The Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of the Republic of Kazakhstan commented on publications in the media and social networks about the alleged mass opening of accounts in Kazakhstani banks by citizens of Russia and Belarus, Kazpravda.kz correspondent reports.
According to the financial regulator, since February 24, 2022, 11,940 accounts have been opened in Kazakh banks for citizens of Russia and Belarus.
Of these, 10,725 accounts were opened with the personal presence of the applicant or an authorized representative in a Kazakhstani bank, and the remaining 1,215 accounts were opened remotely. As a result, the total number of citizens of these states with accounts in the banks of the Republic of Kazakhstan reached 162,000.
“The increase in new accounts of legal entities – residents of the Russian Federation – has been insignificant since the beginning of the year. Since the end of February this year, bank accounts have been opened for seven Russian companies, and the total number of organizations from Russia with accounts in Kazakhstani banks has reached 805,” the press service of the department said.
It is noted that at present the procedure for opening and maintaining bank accounts for all foreign citizens and companies is regulated by the norms of the law on combating the legalization (laundering) of proceeds from crime and the financing of terrorism, as well as the regulatory requirements of the National Bank and the agency.
