banking at DTB, stated the opening reflects DTB’s commitment to accessibility and personalized banking services.
• The Kilimani branch will offer a comprehensive range of products including personal and business accounts, loans, mortgages, cards, insurance, and investment opportunities.

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) is proposing to reduce mobile money transaction fees from an average of KES 23 to KES 10 by 2028, as outlined in the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) 2025–2028. This move aims to make financial services more accessible and affordable for Kenyans.

• The proposed reduction will impact services like M-Pesa and Airtel Money, targeting an average fee of KES 10 by 2028.
• The CBK, in collaboration with government and private sector entities including Safaricom and Airtel, seeks public feedback on this draft strategy.
• Kenyans have until Thursday, October 9, 2025, to submit their views on the proposed fee cuts and broader financial inclusion measures.

Tala, the microlending fintech, despite a decade of unprofitability, is aggressively expanding to five new countries, betting on new loan technology to achieve profitability by early 2026. This Silicon Valley-style growth-before-profit strategy aims to scale operations significantly.

• Tala has lent $7 billion to low-income consumers since 2011.
• The company's new underwriting system, piloted in Mexico, boosted loan approvals from 40% to 80% while reducing defaults.
• Tala plans to expand into Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Peru, Vietnam, and India, accelerating its market entry model to three months per country.
• The company's annualized revenue run rate is currently $340 million.
• Loan default rates are approximately 10%.