- Georgia Today

TBC and Gurjaani’s “Delta” Continue Partnership to Support Regional Sports

TBC continues its partnership with Gurjaani’s basketball club “Delta,” strengthening its support for regional sports and youth engagement. The collaboration, which began in 2024, reflects TBC’s broader commitment to community-focused projects outside the capital.

Founded in 2016, Delta quickly made a name for itself in Georgian basketball, achieving success in both the A League and the Super League. The team won the national championship in 2019 and holds titles such as the Dudu Dadiani Memorial Cup and the Georgian Super Cup.

Since 2022, the club has officially represented Gurjaani, following a cooperation agreement with the local municipality. This move has brought new energy to the region’s sports scene.

One of the most meaningful changes has been the launch of a youth basketball academy, where local children train and play for free. Delta’s home games are now hosted in Gurjaani, adding life to the city’s sporting and community atmosphere.

Delta is currently represented in the national championship by six age-category teams: U22, U18, U16 (two teams), U14, and U12 (NBA Jr.).

This season, the club has reached the semifinals of the Georgian Cup and is preparing for the Super League playoffs—continuing to grow as a strong and respected presence in Georgian basketball.

TBC Team Wins Gold at Young Lions Georgia 2025

TBC has once again made its mark at Young Lions Georgia 2025, winning gold in the Marketer category. Representing the bank, brand marketing managers Keto Shurgaia and Anka Natsvlishvili placed first among a record-breaking 334 teams from Georgian companies and universities.

Young Lions Georgia is the local qualifier for the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Since 2015, TBC teams have earned 3 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze in the Marketer category.

This year’s winners, announced on April 4, will go on to represent Georgia in Cannes this June, competing with teams from over 70 countries:

Marketer – Keto Shurgaia, Anka Natsvlishvili (TBC)
Digital – Tamar Khutsishvili, Neli Bobokhidze (REDBERRY)
PR – Nikoloz Ninidze, Sako Tvildiani (AT.GE)
Design – Nino Kavlelashvili, Daniel Grigoriani (Holy Motors)
Film – Davit Tsakadze, Tekle Darchiashvili (Industria)
Print – Giorgi Japaridze, Luka Saakashvili (Free University of Tbilisi)

“Supporting young professionals and the creative industry is a core value for us. The winners now have a global stage to show what they’re capable of, and we believe they’ll make Georgia proud,” said Mariam Mikelashvili, Head of Brand Marketing at TBC.

A special award in honor of Nika Gujejiani was also presented to Giorgi Okmelashvili for his contributions to the industry.

TBC remains committed to supporting young creatives, offering space to grow, gain experience, and share their voice—locally and globally.

ZEG Storytelling Festival

What can a satirist and a data scientist teach you about war? How can a philosopher help you become a better storyteller? What can we learn from architects and curators about the future of our planet?

Are you ready to ZEG again? We’re delighted to announce that the ZEG Storytelling Festival, with the support of TBC Concept, is returning for its 5th edition, bigger and bolder, this summer. We continue to bring Georgia closer to Europe and the wider world by uniting global visionaries and storytellers from across disciplines for transformative conversations that challenge assumptions, reshape perspectives, forge meaningful connections, and inspire action – all against the enchanting backdrop of ancient Tbilisi.

Curated by award-winning journalists and designed for those passionate about shaping our collective future, ZEG Storytelling Festival embraces complex subjects while creating space for inspiring moments: unexpected insights, perspective shifts, and connections that last a lifetime.

The fifth edition of the ZEG Festival will take place on June 13-15. The festival will feature intimate conversations, thought-provoking panels, film screenings, captivating performances, transformative connections, hands-on workshops, walking tours, and more.

Among more than 100 speakers are Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel Memorial prize winning economist; legendary British photographer Platon; The New Yorker staff writer Ed Caesar; pediatrician Dr. Seema Jilani, who has worked with communities from Afghanistan to Gaza; Adam Faze, the 27-year-old writer, producer and director behind works like How Moving and River Fork; the renowned Chilean architect Alejandro Aravena, known for his innovative and sustainable urban design.We’re also delighted to welcome back satirist Armando Iannucci, creator of award-winning Veep and The Death of Stalin, and Ukrainian philosopher Volodymyr Yermolenko – with many more speakers to be announced.

ZEG Storytelling Festival is the first international storytelling event of its kind in the Caucasus. The festival brings together leading professionals and thinkers from almost every industry to figure out how we can craft narratives for the future.

In Georgian, “zeg” means “the day after tomorrow”, perfectly embodying our mission: discovering and sharing stories that matter beyond today. At ZEG, we believe transformative storytelling requires breaking down barriers between disciplines. That’s why we bring together renowned writers, thinkers, filmmakers, journalists, entrepreneurs, and artists in one extraordinary gathering.

Tickets cardholders have a limited-time opportunity to purchase tickets with a 25% discount, available only from April 7th to April 8th. From April 10th, a 15% discount will be applied to all TBC Concept Card holders.

Organizers: Impact Hub Tbilisi & Coda Story

Partners: TBC Concept, UN Women, European Cultural Foundation, Coca-Cola, BMW, Culture of Solidarity Fund, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Windsor’s, Reckless, AI Accountability Network – Pulitzer Center, Adjara Group, Honore.

TBC Wins Three Euromoney Awards for Excellence in Personal Banking

TBC has received three awards from Euromoney, the globally respected financial publication, recognizing the bank’s outstanding performance in personal banking services in Georgia.

TBC earned the top award in personal banking for the third consecutive year, acknowledging its tailored, innovative, and evolving services for high-net-worth clients through its TBC Concept and TBC WM platforms.

In addition to the main award, TBC WM was recognized in two additional categories:

Best for High-Net-Worth Client Services, and
Best in Sustainability.

The Sustainability Award was granted for TBC WM’s launch of Georgia’s first eco-friendly Visa Infinite credit card, made from recycled materials. This premium card allows clients to contribute to local and global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals simply by using it.

“We are proud to receive yet another international recognition for our personal banking services,” said Vakhtang Butskhrikidze, CEO of TBC. “Our priority is to offer products and services tailored to each client’s lifestyle and individual needs—helping people simplify their financial lives. This award highlights our leadership in personal banking and wealth management and confirms that we’re meeting client needs while staying in step with global trends.”

Euromoney is one of the world’s leading financial publications, covering international markets for over 50 years. Its annual awards, launched in 1992, are among the most prestigious in the banking and finance industry. For the past 20 years, Euromoney has specifically evaluated personal banking and wealth management practices across the global banking sector.

“Chika” — A Coffeehouse Born from a Bold Pivot and Built with TBC’s Support

The story of Chika, a café serving its own line of roasted coffee and pastries, is a reminder that new beginnings often follow difficult endings. The idea came to life during the global COVID-19 pandemic, when people were adjusting to an entirely new reality. At that time, Alexei Mamulashvili decided to step away from the tourism business and take a leap into something entirely different: opening a café.

Determined to create something truly distinct and not just another name on a long list of cafés, Alexei focused on uniqueness. At Chika, you won’t find just any coffee. Instead, the founder launched his own coffee roasting facility, building it from the ground up—starting with an empty plot of land and constructing the entire space to process and roast coffee beans in-house.

The café also includes its own pastry kitchen, where baked goods are crafted from specially developed recipes. Every detail—from bean to bite—is curated in-house.

“TBC supported us at every stage of growth—including the production setup. Without their help, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve what we envisioned. We also created a custom distribution system that works exclusively for Chika, which helps ensure timely delivery and high-quality service,”
said Alexei Mamulashvili, founder of Chika.

Today, Chika’s coffee is sold not only in its own cafés, but also in collaboration with several local and international partners.

The brand currently operates across five locations, with plans to open a new branch soon, featuring a fresh concept and a distinct atmosphere.

Claude Saurel: The Architect of Georgian Rugby

The rugby world bids farewell to Claude Saurel, the French coach who played a pivotal role in shaping Georgian rugby. He passed away at the age of 76, leaving behind a legacy that far exceeds wins and titles.

Saurel arrived in Georgia in 1997, when the country faced political instability and the sport had little infrastructure. Yet, he saw promise where others saw struggle. Accepting the role of head coach, he set out to build something lasting.

His efforts culminated in Georgia’s historic first appearance at the Rugby World Cup in 2003—a moment that redefined the country’s relationship with the sport. Though the team lost all four matches, their spirited performance, especially against South Africa, left a powerful impression.

“Today, you saw the real face of Georgia,” Saurel said proudly after the game.

During his six years in Georgia, Saurel went far beyond his role as coach. He bought equipment with personal funds, filmed training sessions himself, and helped players connect with French clubs. For him, rugby was a family—and Georgia, a second home.

As the first true bridge between Georgian and European rugby, Saurel laid the foundation for the deep professional and cultural ties that exist today.

Claude Saurel’s legacy lives on in every match the Lelos play and in every young player who dreams of representing Georgia on the world stage.

TBC Campus Opens Free Courses for Young Learners

TBC Campus is launching a new round of free educational programs for young people aged 18–24 across Georgia. Whether you’re into business or tech, this is your chance to gain practical, in-demand skills—no matter where you live.

The Campus offers hands-on learning in a non-traditional environment, with courses led by industry mentors. This year, along with popular returning programs, two new courses are available: IT Business Analysis and Market Research.

📅 Registration is open from April 10 to 25. Choose from:

TBC Campus is run in partnership with Colab, and all programs are 100% free. Many graduates from the first cohort have already landed jobs or launched their own ventures.

Believe in your goals—TBC Campus helps you grow, wherever you are.

TBC Capital Releases Macroeconomic Outlook: U.S. Tariffs Pose Mild Risk to Growth, Limited Impact on GEL

TBC Capital has published a detailed macroeconomic report assessing the potential implications of U.S. trade tariffs on Georgia’s economy and the national currency, the lari (GEL). The analysis suggests that, while the tariffs are unlikely to have a significant direct effect on the GEL, they may lead to moderate downside risks for economic growth, mainly through second-order effects.

The publication comes amid global uncertainty driven by U.S. tariff policy changes, which have reignited concerns over a slowdown in global trade and economic growth. These developments have already weakened the U.S. dollar, as markets adjust expectations around interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve.

TBC Capital notes that while the Georgian economy is relatively insulated from direct exposure, as most exports to the U.S.—notably ferroalloys—are exempt from tariffs, Georgia’s openness and reliance on global trade make it vulnerable to broader external shifts.

Key takeaways from the report include:

Exchange rate outlook: The GEL remains primarily influenced by domestic factors, including internal demand and fiscal dynamics. While a weaker U.S. dollar theoretically supports GEL appreciation, this may be offset by reduced foreign currency inflows from trade and remittances if partner countries’ economies slow.
Growth risks: Should growth in key trading partners decline—by 1.5 percentage points in China, 1 in the U.S., and 0.5 in the EU—Georgia’s GDP growth could fall by 0.6–0.7 percentage points relative to TBC Capital’s base scenario. Countries like Turkey, Armenia, and Russia may also experience ripple effects, affecting Georgia indirectly.
Inflation impact: Short-term disinflationary trends may arise from falling global oil prices, which would lower domestic fuel prices. TBC Capital projects that this could reduce monthly inflation by 0.1–0.2 percentage points, with total impact reaching up to 0.5 percentage points if prices remain low.
Tariff-specific effects: Georgia has historically maintained a negative trade balance with the U.S., which has worsened due to rising car imports. Nevertheless, the overall direct impact of U.S. tariffs on Georgian trade is minimal, with most concern centered around broader macroeconomic spillovers.

The report also revisits TBC Capital’s previous analysis from November, noting that risks tied to global monetary policy shifts and trade tensions remain relevant. While short-term volatility is not expected, the outlook hinges on how these global dynamics evolve.

📄 Full Georgian-language report available here