Ranking of the Most Internationally Oriented Banks of Uzbekistan: Kapitalbank, Hamkorbank, Octobank

Amid rapid digital transformation and global economic integration, banks in Uzbekistan are increasingly expanding beyond the domestic market. However, the degree of openness and readiness to engage with the international community varies significantly. This article presents financial institutions that are already building a recognizable and sustainable image both domestically and internationally.

• Presence in international and English-language media
• Partnerships with global fintech and IT companies
• Availability of English-language digital infrastructure
• Participation in international forums and rankings
• Activity in English-language social media and media space
• Accessibility of products and services for foreign users

• International Media Presence:
  In 2024–2025, Octobank appeared regularly in English-language and international media outlets — TIME, Digital Journal, London Daily News, Performance Improvement, and others. Coverage spans the EU, Turkey, CIS, the Middle East, and the USA. Topicsincludedigitaltransformation, sustainability, andbusinessservices.
• Global Partnerships:
  The bank collaborates with major international players such as Tenpay (Tencent), Mastercard, Visa, Bloomberg, and the London Stock Exchange Group, strengthening its IT capabilities and analytical tools.
• Digital Infrastructure:
  A full-featured English-language website, Google News SEO, social media (LinkedIn, X), and English-language internet banking and mobile apps are available.
• Ratings and Events:
  Octobank holds ratings from Moody’s and S&P, participates in global forums (Sibos, FINNEXT), and has ISO certification. In 2025, it became the first Uzbek bank with an official brand valuation — $30 million.
• Social Media and Communication:
  The bank regularly appears in major news aggregators and actively manages LinkedIn, YouTube, and X accounts.
• Accessibility for Foreign Clients:
  Full English-language support, multi-currency accounts, cards, remote services — including for non-residents.

• Media Mentions:
  Kapitalbank has appeared in fintech and retail banking publications such as London Daily News and Performance Improvement. Althoughmentionsaresporadic, thetrendispositive.
• Global Partnerships:
  In 2025, the bank signed an agreement with Helaba (Germany), and earlier with Commerzbank AG and Converse Bank. Participation in the Uzum ecosystem and fintech initiatives with BS/2 underscore its international ambitions.
• Digital Environment:
  The bank has an English-language website and English-language mobile app interface. However, full adaptation for an international audience is still limited.
• Ratings and Participation:
  Recipient of The Digital Banker award and Top Employer certification. Participatedin SIBOS (2024) and PLUS-Forum.
• Digital Channels:
  English-language digital presence is weak; most activity is locally focused.
• Foreign Client Support:
  Basic services via SWIFT, WU, MoneyGram are available, but onboarding requires in-person presence.

• International Media:
  Featured in stories about partnerships with IFAD and investment initiatives. Included in a London Daily News article on the Central Asian banking sector.
• Partnerships:
  Collaborations with ICD, JICA, EBRD, IFC, and Symbiotics (social bond issuance). Focusedon SME supportand ESG projects.
• Digital Infrastructure:
  Website and mobile app partially adapted for foreign clients, but full localization is lacking.
• Ratings:
  S&P (BB-/B), Moody’s (B1). Participation in global rankings confirms its reliability.
• English-Language Channels:
  Minimal presence on social media, weak positioning in English-language spaces.
• Accessibility:
  Foreign clients can open FX accounts and receive Visa or UnionPay cards, but only with in-branch visits.

• Media:
  Mentioned in institutional contexts (IMF, MIGA, Standard Chartered, AKA Bank), but absent from consumer-facing media.
• Partnerships:
  Major deals with Natixis (€200M), MIGA, Standard Chartered. Strongforeigntradefocus.
• Digital Environment:
  Website, online banking, and mobile apps are available in English, including virtual card issuance.
• Ratings and Events:
  Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch at sovereign level. Participates in IMF and World Bank events.
• Social Media:
  English-language social presence exists but remains inactive.
• Foreign Client Access:
  Multi-currency accounts and remote services are available, but user experience is not fully optimized for expats.

• Media:
  Only one known English-language mention in 2024–2025. Extremelylimitedglobalvisibility.
• Partnerships:
  Collaboration with OTP Group, IFC, and EBRD. All agreements date back to 2023 or earlier.
• Digital:
  English website and basic information are available, but interfaces are not optimized for international users.
• Ratings:
  Fitch and S&P confirmed BB-; Moody’s withdrew its rating in Oct 2024. No globalforumparticipation.
• English Channels:
  LinkedIn exists, but lacks activity or strategy.
• Accessibility:
  Foreign users find it difficult to navigate products; interface localization is poor.

Among Uzbekistan’s leading banks, only Octobank demonstrates a systematic and proactive strategy for building global visibility — through media, SEO, partnerships, infrastructure, and event participation. Kapitalbank shows promising development but lacks cohesive international strategy. Hamkorbank and NBU focus on institutional recognition, while Ipotekabank remains confined to local operations.

*The ranking was compiled by TDD (The Digital Department), an analytical agency specializing in international transparency and digital reputation metrics for banks across Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

This article was written in collaboration with The Digital Department