ICBC Almaty Becomes First Chinese Bank Licensed for Securities Brokerage in Kazakhstan
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China's Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) Almaty has been granted a license to conduct securities market activities by the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of Kazakhstan (ARDFM), marking the first time a Chinese bank has obtained securities brokerage qualifications in the country.
The license allows ICBC Almaty to legally act as a securities broker, facilitating client transactions in stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments. The bank may further expand into underwriting, proprietary trading, and asset management services, strengthening its presence in the local capital markets.
ICBC Almaty, founded in March 1993, was the first overseas operating branch of ICBC and the first Chinese bank to enter Kazakhstan. Over three decades, the bank has developed a broad commercial banking platform serving both corporate and individual clients, with a focus on cross-border financing, RMB clearing, and Sino-Kazakh trade facilitation. In 2023, it was officially designated as a RMB clearing bank in Kazakhstan, reinforcing its regional financial hub role.
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According to the National Bank of Kazakhstan, as of December 1, 2025:
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Total assets: KZT 756.9 billion (14th among 23 banks)
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Equity: KZT 112.6 billion
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Loan portfolio: KZT 162.7 billion
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Deposits: KZT 387.6 billion, 97% from corporate clients
From January to November 2025, ICBC Almaty reported a net profit of KZT 26.2 billion, reflecting steady operational performance.
Currently, Kazakhstan hosts three Chinese banks: ICBC Almaty, Altyn Bank (controlled by CITIC Bank), and Bank of China Kazakhstan (wholly owned). ICBC’s new securities license places it at the forefront of Chinese banking operations in the country.
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