dfcu courts importers, traders with working capital and trade finance solutions

dfcu Bank has taken its banking services and senior leadership directly to Kampala’s downtown business community, engaging traders on their financing challenges and how access to tailored financial solutions can help their enterprises grow.

The bank brought its executive leadership and Enterprise Banking team together with traders, wholesale importers, hardware dealers, spare-parts entrepreneurs, investment clubs and SACCO representatives for a Kyusa Level Customer Dine-Out held on Friday, November 6, in the Nabugabo area.

The engagement provided business owners with an opportunity to interact directly with senior bank executives, raise concerns about their financial needs and explore available financing solutions, including the dfcu Unsecured Maali Business Loan, which offers eligible businesses up to UGX200 million without collateral.

For traders operating in Kampala’s competitive commercial environment, access to working capital is critical to maintaining business operations and exploiting growth opportunities.

Importers need financing to complete purchases and clear shipments, wholesalers require capital to replenish stock, while retailers need liquidity to sustain operations as they wait for customers to settle payments.

Through its Kyusa Level campaign, dfcu Bank is seeking to address these varying business needs by bringing banking solutions closer to entrepreneurs and offering financing options that reflect how different enterprises operate.

Speaking at the dinner, Hope Lorna Nakhayenze, Chief Risk Officer at dfcu Bank, said the bank was strengthening its relationships with customers by engaging them beyond routine banking transactions.

“We know that running a business comes with many demands. You have suppliers to pay, stock to replenish and customers to serve. Sometimes you have a good business opportunity but the money is not available at the right time.

We want you to talk to us, let’s understand what your business needs and back you with the best support. Don’t wait until a financial challenge becomes urgent before engaging your bank,” she said.

William Kayongo, Head of Enterprise Banking at dfcu Bank, said traders, importers, manufacturers and distributors have different financing requirements, making it important for the bank to understand individual business models.

He encouraged business owners to maintain active accounts and build strong banking relationships with dfcu, noting that consistent account activity and good repayment records help the bank understand customers’ businesses and assess their financing needs.

Kayongo highlighted financing of up to UGX100 million for eligible importers seeking additional working capital to complete purchases and arrange shipments, including businesses sourcing merchandise from China.

He also emphasised the bank’s trade finance solutions, noting that contractors, suppliers and service providers can access unsecured bid bonds of up to UGX1.5 billion within hours.

Mathias Jumba, Head of Integrated Channels at dfcu Bank, highlighted the bank’s efforts to improve customer experience and expand access to business financing.

He said eligible customers could access unsecured financing of up to UGX200 million, encouraging traders to maintain sound banking relationships and meet their repayment obligations to strengthen their ability to access credit as their businesses expand.

Meanwhile, Arthur Kintu, Head of Bancassurance at dfcu Bank, emphasised the importance of insurance in protecting businesses, their assets and the families that depend on them.

He encouraged entrepreneurs to consider appropriate insurance solutions as they invest in and expand their enterprises, noting that protecting business assets is an important part of building sustainable businesses.

The dinner also brought together longstanding dfcu customers and recognised younger entrepreneurs whose involvement in family businesses demonstrated the importance of preparing the next generation of business leaders.

The Nabugabo engagement follows similar Kyusa Level customer dinners held in Ndeeba, Namanve and Mukono.

Through these engagements, dfcu is taking its leadership and banking teams closer to business communities, creating opportunities for customers to discuss their financing challenges directly with the executives and teams responsible for developing banking solutions.

With more than 62 years of supporting Ugandan enterprise, dfcu Bank says it remains committed to being a preferred financial partner for businesses seeking to grow, expand and take advantage of emerging opportunities.

The bank’s commitment is anchored in its Going Further Together promise, through which it seeks to transform lives and businesses through financial services, enterprise enablement and partnerships that contribute to Uganda’s economic growth.