– In August, it will be a year since you obtained your banking license. What has this year been like for KMF Bank?
– For us, it has been a very important and eventful period. Obtaining a banking license made it possible to significantly expand opportunities for customers. Whereas before we were known primarily as a reliable partner for entrepreneurs, today KMF Bank is already a full-fledged bank with a broad range of modern products and services.
Almost immediately after obtaining the license, we launched deposits for individuals and legal entities, current accounts, and services for the self-employed. At the beginning of this year, we joined the Interbank Mobile Payment System—our customers can transfer money by phone number to other banks in Kazakhstan. In the near future, we plan to launch QR payments.
At the same time, we are actively developing the KMF Bank mobile app. We see that simplicity, speed, and the ability to access services online are especially important to customers today. That is why many products are already available fully through remote banking services; for example, a deposit can be opened in just a few minutes directly in the app.
At the same time, we are not moving entirely online. It is important for us to maintain live contact with customers. This is especially relevant for the regions, where it is still important for people to come to a branch, speak with a manager, and receive advice in person. That is exactly why we continue to develop our branch network and adhere to a phygital model - a combination of digital services and physical presence.
– Which products are currently in the highest demand among customers?
– Speaking about the retail segment, deposits remain one of the most in-demand products today. We see that people are thinking more and more about preserving and growing their funds, and several factors matter to customers at once: the bank’s reliability, favorable terms, and convenience in managing their money.
We offer competitive interest rates on deposits—up to 20% (annual effective interest rate: 14–20%)*. At the same time, customers have a choice: a deposit can be opened with replenishment, partial withdrawal, or they can choose a classic savings deposit format. An additional factor of trust is that our bank is part of the Kazakhstan Deposit Insurance Fund system. For depositors, this means confidence that their funds are safe.
At the same time, interest is also growing in everyday banking services—current accounts, transfers, cash and settlement services, and solutions for entrepreneurs and the self-employed. It is convenient for people when their main financial matters can be handled within one bank and through one app.
At the same time, one of our key areas remains support for entrepreneurs. We have been working with small and micro businesses for almost thirty years and understand the specifics of different industries well. That is why our business products are tailored as closely as possible to customers’ real needs.
For example, loan products of up to 100 million tenge are available to entrepreneurs on flexible financing terms. For the agricultural sector, we take into account the seasonality of the business: we understand that during the sowing season farmers do not have free funds, so we provide grace periods until the harvest is collected and sold. A similar individual approach is applied in other business sectors as well.
I would also like to highlight the group lending product, which remains especially in demand among small enterprises and start-up entrepreneurs. Customers join together in groups and act as guarantors for one another, which gives them the opportunity to attract financing for business development, replenishment of working capital, or the purchase of equipment.
– At the same time, KMF Bank has traditionally been particularly strong in the regions. How important does this area remain for you?
– It remains one of our key advantages. We operate across almost all of Kazakhstan, covering around 4,000 remote settlements, and we understand the needs of customers both in cities and in rural areas. It is important to us that high-quality banking services be accessible to everyone, regardless of where a person lives. That is why we continue to develop our branch network while also strengthening digital infrastructure in the regions.
For example, in branches located in remote settlements, we are implementing Starlink technology. This makes it possible to significantly improve internet quality and ensure the stable operation of digital services even in areas where this used to be a challenge. That is exactly why we often say: even in the most remote regions, we remain close to the customer.
– Many banks today talk about ecosystems. What does this mean for KMF Bank?
– For us, an ecosystem means practical value for the individual. We want customers to be able to receive not only banking services, but also services that help them in their everyday lives.
For example, together with our partners, we are developing online medicine and veterinary consultations**. This is especially in demand in rural regions, where access to specialists may be limited. Life insurance is also available to customers as part of this service. We see that people increasingly value solutions that help them feel confident and protected.
– What objectives has KMF Bank set for itself for the coming years?
– In the coming years, we plan to actively expand the bank’s product range and develop its digital ecosystem. First and foremost, this means new services in the mobile app, the development of transactional business, the launch of QR payments, and the further improvement of remote banking services.
Another important priority for us is the accessibility of banking services throughout Kazakhstan. We want people to be able to use modern banking services at an equally high level, regardless of whether they live in a major city or a small village.
And, of course, it is important for us to preserve what matters most: our customers’ trust. We want to remain a bank with which it is convenient, reliable, and comfortable to build long-term relationships.
– Social and educational initiatives have always been one of KMF’s recognizable areas of focus. How are they developing today?
– We continue to develop projects aimed at supporting entrepreneurship and improving financial literacy, as we consider this an important part of our mission for the sustainable development of the regions and the strengthening of our clients’ businesses.
One of the key areas of this work has become agroforums. Together with the KMF-Demeu Corporate Fund, we have already held eight such events. At these events, entrepreneurs gain practical knowledge, exchange experience, and discuss current issues in business development.
A separate and strategically important area is support for women entrepreneurs. Today, women account for 55% of our clients, which reflects their high level of entrepreneurial activity. That is why we are creating additional opportunities for their professional growth. One such tool is the annual KMF Isker Khanymy Award, aimed at recognizing women’s achievements in business.
A logical continuation of this work was KMF Bank’s accession to the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code, an international initiative supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Development of Financial Market, and the Association of Financiers of Kazakhstan. Under the code, projects will be implemented to expand women’s access to financing, as well as to develop additional support services, including non-financial ones.
Last year, KMF Bank received an EBRD award as a leader in non-financial services under the Women in Business program. This award is presented to organizations that develop comprehensive client support, from educational programs to consultations and mentoring. Thus, our support for women entrepreneurs covers all key areas: training, business development, financial instruments, and international programs.
* Information current as of June 2026.
** The purchase of a subscription to the Medicine service is made through the KMF Bank app. The service is provided by the Bank’s partner, Dariger Online LLP, under the terms of a public offer. Dariger Online LLP acts as an aggregator and does not provide medical services. Medical services are provided by third parties—licensed medical organizations. Payment constitutes acceptance of the partner’s terms. KMF Bank does not provide medical services and bears no responsibility for their quality.
ARDFM license for conducting banking operations No. 1.1.121 dated November 25, 2025
