• Your Path to Success – Insights from Leading TBC Professionals

On September 26, the TBC Concept Space will host an exclusive event titled “Your Path to Success.” This event offers a unique opportunity to explore various professions, connect with top TBC professionals, ask questions, and gain insights into the dynamic developments in the business world.

In addition, you’ll have the chance to discover exciting vacancies and career opportunities. If you’re interested, you can apply on-site and potentially become a part of the TBC team.

TBC’s expert speakers will cover key topics such as:

– The role of technology in modern business, the importance of data, and innovative approaches to customer care.

– Insights into improving service quality, ensuring customer and employee safety, promoting development, and building a trusted brand.

You’ll also learn how to develop a career in your chosen field, leverage your knowledge and experience across different professions, and receive valuable advice on job searching and career planning.

Attendance is free, but registration is required.

Learn more and register here. (Hyperlink: ბლოგებისა და ვიდეოების კონკურსი „ჩემი გზა ემიგრაციაში“ – ფინანსური განათლების პორტალი (finedu.gov.ge)

• The Finalists for the 2024 Saba Literary Prize Are Announced!

The prestigious *Saba* Literary Prize, now in its 22nd year, has revealed the finalists for 2024. Publishers and authors submitted around 250 books, and finalists have been announced across seven categories. The finalists for the “Best Georgian Translation of a Foreign Work” category will be announced in late September, while the winner of the “Special Contribution to the Development of Literature” award will be revealed, as per tradition, at the award ceremony.

Founded in 2002 by TBC Bank and poet Rati Amaglobeli, *Saba* has remained the most prestigious literary prize in Georgia. Over the years, more than 5,000 books have been reviewed by over 100 writers and experts. In total, 210 prizes have been awarded to over 160 authors, with many winners being recognized multiple times.

Here are the finalists for the 2024 *Saba* Literary Prize:

 

Best Literary Debut of the Year:

1. Aine Merme – *Euara* (Indigo)
2. Giorgi Kvitatiani – *Bronze City: Chronicles of Chaos* (Medusa)
3. Tamar Zhgenti – *A Moment* (Intellect)
4. Maggie Gabisonia (translator) – *Waiting for the Barbarians* by J.M. Coetzee (Sulakauri Publishing House)
5. Natalie Daraselia – *Easter Death* (Kalmosani)
6. Rusudan Tkemaladze – *Architect* (Palette L)
7. Salome Pataridze – *Time, Space, and Gender in the Creativity and Personal Letters of Georgian Women* (Ilia State University)
8. Soso Kipshidze – *Player with Fate* (Intellect)

Best Literary Criticism of the Year:

1. Teimuraz Doiashvili – *A Rose in the Rain* (Intellect)
2. Nona Kupreishvili – *Dangerous Interpretations* (Intellect)

Best Play of the Year:

1. Giorgi Maisuradze – *Lethe* (Indigo)
2. Davit Gabunia – *How I Fell in Love with an Oligarch’s Daughter* (saba.com.ge)
3. Dalila Gogia – *Mama* (saba.com.ge)

Best Essay and Documentary Prose of the Year:

1. Archil Kikodze – *India’s Diary* (Sulakauri Publishing House)
2. Dalila Tsatava – *Gastronomic Dreams* (Intellect)
3. Zaza Burchuladze – *My Song* (Sulakauri Publishing House)
4. Levan Berdzenishvili – *We: Georgians in Greek Myth* (Artanuji)
5. Malkhaz Kharbedia – *Fabricated “I”* (Palette L)

Best Prose Collection of the Year:

1. Eka Kavanishvili – *Hollywood on the Wagon Wall* (Intellect)
2. Zaal Samadashvili – *What Not Everyone Can See* (Intellect)
3. Luka Khatiashvili – *Friend of the Plague* (Intellect)
4. Mari Bekauri – *Between Two Seas* (Sulakauri Publishing House)
5. Nana Jejeia – *Who Cares About the Mimosas of Abkhazia* (Intellect)

Best Poetry Collection of the Year:

1. Besik Kharanauli – *This Is Georgia* (Intellect)
2. Giorgi Kekelidze – *New Songs* (Intellect)
3. Yaki Kabe – *Citizen* (Intellect)
4. Medea Zaalishvili – *Peace in the Laurel Trees* (Intellect)
5. Nana Akobidze – *Valauvali* (Intellect)

Best Novel of the Year:

1. Beso Solomanashvili – *Lumpen Millennium* (Sulakauri Publishing House)
2. Davit Kartvelishvili – *Megapolis and Individuals* (Palette L)
3. Thea Topuria – *At Jacob’s Well* (Intellect)
4. Irakli Samsonadze – *From Nutsiko to Nutsiko* (Intellect)
5. Lasha Bugadze – *In the Name of Georgia* (Sulakauri Publishing House)
6. Nikoloz Tsiskarishvili – *Ghosts* (Palette L)

The *Saba* Literary Prize remains a cornerstone of Georgia’s literary community, continuing to highlight outstanding achievements in literature.

• TBC Insurance Secures BB Stable Rating from Fitch Ratings

TBC Insurance has become the first Georgian insurance company to receive the highest sovereign rating from Fitch Ratings, with a BB stable outlook.

This recognition is attributed to TBC Insurance’s strong and growing financial performance. As of the second quarter of 2024, the company’s capital exceeds 50 million GEL, and its solvency ratio stands at an impressive 207%, according to the official report released by Fitch Ratings.

The report highlights that one of the key factors behind this rating is TBC Insurance’s diversified portfolio. Fitch Ratings commends the company for exclusively partnering with international reinsurers in the “A” category, which strengthens its risk management and financial stability.

 

Operating in the market for seven years, TBC Insurance has consistently held a leading position in Georgia’s insurance sector. Today, it ranks first in the retail insurance market in terms of market share, customer satisfaction, and compensation paid. Since its inception, TBC Insurance has reimbursed over 300 million GEL to its customers.

“TBC Insurance has always been committed to innovation, constantly improving customer experience and simplifying everyday life through solutions based on the best international practices,” said Davit Kiguradze, General Director of TBC Insurance.

As a member of the TBC Group, TBC Insurance reimbursed over 53 million GEL to its customers in 2024 alone, reinforcing its position as a trusted player in the industry.

• Empowering Women in Data Science: TBC’s Event

TBC invites you to the “Women Professionals in Data Science” event on October 3 at 14:00. For the second consecutive year, TBC is strengthening the presence of the international “Women in Data Science” (WiDS) community, initiated by Stanford University, in Georgia.

At the event, you will have the chance to meet female data professionals from TBC and other leading companies. You’ll hear their speeches, participate in panel discussions, and engage in interactive workshops. This is an excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge about data science, explore the critical role of women in the field, and learn about the contributions of leading female professionals today. You will also gain insight into TBC’s activities as a data-driven organization. The speakers will offer guidance and advice on how to begin or further develop a career in data science.

As part of the event, you can participate in TBC-hosted workshops. These sessions will introduce you to TBC’s innovative machine learning tool, AutoML, allowing you to develop and implement a machine learning model locally. You will also explore the self-service tool Power BI and learn how to manage business processes more efficiently. Please note that workshop space is limited, and prior registration is required.

Attendance is free. To register, please visit the provided link.

The event will be hosted at D Block: Dome, located at 14 Merab Kostava Street.

TBC is committed to integrating artificial intelligence and automation into business processes while supporting women and fostering their professional growth. One of TBC’s main priorities is to make data platforms a central part of daily business activities and ensure that data becomes an integral element of everyday life.

For more details on speakers, workshops, and registration, please see the event’s full information.

 

• TechXplore 2024: TBC’s Hackathon for Groundbreaking Digital Banking Solutions

From October 18-20, TechXplore, TBC’s highly anticipated hackathon, will bring together innovators and tech enthusiasts to solve real-world challenges in digital banking. Participants will have the chance to develop cutting-edge solutions aimed at enhancing customer experience and creating tangible value.

Teams will be tasked with designing a digital banking product that showcases innovative functionality tailored to meet specific customer needs. Anyone is welcome to join the competition, but participants must form teams of 2 to 4 members. Registration is open until September 30 via the provided link. (TechXplore – თიბისის ჰაკათონი ინოვაციური იდეებისთვის (tbcbank.ge)

In addition to the main prizes, Tineti, a proud supporter of the TBC Hackathon, will award the team that secures 3rd place.

For more information, visit the registration link. (Hyperlink: TechXplore – თიბისის ჰაკათონი ინოვაციური იდეებისთვის (tbcbank.ge))

• TBC Supports Inaugural Climbing Festival in Nikosi Village

With the support of TBC, the first-ever climbing festival was held at the rock climbing hall in the village of Nikosi, located near the Tskhinvali border. The event saw participation from both local children in the Nikosi community and athletes from Tbilisi and Bediani.

Around 50 teenagers competed in the festival, with winners announced for both boys and girls across three different age categories. The victors were awarded certificates and various prizes.

As part of the festival, new climbing walls were installed in Nikosi’s climbing hall, and training equipment was purchased, thanks to the involvement of various organizations and companies. These improvements led to the resumption of training sessions after a two-year hiatus.

It’s important to note that the Nikosi rock climbing club is the only sports activity available to the local community. Therefore, supporting events like this and providing proper training facilities is crucial for the youth in Nikosi.

For over 30 years, TBC has prioritized supporting the younger generation, fostering their development, and encouraging their growth. Through projects like these, TBC aims to inspire and empower the next generation to pursue their goals and dreams.

• TBC Business Continues Its Educational Series with Focus on Target Audience Segmentation

TBC Business remains committed to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by offering valuable educational opportunities. As part of its ongoing business education series, TBC is organizing another training session aimed at helping SMEs grow and succeed.

On September 23-24, at 19:00, a two-day event will be held featuring brand consultant Davit Khutsishvili. The focus of the meeting will be on a key topic for businesses: “How to Define Your Target Audience.”

Event Details:

Day 1: September 23 – Market Segmentation

• What is market segmentation?
• Why is market segmentation important?
• Types of segmentation.
• Best practices for using segmentation effectively.

Day 2: September 24 – Targeting

• How to select the right target audience.
• Developing strategies for reaching your target audience.
• Detailed steps for characterizing your target audience.

This event will take place in person, providing participants with the opportunity to engage directly with industry experts and discuss practical approaches to audience targeting.

To participate, please register using the following link: Registration Form (Hyperlink: Update your browser to use Google Drive and other apps – Google Drive Help]

• TBC Capital Weekly Update from the Chief Economist: Lari and Future Expectations

In August, net foreign exchange inflows reached a historic high, driven by a sharp improvement in the trade balance. Sentiment indicators suggest that the trend of increased currency purchases likely intensified in September, exerting downward pressure on the Georgian lari (GEL) in the short term. However, due to strong foreign exchange inflows, this has had little effect on the GEL’s overall performance.

As has been reiterated on numerous occasions, once expectations shift, this factor will likely contribute to the strengthening of the GEL. The base scenario, which projects the exchange rate of the lari against the US dollar to stabilize at around 2.8 by the end of 2024, remains unchanged. TBC Capital also anticipates a relatively high probability of the US dollar weakening on international markets in the medium term.

Regarding other macroeconomic indicators, Georgia’s foreign exchange reserves increased in August, likely due to currency purchases, based on preliminary data. Operational data for September is not yet available. Additionally, TBC transaction data suggests strong economic growth continued into September.

Read the full publication at the link. (Hyperlink: ყოველკვირეული განახლება მთავარი ეკონომისტისგან | TBC Capital)

• TBC Business Kits -Tailored Banking Solutions for Diverse Enterprises

Establishing innovative banking products and services in the Georgian market has long been a tradition and daily priority for TBC. The bank is dedicated to offering businesses flexible and targeted solutions, with a clear strategy focused on simplifying business activities for its customers.

Nato Sidamonidze, a service expert in commercial management of business segments, emphasizes this commitment: “For any business, it is of utmost importance that the management of activities is simple and flexible. The advantage of our business kits is that customers can select a comprehensive package tailored to their needs, eliminating the need to purchase products separately. Each kit includes all the essential banking tools required for their operations.”

TBC provides four types of business kits designed for various business sizes, all combining essential products that businesses utilize daily.

1. Startup Kit (5 GEL): Tailored for startup businesses, this kit includes fundamental banking products essential for their operations, such as:

1. • Bank account
   • Free internet and mobile banking
   • SMS service
   • Discount on monthly fees for the POS terminal
   • Visa card
   • Digipa application
   • Five utility payments without commission
   • Discount on monthly TBC e-commerce fees

2. Business Kits (10, 20, or 50 GEL): For larger businesses with more complex needs, customers can choose from these options, which offer enhanced features:
   • 10 GEL Kit:

1. • • Card
     • Account
     • Internet/mobile banking
     • Digipa application
     • Transfer services
     • Five utility payments
     • Free daily transfer up to 500 GEL
     • Free daily transfer limit of 2,000 GEL

• 20 GEL Kit:

1. • • Card
     • Account
     • Internet/mobile banking
     • Digipa application
     • Transfer services
     • Five utility payments
     • Free daily transfer up to 1,000 GEL
     • Free daily transfer limit of 10,000 GEL

• 50 GEL Kit:

1. • • Card
     • Account
     • Internet/mobile banking
     • Digipa application
     • Transfer services
     • Five utility payments
     • Current currency account
     • Free daily transfer limit of 1 GEL
     • Free daily transfer limit of 15,000 GEL

TBC’s business kits have been available for three years and are continually evolving, with new features added based on user needs. The Business Suite empowers businesses to access banking products and services swiftly and efficiently, ensuring they can focus on their core activities while TBC supports their financial operations.