DTB asset finance: Beba Leo, logbook loans and solar
By Arnold Ochieng · Diamond Trust Bank Kenya hub · paybillke is an independent guide and is not affiliated with Diamond Trust Bank Kenya.
Three different facilities that get confused with each other. Beba Leo is DTB's vehicle financing scheme for SMEs buying brand new vehicles. The DTB Logbook Loan is a secured vehicle equity facility, borrowing against a car you already own. Solar Lending finances solar equipment for eligible salaried employees.
Beba Leo is narrower than most write-ups suggest
DTB's own description is specific: Beba Leo is a vehicle financing scheme that enables SMEs to acquire brand new vehicles. A lot of coverage stretches this into "vehicles, equipment and technology for individuals and businesses". If you are an individual looking to finance a used import, do not assume Beba Leo is your product. Ask DTB which of its facilities fits before you commit to a vehicle.
DTB runs Beba Leo on both the personal and business sides of its borrowing menu, alongside Leasing and Hire Purchase for businesses, which are genuinely different structures with different ownership and tax consequences. Worth an hour with DTB rather than a guess.
The logbook loan, and what secured really means
A DTB Logbook Loan lets eligible individuals and businesses borrow against a vehicle they own. You keep the car and keep driving it. DTB holds the logbook as security.
If you default, the lender can repossess and sell the vehicle. That is what the security is for, and it is the whole reason a logbook loan is priced below an unsecured one. People sign these while focused on the monthly figure and without registering that the car is the collateral. Our logbook loan guide covers repossession, what a lender must do first, and what your rights are.
Solar lending is for salaried employees
DTB's other secured and term facilities
- Term Loan, a secured facility in local or foreign currency, for individuals, sole proprietors, partnerships and companies.
- Overdraft, for working capital and temporary cash-flow gaps.
- Mortgage, for a home, apartment or commercial space.
- Unsecured Loan, a personal loan for salaried employees with no property pledged.
- Insurance Premium Financing and Digital IPF, for spreading an insurance premium.
- Tender Flex, for bid bonds and tender security.
- Pre-harvest and post-harvest loans, for agricultural working capital.
What DTB does not publish, and you should ask for
About this guide
| Facility | What it funds | Security |
|---|---|---|
| Beba Leo | Brand new vehicles, for SMEs | The financed vehicle |
| DTB Logbook Loan | Cash against a vehicle you already own | Your logbook. The car can be repossessed on default. |
| Solar Lending | Solar equipment, for eligible salaried employees | Confirm with DTB |
Frequently asked
What is DTB Beba Leo?
DTB's vehicle financing scheme, which DTB describes as enabling SMEs to acquire brand new vehicles.
Does DTB do logbook loans?
Yes. You keep and drive the car while DTB holds the logbook as security. The vehicle can be repossessed if you default.
Does DTB finance solar?
Yes, through Solar Lending, for eligible salaried employees buying from providers DTB works with.
What deposit does DTB asset finance require?
DTB does not publish it. Ask DTB on 0719 031 888 and get the deposit, rate, tenure and fees in writing before committing.