The Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market announces that, in accordance with the new differentiated bank licensing framework introduced by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated January 16, 2026, "On Banks and Banking Activities in the Republic of Kazakhstan" (hereinafter referred to as the Banking Law), the first universal banking license has been issued.

The Banking Law establishes two types of banking licenses:

Universal banking license – authorizes a bank to conduct the full range of banking operations without restrictions.

Basic banking license – authorizes a bank to accept deposits, extend loans, and provide settlement and cash services, but does not permit lending to non-residents or related parties, transactions involving derivative financial instruments, investments in foreign assets, or other complex cross-border transactions.

Pursuant to Article 132 of the Banking Law, banks are required to re-register their existing licenses for banking and other operations as universal banking licenses within six months from the date the Law entered into force.

On July 7, 2026, the Agency issued the first universal banking license, No. 1.1.551.129, to Freedom Bank Kazakhstan JSC, including authorization to conduct the following additional operations:

Banking operations:

Opening and maintaining metal accounts for individuals and legal entities, reflecting the physical quantity of refined precious metals and precious metal coins owned by such persons;

Accepting deposits under housing construction savings schemes, and opening and maintaining depositors' accounts;

Providing housing loans, interim housing loans, and preliminary housing loans to depositors for the purpose of improving housing conditions.

Other operations:

Interbank loans, interbank guarantees, interbank sureties, and other interbank transactions;

Purchasing, accepting as collateral, recording, storing, and selling refined precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, and platinum group metals) in bullion form, as well as precious metal coins.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/ardfm/press/news/details/1255602?lang=ru