Payment cards

License of the National Bank of Kazakhstan on the issue of payment cards was given to 20 of second-tier banks, practically issue of payment cards realise only 15 banks. Second-tier banks issue payment cards of local systems: Altyn card – by “Halyk Savings Bank of Kazakhstan” OJSC, SmartAlemCard – by “Bank TuranAlem” OJSC, cards of "Caspian Bank" OJSC and "City bank" OJSC, as well as international system cards - Europay International, VISA International, American Express, Diners Club International.

As of October1, 2003 on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan the number of cards, issued by banks of Kazakhstan, was 1,84 million, the number of holders of that cards was 1,81 million. It means that there are 124,2 cards per thousand of persons, of which the share of international and local cards is 81% and 19% respectively. On the 1 of October 2002 this ratio was 84% and 16% respectively.

In the III quarter of 2003 volume of transactions using payment cards issued by banks of Kazakhstan increased by 40,0% and the value of transactions increased by 60,4% in comparison with the III quarter of 2002. The volume of cashless payments increased by 50,0%, the value of cashless payments - by 51,4% respectively. At the same time the volume of cash withdrawal transactions increased by 39,7% and the value of these transactions increased by 60,8% respectively.

The volume and value of transactions with payment cards,issued by banks of Kazakhstan
Type of transaction	III quarter of 2002		III quarter of 2003
	Volume (thousands)	Value  (million KZT)	Volume (thousands)	Value  (million KZT)
Payment for goods and services	156,2	2 611,6	234,2	3 954,2
Withdrawals of cash	5 117,2	62 823,9	7 149,3	101 024,5

As of October 1 2003 there were 3 873 POS-terminals, 809 ATMs, 1 975 imprinters installed in Kazakhstan, the number of commercial organizations accepting payment cards was 2 031.