Best bank
Demir Kyrgyz International Bank
Most of Kyrgyzstan feels its money is safer under the mattress than in any one of the country’s 22 banks – all but two of which are privately owned. Of the 42% of money in circulation within the banking system, most is deposited with Demir Kyrgyz International Bank (DKIB), which wins the best bank award again this year.
Though its largest shareholder – Demirbank of Turkey – is now up for sale, this seems to have had little impact on DKIB’s position as the soundest financial institution in the Kyrygz Republic.
DKIB was founded in 1997 by a consortium of international sponsors to inject some confidence into the economy. Given the limited retail opportunities, it has concentrated on the corporate side, mainly through fee and commission based-business because lending is perceived to be too risky.
However it may soon have to change that strategy now that a new investment bank, Kyrgyz Investment and Credit Bank – which has the backing of the IFC and the EBRD and will be run by the Aga Khan Fund for economic development – has just been set up. It plans to target its lending services towards private companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises.
