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Driving Business Growth: Inside dfcu Bank’s Innovative Vehicle & Asset Financing Solutions

Officials from dfcu bank and  World Navi Company Limited in a group photo after announcing a partnership on used vehicles

Gloria Ssuuna Namutebi, Senior Manager – Vehicle & Asset Finance at dfcu Bank, is one of Uganda’s leading experts in the field. With over a decade of experience, she has helped shape financing solutions that empower individuals and businesses to acquire critical assets with ease and flexibility. In this exclusive interview with Business Focus, Gloria takes us deep into dfcu Bank’s Vehicle & Asset Financing (VAF) offerings — revealing how they’re transforming ownership and growth across sectors.

Q: dfcu Bank is considered a pioneer in Uganda’s vehicle and asset financing space. What solutions do you offer under this segment?

Gloria: We offer three key financing solutions.
First is Asset Financing, where dfcu provides funding to individuals or businesses to acquire assets. Ownership is immediately transferred to the customer, with the bank placing a caveat until the loan is fully repaid.

The second is our Finance Lease solution — tailored for corporate clients. Here, dfcu retains ownership during the lease period, but clients can purchase the asset at the end, typically at just 0.5% of the original cost. This option is ideal for businesses that file VAT returns, as it allows them to benefit from tax claims.

Lastly, we offer Insurance Premium Financing, ensuring all financed assets are comprehensively insured. Instead of paying a lump sum, clients can spread the insurance cost over 10 months, making it more manageable.

Gloria Ssuuna Namutebi, Senior Manager – Vehicle & Asset Finance at dfcu Bank

Q: What types of assets can customers finance with dfcu Bank?

Gloria: Our primary focus is on vehicles — both personal and commercial — including trucks, buses, tractors, and trailers. Beyond that, we finance construction equipment like graders, forklifts, and yellow metal, as well as medical equipment, generators, and renewable energy solutions like solar panels.

In agriculture, we offer sector-specific financing in partnership with Bank of Uganda, with interest rates as low as 10%. Equipment like tractors, refrigerated trucks, silos and milk coolers — many of which are tax-exempt — are covered under this offering. We Finance both brand new and used assets.

Q: Tell us about your partnerships with vehicle and equipment dealers. How do they enhance your offering?

Gloria: dfcu partners with both new and used vehicle dealers. For used cars, we work with World Navi. For brand new vehicles, our partners include CFAO, MAC East Africa, Motorcentre, Double Q (for Sino Trucks and yellow metal), TATA, and Mantrac for heavy equipment. These partnerships ensure our customers get high-quality, vetted assets with flexible financing.

Officials from dfcu bank and  World Navi Company Limited in a group photo after announcing a partnership on used vehicles

Q: Who is eligible for dfcu’s Vehicle & Asset Financing?

Gloria: Any individual or business with a verifiable source of income is eligible — whether they bank with us or not. That includes salaried employees, self-employed professionals, SMEs, farmers, schools, transporters and more.

Customers typically make a deposit ranging from 0% to 30%, depending on the asset’s age. Ownership is transferred at the end of the lease term, making it an ideal alternative to outright purchase.

Q: What makes the Finance Lease option especially attractive to companies?

Gloria: Our Finance Lease model is structured to support business growth. It offers tax benefits — clients can claim VAT on leased assets — and ensures risk mitigation through comprehensive insurance and GPS tracking.

It also reduces operational costs. Instead of hiring vehicles or equipment, clients acquire them affordably, freeing up capital for expansion. We even offer up to 100% financing for brand new vehicles, which is rare in the market.

Q: How affordable is vehicle or asset ownership through dfcu?

Gloria: Extremely affordable. Our interest rates are competitive — around 17% for high-net-worth customers — and we offer financing up to 84 months (7 years) to ease cash flow.

Most of our financing is self-securing — meaning customers don’t need to present additional collateral. Once they have an account, a proforma invoice from a trusted supplier, and proof of income, they can apply easily at any dfcu branch.

Q: What sets dfcu apart from others in the asset finance space?

Gloria: dfcu’s heritage as a leasing company gives us a unique advantage. We’ve built tailored solutions across sectors like education, agriculture, trade, infrastructure, and health. For example, school payment schedules are term-based, and we match repayment timelines to those cycles.

We also have deep-rooted dealer partnerships and a hands-on approach to understanding each customer’s cash flow, allowing us to offer more personalised and flexible solutions.

 

Q: What advice would you give individuals or businesses looking to acquire vehicles or critical assets?

Gloria: Don’t let upfront costs hold you back. dfcu’s Vehicle & Asset Financing is designed to unlock business growth. With as little as 0% deposit and no collateral required, you can own the asset you need — affordably and securely.

Our solutions are flexible, cash-flow-friendly, and backed by real expertise. Visit any of our branches, present your proforma invoice, and let us walk the journey with you.

Conclusion
With a legacy rooted in leasing and a vision focused on inclusive growth, dfcu Bank’s Vehicle & Asset Financing solutions are driving individuals and businesses across Uganda toward sustainable ownership, expansion, and economic resilience.

 

Taddewo William Senyonyi
https://www.facebook.com/senyonyi.taddewo
William is a seasoned business and finance journalist. He is also an agripreneur and a coffee enthusiast.

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