DIANI, Kenya, Sep 28 - Diamond Trust Bank has opened a branch in Diani increasing its total branch network in Kenya to 23, following the opening of branches in Bungoma, Kitale, Kericho and Buru Buru this year.

Diani becomes the fifth branch at the Coast Province, after the opening of branches in Changamwe and Jomo Kenyatta Avenue in Mombasa last year as well as Malindi in 2007.

 "We are delighted to announce the opening of our new branch at Diani in the South Coast to support all our customers  and extending our exceptional banking services to them, particularly those in the tourism sector - who presently have to travel to Mombasa for their banking. The branch will also service customers from all surrounding areas including Ukunda, Kwale, Ramisi, Msambweni and Shimba Hills," the bank's chairman Mahmood Manji said at the ceremony to mark the opening of the branch.

Mr Manji revealed that the bank was committed to grow its foothold in the coast province with at least two more branches planned for opening in the coming months - in Voi and in the Shimanzi area in Mombasa.

The opening of the Diani Branch is testimony to the ambitious branch expansion strategy that DTB has been implementing in recent years, across the East Africa region, which is expected to increase the groups network from 30 to over 50 branches by the end of this year. 

This is in line with DTB's strategy to enhance distribution channels across the region and meet the ever increasing customer demand for quality banking products and services.

DTB is an affiliate of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), the economic development arm of the Aga Khan Development Network. Amongst the bank's key shareholders are Habib Bank Limited (HBL), an AKFED subsidiary, and the International Finance Corporation, the private sector lending arm of the World Bank.