- TBC and FMO sign USD 30 million portfolio guarantee to support local MSMEs
TBC and FMO have signed a USD 30 million Nasira portfolio guarantee. Co-funded by the European Commission, NASIRA is one of FMO’s most innovative programs which aims to support access to finance for local MSMEs by sharing the credit losses of loan portfolios.
The partnership through the portfolio guarantee reflects TBC’sand FMO’s shared commitment to strengthen Georgia’s inclusive economic growth. TBC as a largest MSME lender in Georgia has been actively bringing new initiatives and innovative financing solutions to the market to support MSMEs;The proposed risk-sharing facility will further scale up TBC’s ability to finance Georgian MSMEs with a focus on young entrepreneurs, start-ups, woman owned-led businesses and rural businesses, who face the most challenges in accessing funding.
“We are happy to continue our strategic partnership with the FMO and announce the successful completion of another important transaction – Nasira portfolio guarantee. The Risk sharing facility will allow TBC to accelerate financing for underserved SMEs, with special focus, on rural entities and smallholders, women entrepreneurs and start-ups, thereby strengthening their competitiveness and supporting country’s sustainable economic development.” said Vakhtang Butskhrikidze, CEO of JSC TBC Bank.
“Since 2008, TBC Bank and FMO have built a strong and lasting partnership. We are thankful for TBC’s willingness to further venture into new territories with the Nasira guarantee. As the largest bank in Georgia, a commitment of TBC to deploy the guarantee facilityis expected to advance and support financial inclusion in the country, which fully aligns with FMO’s strategy,’’ Juan Jose Dada Ortiz, Director of Financial Institutions at FMO.
For more information follow the link below: news – FMO signs USD 30 mln Nasira agreement with TBC Bank Georgia – FMO
- Unlock Your Potential with TBC Tech School: Where Learning Meets Creativity
For today’s world, having a fundamental understanding of technology is essential for expanding your skills, broadening your activities, or achieving success. Recognizing this, TBC established the Tech School, which has attracted over 1,800 participants from across Georgia in just one year.
TBC Tech School is designed for students in grades 9 to 12, offering free courses that introduce the new generation to various aspects of digital technology. What sets Tech School apart is the unique opportunity it offers: students can develop their own projects alongside their studies, building a portfolio that prepares them for their first steps into the job market
The learning is conducted online, allowing students from any part of Georgia to participate and gain knowledge about technology.
The curriculum covers seven practical and educational courses in different tech disciplines, including website design and programming, mobile app development, UI/UX design, graphic design, digital marketing, and photo-videography.
One of the successful graduates, Barbara Gugava, an 11th-grade student from Tsageri Public School, shared her experience: “Tech School helps you discover yourself, explore your interests, make new friends, and develop self-discipline. It taught me to use my free time productively and showed me how comfortable I feel working with technology.”
The TBC Tech School project is implemented in partnership with Geolab, with courses developed under the guidance of Sandro Asatiani. Enrollment for the next session opens in September. For more information, visit www.tbceducation.ge TBCeducation
- TBC Mobilebank Introduces ‘Favorites’ Feature on Investment Platform
TBC Mobilebank’s investment platform now includes a new feature designed to streamline your investment decisions. Similar to various apps and online stores, you can easily add any stock or fund that interests you to your favorites list by using a dedicated button.
This list allows you to monitor the trends and statuses of different stocks and funds in one convenient location, eliminating the need to search and check each one individually.
You can add as many stocks and funds to your favorites list as you like, and the list can be updated or modified at any time.
Create your list of favorite stocks and funds today: https://app.tbcbank.ge/YiId/i16xbomm
- Technovation Girls: Batumi Team Triumphs with AI-Powered Glasses, Backed by TBC
With the backing of TBC, the global initiative Technovation Girls was successfully held in Georgia for the second consecutive year. This international competition unites tens of thousands of girls from over a hundred countries around the world, fostering innovation and technological advancement.
During Technovation Girls SAKARTVELO 2024, a local jury selected the top teams whose projects will represent Georgia on the international stage. Among the winners is a talented group from Batumi, who developed the project “AI Eyes”—a pair of sensory glasses designed to enhance the independence of visually impaired individuals.
Team members Tamuna Tsintskhaladze, Lizi Shanidze, Tamo Verdzadze, and Tea Kharabadze created an application that connects with the sensory glasses to assist the blind. The glasses detect and announce the names of nearby objects to the user by scanning the environment and relaying the information through the app.
The application also includes a book-reading feature, where users can upload books, and the built-in AI system reads them aloud. Currently, the app is fully functional in English, with Georgian text-to-speech capabilities under development. The team also plans to integrate a navigation function, enabling the device to serve as a navigator, further aiding the blind in moving independently.
“The entire process was incredibly rewarding. Despite having no prior experience in programming or technology, this project significantly helped us develop the necessary skills. We encountered many challenges and often felt overwhelmed, even to the point of nearly giving up, but with our mentor’s support and encouragement, we persevered and completed the project,” the team shared.
As a technology-driven company, TBC supports initiatives like Technovation Girls SAKARTVELO to foster the growth of the technology ecosystem, empower young women in this field, and raise awareness of technology among the younger generation
- TBC Concept Supports the “JAZZ&WINE Kakheti” Festival This October
This year, with the support of TBC Concept, Kakheti will once again host the “JAZZ&WINE Kakheti” Jazz & Wine Kakheti | TKT.GE festival, marking its eighth edition. The festival will kick off on October 12 with a wine tasting at the Tsinandali Estates, featuring more than 30 Georgian wine producers.
The festival’s amphitheater stage will spotlight the Italian group “The Sweet Life Society,” whose unique blend of vintage melodies and American hip-hop creates a sophisticated and elegant sound, beautifully complemented by the exceptional vocals of Giulietta Passera and Moreno Turris.
As the evening unfolds, the celebration will continue with a special performance by virtuoso musicians Edmar Castañeda from Colombia and Grégoire Maret from Switzerland, presenting their unique project “Harp vs Harp.”
The day will conclude with a performance by the French group “Electro Deluxe,” often regarded as ambassadors of French music. Renowned internationally, their music seamlessly blends soul, hip-hop, and R&B, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere through their remarkable improvisation, leaving a lasting impression on listeners.
TBC Concept is the traditional presenter of the festival, with Visa serving as the official sponsor. Additional sponsors include Porsche and Issy Parry, with support from the National Tourism Administration of Georgia. Host hotels for the event are the Radisson Collection and Park Hotel Tsinandali. Media partners for the festival are TV Imedi, Homeland of Wine Magazine, Radio Fortuna, and Marketer.ge. The festival is organized by Eastern Promotions.
Festival tickets can be purchased through the provided link. Jazz & Wine Kakheti | TKT.GE
During the pre-sale period (August 13-15), TBC Concept customers can purchase hotel packages and tickets at a special rate. After this period, a 20% discount will be available for TBC Concept Visa cardholders, and a 15% discount for TBC Visa cardholders.
- TBC Supports the Opening of Twenties Hotel in Historic Tbilisi
- Photo: Hotel
With TBC’s support, the Twenties Hotel has officially opened its doors in the historic Louis Pasteur N5/7 area of Tbilisi.
Drawing inspiration from the American aesthetics of the 1920s, the hotel features a unique design and environment. It offers 34 elegantly styled rooms and a terrace where guests can savor a blend of Georgian-European cuisine and signature cocktails.
The project has a total investment of $3.43 million, with TBC contributing $3.04 million to bring this vision to life.
“We’re thrilled to infuse Tbilisi with the vibrant spirit of 1920s America. Our mission is to create a distinctive and memorable experience for our guests, allowing them to immerse themselves in Georgia’s rich culture while enjoying the ambiance of the Roaring Twenties,” said Malkhaz Kurtanidze, founder of Twenties Hotel
Looking ahead, the hotel plans to expand its presence across Georgia.
For more details, visit:
- Nino Chubinishvili/Chubika’s Provocative Exhibition Unveiled at TBC Concept
TBC Concept, in collaboration with the Davit Kakabadze Foundation, proudly presents Nino Chubinishvili/Chubika’s latest exhibition titled What Would It Mean to Leave Tiptoe Dancing? Or Maybe I Will Remain a Butterfly in the War?
This captivating exhibition will be on display at the TBC Concept multifunctional space until September 15. Spanning two floors, the gallery offers a unique journey through the artist’s world, evoking a spectrum of emotions and questions. Despite the stark contrast between the floors, the exhibition forms a cohesive narrative.
The first floor showcases a collection of sculptures and installations created at various points in the artist’s career. On the second floor, visitors will find Chubika’s 1998 work, *Elene*, a handmade book dedicated to her son. This book, filled with graphic sketches, represents a pivotal moment in Chubika’s artistic journey and is considered foundational to her other projects.
As Chubika explains, *”In this book, I speak to my child through an imaginative visual language, conveying what words could not. The images hold truths that free imagination expresses without the need for interpretation.”*
The first-floor exhibition, titled *Maybe I Will Remain a Butterfly in the War?*, reflects complex situations with no simple answers, encouraging viewers to engage in a multi-dimensional dialogue. The accompanying text further invites deep contemplation, much like her earlier work, *Elene*.
Born in 1969, Nino Chubinishvili/Chubika Chubika Online Shop lives and works in Tbilisi. After studying stage and costume design at the Tbilisi Art Academy in the 1990s, she gained recognition in the fashion industry, winning several awards. She later studied at the French Fashion Institute in Paris and has worked with renowned fashion houses such as Kenzo and Pierre Cardin. Chubika is a significant figure in both the fashion world and contemporary art, having been a member of the influential multimedia artist group, Goslab, in the 1990s.
Exhibition Duration: Until September 15, 2024
Location: TBC Concept Multifunctional Space, Marjanishvili 7
- Exclusive Offer for Toyota Owners from TBC Insurance
- Photo: Toyota
Toyota owners who choose to insure their vehicle with TBC Insurance (Hyperlink: Toyota (tbcinsurance.ge) will enjoy special benefits:
– In the event of an insurance claim, your car will be repaired at the Toyota Center in Tegeta or the Toyota Center in Batumi.
– Complimentary oil change
– 12 free car washes at the Toyota Center
Additionally, insured customers can take advantage of the roadside assistance service and receive unlimited car washes at half price at participating locations.
This offer is available to all Toyota owners whose vehicles were manufactured from 2015 onward.
Since 2018, TBC Insurance has consistently held the top spot in the auto insurance market share, recognized for its exceptional customer satisfaction, seamless digital services, and the fastest claim payouts.
To purchase auto insurance, contact us at 032 2 422 222 or visit the link.(Hypelink: Toyota (tbcinsurance.ge)
- TBC Leasing and Scoot Scoot Host “Scooter Day” to Promote Safe Two-Wheeled Transportation
With the support of TBC Leasing and organized by Scoot Scoot, “Scooter Day” was held to educate participants on how to safely operate two-wheeled vehicles, enhancing both comfort and safety in transportation.
According to the organizers, “Scooter Days” is an initiative offering free scooter riding lessons aimed at helping people overcome the initial fear of using a scooter. It also provides answers to basic questions, imparts essential knowledge, and encourages individuals to confidently embrace two-wheeled transportation.
“Due to increasing demand, since June 1st, we have simplified the financing of two-wheeled vehicles at TBC Leasing, and have developed special offers in collaboration with our partners. We believe that ‘Scooter Day’ is a significant initiative promoting safe scooter driving,” said Ekaterine Anjaparidze, Head of TBC Leasing’s Automotive Department.
“In our country, as well as globally, the popularity of two-wheeled transportation is rapidly increasing. Through this project, we aim to support those who are interested in adopting flexible and free transportation but haven’t yet had the chance to try a scooter or motorcycle. At ‘Scooter Days,’ everyone can experience riding a scooter in a controlled and safe environment, taking the first step towards exploring a new mode of transport,” added Giorgi Monavardisashvili, co-founder of Scoot Scoot.
- Explore TBC Business Internet and Mobile Bank Features
As part of the “Everything for Business” series, we’re excited to introduce the digital banking platforms that TBC offers to the MSME sector. The TBC Business Internet and Mobile Bank are tailored to provide small and medium business owners with seamless access to their accounts and financial tools. These platforms enable businesses to perform secure banking operations independently. However, that’s just the beginning of what TBC’s digital bank offers.
For everyday tasks, users can rely on the Internet Bank or Mobile Bank to execute a variety of operations: transfers (cash, currency, treasury, salary), payments (utilities, fines), transaction confirmations, currency conversion, checking balance during expected enrollments, and sending messages to the bank, among others.
Transfers – Users can independently transfer money where needed without visiting the bank, benefiting from lower rates compared to branch transactions. The Mobile Bank and Internet Bank offer features like transfer templates, automatic transfers, future-dated transfers, and a user-friendly declaration form to streamline the process.
Transaction History – Users can view all transaction history for their company and access functions such as downloading or printing transaction documents, tracking international transfers, and using filters for data processing.
Conversion – Internet and Mobile Bank customers can enjoy better conversion rates than those offered in branches or the market.
Statement Management – At TBC Business Internet Bank, customers can access 5 years of statements for free. Clients can generate statements from multiple accounts simultaneously, upload them to their accounting software, view transaction details directly from the statement page, issue receipts, and more.
Mobile Bank Advantages – Businesses, whether companies or individual entrepreneurs, can use Mobile Bank. It also allows for multiple transfers (using templates) at once and supports easy switching between multiple users, such as an accountant managing accounts for several companies.
Internet Banking Advantages – Internet Banking is ideal for more complex operations, such as salary transfers, company KYC updates, and statement management.
- TBC Leasing Partners with MICHELIN to Offer Exclusive Benefits
TBC Leasing has officially partnered with the iconic French brand MICHELIN, marking a significant milestone as it becomes MICHELIN’s official partner in Georgia. This collaboration introduces a range of special offers for users.
Zurab Gugushvili, Commercial Director of TBC Leasing, shared, “Our goal is not only to provide customers with exceptional leasing conditions but also to add extra value. Through our partnership with MICHELIN, we’ve curated special gift sets that will be offered with the financing of various car categories. We believe these car care essentials will benefit all drivers. We are also planning to roll out even more extensive offers in the future.”
Inga Petriashvili, Commercial Director of Nuovo Ltd., added, “This collaboration is particularly valuable for car users. The MICHELIN kits provided as part of our partnership are designed for safe driving and have been rigorously tested. We are committed to addressing the needs of car users and look forward to implementing many exciting projects together.”
Founded in France in 1889, MICHELIN initially specialized in bicycle tires before expanding its focus to the automotive industry, quickly earning a reputation for high-quality car accessories.
Nuovo LLC, the official distributor of MICHELIN auto accessories in Transcaucasia, introduced these products to the Georgian market in 2022, with distribution available in Tbilisi, Rustavi, Kutaisi, and Batumi.
- TBC’s Partner Jeeps Georgia: Leading the Way in Car Navigation and Security Systems
Jeeps Georgia stands out as a prominent player in Georgia’s car satellite navigation and security systems market. With a growing demand for advanced GPS monitoring systems for both personal and corporate vehicles, Jeeps Georgia’s success is evident from its impressive growth. When Giorgi Chugoshvili and his business partner Rati Maglaperidze acquired the company several years ago, it had around 700 installations and a monthly revenue of 30,000-35,000 GEL. Today, the company boasts 12,000 installations and a monthly income of 200,000 GEL
“Several years ago, my partner and I decided to acquire this company. We were short on funds, and TBC was instrumental in bridging that gap. Despite the challenges, including the pandemic, our company has continued to thrive and expand,” says Chugoshvili.
Jeeps Georgia primarily caters to corporate clients, including transport companies, car rental services, pharmacies, and distribution firms. “Companies with their own fleets are naturally keen on minimizing unnecessary expenses, such as vehicle misuse and fuel theft. Our primary role is to prevent such issues,” Chugoshvili explains.
The company offers several key products. The first is a GPS device that tracks vehicle movement, speed, driving quality, and braking. This device helps in monitoring and identifying potential misuse by employees.
The second major product is fuel sensors, which are installed in large vehicles’ tanks to measure fuel levels and consumption, helping detect theft. Additionally, Jeeps Georgia monitors refrigerated vehicles, ensuring the appropriate temperature and humidity for goods in transit.
Jeeps Georgia also provides optional products like driver identification systems, allowing companies to know exactly who is operating their vehicles. Their business model is straightforward: customers purchase the devices and then pay a monthly fee for ongoing support services.
“Lithuania is a leader in transport telematics, and our partners include Teltonika, a GPS device manufacturer, and Gurtam, a software supplier. All our devices are sourced from the EU. We also handle installation through our mobile teams and have partnered with Tegeta Motors. Our installation network is extensive and operates across Georgia, unlike other companies with delayed service. This efficiency contributes significantly to our market leadership,” concludes Chugoshvili.
- TBC Capital Unveils Insightful Report on Optimal Currency Structure for Residential Real Estate Projects
TBC Capital has released its inaugural report in the Exchange Rate Business Economics series, focusing on the optimal currency structure for financing residential real estate projects.
The report highlights that exchange rates significantly impact real estate prices when expressed in US dollars, with research from various countries showing that strong devaluations can affect prices by up to 50%. This correlation is evident in both devaluations and consolidations, indicating that real estate prices are partially denominated in foreign currencies as well as local currencies.
Additionally, the publication examines the advantages of incorporating the euro alongside the US dollar in financing structures. It evaluates short-term, medium-term, and long-term indicators to support this approach and explores the relative risk of the euro versus the dollar in Georgia and other regional markets.
According to the authors, the proposed financing structure, based on a GEL/EUR/USD currency basket, offers not only a rational choice during periods of market stress but also proves to be a more effective option in stable conditions.
For more details, view the full report via the provided link.Calculation of the optimal currency structure of financing projects in the residential real estate sector TBC Capital
- TBC Hosts Open Cinema Series in Samtskhe-Javakheti
TBC continues its initiative with a series of open film screenings. Recently, at the Merab Kostava Garden in Borjomi, the animated film *Another Level Odyssey* was showcased, followed by a discussion with its creators. The event drew local residents, tourists, and young people.
Previously, TBC organized similar screenings in Akhalkalaki and Borjomi, with plans to host the next one in Akhaltsikhe and other Georgian regions.
Alongside these film screenings, TBC will support various educational and entertainment events across Georgia. Admission to these events is free for all attendees.
As one of Georgia’s leading financial institutions, TBC is committed to social responsibility and contributing positively to society. Supporting cultural, educational, and cognitive programs has been a priority for TBC since its inception.
