What Finance Trust Bank does

Finance Trust Bank Uganda Limited is a Kampala-headquartered, privately held financial institution that has operated in Uganda since 1984 and is transitioning to a Bank of Uganda Tier II license effective April 1, 2026 (License No. A1.28). The bank serves micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs, salary earners, youth, women, and community financial institutions (SACCOs, MFIs, VSLAs, CBOs, Investment Clubs) through a network of 34 branches countrywide, an agent banking network, and digital channels (internet banking, mobile). Over 300,000 depositors and 37,000 active borrowers are served by products spanning savings accounts (Trust Savers, Trust Junior Savers, Trust Group, Trust Current, Fixed Deposit, Trust Dollar, Trust Halal Personal/Business, No Fee Deposit, Mama's Safe Individual Savings), credit products (Trust Business Loan, Trust Consumer Loans, Trust Agro Financing, Asset Finance, Trust Mobile Loan), trade finance (bid bonds up to UGX 300 million processed within 24 hours, LPO financing, invoice discounting, letters of credit), and ancillary services including Western Union money transfer and utility collections for URA, KCCA, NSSF, Umeme, E-water, DSTV, GoTV, and Kalangala Infrastructural Services.

The bank's core technology is a standard core banking platform supporting deposits, lending, trade finance, and digital channels, with remote account opening functionality and the Trust Mobile Loan product extending credit through mobile channels. The institution holds ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for information security and offers Sharia-compliant banking alongside conventional products, with no disclosed AI/ML capabilities. Revenue mechanics are anchored in net interest income from loans and savings (interest paid on savings at 2.5-5.5% p.a.), transaction and service fees (ATM, inter-branch, trade finance), and utility collection commissions. Distribution combines a 34-branch direct network, in-house Direct Sales Officers (including 50 positions for the WASH Project), relationship managers, partnerships with IPED for women-led ventures, Western Union for remittances, and an agent banking layer for last-mile reach in Uganda's underserved segments.

Name

Finance Trust Bank

Legal name

Finance Trust Bank Uganda Limited

Website

https://financetrust.co.ug

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Finance Trust Bank Uganda Limited is a Kampala-headquartered Tier II financial institution operating 34 branches countrywide, serving over 300,000 depositors and 37,000 borrowers across MSMEs, women, youth, salary earners, and community financial institutions with savings, credit, trade finance, Sharia-compliant, and utility collection products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Banking

NAICS

Commercial Banking (522110)

SIC

State Commercial Banks (6022)

akta.pro primary industry

Small Business Banking (Microbusiness/Sole Proprietor) (FSABAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Islamic Treasury, Liquidity & Interbank (Commodity Murabaha, Sukuk Liquidity) (FSABAGAK), Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) & Revenue-Based Financing (FSAKAGAD)

Keywords

• Retail banking services
• Microfinance lending
• Trade finance solutions
• Women financial inclusion
• Community banking

Headquarters

HQ city

Kampala

HQ country

Uganda

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Interest Income: Interest earned from loan products including Trust Business Loans, Consumer Loans, Agro Financing, Asset Finance, and Mobile Loans. Interest rates on savings accounts range from 2.5-5.5% p.a.
2. Transaction Fees: Fees from ATM services, inter-branch transactions, withdrawal fees, and various banking service charges. Trade finance services including bid bonds, letters of credit, and guarantees generate fee income.
3. Deposit Mobilization: Core banking deposits from over 300,000 depositors across various account types including savings, current accounts, fixed deposits, and group savings accounts.
4. Utility Collections: Partnerships with utility providers including URA, KCCA, NSSF, Umeme, E-water, and DSTV/GoTV for bill collection services generating fee income.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Finance Trust Bank is a Tier 2 Ugandan bank providing retail and commercial banking products including deposit accounts (savings, current, fixed deposit, Sharia-compliant, dollar, and women-focused), credit products (business, consumer, agricultural, asset finance, and mobile loans), trade finance services (bid bonds, LPO financing, letters of credit, contract financing), and complementary services (Western Union money transfer, utility bill collections, internet and mobile banking). The bank targets low and medium income customers, especially women, micro and small entrepreneurs, salary earners, youth, and community financial institutions across Uganda through a 34-branch network and digital channels.

Product overview

Finance Trust Bank is a Tier 2 Financial Institution in Uganda serving over 300,000 depositors and 37,000 borrowers through 34 branches. The bank operates a unified banking platform with diverse product categories including: (1) Deposit Products (Trust Savers Account, Trust Junior Savers Account, Trust Group Savings Account, Trust Current Account, Fixed Deposit Account, Trust Dollar Account, Trust Halal Personal/Business Accounts, No Fee Deposit Account, Mama's Safe Individual Savings) offering savings, current accounts, and Sharia-compliant banking; (2) Credit Products (Trust Business Loan, Trust Consumer Loans, Trust Agro Financing, Asset Finance Loans, Trust Mobile Loan) providing personal, business, agricultural, and asset financing; (3) Trade Finance (Bid Bonds & Guarantees, Trade Finance Loans, Letters of Credit & Collections, Smart Financing & Payment Solutions) for international trade support; and (4) Other Services (Internet Banking, ATM Services, Western Union Money Transfer, Utilities Collections) for digital banking and bill payments. The bank emphasizes women-focused banking with products like Mama's Safe and Women's Agriculture Loans, and serves micro, small and medium entrepreneurs, salary earners, and youth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Trust Savers Account Basic personal savings account offering competitive interest rates of 2.5-5.5% per annum on balances of UGX 50,000 and above, with no monthly charges and free over-the-counter transactions, targeted at individual depositors.
• Trust Junior Savers Account Youth savings account designed for children and young people to encourage early savings habits and financial literacy from a young age.
• Trust Group Savings Account Savings account designed for groups, associations, and community organizations, supporting collective financial mobilization.
• Trust Current Account Current account for businesses and individuals requiring frequent transactions and overdraft facilities.
• Fixed Deposit Account Term deposit account with guaranteed returns for customers seeking to park idle funds for a defined period.
• Trust Dollar Account Foreign currency savings account enabling customers to transact in both Ugandan shillings and US dollars, available to individuals, joint accounts, businesses, and institutions, with one free statement per month.
• Trust Halal Personal Account Sharia-compliant personal savings account with no interest, free over-the-counter transactions, and no monthly charges or opening fees, designed for Muslim customers seeking compliant banking.
• Trust Halal Business Account Sharia-compliant business savings account offering free over-the-counter transactions, no interest, and no opening fees for businesses seeking Sharia-compliant banking.
• No Fee Deposit Account High-interest deposit account with no fees, unlimited daily deposits, and up to three withdrawals per month, enabling daily savings growth for active savers.
• Mama's Safe Individual Savings Women-focused savings account with minimum opening balance of UGX 5,000, mandatory medical insurance subscription, competitive interest rates of 2.5-5.5% per annum, and no deposit or withdrawal fees.
• Youth Progress Account Interest-bearing savings account for youth that accumulates interest to help young people achieve their financial goals.
• Trust Business Loan Loan product designed for small and medium enterprises to fund business growth, working capital, and operations.
• Trust Consumer Loans Personal development loans for individuals to finance education, home improvements, and other personal needs.
• Trust Agro Financing Agricultural financing products including women's agriculture loans to support farming activities and food security, targeted at women farmers and agro-entrepreneurs.
• Asset Finance Loans Financing solutions for acquiring business assets, equipment, and vehicles.
• Trust Mobile Loan Mobile-based quick loans for existing customers with quick disbursement and flexible repayment options.
• Bid Bonds and Guarantees Unsecured bid bonds of up to UGX 300 million issued within 24 hours for businesses participating in tenders and procurement processes, plus guarantees and contingent liabilities.
• Trade Finance Loans Trade financing solutions including LPO financing, invoice discounting, and certificate discounting for businesses managing import, export, and supplier payment cycles.
• Letters of Credit & Collections International trade instruments facilitating documentary credit and collection services for import and export transactions.
• Smart Financing & Payment Solutions Comprehensive trade finance and payment solutions for businesses including contract financing and structured working capital support.
• Internet Banking Online banking platform enabling customers to manage accounts, transfer funds, and access banking services 24/7 via the web.
• ATM Services Automated teller machine services for cash withdrawals, balance inquiries, and card-based transactions across the bank's network.
• Western Union Money Transfer International money transfer service enabling customers to send and receive money globally through Western Union at Finance Trust Bank branches.
• Utilities Collections Bill payment services for utilities including electricity (Umeme), water (E-water), municipal services (KCCA), tax collection (URA), social security (NSSF), pay TV (DSTV, GoTV, Star Times), and Kalangala Infrastructural Services.
• Off Balance Sheet Products Non-funded banking products including guarantees and contingent liabilities supporting business contractual obligations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300,000 depositors served through branch and digital channels
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Women's Football SponsorshipflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 August 2024Finance Trust Bank sponsors women's football for 5 years, demonstrating commitment to women's empowerment and sports development in Uganda. This aligns with the bank's 'Putting Women First' positioning.
• IPED (Institute for Progressive Economic Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to expand access to affordable loans for women-led ventures. This collaboration supports Finance Trust Bank's women-focused banking strategy by providing financing solutions to women entrepreneurs through IPED's network.
• Western UnioncoreTechnology or IntegrationMoney transfer service partnership enabling customers to send and receive international remittances through Finance Trust Bank branches across Uganda.
• Deposit Protection FundcoreOthersStatutory deposit protection scheme covering customer deposits up to Shs. 10 Million per depositor, providing safety guarantee for customer funds.
• URA (Uganda Revenue Authority)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTax payment collection services allowing customers to pay taxes and government dues through Finance Trust Bank branches and channels.
• KCCA (Kampala Capital City Authority)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMunicipal service payment collection including local taxes and fees through bank channels.
• NSSF (National Social Security Fund)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSocial security contribution collection services for employers and employees.
• UmemecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorElectricity bill payment collection through bank branches and alternative channels.
• E-waterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWater bill payment collection services.
• DSTV, STAR Times, GoTVminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPay TV subscription payment collection services.
• Kalangala Infrastructural Services (KIS)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInfrastructure service payment collection for Kalangala district.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Centenary Bank Uganda: Centenary Bank is one of Uganda's largest commercial banks with deep microfinance and MSME focus and a countrywide branch network - a directly comparable peer to Finance Trust Bank across customer segments, product mix, and distribution.
• DFCU Bank: DFCU is a Ugandan Tier 1 commercial bank serving SMEs, corporates, and retail customers with trade finance and lending products, directly comparable to FTB on product breadth and SME focus, though at a larger scale.
• Equity Bank Uganda: Equity Bank Uganda is part of the Equity Group Holdings network known for financial inclusion and SME/microfinance banking across East Africa, making it a directly comparable peer with overlapping customer and product positioning.
• PostBank Uganda: PostBank Uganda is a state-linked savings and development bank serving retail and SME customers across the country, directly comparable in distribution reach and micro/small-business positioning even though its ownership is different.
• Opportunity Bank Uganda: Opportunity Bank Uganda is a microfinance-oriented commercial bank focused on small entrepreneurs, agriculture, and inclusive banking in Uganda, directly comparable to FTB's MSME and women-banking focus.
• Pride Microfinance Limited: Pride Microfinance is a Ugandan Tier 2 institution focused on microfinance, SME lending, and financial inclusion - a peer in customer segment and product type though operating as a deposit-taking microfinance rather than a full commercial bank.
• FINCA Uganda: FINCA Uganda is part of the FINCA Impact Finance network providing microfinance and SME banking to underserved customers, directly comparable to FTB's lending and savings products for low-income and women customers.
• Bank of Africa Uganda: Bank of Africa Uganda is a multi-segment commercial bank serving retail, SME, and corporate clients with deposits, lending, and trade finance - directly comparable to FTB on the SME and retail side, though with a different strategic focus.

Broad incumbents

• Stanbic Bank Uganda: Stanbic Bank Uganda is the local subsidiary of Standard Bank Group and a Tier 1 commercial bank, offering an overlapping product set (deposits, lending, trade finance) but at a significantly larger scale and broader customer base than FTB.
• Standard Chartered Bank Uganda: Standard Chartered Uganda is a global bank subsidiary offering corporate, retail, and trade finance products in Uganda; it overlaps with FTB in trade finance and retail banking but targets higher-tier customers and corporates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/financetrustug
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCHcZ8Vm5hDN5Hv-gKDpmXyg
• Facebookfacebook.com/112749735406725
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/finance-trust-bank

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Finance Trust Bank