• TBC’s Exclusive Offer for Female Entrepreneurs

TBC Bank introduces a special business support offer exclusively for female entrepreneurs. Companies founded or led by women are eligible to benefit from this initiative.

As part of the offer, loans ranging from 50,000 to 500,000 GEL are available without the need for collateral. The interest rate is capped at 10% for the first 60 months.

Moreover, if the loan is used for investment purposes, such as purchasing Euro-standard assets, customers can receive a cashback of 10-15% of the loan amount.

Additional benefits for women entrepreneurs include:

– A 3-month grace period for TBC terminal fees

– Reduced transaction fees on payments made with TBC cards: 1.4% (minimum 0.1 GEL) instead of 1.5%

– Reduced fees on transactions made with partner bank cards: 1.4% (minimum 0.1 GEL) instead of 1.7%

• TBC Named Best Foreign Exchange Service Provider in Georgia by Euromoney

The international financial publication „Euromoney“ has recognized TBC as the Best Foreign Exchange Service Provider Bank in Georgia. This prestigious award was based on several key criteria, including transaction volume, market share, profitability, global reach, customer service, competitive pricing, and innovative technology.

TBC holds the largest market share in foreign exchange services, catering to a wide range of clients, from micro and small enterprises to medium and large corporations. The bank’s Corporate and Investment Banking Division boasts a dedicated foreign exchange sales team that serves 7,300 corporate clients across 40 different sectors. Each industry requires specialized knowledge and tailored products to meet the specific needs of its clients. These sectors are managed by expert product managers with extensive experience in currency markets, enabling them to effectively manage their portfolios.

Over the past 12 months, TBC has generated over 308 million GEL in foreign exchange revenue, representing a 10% increase, despite heightened competition in the market. For corporate clients, TBC offers a fully digital foreign exchange solution, streamlining the conversion process and boosting customer satisfaction.

Corporate clients at TBC can complete currency conversions in just a few seconds. Through TBC Internet Bank’s “Conversion Rate Request Window,” clients can submit requests for conversions at preferential rates and communicate directly with the bank via secure messaging.

In line with TBC’s mission to “Simplify People’s Lives,” the bank launched a new strategy at the end of 2023 aimed at enhancing the experience for users of its foreign exchange services. The first phase of this strategy introduced personalized exchange rates for major regional currencies via TBC Internet and Mobile Banking platforms.

Since its introduction, over 500 corporate clients have utilized the new exchange rate module within Internet Banking, resulting in more than 130,000 foreign exchange transactions being completed automatically, without the need for a foreign exchange manager.

“We are proud to offer our clients the best in customer experience and foreign exchange services. Our seamless and customized approach is our key advantage, as demonstrated by the introduction of the exchange rate tool in TBC’s digital channels in 2024. Through this initiative, customers can access special rates and execute currency transactions instantly, 24/7. We provide trading capabilities for all major and regional currencies. Over the past three years, our efforts and results have secured our position as the market leader in the foreign exchange sector for legal entities,” said Ketevan Kandelaki, Head of TBC’s Non-Credit Products Business Management Department.

• Empowering Women in Data Science: TBC Hosts Second Annual Event

TBC recently organized the “Female Professionals in Data Science” event, marking the second year of its commitment to supporting the global “Women in Data Science” initiative, which originated at Stanford University. This event serves as a platform to foster a growing community of women in data science within Georgia.

During the event, female data professionals from TBC and other leading companies delivered keynote speeches and participated in panel discussions. They explored topics such as the evolving role of women in data science, the impact of data in various industries, and the initiatives led by women in the field today. TBC also highlighted its efforts as a data-driven company.

As part of the event, TBC organized workshops that introduced participants to its innovative machine learning tool, AutoML. Attendees had the opportunity to build and implement machine learning models, use TBC’s self-service tool, Power BI, and gain insights into managing businesses more efficiently with data-driven solutions.

At TBC, advancing artificial intelligence and automation in business processes, as well as supporting women and their professional development, remains a top priority. The company is dedicated to integrating data platforms into everyday business activities and promoting data-driven decision-making as a core part of daily life.

• TBC Enhances Distribution Options for Greater Convenience

TBC Bank is enhancing its services by adding new distribution features, providing customers with more convenience and flexibility in their shopping experience.

More Distribution is an improved, customized solution that allows customers to spread the cost of purchases over up to 36 months, offering significantly greater financial flexibility.

Taking advantage of the More Distribution feature is easy:

1. Set Your Limit: First, approve your distribution limit through the TBC mobile app.
2. Activate More Distribution: Scan the QR code displayed at the checkout terminal. A pop-up will appear where you can choose an interest-free installment plan of up to 4 months, or extend the payment period up to 36 months. For longer plans, a 1% monthly commission applies, with an effective annual rate of 23.4%.
3. Flexible Payment Terms: You can select a distribution period of up to 36 months and adjust your payments accordingly.

TBC’s new More Distribution feature makes payment plans more convenient and tailored to customer needs, delivering a flexible and enhanced shopping experience for every customer.

• “Shemomechma”: A Cozy Culinary Journey, Supported by TBC

“Shemomechama,” a restaurant inspired by the warmth and flavors of home, is expanding with the continued support of TBC. The story of “Shemomechama” began in 2016, when Oto Mgaloblishvili and his wife opened their first location. From the very start, the restaurant’s guiding principle has been to offer a small but impeccably curated menu, ensuring that everything a customer tastes is of the highest quality. This commitment has allowed “Shemomechma” to grow to four locations.

“There’s a kind of nostalgic, almost Soviet-era charm in our restaurants, reminiscent of old canteens. Some might think we’re clinging to the past, but it’s all in good humor,” says Oto Mgaloblishvili.

An integral part of “Shemomechama’s” identity is its open kitchen concept. In each location, the space is designed so that customers can watch the kitchen in action, fostering trust. “Our approach is to give customers what they deserve. When people pay, they should receive only high-quality, flavorful food.”

Interestingly, “Shemomechama” doesn’t employ professional chefs. Instead, the kitchen is staffed by home cooks with no formal training. This hands-on approach, from kneading dough to crafting dishes from scratch, adds a sense of warmth and authenticity to the experience. If a customer isn’t satisfied with their meal, the team is always ready to remake it, ensuring that everyone feels as comfortable as they would at home. “We try to build friendships with our customers because we know we wouldn’t be here without them. In a way, we keep each other going.”

The path to growth wasn’t always smooth. Challenges, like the pandemic, forced “Shemomechama” to temporarily close one of its newer branches, though the original location remained open. “We pivoted to delivery, as that was the only option allowed by law. We didn’t let any staff go; in fact, we hired more and even managed to raise wages,” Oto recalls.

In a way, the difficulties brought on by the pandemic became a catalyst for progress. Oto likens running the business to caring for a child. “Everyone and everything, from employees to infrastructure, needs constant attention. It’s a living organism. While others may work from 9 to 6, we’re working 24/7. There are always customers to attend to—some happy, some not. You deal with constant feedback, but just like a doctor takes care of their patients, we feel that same sense of responsibility.”

TBC Bank has played a key role in “Shemomechama’s” expansion. The partnership began when the restaurant first opened and remains strong to this day. “We took out two business loans with TBC, and the process was quick and hassle-free both times. Their support allowed us to open our third branch, and they even helped us secure negotiations with „Enterprise Georgia“. I’m confident they’ll continue to support us as we grow.”

The name “Shemomechama” itself was carefully chosen. Rather than opting for something standard, they wanted something playful and reflective of the restaurant’s character. The humorous, catchy term encapsulates the vibe they were after.

Today, with four branches to its name, “Shemomechama” continues to uphold its standards of quality and service. Oto acknowledges the challenges of maintaining consistency as they expand, saying, “Quality often diminishes as quantity increases, but our goal is to grow while maintaining the same high standards. We believe we’ve set a benchmark in our generation, and we’re determined to keep it that way.”

• TBC Tech Team Reflects on DevOpsDays Portugal: A Career-Boosting Experience

Recently, TBC’s DevOps team had the opportunity to participate in one of the most prestigious DevOps conferences: DevOpsDays Portugal. This global series of conferences, which began in 2009, brings together industry leaders and professionals to discuss key topics such as automation, testing, security, and organizational culture—critical areas for any top-level company, including TBC.

TBC’s DevOps Center of Excellence (CoE), consisting of around 50 engineers, is organized across various business lines, each led by a designated leader. The CoE’s direction leads, along with DevOps architects, represented TBC at DevOpsDays Portugal. A total of 11 team

members attended, with many sharing their personal experiences and insights, all agreeing that the conference offered a unique opportunity for career development.

Keti Tsiklauri noted that the conference reinforced TBC’s commitment to tackling modern challenges using the same cutting-edge tools and methodologies employed by globally successful organizations. She was particularly impressed by the insights shared by renowned DevOps professionals.

“The speeches were insightful. For instance, Daniel Requena, a platform engineer with a fascinating career path, shared his experiences and practical solutions to complex problems,” said Keti.

Jaba Macharashvili, head of the department, emphasized the immense value of interacting with world-class professionals. He believes that engaging in such events helps deepen understanding and fosters innovative approaches to a wide range of challenges.

Vano Akhvlediani and Irakli Berezhiani echoed Jaba’s sentiments, pointing out that DevOpsDays is about much more than just technical expertise. They highlighted the importance of personal skills such as effective communication and building professional networks.

“The networking aspect was incredibly beneficial. We connected with many international colleagues, exchanged ideas, and even met people whose content we had learned from in the past. It was an enriching and productive experience,” said Vano.

As members of TBC’s tech team emphasized, the company’s primary goals are to maintain its market-leading position and invest in the development of its employees. They believe that a confident and skilled workforce is key to TBC’s success, and conferences like DevOpsDays Portugal play a crucial role in achieving this.

“TBC is not just a traditional bank—it’s a tech company that continuously seeks to elevate the skills of its tech talent, and attending conferences like this is a key part of that strategy,” Jaba added.

The team’s experience at DevOpsDays Portugal proved invaluable. By engaging with industry leaders and exchanging knowledge, TBC’s DevOps engineers are well-equipped to tackle new challenges and drive innovation within the company.

• TBC’s Digital Payment Management Platform: Streamline Your Business, Save Time and Resources

To simplify business operations and daily tasks, TBC has developed several user-friendly technological products designed to save time, optimize resources, and enhance operational efficiency.

One such solution is [www.tbcpayments.ge](http://www.tbcpayments.ge), a digital payment management platform that has been serving businesses for over two years. This platform consolidates multiple services that were previously scattered across different systems, offering businesses a centralized space for managing their payments.

Most importantly, tbcpayments.ge allows you to independently manage and monitor your business payments 24/7, without the need for external assistance. The platform enables users to track payment histories, generate customized payment reports, access detailed transaction analytics, and easily manage payment methods, including ordering or canceling them.

Users can extract transaction records in their preferred format, such as Excel, XML, or CSV, and in both Georgian and English, using advanced search and filtering options. Over 3,000 businesses already rely on TBC’s digital payment management platform to streamline their daily operations, saving employee time and company resources while simplifying financial process monitoring.

For example, Octopus Fitness Club, a popular chain of gyms in Georgia, has been using tbcpayments.ge since its inception. According to Mariam Papiashvili from Octopus Fitness Club, „I can access tbcpayments.ge anytime, which is incredibly practical. Whether I’m interested in a transaction, looking for a merchant code, or a receipt, the platform is our first stop for managing payments across our many terminals.

Another satisfied customer is Ska Juice Bar, which specializes in offering healthy food and operates several locations in Tbilisi. At Ska Juice Bar, tbcpayments.ge is primarily used to manage POS terminal statements. Natia Begiashvili from Ska Juice Bar shared, „I can log in anytime to view detailed statements of our POS terminals. The platform offers extensive information that can be easily filtered and sorted. It would be even better if it also indicated the type of terminal—whether integrated or not—but overall, it has made our processes much smoother.“

The platform is also widely used by Ninia‘s Garden and Shavi Lomi restaurants to manage transactions. Tea Kharazishvili, representing both establishments, said, tbcpayments.ge has significantly simplified our accounting processes. Whenever I need to check the total revenue from terminals, I turn to this platform. It provides comprehensive information and is extremely convenient.

In today’s fast-paced business environment, where companies handle thousands of transactions daily through online payment methods and terminals, managing payments digitally with TBC’s platform makes the process much more efficient.

• TBC Bank Simplifies Remittance Withdrawal with New Feature

TBC Bank is committed to continuously enhancing the customer experience. Based on customer feedback, the bank has simplified the process of withdrawing remittances.

Previously, customers had to first withdraw remittances in the currency in which they were sent and only then convert the amount. With the new update, the process is now much more efficient: the remittance is automatically converted, allowing users to withdraw the funds in their desired currency.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that the conversion rate offered via TBC’s Mobile Banking is more favorable compared to in-branch rates, and the overall withdrawal process is now more convenient.