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Finance & Investment

Bandari DT Sacco: Full Guide to Savings, Loans, LPO Financing and Membership Requirements in Kenya

  • BY waceke
  • November 22, 2025
bandari sacco

Bandari DT Sacco is one of Kenya’s leading deposit-taking cooperatives, serving over 25,000 members across the country. The Sacco began in 1975 within the Harbours and Railway Workers Cooperative, rebranded to Bandari Sacco in 1985, and expanded its membership to all Kenyans in 2005. As a Tier 1 Sacco, it provides savings and affordable credit solutions for salary earners, businesses, SMEs and welfare groups.

This guide breaks down every product category, membership rule, loan type, savings account and application requirement.

Membership Eligibility

Bandari DT Sacco is open to:

  • Employees of corporates and private firms
  • Government staff
  • Business owners and professionals
  • Groups, chamas and welfare associations
  • Diaspora members
  • Youth transitioning from junior accounts

Members exercise democratic control and share in dividends based on savings and investments.

SAVINGS PRODUCTS

1. Landlords Account

Designed for real estate owners and rental property investors:

  • Opening balance of 5000 shillings
  • Easy tracking of rental income
  • Ability to borrow against deposits for repairs or construction
  • Access to real estate networking events
  • Rent collection through M-Pesa Paybill 146320

2. Personal Savings Account

A flexible everyday account:

  • Opening balance of 1000 shillings
  • No maintenance or cash deposit fees
  • Interest earning
  • Standing orders available
  • Optional Visa ATM card

3. Dau Junior Account

A savings plan for children:

  • Minimum balance of 2000 shillings
  • Attractive annual interest if there are no withdrawals
  • Free birthday gifts
  • Annual party for supersavers
  • Three withdrawals allowed per year
  • Dau-banks provided for kids’ savings habits

4. Staafu Savings Account

A retirement draw-down account:

  • Withdraw up to 25 percent of total deposits once per year
  • Fixed deposits usable as security for FOSA loans
  • Flexible monthly contributions
  • Ideal for long-term retirement income planning

5. Holiday Savings Account

A structured savings product:

  • Minimum balance of 5000 shillings
  • Minimum lock-in period of 12 months
  • Contributions through standing order or direct deposit
  • Holiday facilitation through partner tour agents

6. Bima (Insurance) Account

A premium payment and insurance savings account:

  • Designed for risk cover and emergencies
  • Premiums must be settled within 7 days before expiry
  • Interest earning
  • Suitable for motor, property or health insurance payments

7. Fixed Deposit Account

A stable investment account:

  • Interest between 5 and 10 percent
  • Accepted as security
  • Flexible renewals at maturity
  • Certificate issued upon deposit

8. E-Channels

All accounts have access to:

  • EFT money transfers
  • Bankers cheques
  • International SWIFT transfers
  • Standing orders
  • RTGS transfers
  • One-month advances through the mobile platform

9. Biashara Club Savings and Loans

A solution for MSMEs and entrepreneurs:

  • Supports both formal and informal sectors
  • Applicants must present a business plan
  • Access to LPO financing, cheque payments and business linkages
  • Access to business symposiums and advisory seminars

10. Chama Club Savings and Loans

For welfare groups and social associations:

  • Group must be registered
  • Minimum monthly savings of 5000 shillings
  • Business plan and meeting minutes required
  • Savings earn interest
  • Credit available after six months of contributions

LOAN PRODUCTS

BOSA Loans (Long-Term Development Loans)

Super Loan

  • Up to six times deposits
  • Interest 1.2 percent per month
  • Repayment up to 108 months
  • Maximum amount 40 million shillings

Normal and Top-Up Loans

  • Up to five times deposits
  • Interest from 1 to 1.1 percent
  • Repayment from 84 to 96 months
  • Maximum of 40 million shillings

Daraja Loan

  • Up to five times deposits
  • Repayment up to 48 months

Jibu Loan

  • Access after first payroll deduction
  • Repayment up to 24 months
  • Maximum 300,000 shillings

Emergency Loans

  • School fees, medical, or urgent needs
  • Repayment up to 12 months
  • Maximum 40 million for members with high deposits

Stawisha Loan

  • For household goods, water tanks and home upgrades
  • Repayment up to 24 months
  • Maximum of 350,000 shillings

Hisa Loan

  • Boosts deposits to unlock loan eligibility
  • Up to 500,000 shillings
  • Interest 5 percent plus 10 percent BOSA charge

FOSA Loans (Salary-Based Credit)

Karibu Loan

  • Interest 1.17 percent reducing
  • Repayment up to 60 months

HSF Special Advance Loan

  • 1.15 percent reducing
  • Repayment up to 36 months

HSF Okoa Loan

  • 1.1 percent reducing
  • Repayment up to 18 months

Mobile Loans

Flash Advance Loan

  • Limit up to 60,000 shillings
  • Repayment 1 to 4 months
  • Interest 5 to 10 percent depending on tenure
  • Member starts at 10,000 and grows to 60,000 based on repayment behaviour

Mobi Loan

  • Up to 60,000 or 300 percent of net pay
  • Repayment between 1 and 6 months
  • Interest 8 to 10 percent depending on period
  • Only for members using FOSA salary processing

Dividend Advance

  • Up to 60 percent of previous year dividends
  • One-time interest of 10 percent
  • Recovered once dividends are paid

OTHER KEY FINANCING PRODUCTS

Asset Finance

Supports purchase of land, motor vehicles and machinery:

  • Member must raise 30 percent deposit
  • Up to 30 million shillings
  • Repayment up to 60 months for movable assets
  • Repayment up to 120 months for immovable assets
  • Asset acts as security

Mortgage Financing

For purchasing homes or financing construction:

  • Repayment up to 120 months
  • Maximum of 15 million shillings
  • For construction, disbursement is in three phases
  • Salary or rental income must support repayment

M-Hela Mobile Loan

  • One-month mobile credit
  • Minimum share capital of 500 shillings
  • Minimum deposit of 1500 shillings
  • Interest 10 percent per month
  • Accessible via *636# or the Bandari Pesa App

Jipange Loan

For newly confirmed employees:

  • Requires introduction and employment letter
  • Repayment up to 24 months
  • Deposit recoup attracts 10 percent commission
  • Processing fee 2 percent
  • Interest 14 percent reducing

Welfare or Chama Loan

  • For income generating projects
  • Interest 15 percent p.a. reducing
  • Repayment up to 48 months
  • Group must save for at least six months

BOSA Jahazi Loan

Long-term development financing:

  • Up to 30 million shillings
  • Repayment up to 120 months
  • No refinancing until half the loan is repaid
  • Must be fully guaranteed

LPO Financing

Designed for SMEs and corporates executing supply contracts:

  • LPO must be from a verified entity
  • Finance up to 60 percent of LPO value
  • Interest 10 percent for the facility period
  • Requires business registration, tax documents, audited accounts (above 5 million), valuation for collateral and past contract history

DIASPORA AND CORPORATE ACCOUNTS

Diaspora Account

For Kenyans abroad:

  • Flexible remittances
  • Interest between 4 and 20 percent
  • Access to travel and development loans
  • Savings attract credit eligibility

Kijana Account

For youth and young adults:

  • Transition product from Dau Junior
  • Mentorship, coaching and financial guidance
  • Access to savings and advances

Corporate Loans and Advances

For companies processing salaries through FOSA:

  • One-month advances
  • 3 to 6 month advances
  • 12 month facilities
  • Development loans up to 24 months
  • Consumer loans for electronics, vehicles or equipment

Branch Network

Bandari DT Sacco operates branches in:

  • Mombasa (Main Gate and KPA HQ)
  • Nairobi (ICD Embakasi)
  • Kisumu (Swan Center, Oginga Odinga Street)
  • Lamu (opening soon)