December 26, 1922, RSFSR Council of People's Commissars
established savings offices the main objective of which was
enabling the population
to keep spare cash in a safe
manner. Population savings started to be used as a main
source
for financing of country's industrialization.
In 1923, Minsk saw opened Central Savings Office No. 16 to manage the development of saving banking in Belarus.
By the end of 1924, within the Belarusian boundaries of that
time, 219 savings offices were opened among which 192 were
located in rural area – and this despite the fact that highly
experienced staff was in increasingly short supply, the
facilities and resources also left much
to be
desired. However, people's need
in depositing cash
kept growing, for that reason savings offices continued to open
all across
the country.
By the end of 1925, savings offices employees attracted more than 15 thousand of depositors. All indications are, that public servants had the most money at that time, they consisted a major part of depositors. Workers were in second place and peasants came only after them.
In 1931, the market saw a new product – purpose-oriented
deposits. They entitled working people to save money with
savings offices for bicycle, camera or sewing machine. When the
amount
on deposit reached the price for a
product,
the depositor was given a special document
allowing to buy the desired product in a shop.
In 1941, organizational construction of savings offices system
was completed: 1354 savings offices in all regions of the
republic were
servicing 423 thousand depositors.
During the Great Patriotic war, savings offices employees were
helping to finance the military defense. During evacuation, they
were removing valuables from savings offices. There were times,
when there were neither packing materials,
no
transports, therefore employees were bringing tablecloths,
bedsheets, mattresses
and sometimes, under
bombardment,
they were carrying valuables on their
shoulders.
Savings offices continued to work. Evacuated
to
Kazan, the Republican Department of State Treasury and State
Credit was engaged in searching for valuables and documents
taken
to the rear from the occupied territory of
Belarus. The branches of savings offices were establishing in
rear hospitals. A network of field savings institutions was
arranged in the active army, which were receiving and issuing
deposits at the front lines. There were subscriptions to
military loans, the sale of cash and prize lotteries,
fund-raising for the Defense Fund and the Red Army
Fund.
At the height of the war, the award
"For
excellence in finance business" was initiated and developed to
celebrate people who were actively participating in the process.
Award pin "For excellent work for Belarusbank" is given to the
best employees of the bank even nowadays.
In 1947, Money Reform was held. Its purpose was to remove from
circulation money surpluses appeared during the war years and
replace the old banknotes for the new ones. The Reform heighten
the population interest to savings offices – depositors were
better off. Money being in the hands of population, were
exchanged in the ratio of 1:10, and deposits held with savings
offices up to 3 thousand rubles – in the ratio of 1:1,
up
to 10 thousand rubles – 3:2
and above 10 thousand
rubles – 2:1.
In 1958, savings offices restarted selling lottery tickets,
which, by the way, can be bought at Belarusbank branch offices
even nowadays.
Over 10 years, the lottery tickets
were sold
for 45 thousand rubles, winners were
paid
out 21 thousand.
In 1963, all employees of savings offices implemented in their work a new business process to accept payments for utility services. The scope of work tripled. The most popular payments at that time were payments for apartment, utility services and day care centers.
Belarusian savings offices worked out
a new deposit –
bonus-bearing deposit for young-adults
in the age of
18-30 years old. The initial contribution was 10, 20, 30, 40 or
50 rubles,
to be deposited at once, once done,
during
3 years, every month an employer or an
education institution were transferring to this deposit
account
the amount of the initial contribution.
In 1987, savings offices were turned into
the Savings
Bank. At the same time,
the Bank launched consumer
loans.
The world map saw a new State –
Republic of Belarus,
around that time,
new Articles of Association of
Savings Bank
were approved. Since then, the Bank
acquired
its independence in defining its own policy.
In 1994, Savings Bank's branches started
to provide
integrated services for entities
of different forms
of ownership, firstly,
for small and medium
enterprises.
Upon receiving independence, Belarus saw appeared 25 banks one
of which was very successful – Joint-Stock Commercial Bank
Belarusbank. Republic of Belarus President Decree No. 340 dd
30.08.95 by way of merger
of the Savings Bank of the
Republic of Belarus
and Joint-Stock Commercial Bank
Belarusbank established Open Joint-Stock Company
"Savings
Bank Belarusbank". The modern period
in the bank's
development has begun.
In 1996, Belarusbank started to issue plastic cards and became a member of EUROPAY International Payment System.
In 1997, Belarusbank established its representative offices in Moscow and Warsaw.
In 1998, Belarusbank issued the first plastic card of Mastercard payment system.
In 2000, the Bank became a member
of VISA
International.
Since 2001, Fitch Ratings started assigning
ratings
to Belarusbank.
In 2002, the building of Belarusbank Head Office saw the opening of a museum. It became the first museum of that kind in our country.
In 2003, Belarusbank launched a new service
to the
market – Strizh fast transfer
of Belarusian money.
In 2003, Belarusbank established a representative office in Germany (Frankfurt am Main).
In 2004, Belarusbank issued its one millionth card.
In 2004, Belarusbank was assigned ownership
of two
farm enterprises in Uzdensk region – Stalbovschina and Pervaya
Vesna.
In 2004, Belarusbank was the first among Belarusian commercial banks to start offering bonds for individuals.
In 2005, Belarusbank received license
for performing
operations with precious
metals and precious gems.
Since 2006, the Bank's customers – holders
of VISA
Electron and Maestro could withdraw
from ATM not only
Belarusian rubles
but also US dollars.
Fitch Ratings upgraded all Belarusbank's ratings. Outlook on these ratings was Stable.
In 2006, Belarusbank was the first among
the
country's banks to overcome two million milestone for issue of
plastic cards.
In 2006, Belarusbank was admitted as a member of the
International Forfaiting Association
and became the
first representative among financial and banking
institutions
of the Republic of Belarus.
In 2006, ASB Health and Recreation center Sputnik, built by
Belarusbank, started its work.
At that time, 150
persons could have rest
there at once.
Belarusbank established its representative office in Beijing –
the forth one in succession. Prior to that, representative
offices were established
in Moscow, Warsaw and
Frankfurt am Main.
2008 is the birth year of Belarusbank
Internet-Banking.
Since that moment, the Bank's customers received a remote access
to their accounts and started to make their payments through the
Internet. That year also M-Banking appeared.
Belarusbank introduced foreign exchange transactions in the currency of the People's Bank of China. Afterwards, it started accepting money for Multifunctional term deposit in foreign currency (RNB).
In October, Memorundum of Understanding with Deutsche Börse
Group was signed – operator
of the largest Security
Exchange
in Germany – Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
In 2009, Western Union agents’ conference
was held in
Capetown. There, Belarusbank
was awarded as the best
bank in the world
for the quality of customer
services under
the Western Union system.
Belarusbank began to sell certified diamonds through its branch chain.
Global Finance awarded Belarusbank
as the best bank
in the country. 58 largest banks from around the world
participated in the Awards Ceremony.
Belarusbank and Warsaw Stock Exchange signed Partnership
Agreement. It enabled Belarusian companies to entry
into
the international capital market.
As part of the State Housing Construction Program, Belarusbank
issued more than
3 trillion Belarusian rubles,
putting into operation more than 30,000 apartments with a total
area
of 2.3 million square meters.
Over the year, balance of loans issued to Belarus citizens
increased up to
10.7 trillion rubles (which is 835
thousands valid agreements).
Belarusbank issued its four millionth plastic card. Let us
recall, that the Bank's
one millionth card was issued
in 2004.
Belarusbank signed the first trilateral Framework Agreement in the history of the banking system with French and Belgian banks.
Over the year, Belarusbank gained profit of more than 510 bln
rubles. At that time, it was one third
of profit of
the entire banking system.
Euromoney magazine announced Belarusbank "The best bank in Belarus".
The scope of exchange transactions performed by Belarusbank
customers
and the bank itself surpassed USD 5 bln.
By the end of 2010, Belarusbank provided services for about 88,500 legal entities and individual entrepreneurs.
Trade Finance magazine named the project for financing of an
agreement between Belarusian Railways and Stadler Bussnang AG
(Switzerland)
as "Project of the Year 2010 in
Belarus".
The share of cashless transactions
for plastic cards
in the total scope of debit transactions within the whole
network
of Belarusbank accounted for 17.6 %.
In 2010, Belarusbank was the owner of a number of farming
enterprises among which ASB Gorodets, ASB Teterino, ASB Pervaya
Vesna,
ASB Novator.
In 2010, Belarusbank saw appeared its call center. 147 phone number became popular among Belarusians.
Moody`s Investors Service Ltd confirmed international ratings of Belarusbank: Long-Term Global Foreign-Currency Deposit Rating as B2, Long-Term Global Local-Currency Deposit Rating as B1, Bank Financial Strength Rating as E+, outlook was stable.
The thousandth Belarusbank ATM appeared within the territory of
our country.
It started functioning in Loshitsa
District of our capital. Besides, the two-thousandth
infokiosk
was put into operation in Vitebsk.
The balance of money raised through
the sale of the
bank's bonds to legal entities
and individuals
exceeded EUR 1 bln in 2011.
In 2011, the market share of Belarusbank came
to 71%
for loans to individuals and 45%
for deposits of
individuals.
Standard&Poors international rating agency improved its
outlook for credit ratings
of Belarusbanks from
Negative to Stable.
Belarusbank which assets as at January 1, 2011 came to USD 17.6
bln, was recognized as the largest non-Russian credit
institution in Top 100 CIS Banks ranking in terms of assets,
which allowed it be included into the Top 10 largest
CIS
banks.
By spring 2012, Belarusbank had attracted
more than
USD 7 bln of foreign resources
to the economy of our
country.
On May 9, 2012, Belarusbank was officially admitted as a member
of the World Savings Banks Institute during the 19th General
Assembly.
This organization united at that time
companies from 91 countries of the world with joint assets more
than EUR 9 trillion.
Belarusbank became the first in Belarus
to receive
certificate for acquiring
of contactless cards in
2012.
On September, 17 the official ceremony
of opening of
the new Belarusbank head office building took place at 18
Dzerzhinski Avenue
in Minsk.
In May 2013, the number of users of Belarusbank remote banking services surpassed 1,000,000 persons.
Belarusbank started granting loans on preferential terms to pay for in vitro fertilization.
Тhе Banker international edition recognized dynamic development of Belarsbank by ranking it up by 227 positions in TOP 1000 of World Banks rating. Our Bank was ranked 400th among 1000 largest banks of the world.
Belarusbank was the first in the country to provide the
customers with the possibility
to transfer money
through phone number.
New service became available
for M-banking users.
In 2015, the ceremony of signing the General Facility Agreement
between Belarusbank
and China Development Bank was
held for granting the loan facility to the tune
of
USD 300 mln.
In 2015, ASB Consult, the Bank's subsidiary consulting company, was founded.
Belarusbank became the General Partner
of the
Association "Hockey Federation
of the Republic of
Belarus", two years earlier
the Bank signed a
Cooperation Agreement with the Association "Belarusian Football
Federation".
Belarusbank attracted the largest syndicated loan totaling USD 265 mln.
Belarusbank was the first
in CIS countries to launch
a new
innovative product – Internet-bonds.
Global Inclusion Awards 2016 recognized Belarusbank product
"Pupil Card" as a winner
in the category for the best
banking product
for children and youth.
Belarusbank acceded to the UN Global Compact Initiative in the field of corporate social responsibility.
The Bank became an initiator and sponsor
of the
unique project – book in Belarusian language for children of
primary school age "Groshyk and mysterial basket. The
ABC
of Financial Literacy from Belarusbank".
(Groshyk
is a fictional character looking like
a golden coin
but with closes put on it.)
Belarusbank and the largest international Companies Group Dana
Holdings launched
the partnership project – "Mortgage
with us".
Minsk saw opened the first Mortgage office in Belarus.
Belarusbank in partnership with
Samsung Electronics
and Mastercard provided
an opportunity to its
customers to pay
for purchases using the Samsung Pay
service.
Belarusbank became the participant
of the large-scale
project – Great Stone Industrial Park. To provide comprehensive
banking services to legal entities and individuals, a Bank's
branch office was established in the Company's Administrative
building.
Belarusbank and China UnionPay represented
by the
UnionPay International Subsidiary concluded a Partnership
Agreement for maintenance of UnionPay payments cards
at
shopping malls and service enterprises
within the
territory of Belarus.
Belarusbank share in the housing lending market accounted for almost 50 % in 2018.
Belarusbank charity project
"Belarusbank. Parental
Home" became the best Corporate Social Responsibility
project
of the "Big Heart" nomination of the fifth
jubilee ceremony of the HR-Brand Award Belarus 2018.
EMEA Finance International financial magazine recognized
Belarusbank the best bank in Belarus in 2018. ASB Broker, the
bank’s Subsidiary,
also was awarded: it was named the
best Broker
in Belarus. EMEA has been naming
Belarusbank since 2010 not only the Best Bank in
Belarus
but also the Best investment bank in Belarus.
the first stage of Belarusbank
and Belpochta common
project was completed: from now on, it is possible to issue the
entire line of deposits in Belarusian rubles in post offices,
open an account using a card and replenish it, issue a package
of documents and conclude loan agreements.
Belarusbank and Visa presented
Student Card.
Belarusbank charity project
"Belarusbank. Parental
Home" became one
of the winners of the competition of
social projects "Partnership for Sustainable Development 2019",
organized by the local network of the UN Global Compact in
Ukraine.
Belarsubank and Cashew fintech startup launched an innovative
payment method using
a QR code.
Belarusbank presented the innovative project "Look and pass". This service allows paying the trip by metro using technology of face recognition.
Belarusbank and the Swiss bank UBS Switzerland AG financed the purchase of Stadler electric trains for the Belarusian Railways at a cost of more than EUR 90 million.
The first legal cryptocurrency exchange service was launched in Belarus: since November 2020, Belarusbank has offered opportunity to Visa card holders to replenish e-wallets for further purchase and sale of cryptocurrencies.
Belarusbank became honoree and prizewinner
in the
Bank of the Year-2020 Awards: it won
in the Deal of
the Year nomination and became
a prizewinner in the
nominations Investment Bank, Best Bank among Large Banks with
Domestic Capital, Leader in Lending.
Moreover, based
on the results of Internet
voting Belarusbank took
the second place.
In addition, one of the partners of
the award – Kaspersky Lab – recognized the bank among
the
laureates of the Information Security nomination.
Belarusbank became winner of the international festival contest
"Choice of the Year"
in the "Bank No. 1"
nomination.
It was the 13th medal of the bank in this
contest.
Master Cooperation Agreement was made between Belarusbank, China-Belarus Industrial Park Administration and Industrial Park Development Company. Belarusbank Chairman Viktar Ananich signed the document.
Thanks to the opening by Belarusbank in 2021
of
multi-currency accounts in the Interstate Bank, Belarusians
living in the EAEU countries and Moldova can receive pensions in
the currency
of their country of residence.
Global Finance, worldwide known financial edition, announced winners of "The Innovators 2021: Finance" annual award: Belarusbank became "2021 Outstanding Innovator in Payments" for its “Look and Pass” service. Belarusbank has been receiving awards from Global Finance since 2009, 7 times, including naming as the Best Bank in Belarus in 2020 within the "World's Best Banks 2020", repeatedly it was recognized the best in Belarus in such nominations as "The World’s Best Foreign Exchange Providers", "Safest Banks By Country", "World’s Best Emerging Markets Banks in Central & Eastern Europe".
Belarusbank launched the delivery
of payment cards by
post.
Belarusbank celebrates
its 100th anniversary!
