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Pioneer of card business in Kazakhstan

06.10.2006 / Press-service

On October 7, bankers of Kazakhstan celebrate 12th anniversary of the first Kazakhstan plastic card issue from AlemCard.

The first paycard, AlemCard, was issued by Bank TuranAlem in autumn of 1994. BTA became the first Kazakhstan Principal Member of international association "Visa International" in 1994, and in 1998 – "MasterCard International". BTA issued first 50 thousand cards, which was with certificate from Visa International. BTA also launched the Kazakhstan processing center and installed the first ATM.

Card business appeared in consumer market, in trade and service fields. Still trade and service the stimulus for it. Judging from EU and Eastern Europe scenarios, credit cards market will keep quite rapid rate of development in CIS and Kazakhstan. And Bank TuranAlem will actively participate in the process.

JSC "Bank TuranAlem" is the core of the financial group, present in all market segments. BTA is the system-making bank of Kazakhstan and the leader in creation of banking network in the CIS countries. As of September 1, 2006, BTA's assets exceeded USD 10 bn, while its total capital exceeded USD 1.7 bn. Among Kazakhstan's second tier banks, JSC "Bank TuranAlem" confidently holds the leading position in trade financing, SME lending and mortgage loans. Till 2008 BTA plans to become one of the largest private banks of CIS.