DFCU Bank has appointed seasoned banker Margaret Karume as its second executive director, in a move aimed at strengthening value creation for customers, shareholders and other stakeholders.

The bank said the appointment aligns with its strategic focus on innovation, operational excellence and sustainable growth as it continues to expand in Uganda's competitive financial services sector.

Karume is a banking executive with more than 30 years of experience in the industry.

She began her career at Barclays Bank Kenya (now Absa Bank Kenya) before joining NIC Bank, currently part of NCBA Group, where she held senior leadership roles in credit risk, corporate banking and executive management.

She later served as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NCBA Group in Tanzania, where she is credited with overseeing the integration of legacy banks in a landmark merger considered a major consolidation milestone in the region's banking sector.

Karume, who holds an Executive MBA from the United States International University, has been serving as Chief Credit Officer at dfcu Bank since January 2024.

Her appointment is expected to strengthen dfcu Bank's leadership capacity as it navigates increasing competition, digital transformation and changing customer expectations in the financial services sector.