Georgian banks: a detailed overview and comparison of the top 5 banks in Georgia by terms of service

The Georgian banking system has earned the trust of depositors from all over the world due to its stability and reliability. It consists of 15 commercial banks and a regulator, the National Bank of Georgia. Institutions serve citizens of the country, foreigners, as well as businesses registered abroad.

The Georgian banking sector is very attractive from an investment point of view – it is a profitable business. According to the latest published official data for the three quarters of 2019, the profit of the Georgian banking sector amounted to 655.8 million lari. At the end of 2018, all Georgian banks earned 914.4 million lari, and in 2017 – 870 million lari.

Banking In Georgia is a profitable business

One of the key features of Georgia's banking policy is that the state is not a participant in the global system of automatic exchange of information (CRS). This is a single global standard for reporting financial accounts for tax purposes, which allows regulatory authorities to obtain full information about the taxes of a particular entity upon request.

This provides an additional opportunity for entrepreneurs and businessmen to protect their assets. This makes the investment climate in Georgia even more attractive. Today, let's look at the main players in the Georgian banking system and compare the conditions of the TOP 5 banks in the country. If you are interested in buying a bank in Georgia or opening your own financial institution in Georgia, please visit the section-Business in Georgia. Investment projects. The catalog contains a full list of current investment projects with a description, research, and evaluation.

Another feature of the Georgian banking system is that all banks in the country except one are owned by foreign shareholders, and there are no banks with state participation at all.

The full list of banks operating in Georgia

1. TBC Bank.

2. The Bank of Georgia.

3. Liberty Bank

4. Basisbank.

5. VTB Bank-Georgia.

6. Cartu Bank.

7. ProCredit Bank.

8. Silk Road Bank.

9. Ziraat Bank Georgia.

10. Isbank Georgia.

11. TeraBank.

12. Halyk Bank Georgia.

13. PASHA Bank Georgia.

14. FINCA Bank Georgia. 

15. Credo Bank.

Leaders 

"Sakartvelos Bank" (Bank of Georgia) is one of the two biggest banks in the country, along with the second giant – "TBC-Bank". These two leaders of the Georgian financial system account for the majority of accounts opened. They bring 76% of the profit to the entire banking system of the state.

Bank of Georgia

The oldest Bank in the country, it was founded in the early twentieth century. Today, the Bank is a joint-stock company whose securities are listed on the stock exchanges of Georgia and London (Great Britain). The number of client accounts in it exceeds 2.3 million, and the bank provides a full range of services. The headquarters is located in the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi. There is a call center and a website with comprehensive modern functionality https://bankofgeorgia.ge

In "Sakartvelos Bank" you can open a term or demand deposit in several currencies, get any type of loan, including a European business loan for corporate clients. The bank carries out international trading operations and provides a full package of banking operations. You can exchange 35 types of world currencies at Bank of Georgia.

Any citizen or corporate client, regardless of nationality, can open a current account in four currencies. You can use the account with a single multi-currency plastic card. Bank clients can also apply for an international debit or credit card.

There is 24-hour remote account management from anywhere in the world, using Internet banking, as well as mobile, SMS and phone banking. This bank provides a special VIP service platform - SOLO BANK with special conditions for high-profile clients. You can also get this status remotely.

Sakartvelos Bank is an exclusive partner of American Express in Georgia. The bank has more than 100 branches and operates in Georgia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The bank owns the investment company BG Capital.

TBC-Bank is the second most popular bank in Georgia.

This bank was founded by two Georgian businessmen in 1992 under the name "Tbilisi Business Centre" with the share capital amounting to only $500. Later, the new name "TBC" was registered, which is an abbreviation of the original derivative.

In 1995, the bank had only one branch with 29 employees. The lead financial institution is gradually brought him to world level in 2014, it is a member of the London stock exchange, and its market value reached $640 million.

TBC is one of the leading banks in Georgia

TBC-Bank's online banking service was recognized as the best in Eastern and Central Europe for 3 consecutive years. Today, the bank operates on the basis of Angular JS technology, but the previous version is also available to clients. Official website of the bank is https://www.tbcbank.ge

The bank provides such types of services as opening deposits under 9 different programs, opening corporate and personal accounts (only personal attendance), providing various credit programs, insurance, etc. A wide range of remote banking services is provided, as well as the ability to make international transfers through 10 different systems.

The advantage of the bank is that there is no minimum balance or deposit to open an account.

Second tier 

In addition to the designated two giants Bank of Georgia and TBC-Bank, there are other popular banks among non-residents in Georgia for opening accounts.

Liberty Bank

This bank was formed after the privatization of the state-owned AgroMretsvBank in 1994, and in 2002 it was renamed the People’s Bank of Georgia. Since 2009, 91.2% of the bank's shares have been jointly owned by Liberty Investments Holding BV. This company was founded by former Georgian Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze and Romanian businessman Dinu Patriciu. From this point on, it became known as Liberty Bank. In 2017, the Dutch company European Financial Group BV acquired 74.64% of Liberty Bank's shares. The new owners of the financial institution were U.S. citizens Irakli Rukhadze and Igor Alekseev, as well as British citizen Ben Marson.

Liberty Bank is the biggest Bank in Georgia.

Today, Liberty Bank is the biggest private Bank in Georgia and the third biggest by assets. According to the bank's management, at the end of 2019, the total assets amount to more than 2 billion lari, and the capital exceeds 200 million lari. The market share as of mid-2017 is 5.6%.

This is one of the most customer-oriented banks in the country-it boasts the largest network of branches in the country – more than 360 branches and 550 ATMs located even in the most remote areas. The bank has more than 4,600 employees who serve more than 1.7 million customers.

Liberty Bank is the exclusive agent of the government of Georgia for the distribution of pensions and social benefits.

Bank's website - https://www.libertybank.ge

TeraBank

This bank was founded in 1999, has undergone several metamorphoses-rebranding, mergers, and today its main shareholder, who owns 45% of the shares, is a Sheikh from the Arab Emirates.

TeraBank is a well-known and stable Georgian Bank with a large network of branches in major localities of Georgia-Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Poti, Gori, Telavi, Marneuli, etc.

Clients are willing to use the bank's services with reliable Arab investments, including opening personal and corporate multi-currency accounts that do not require a down payment. The maximum period for opening an account is 1 month from the date of submission of documents.

In addition, TeraBank provides 6 types of bank guarantees – tender, for the implementation of agreements, ensuring tax obligations, advance payment, payment and quality. The bank provides brokerage services, asset management, lending, and investment banking.

Here you can issue debit and credit cards of the international payment system Visa and MasterCard. Customers can take advantage of convenient mobile and Internet banking. Address of the bank's website https://www.terabank.ge/

For businessmen registering a company in Georgia, including in the free industrial zone (PPE), it is possible to open a corporate account remotely, while it includes such services as registering a tax-free company in Poti and Tbilisi PPE.

Silk Road Bank 

This bank was founded as a joint-stock company in the mid-90s. in 2006, the Kazakh Bank Turam Alem purchased 45% of Silk Road Bank's shares for $ 2.5 million and became its main beneficiary. The name of the bank changed to "BTA Silk Road Bank".

Today Silk Road Bank is one of the most stable and reputable banks in Georgia. It operates in four main sectors-real estate, telecommunications, energy, and transport. The bank's assets include world-class hotels, such as the Radisson Blu and the Radisson Collection. In Batumi, the bank is developing a major real estate project known as the Batumi Riviera.

Silk Road Bank

Silk Road Group also owns one of the leaders in the communication and communications industry in Georgia – Silknet. It provides fixed telephony services, Internet service providers, cable TV, and fixed and mobile CDMA services. In early 2018, Silknet acquired Geocell, Georgia's largest mobile network with 2 million clients. This transaction was the largest corporate acquisition in the history of Georgia and consolidated the Bank's position as one of the largest players in the country's financial market.

In addition, the Silk Road Group is actively involved in the energy sector of Georgia, thanks to the operation of several Silk Road Energy hydroelectric power stations located in different parts of the country.

The transport business line provides strategically important services for handling liquid and dry cargo in Central Asia and the Caucasus. And the media and information technology division has included the Georgian national Geographic franchise since 2012.

Silk Road Bank is actively working on the inflow of international investments to Georgia, introducing innovative banking products, financing small and medium-sized businesses, and issuing mortgage loans to the public and small businesses.

Among the advantages of the bank are the possibility of automatic payments, developed Internet, SMS, E-mail and telephone banking. Bank's website – https://silkroadgroup.net

Conclusions

All these banks in Georgia are characterized by long-term stable operation and break-even. They provide a wide range of banking services, including the ability to manage your account remotely.

If you are not sure which bank is best to contact to open a personal or corporate account, or if you are looking for a bank with the most favorable conditions for servicing your own business, please consult the experts of the company GEO-ASK.COM

Useful links:

Investment projects in Georgia from GEOLN.COM