Halyk Bank, established in 1923 as a branch of the Soviet Sberbank (Savings Bank of the former Soviet Union), was historically one of the only Soviet banks that dealt exclusively in the retail banking market. In 1994, the Bank became a separate legal entity, wholly owned by the Republic of Kazakhstan. In 1998, the Bank was incorporated as an open joint-stock commercial bank in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
At present, Halyk Bank is the largest bank in the country in terms of customer deposits and the third largest bank in terms of assets.
The Bank’s core business is focused on retail and corporate banking. The Bank also acts as a non-exclusive paying and collection agent for the Government for pension and other social security payments. With the most extensive retail distribution network in Kazakhstan, the Bank is able to serve its customers through 540 retail outlets, including regional and district branches in 20 regions throughout Kazakhstan.
The Bank offers a wide range of retail banking products and services including current accounts, time deposits, consumer loans, mortgages, credit and debit cards, traveller’s cheques, currency exchange, Internet banking and ATM services. The corporate banking business provides a range of wholesale banking products and services to corporate and small and medium size business customers, financial institutions and Government entities.
In addition the Bank offers certain basic banking services, including accepting some utility payments and repayments of consumer loans. Other distribution channels used by the Bank include Automated Teller Machines (‘‘ATMs’’), the Internet and in-store service points located at certain shopping centres and supermarkets in Kazakhstan.