The Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of the Republic of Kazakhstan has adopted Resolution No. 41 approving new rules for granting permission to establish banks and branches of nonresident banks in Kazakhstan, and for issuing banking licences to banks and such branches. The measures implement the Law on Banks and Banking Activity in the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 16 January 2026, which introduces a new licensing approach based on basic and universal bank licences. The rules set the process for delivering the relevant state services, including requirements for submitted documents, the document list, application forms, and review timeframes. They also cover reissuance of a banking licence, issuance of duplicates, and procedures for suspension or termination. Under the new framework, the basic licence targets small banks with simplified regulatory requirements alongside limits on permitted operations, while the universal licence is intended for mid-sized and large banks and is coupled with higher expectations for capital, liquidity, and risk management. The law also provides universal-licensed banks and branches of nonresident banks with the right to conduct Islamic banking operations based on an additional licence, and the resolution establishes new licence templates reflecting these categories.
Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of the Republic of Kazakhstan 2026-04-13
Kazakhstan’s Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market adopts bank authorisation and licensing rules introducing basic and universal licences and Islamic banking permissions
The Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of Kazakhstan has adopted Resolution No. 41 setting new rules for authorising the establishment of banks and branches of nonresident banks and for issuing, reissuing, suspending and terminating banking licences. The measures implement the new Law on Banks and Banking Activity by introducing a two-tier licensing regime with basic licences for small banks and universal licences for mid-sized and large banks, with higher capital, liquidity and risk management expectations. Universal-licensed banks and branches of nonresident banks may also conduct Islamic banking operations based on an additional licence.