“Love Finds Its Way Back, Just Believe” – TBC’s New Year Message for Emigrants

If not now, then at some point, everyone believed in Santa Claus. For some, he lives in Lapland; for others, in a highland village. For thousands of Georgian children, Santa Claus is a family member living far from Georgia—in Athens, Thessaloniki, Istanbul, Bari, Milan, New York, or other cities around the world.

Emigrants living in different corners of the globe send millions of parcels throughout the year to their families and loved ones in Georgia, filled with unconditional love, care, and boundless kindness. New Year is the perfect time to return that love—show your gratitude, express your affection, and make the arrival of the New Year a more magical and unforgettable experience for them, despite the distance.

“Love Finds Its Way Back, Just Believe” – this is TBC’s New Year message, recognizing the daily dedication, hard work, care, and kindness of Georgian emigrants.

“At TBC, we believe that the New Year is a special time when even a small gift can express unconditional love, longing, gratitude, and appreciation. Our New Year campaign is dedicated to those for whom distance is everything and nothing at the same time when it comes to expressing love and care daily. We want to shorten that distance, make it invisible, even if just for a day, and return love to our emigrants, together with their families and friends,” says Makuna Tavberidze, TBC’s Marketing and Brand Experience Lead.

Together, even the impossible becomes possible. That’s why TBC, in partnership with DHL, gives its customers the opportunity to show care, return love to family members and friends living abroad, and send them a New Year’s gift from Georgia to 23 countries.

Link.

As part of the campaign, until December 25, TBC customers can send a gift to their loved ones abroad under special conditions and return the love: a New Year’s parcel weighing up to 5 kg (actual or volumetric weight) can be sent to 23 countries at a fixed price of 160 GEL. The first 4,000 senders will instantly receive 50% of the payment, 80 GEL, back into their loyalty wallet. To take advantage of the offer, customers must visit a DHL branch and pay at a TBC terminal using a free TBC Card, the new TBC Concept Card, or the new TBC Concept 360 Card. For further details about the shipment, please visit the link.  

Make Everyday Spending Lighter with TBC’s Loyal Credit Card

Everyone enjoys the fun side of shopping — whether it’s buying things for a new hobby, choosing gifts for loved ones, or updating a wardrobe or home appliances. Yet in reality, most of our income is spent not on enjoyable purchases, but on routine, everyday shopping.

Groceries, cleaning products, household essentials, and small items that quietly add up throughout the month are unavoidable expenses and an integral part of our financial lives — even though they rarely feel rewarding.

With TBC’s Loyal Credit Card, however, you can ease the burden of everyday spending and turn routine shopping into something more rewarding.

There’s no need to change your shopping list. Simply pay with the TBC Loyal Credit Card wherever you already shop, and increased cashback will automatically be credited to your Loyal Wallet.

It doesn’t matter whether most of your spending goes on groceries, medications, or personal care products — you can receive up to 12% cashback at more than 4,000 Loyal partner locations, and benefit from it repeatedly. On top of that, selected partners regularly offer special cashback deals of up to 50%.

Flexible repayment terms make the Loyal Credit Card easy to adapt to your needs and lifestyle. You can repay your balance in full within up to 55 days with no annual interest charged.

Most importantly, your credit limit can be approved and the card issued in just 1–2 minutes — directly from Mobile Banking, without visiting a branch. You can instantly add the Loyal Card to your digital wallet and start using the approved limit right away.

Routine shopping may be inevitable, but it doesn’t have to feel like a burden. If you already use your debit card every week across dozens of stores, switch to the Loyal Credit Card and turn every payment into greater value.

Education as a Strategic Priority for TBC

Supporting education has always been a top priority for TBC. For 33 years, simplifying people’s lives has remained the bank’s core mission. Over time, TBC has transformed its own continuous development journey into shared experience—through initiatives, new projects, and the transfer of knowledge and expertise—positioning itself as the number one supporter of education. By doing so, TBC creates a foundation for progress for both individuals and businesses, fostering motivation and long-term growth.

On December 3, an event was held at the TBC Concept space, where TBC CEO Vakhtang Butskhrikidze, together with partners, education experts, and participants of various TBC projects, discussed TBC’s vision for education, key achievements, and future development opportunities.

Education has always been a priority direction for TBC, but over the past three years it has become a key strategic focus. The brand’s goal is to break down all barriers for those seeking education, enabling them to achieve what once seemed impossible through the knowledge they gain.

“We believe that education is one of the most powerful ways to simplify life. That is why at TBC we aim to provide people with educational opportunities and tools that help them believe in their own abilities and continue moving toward their goals. We teach disciplines and topics in which TBC has accumulated extensive experience and expertise over many years—whether it is technology, AI, or business disciplines. Our goal is to help people and businesses in Georgia acquire the knowledge and skills that expand their career and academic horizons, while also supporting their entry into international markets and long-term success,”
— Vakhtang Butskhrikidze, CEO of TBC.

Through initiatives such as TBC Tech School, TBC Campus, the AI Olympiad Course, the IT Academy, the Risk Academy, and various technology education programs developed in partnership with others, TBC provides school students, university students, and young professionals with access to high-quality education. TBC’s educational programs offer the new generation free access, from across Georgia, to modern technologies and business disciplines—supporting future employment opportunities and the successful management of their own businesses.

At the same time, TBC aims to share its accumulated experience with businesses and offer educational opportunities that help them adapt to the modern market. Through the ESG Academy, specialized trainings across various fields, and multiple platforms supporting business development, TBC empowers businesses to grow and build a solid foundation for progress.

One of the key drivers of a country’s and society’s advancement lies in individual achievement, which is enabled by improving both the quality and accessibility of education. Through its educational projects, TBC supports school students, university students, young professionals, and business representatives in preparing for the modern labor market, gaining knowledge in the most in-demand fields, and mastering the skills required for the future.

Key Questions Entrepreneurs Ask Before Starting a Business — with TBC by Your Side

In our daily routine, almost all of us have thought at least once about having our own venture and starting a business. How many times have we seen an advertisement for a new startup and thought: I had this idea too?

The biggest challenge is taking the very first step. At this stage, beginner entrepreneurs face countless questions. Getting the right answers early can protect them from costly mistakes.

Let’s look at the questions most frequently asked by startups at the very beginning of their journey

1. How much money do I need to start?

There is no magic formula, but when calculating the required investment, you should consider the following expenses: equipment, inventory, renovation, marketing, and operating costs for the first few months.
A business rarely operates at full capacity during its first 3–6 months, so this factor must always be taken into account.

2. When will I get my investment back?

This is always a legitimate question. If you don’t know when you’ll recover your investment, you might never recover it at all.

For example, imagine you open a popular coffee drive-through using savings of 20,000 GEL. After some time, your results look like this:

• Revenue: 7,000 GEL
• Expenses (rent, products, utilities, employee): 5,000 GEL

Your net profit is 2,000 GEL.
To calculate the payback period, use a simple formula: divide your total investment by your monthly net profit.

In this case: 20,000 / 2,000 = 10 months.
This means you will recover your investment in 10 months, and only after that will real profit begin.

3. How do I set the price for my product or service?

First, you must accurately calculate the cost of producing your product or service. This includes materials, time, labor, delivery, utilities, and marketing expenses. This amount is your minimum price — going below it would mean operating at a loss.

Next, research market prices for similar products or services. Competitors’ pricing shows what customers are willing to pay.
Finally, think about the value your product creates for customers. If you offer better results or faster service, you can justify a higher price.

If you already have a solid idea, a business plan, and you’ve reached the stage of seeking bank support, this question becomes especially important:

4. What do investors or banks pay the most attention to?

Investors and banks — including TBC — focus primarily on how viable, realistic, and manageable your business is. Financial forecasts must be accurate and well-justified, while the business model should be clear and profitable.

Equally important is the competence of your team. Simply put, they want to see that your idea can truly work, that you can meet your obligations, and that the project will be sustainable and profitable in the long run.

5. Is a Word document better, or a presentation (Pitch Deck)?

For startups, a Pitch Deck is almost always more effective, as it allows you to convince an investor in a limited amount of time. A Word document is best used as supplementary material, where technical details can be explained in full.

As you can see, you are not alone. These — and many other — questions occupy the minds of countless aspiring entrepreneurs. If you stay attentive, you’ll soon find answers to even more questions around you.

And remember: if you know who to ask, you will always get the right answers — especially when you have a reliable partner like TBC supporting your business journey.

TBC Business Supports the “People Behind Business” Business Expo in Tbilisi

With the support of TBC Business, the two-day business expo “People Behind Business” was held in Tbilisi. The event brought together representatives of nearly 55 Georgian businesses and attracted more than 3,000 visitors. The expo was organized by the Sales Association with the support of TBC Business.

The main goal of the business expo was to provide participating companies with an opportunity to present their products to potential customers, connect with leading companies and representatives from various sectors, and lay the foundation for future partnerships and collaboration.

On the first day of the event, a conference was held featuring specially invited top-level managers from different companies, as well as participants of a panel discussion, who shared insights, trends, and valuable information on key business topics with the audience. The panel discussion also included Ia Kalmakhelidze, Associate Partner for Value Creation and Quality Management for Small and Medium Enterprises at TBC.

A dedicated space for B2B meetings was arranged specifically for the expo, and participating companies also held special prize draws for invited guests.

The “People Behind Business” expo was held in Tbilisi for the fourth time, bringing together numerous large and medium-sized businesses, along with their founders and executive directors.

TBC Wins Prestigious Banking Tech Awards 2025 for Excellence in Consumer Lending Technology

TBC is the winner of a prestigious award at the Banking Tech Awards 2025.

At the 26th annual Banking Tech Awards ceremony held in London, TBC received one of the most significant awards in the category Best Use of Technology in Consumer Lending.

TBC was recognized for the outstanding use of technology and its instant unsecured lending process—available anytime and anywhere, based on any income type, and without the need for document submission. Across all these components, TBC was named best-in-class alongside global brands such as J.P. Morgan, DBS Bank, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, and others.

This achievement is the result of the tremendous efforts of TBC Tech and the FCL teams. The entire digital lending journey has been simplified and accelerated, while optimization of digital channels has made the process comfortable and user-friendly.

For TBC customers, consumer loans are issued at record speed: 70% of loans are disbursed in under five minutes.

With the support of an artificial intelligence model, the bank has also enabled self-employed individuals to access loans—an important step toward greater financial inclusion.

Today, 80% of loan volumes are issued through digital channels. In addition, pre-approved offers have been introduced, making access to funds even faster and easier.

Automated communication systems have been implemented, increasing operational efficiency and significantly improving customer engagement and feedback.

This recognition is especially important for TBC, as the Banking Tech Awards is one of the most prestigious international platforms in financial technology.

This victory confirms that TBC is creating products that not only meet modern demands, but also set new standards—shaping the future of banking technology and making everyday life easier for people.

The most important thing is to believe—and everything is possible.

TBC Expands Card Payments Across Self-Service Locations

TBC has launched the active integration of POS terminals across self-service locations.

To enhance the payment experience and further simplify everyday life for customers, TBC has begun expanding the integration of POS terminals and actively introducing card payment systems in self-service locations where payments were previously accepted in cash only. These include car washes, coffee machines, and various types of vending machines—the list is far from short.

This initiative benefits not only customers but also businesses. While customers enjoy fast, convenient, and 24/7 access to services, self-service operators gain optimized processes, reduced costs, and increased sales.

“The self-service sector is evolving rapidly—customers are demanding automated, fast, and cashless services, which is pushing businesses to transition to modern payment infrastructure. However, this process comes with a number of technical, financial, and operational challenges. Addressing these challenges is where TBC’s services and technological support play a crucial role—support that was not previously available to these businesses,” said Giorgi Simonyan, Associate Partner for Payments Development at TBC.

TBC’s goal is to fully develop the self-service sector by offering flexible technological solutions, providing maximum support to businesses, and making everyday transactions simpler and more convenient for their customers.

TBC December Marathon: Week One Results — Over 320 Winners and Up to GEL 45,000 in Prizes Awarded

The first week of the TBC December Marathon (Photo: https://tbcbank.ge/en/digital-services/mobile-bank/december-marathon) is officially behind us — and it’s already in full swing. We could say the fire is lit and the game has begun, but for over a week now, the December Marathon has been blazing ahead in TBC Mobile Bank.

Over the past few days, the most frequently asked questions have been:
“How many clicks have you collected?”
“How did you get so many coins?”
“How many friends did you invite?”

After the first game week of the marathon, bonus prizes totaling GEL 32,000 have already been awarded to more than 320 winners. And don’t forget — once you collect one million coins, you’ll automatically earn GEL 100.

The first weekly leader has already been announced, receiving a GEL 10,000 cash prize. With three more weeks left until the marathon ends, your chances of success aren’t decreasing — they’re increasing.

Remember, the fastest way to collect coins is by inviting friends. Invite someone who doesn’t yet use TBC Mobile Bank and receive 800 bonus coins as a reward.

With over 250,000 active players competing each other for weekly rewards and the grand marathon prize, it’s never too late to join. Enter the December Marathon today — your chance is waiting in TBC Mobile Bank.

Just believe!

BIAFF 2025 to Take Place with the Support of TBC

BIAFF 2025 — the Batumi International Author’s Film Festival — will be held with the support of TBC.

From December 13 to 17, the Batumi Film Festival presents BIAFF Film Week. The festival’s main partner is TBC.

This year’s program features 15 feature-length films and 25 short films from more than 20 countries. All screenings will take place at Cavea Grand Mall.

Audiences will have the opportunity to watch and evaluate outstanding films that have participated in major international film festivals, including Cannes, Venice, Sundance, Berlinale, Toronto, Karlovy Vary, Locarno, and others.

In 2025, the festival will be held in a new format: instead of a traditional jury, film enthusiasts themselves will vote for the Audience Award.

The full list of festival films is available via the provided link.

Purchase tickets on tkt.ge, support the Batumi International Author’s Film Festival, and enjoy the exclusive film collection of BIAFF 2025.

TBC December Marathon: Motivation Is the Winning Strategy

TBC’s December Marathon has its first weekly winner. Tamar Poladishvili says she had been eagerly anticipating the start of the game, and participating in the marathon helped her make many new friends while also reconnecting with old ones.

Tamar Poladishvili:
“I always follow TBC’s updates very closely, so I knew about the marathon from the very beginning. I quickly realized that the key to success would be inviting friends and getting them involved in the game. That’s exactly what I did first—I informed absolutely everyone. Although, to be honest, it’s not that easy to find people who don’t already have a TBC card and Mobile Bank.”

Tamar went into full mobilization mode—she contacted and invited everyone: friends, friends of friends, friends of friends of friends, family members and close relatives, their friends, and so on, endlessly. Clearly, her persistence and strategy paid off. By the end of the first week, winning the title of weekly champion along with a GEL 10,000 prize, Tamar was rewarded for all the energy and emotions she invested.

Tamar Poladishvili:
“My advice to marathon participants is to enjoy the process and stay highly motivated, because that’s exactly what the main strategy of the game is all about. As for me, I’m continuing the race for the grand prize.”

Move stubbornly toward your goal—and most importantly, believe in it. Join TBC Mobile Bank, become a marathon participant, and get ready for many exciting surprises ahead.

TBC Business Awards Winners – Reckless and AltiHut Join Forces in a New Collaboration

At an alpine hut perched 3,014 meters above sea level, AltiHut and the youth fashion brand Reckless have unveiled a joint thematic balaclava. With this accessory, two seemingly different yet like-minded brands have merged the freedom of the mountains with urban energy.

Designers Anka Koiava, Liza Kajrishvili, and Maso Mtsariashvili transformed mountain landscapes captured at AltiHut into striking graphic designs. The texts printed on the balaclava carry both Reckless’s clear message and the distinctive character of AltiHut.

“Street style and mountain-specific gear are very different, so we agreed on this accessory. It’s functional while allowing freedom of movement,” the designers explain.

This collaboration was not driven by commercial interest. Tornike Apridonidze, CEO of Reckless, notes that the brand typically approaches partnerships cautiously. “In the case of AltiHut, we quickly realized that our tastes, visions, and quality standards aligned perfectly.”

“Both brands create their own themes and act as community builders. Reckless connects with youth in urban environments, while AltiHut, although far from the city, shares the same values and the idea of freedom. These key messages are reflected in the unique design of the accessory,” says Tornike.

“I believe that through this collaboration and the creation of an exclusive product, the two companies that won the Business Awards are starting a new chapter. We aim to set an example for others. Our approach follows the words of Niko Nikoladze: ‘Work, honesty, and learning,’” says Nikoloz Alavidze, founder of AltiHut.

A presentation of the collaboration is planned in the near future. This partnership perfectly reflects the main message of the TBC Business Awards: success is a journey—you just need to believe!