By Suleiman Mbatiah
Sidian Bank has opened its 49th branch in Ol Kalou town, Nyandarua County, as part of its ongoing national expansion strategy.
The branch, located along the Gilgil–Nyahururu highway, was unveiled by Nyandarua Governor Moses Kiarie Badilisha, who hailed the move as a vote of confidence in the county’s investment potential.
“The opening of Sidian Bank here shows that Nyandarua is growing at a very high rate. My administration is committed to creating a favorable investment environment that supports the private sector, which is key to our county’s prosperity,” Dr Badilisha said.
The governor noted that access to affordable credit is critical for farmers, traders and youth enterprises, adding that financial institutions remain vital in driving the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of the county’s economy.
Sidian Bank chief executive Thumbi Chege said the choice of Nyandarua was deliberate, pointing to the region’s vibrant agribusiness and SME sectors.
“Ol Kalou and the larger Mt Kenya region are central to our growth strategy. This new branch will offer tailored solutions to farmers, traders, and small businesses through access to credit, Biashara loans, SME products, LPO financing, invoice discounting and digital banking tools. At Sidian Bank, we believe in walking the entrepreneurial journey alongside every farmer and every trader,” Mr Chege.
The bank reported a 92 percent jump in profit after tax for the first half of 2025, rising to Sh1.01 billion from Sh523 million in a similar period last year. The performance was supported by a 42.8 percent growth in net interest income and a 136.6 percent surge in non-interest income, which lifted total operating income to Sh3.55 billion.
Mr Chege said the strong results give the lender the muscle to expand into underserved regions while reinforcing its ambition of becoming a Tier Two bank by the end of 2025.
“This launch reflects our commitment to bringing banking closer to the people, where businesses are thriving and communities are building their future. Strategic branches like Ol Kalou are not just service points; they are catalysts for economic transformation and community engagement,” he said.
The CEO added that the bank is pursuing a dual strategy of expanding its branch network while strengthening its digital platforms to ensure accessibility and convenience.
Also present at the launch was Sidian Bank head of branches, Loise Mwangi, alongside senior county officials, local business leaders and religious leaders who blessed the new facility.
With customer deposits exceeding Sh60 billion and total assets of Sh76.5 billion, Sidian Bank says it will continue investing in both physical and digital infrastructure to meet the needs of its growing customer base.
The Ol Kalou branch is expected to play a key role in supporting economic growth in Nyandarua and neighboring counties by targeting SMEs, farmers and agribusiness investors.