Make Summer Yours: Plan Your Dream Trip with the New TBC Card
Make this summer truly yours — TBC’s new card gives customers a unique opportunity to travel abroad
If you haven’t yet activated your new TBC Card, the TBC Concept Card, or TBC Concept 360, now is the perfect time: from July 21 to August 24, you have a unique chance to win a trip abroad.
Customers who order the new TBC Card for the first time via Mobile Bank during the campaign period (July 21–August 24) and are among the first to complete 10 transactions of any amount, will receive a travel reward.
Payments can be made in any form and in any country — in-store, online, or using a digital wallet.
A total of 5 winners will be selected, one from each of the following weeks:
- July 21 – July 27
- July 28 – August 3
- August 4 – August 10
- August 11 – August 17
- August 18 – August 24
Each winner will plan their own international trip — including destination and services — with the support of a travel agency selected by TBC, within a budget of 10,000 GEL.
Make summer your own — plan your trip your way. Get your TBC Card from Mobile Bank in just 30 seconds.
Find full details and terms of the offer at the link.nThis summer is yours to shape.
TBC Concept at the Black Sea Jazz Festival: A Summer Journey to Remember
Black Sea Jazz Festival: An Unforgettable Summer Adventure with TBC Concept
Presented by TBC Concept, the 18th Black Sea Jazz Festival took place in Batumi on July 11–13, organized by Eastern Promotions. The three-day unforgettable journey began for guests with a special Jazz Train ride from Tbilisi to Batumi.
Creating the perfect mood for the trip has become a tradition. Alongside comfort, TBC Concept, in partnership with VISA and Georgian Railways, delivered an exceptional travel experience. Aboard the Jazz Train, live music set the tone—performed by Kato Kvaratskhelia, Luka Topuria, and Nikala Zubiashvili. Passengers enjoyed refreshing drinks, lunch, sweet treats, and fun games like “Guess the Melody,” with winners receiving gifts from TBC Concept’s partner brands: SENSI, Biologique, Ici Paris, Octopus, Lake Kvareli, Mtavino, Malongo, and Extra.ge. All passengers also received exclusive self-care packages from PSP, in addition to gifts from TBC Concept.
In Batumi, during the festival days, TBC Concept offered its customers a range of special deals across hospitality, dining, and wellness spots. Cashback and discounts were available at numerous venues, including cafes, restaurants, hotels, and fashion and accessory stores—making the summer getaway in Batumi even more memorable for those seeking both adventure and relaxation.
As always, this year’s Jazz Festival hosted world-renowned musicians and left lasting impressions on all attendees. TBC Concept ensured its customers enjoyed a premium experience, making their Black Sea retreat more comfortable and enjoyable with every exclusive offer.
Let me know if you’d like a shorter version for social media or visuals.
TBC Named Best Digital Bank in Georgia by Euromoney for Second Year in a Row
Euromoney’s Latest Recognition – TBC Wins Best Digital Bank in Georgia Award
One of the world’s leading and most respected financial publications, Euromoney, has once again named TBC the Best Digital Bank in Georgia—for the second year in a row. TBC also received this prestigious award last year.
This international recognition in the field of digital banking is especially meaningful for us, as it confirms that TBC continues to offer the most relevant and user-focused services and products to its customers.
Over the past year, TBC’s mobile app has introduced a number of innovative products and services. With the launch of the new TBC card, all services are now digitized and easily accessible through the app.
Euromoney’s article highlights that TBC has implemented major and innovative transformations in digital banking, significantly increasing the number of new active users.
“Receiving this important award is a great honor for us. It once again underlines our leadership in Georgia’s digital banking sector, where we ensure a customer-centric experience—from onboarding to daily banking and investment services,”
– Vakhtang Butskhrikidze, CEO of TBC.
TBC’s Educational Opportunities for Students: Meet Keti Kutateladze
Education is a key strategic priority for TBC, and the bank continues to actively support the next generation on this path. TBC is a partner of the Visionary Educational Foundation and fully finances the tuition of several students — among them, Keti Kutateladze, a student at the Business School of the Free University.
“Achieving my goals and dreams is directly linked to education. The knowledge I gain at university must be applied in the real business world. That’s why I believe education plays a critical role in shaping me into a qualified professional, in helping me succeed, in improving the quality of life for myself and those around me — and ultimately, in contributing to the development of my country.”
In Keti’s story, education serves many distinct yet deeply interconnected roles. But one of the most powerful, she believes, is its ability to lead to self-discovery — helping identify the passions that ignite you on your professional path and convince you at every step that your potential is limitless and that the impossible is possible.
Keti is confident that education is essential for anyone pursuing great achievements. Through it, she aims to build a personal journey defined by self-belief — one that ends just as she envisions it in her dreams.
“Believing in yourself is essential not just in education, but in every aspect of life. You could be at the finish line, and a moment of self-doubt might turn you back — just steps away from success. That’s why it’s so important to believe that you are in control of your life, and that you can take bold steps to make your dreams a reality.”
Life is a journey of endless discovery, and each person creates a unique story along the way. In the lives of young people, education is one of the most powerful chapters of that story. On this complex yet infinitely rewarding journey of learning and growth, TBC is proud to walk alongside the next generation — helping them shape their own future.
- TBC Champions AI Innovation with an Inspiring Meet-up for IT Academy Alumni
In celebration of International AI Day, TBC hosted a unique concept AI Meet-up, bringing together more than 100 alumni of the TBC IT Academy. Organized jointly by the TBC IT Academy and the TBC Data & AI team, the event aimed to deepen participants’ knowledge and provide hands-on experience in the field of artificial intelligence.
The first part of the event featured inspirational Spark Talks by TBC’s leaders in AI and data. These talks addressed both the everyday applications and technical facets of artificial intelligence—ranging from data processing to advanced techniques for crafting effective prompts using generative AI.
The second part took on a different format—a collaborative and interactive “Dilemma Game.” Participants, divided into teams, worked on real business cases, confronting challenges related to AI system inaccuracies, ethical concerns, risk management, and the impact of algorithmic decisions on users.
“This event once again highlights our strategic commitment to building a knowledge-based tech ecosystem and empowering young professionals,” said Tata Anjaparidze, Head of the TBC IT Academy, who spoke to participants about the importance of strengthening the Academy’s tech community.
For TBC, AI is not just a trend—it’s an integral part of daily operations, a strategic direction, and a driving force in shaping the country’s digital future. Since 2014, the company has launched numerous impactful AI projects, integrating AI across diverse functions, fundamentally transforming internal processes and customer interactions. Many initiatives have already been successfully implemented, with several large-scale projects currently underway.
Looking ahead, TBC plans to continue playing a leading role in the development of Georgia’s AI ecosystem—remaining a key contributor and frontrunner in business, education, and innovation.
SABA Literary Award 2025 Finalists Announced – TBC Continues to Champion Georgian Literature
The finalists of the 2025 SABA Literary Award have been announced!
This year marks the 23rd edition of the prestigious SABA Literary Award. Publishers and authors submitted around 250 books, and finalists in seven categories have already been revealed. Finalists for the category Best Georgian Translation of a Foreign Work will be announced in August. Meanwhile, the winner in the Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Literature category will be named alongside the other winners, in line with tradition.
The SABA Award was founded in 2002 by TBC and poet Rati Amaghlobeli. Over the years, it has become the most respected literary award in Georgia. Since its inception, nearly 100 writers and literary professionals have reviewed over 5,000 books. More than 200 prizes have been awarded, and over 150 authors have been honored—some of them more than once.
Here are the finalists of the SABA Literary Award 2025:
Best Literary Debut of the Year
- Giorgi Sajaya, Rot (Nodar Dumbadze Publishing and Literary Agency)
- Inga Chakhvashvili, Untold Stories (Chemi Publishing)
- Lekso Chkhaidze, To Be Read Outside, in the Wind (Karmosani)
- Konstantine Chankotadze, Train of Illusions (Cézanne Publishing)
- Davit Khorkhaladze, UNLOVE (Open Space – Visual and Performance Art Center)
Best Literary Criticism of the Year
- Teimuraz Doishvili, Piercing the Soul (Tbilisi State University Press)
- Sopho Shamanidi, Intolerable Men / “Intolerable” Women (Sulakauri Publishing)
Best Play of the Year
- Nodar Mamatsashvili, Snail Syndrome (Plays) (Atsmkhyo)
- Basa Janikashvili, I Will Cross the Sea (Palitra L)
Best Essay or Documentary Prose of the Year
- Levan Berdzenishvili, Conversations About “The Knight in the Panther’s Skin” (Intellect)
- Irakli Laitadze, There Was Such a Country – CCCP (Artanuji)
- Ana Margvelashvili, Letters to the King (Aloni)
- Beso Khvedelidze, Goa Mshvidobisa (Sulakauri Publishing)
Best Prose Collection of the Year
- Armaz Bekari, Goodbye, Somerset! (Sulakauri Publishing)
- Mamuka Dolidze, The Exhibition (Merani)
Best Poetry Collection of the Year
- Beka Akhalaia, Angels of the Sewage (Magic House)
- Rezo Gethiashvili, Sign of the Fourth Person (Karmosani)
- Gocha Skhiladze, Night Song (Chemi Publishing)
- Aleksandre Jincharadze, With Mirrors and Without (Logosi)
Best Novel of the Year
- Shota Iatashvili, Happiness (Intellect)
- Nodar Ladaria, Eli! Eli! (Intellect)
- Irakli Metreveli, Permitted Witchcraft (Sulakauri Publishing)
- Nino Ortega Chincharauli, Lethargy (Palitra L)
- Mikheil Tsikhelashvili, A Tangier Dream (Sulakauri Publishing)
TBC Capital Macro Update: EU-Led Currency Inflows Support GEL Stability Amid Strong Tourism and Remittances
Currency Inflows Rise Again, with the EU Remaining the Leading Source
TBC Capital’s monthly assessment of net foreign currency inflows—which combines trade in goods, tourism revenues, and remittances—continued to improve in June. As we’ve repeatedly highlighted in recent months, strong net inflows are one of the three key factors supporting the Georgian lari (GEL). This improved balance also suggests a likely reduction in the current account deficit in Q2, which had increased to 6.7% of GDP in Q1 (seasonally adjusted).
Once again, the European Union remained the largest source of foreign exchange inflows, accounting for 20.3% of total inflows in Q2, compared to 21.7% in Q1.
The improvement in the balance is driven both by stronger inflows and by reduced outflows. As of June, the foreign trade dynamics remained consistent with recent months: exports were strong—mainly due to car re-exports—while import growth remained weak, including a drop in car imports. Specifically, goods exports in USD grew by 10.4% year-on-year in June (13.7% growth over the first six months), while imports increased by only 0.9% (5.8% over six months, excluding a one-off factor in January).
The contrasting trends in car re-exports and imports likely reflect accumulated inventory of imported vehicles intended for re-export, which partially meets existing demand. Meanwhile, traditional local export categories such as wine and ferro-alloys declined year-on-year. Still, domestic exports grew by 6.4% in H1, driven by increased exports of precious metals, vegetables, fruits, nuts, mineral waters, and soft drinks.
Remittance inflows also showed continued improvement, rising by 12.2% in June. The EU’s share of remittances has remained historically high at around 46% over the past 12 months. The share from the United States also peaked, reaching nearly 19%. Israel has shown a rising trend since 2022, though its Q2 share declined from 8.8% in March to 7.6%. Meanwhile, Russia’s share dropped to a historic low of 10.5% in January 2024 but slightly increased to 13.0% by June.
Tourism revenue grew 5% year-on-year in Q2, slightly higher than the 2.3% growth in Q1—this, despite the temporary negative effects of the Middle East conflict. The EU contributed 3.3 percentage points to this growth, and its share of tourism revenues reached 15.2% in Q2—the highest level since Q3 2021. Israel ranked second in terms of annual growth contribution, even though its revenues slightly slowed compared to Q1 (seasonally adjusted).
Real-time assessments suggest that the Middle East conflict’s economic impact on Georgia remains limited in both scale and duration. Non-cash tourist spending rebounded following the ceasefire, and Google search trends for Georgia from Israel also surged in July, reaching a four-month peak. Azerbaijan also contributed positively to tourism growth, while Russia and Turkey saw the largest declines.
Although official data is released quarterly, TBC Capital’s forecast model suggests that, adjusted for seasonality, tourism revenues in June remained steady month-on-month, with signs of stronger growth emerging in July.
Beyond currency inflows, other factors supporting the lari remain relevant. The USD remains relatively weak on global markets, while lari conversion dynamics in July showed a mixed picture. According to our estimates, the National Bank of Georgia continued large-scale USD purchases in June and likely maintained this intervention strategy in July.
Among the latest indicators, total non-cash spending remained stable in June and July, slowing year-on-year growth after three months of gains. A similar pattern is observed in migrant spending. In contrast, non-resident spending—used as a proxy for real-time tourism income—improved in July.
Consumer price trends remained broadly unchanged. Inflation continued to rise, reaching 4.0% year-on-year in June, slightly accelerating compared to May but still in line with expectations. Food remains the primary driver, though service inflation was also relatively high.
Note that the disinflationary impact of reduced internet service fees—about 0.4 percentage points—is expected to fade in July and August. Price increases were observed across most consumer basket categories and were not driven by a single product or service. Inflation on mixed-production goods reached 7.2% in June, while locally produced goods saw 5.2% inflation—well above the National Bank’s 3% target. Without the approximately 2% deflation in imported goods (mainly driven by falling global oil prices), inflation would have been even more pronounced.
This suggests inflation is increasingly driven by domestic factors, as reflected in the elevated service inflation, which historically shows the strongest correlation with overall economic activity.
Full publication available here:
👉 TBC Capital – Full Macro Update (Georgian)
