TBC Makes Loyal Credit Card Approval Instant via Mobile Banking

Getting and activating a Loyal Credit Card now takes just a few minutes through TBC Mobile Banking.

To make customers’ lives easier, TBC has added a new feature in Mobile Banking: Loyal Credit Card approval and issuance can now be completed entirely online, without visiting a branch. Previously, the process took 2–3 business days.

If you don’t yet use the product, you can apply and receive approval for your Loyal Credit Card limit online in just 2–3 minutes. Once approved, the card is generated within minutes and can immediately be added to your digital wallet, giving you instant access to your funds.

Until September 30, issuing a Loyal Credit Card through TBC Mobile Banking is completely free, and you won’t pay the first year’s annual service fee (the fee amount varies depending on the card type). In addition, if you repay your spending within the 55-day grace period, no extra charges will apply.

The Loyal Credit Card offers a maximum limit of 20,000 GEL and a grace period of up to 55 days. You can spend anywhere and earn more loyalty points at any POS terminal across Georgia. Plus, at more than 4,000 partner merchants, you can get up to 12% cashback.

Stay goal-oriented, stay loyal to your wishes, and get your Loyal Credit Card faster with TBC!

“Lilisi” – A Family Confectionery Growing with TBC’s Support

For years, there has been a place in Tbilisi where the taste of sweets brings not only delightful moments but also cherished childhood memories. That place is Lilisi—a confectionery and production space created by sisters Ketevan and Lika Khuntsaria, inspired by their grandmother’s recipes.

Blending traditional flavors with modern European tastes, Lilisi quickly won public recognition. What began as a small workshop with just four employees has now grown into a team of more than fifty.

The path of growth, of course, has not been without challenges. As Ketevan notes, confectionery production always comes with difficulties, but for Lilisi, each obstacle has been a chance to gain new knowledge and develop further. This mindset has shaped Lilisi into a dynamic, adaptable, and innovative brand.

Yet Lilisi is more than just sweets. Its mission is to gift every guest a moment of happiness. The constantly refreshed menu offers a modern synthesis of retro and European flavors.

In 2022, Lilisi expanded by opening a breakfast space, Nibble, which in 2024 further developed into buffet and catering services.

“On this journey, TBC has been our key partner. With TBC’s support, we were able to plan our growth, launch new projects, and establish a production facility that meets modern standards. TBC is the partner who always stands by us—both in challenging times and in moments of growth and expansion.”

Though only six years have passed, the story of Lilisi is still in its early chapters. Having already taken significant steps on the road of development, the brand is now preparing for even more ambitious plans.

“In the near future, we plan to expand production so that Lilisi’s delicious sweets become even more accessible to everyone. At the same time, we are strengthening our catering direction and promise many surprises for our customers… and that’s just the beginning,” says Ketevan.

TBC Capital Publishes Monthly Macroeconomic Review: Growth Normalizes but Remains Strong

According to preliminary estimates by Geostat, Georgia’s economy grew by 6.5% in July, with an average growth rate of 8% for January–July. At the same time, the latest indicators suggest improvement in August. Specifically, compared to July, total non-cash spending has increased, as well as non-cash spending by non-residents, which is used as a proxy for tourism revenues. Migrant spending, however, has remained broadly stable in recent months.

Since early 2023, and particularly from the second quarter, conversions have been more active in the direction of GEL appreciation. This refers both to the conversion of foreign currency deposits back into GEL and, conversely, the growing share of foreign currency in loans. As TBC Capital readers know, in autumn 2022, expectations of GEL depreciation led to a significant net purchase of foreign currency by households and businesses. At the same time, as discussed in several of our previous publications, this acted as a sort of accumulated buffer that, with shifting sentiment, later worked in favor of GEL appreciation. We estimate the size of this buffer at around USD 1 billion, of which, according to various analytical assessments, slightly less than half still remains to be converted back. Accordingly, this continues to serve as an important supporting factor for the GEL, though—as always—shifts in sentiment cannot be ruled out.

Regarding the latest data, in July the currency composition of loans and deposits moved in opposite directions. Excluding the exchange rate effect, deposit dollarization increased while loan lari-ization also rose. Among other factors influencing the GEL, the US dollar remains weak globally, though its pace of depreciation slowed considerably in July, while net foreign currency inflows improved slightly. Against this backdrop, TBC Capital’s short- and long-term equilibrium models still indicate that the GEL is somewhat weaker than its equilibrium level. The National Bank of Georgia’s ongoing FX interventions—consistent with our expectations—also point to appreciation pressures. Only in July, the NBG purchased USD 417 million, while between March and August the total reached around USD 1.5 billion by our estimates.

On the downside, some softening is observed in the labor market. In both quarters of 2023, compared to the same periods last year, unemployment increased and employment declined. On an annual basis, the reduction in employment was driven by a decline in self-employment, while the number of employees rose slightly. However, compared to the previous quarter, both self-employment and wage employment decreased, even after adjusting for seasonality.

As in recent months, inflation remains on the rise, reaching 4.3% year-on-year in July and 4.6% in August. This trajectory is in line with our expectations. According to TBC Capital’s forecast, inflation will continue to increase in the coming months, before moderating slightly by year-end due to base effects, settling at around 4.5%.

In contrast to the annual acceleration, analytical measures such as seasonally adjusted monthly inflation and various core inflation indicators point to easing pressures on a monthly basis. Service price inflation—most suitable for assessing expectations and long-term trends given its relatively low volatility and smaller import component—has been one of the key drivers of overall inflation this year. However, moderate service price growth, even above the target level, does not necessarily imply inflationary pressure in developing economies, as productivity growth in non-tradable sectors naturally leads to higher prices. Alongside services, goods inflation has also increased, largely due to higher food prices. Notably, inflation has been driven mainly by domestically produced and mixed goods, while imported products recorded deflation. This pattern differs from the 2021–2022 period, when imported goods were the primary source of inflation. As we have highlighted before, in the event of stronger-than-expected inflationary pressures—which we do not see as the baseline scenario—the current excess supply of foreign currency would likely translate into a stronger GEL.

TBC Introduces Remote Enrollment in the Payroll Project

Every entrepreneur builds a company around one big idea. Yet in daily routines, business leaders often spend far more time on operational tasks than on strategic goals and vision.

At TBC, we understand that bureaucracy is one of the major obstacles to business growth. That’s why, responding to customer needs, the bank has introduced a new remote service for businesses.

From now on, joining the payroll project and opening cards for employees can be done directly through Business Internet Banking — no branch visit required.

“Business leaders’ time is extremely valuable and should not be wasted on bureaucracy,” says Teo Abuladze, Head of Payroll Organizations Management at TBC, explaining the previous practice.

Until now, company directors had to visit a branch in person and sign documents to join the payroll project. With the new service, the entire process can be completed remotely:

• The agreement is generated in Business Internet Banking and confirmed online.
• A simple template is available in the platform; once filled in and uploaded, payroll accounts for employees are opened automatically.
• Requests are processed and documentation verified as quickly as possible.

“We continuously listen to our customers and aim to provide services tailored to their needs. This new solution will save organizations time and make their interaction with the bank even easier,” adds Teo Abuladze.

TBC offers unique payroll card benefits along with a customer-oriented approach, ensuring that the project is tailored to your company’s specific needs.

And if you prefer visiting a physical branch instead of managing everything online, that option remains available.

For any questions about this new service, you can always contact TBC’s call center or visit a

TBC Wins Three Awards at ADB’s 11th Trade and Supply Chain Recognition Ceremony

TBC has been recognized as a winner at the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) 11th annual Trade and Supply Chain Recognition Ceremony, receiving three prestigious awards under the ADB’s Trade Finance Program. The bank was honored in the following categories: Leading Partner Bank in Georgia, Special Award for Food Security, and Leader in Promoting the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities.

TBC’s achievements were recognized based on several criteria:

• For conducting the highest number of transactions in Georgia under ADB’s Trade Finance Program over the past year, TBC was named the Leading Partner Bank in Georgia;
• For supporting food security initiatives and financing agricultural enterprises, the bank received the Special Award for Food Security;
• For implementing initiatives that promote diversity and strengthen the inclusion of persons with disabilities, TBC was awarded in the category of Leader in Promoting the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities.

“TBC has won the Leading Partner Bank in Georgia award for the 11th consecutive year. This demonstrates our ability to successfully respond to the needs of both local and international partners — simplifying business processes for companies and ensuring the continuity of trade operations. The Special Award for Food Security is also a recognition of our team’s efforts to enhance the safety, accessibility, and sustainability of food products,” said Tamar Khizanashvili, Head of Trade Finance and Factoring at TBC.

“I am particularly pleased that TBC has, for the first time this year, received the award for Promoting the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities from the Asian Development Bank. We are actively working in this direction, including through our partnership with ADB. As part of our joint project, we have developed an action plan to strengthen the inclusion of persons with disabilities, and through combined efforts, we are striving to build an equal and inclusive environment,” added Maka Bochorishvili, ESG Coordinator at TBC.