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Verified 12 September 2026

DTB accounts and how to open one

By Arnold Ochieng · Diamond Trust Bank Kenya hub · paybillke is an independent guide and is not affiliated with Diamond Trust Bank Kenya.

DTB offers personal current, savings and salary accounts, Classic Business and foreign currency current accounts for businesses, and a separate diaspora range covered on its own page. Every personal account comes with a debit card and access to the m24/7 app, *382# and internet banking.

What you need

  1. Your National ID or passport.
  2. Your KRA PIN.
  3. For some accounts, proof of income or address.
  4. For a business account, the company registration documents, and the KRA PIN of the business as well as the directors.

Ask for mobile banking while you are there

This is the single most useful thing on this page. DTB lets you select mobile banking during account opening, and it is free. If you skip it, registering later means a separate branch visit, because there is no self-service sign-up for DTB mobile banking. People discover this months afterwards when they first want to send money from the app.

What DTB does not publish, and you should ask

DTB does not put minimum opening balances, monthly ledger fees or minimum operating balances on its product pages, and figures circulating elsewhere are not sourced. Before you choose an account, ask for:

  • The minimum opening balance and the minimum operating balance, which are often different.
  • The monthly maintenance or ledger fee, and whether it is waived above a balance.
  • The debit card issue and annual fee.
  • Whether debit and credit alerts are bundled or charged at KES 200 a month, per our charges page.
  • The number of free ATM withdrawals, if any.

The Tariff Guide on DTB's site is the document that answers all of these in one place.

Choosing between current and savings

A current account is for money moving through: salary in, bills out, card spending, no meaningful interest. A savings account is for money sitting still, and it typically restricts how often you can withdraw without losing the interest benefit. If you are going to run the account day to day, a current or salary account is the right shape, and the savings account is a second account rather than a replacement.

Funding it

Once the account is open, paybill 516600 moves money in from M-PESA with your 10-digit account number as the reference. That is usually the fastest way to put the opening balance in.

About this guide

Independent guide. paybillke is not Diamond Trust Bank and has no commercial relationship with it. Paybill, USSD and charge details were checked against DTB's own site on 12 September 2026. Bank tariffs and loan terms are revised regularly, so confirm anything you are about to act on with DTB on 0719 031 888 or at dtbk.dtbafrica.com.

Frequently asked

What accounts does DTB offer?

Personal current, savings and salary accounts, Classic Business and foreign currency current accounts, plus a diaspora range.

What do I need to open a DTB account?

Your National ID or passport and your KRA PIN, plus proof of income or address for some accounts.

Does a DTB account come with a debit card?

Yes, along with access to the m24/7 app, *382# and internet banking.

What is the minimum balance for a DTB account?

DTB does not publish it. Ask at the branch or check DTB's Tariff Guide before choosing an account.

Can I register for mobile banking when I open the account?

Yes, and you should. Registering later requires a separate branch visit.