Asiamoney Best Bank Awards

In many countries, the success of banks’ focus on small and medium-sized enterprises is increasingly tied to their digital offerings for this group of clients. Can the SMEs avail of mobile banking services? Can they do most of their banking business online, without going to a physical branch or needing human support? Can they do this safely, through an easy-to-navigate app or platform?

In many countries, the success of banks’ focus on small and medium-sized enterprises is increasingly tied to their digital offerings for this group of clients. Can the SMEs avail of mobile banking services? Can they do most of their banking business online, without going to a physical branch or needing human support? Can they do this safely, through an easy-to-navigate app or platform?

Citi’s commitment to Kazakhstan has not wavered in the 25-plus years that it has had a presence in the Central Asian country. It has only become stronger.

Halyk Bank’s corporate and investment banking franchise is second to none in Kazakhstan, making it our choice for this award for the third year in a row.

Given its quest to become a high-tech name, Kazakhstan’s fifth-largest bank by assets, deposits and loans has undergone a dramatic culture change in the past couple of years. ForteBank put in the effort and investment to improve its IT infrastructure and as a result, digital processes and initiatives have become a core part of its operations.

For international bank chieftains, life in Seoul is never boring. South Korean regulators are notorious for sudden tweaks to policies on household loans, dividends, labour policies and other areas that require increasingly agile responses.

Even in a land of hyper-savvy digital offerings, kakaobank remains an overachieving standout.