License of the National Bank of Kazakhstan on the issue of payment cards was given to 19 of second-tier banks, practically issue of payment cards realise only 14 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  July,1 2003 on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan the number of cards, issued by banks of Kazakhstan, was 1,8 million, the number of holders of that cards was 1,7 million. It means that there are 117,6 cards per thousand of persons, of which the share of international and local cards was 81% and 19% respectively. On the 1 of July 2002 this ratio was 83% and 17% respectively.

In the I half of 2003 volume of transactions using payment cardsissued by banks of Kazakhstan increased by 34,9% and the value of transactions increased by 57,3% in comparison with the I half of 2002. The volume of cashless payments increased by 55,2%, the value of cashless payments  - by 48,4%. At the same time the volume of cash withdrawal transactions increased by 34,3 % and the value of these transactions increased by 57,7% respectively.

 

The volume and value of transactions with payment cards,issued by banks of Kazakhstan in I six month of 2002, I six month of 2003
Type of transaction	I six month of 2002		I six month of 2003
	Volume (thousands)	Value (million KZT)	Volume  (thousands)	Value  (million KZT)
Payment for goods and services	252,7	4 111,4	392,2	6 099,8
Withdrawals of cash	9 303,5	102 273,7	12498,4	161 271,0

As of  July,1 2003 there were 3698 POS-terminals, 758 ATMs, 2041 imprinters installed in Kazakhstan, thenumber ofcommercial organizations accepting payment cards was 1931.