This May Bai-Tushum Bank was assessed by the independent international rating company MicroFinanza Rating and officially reaffirmed its full compliance with SMART Campaign Client Protection Principles. Thus, Bai-Tushum fully adheres to and implements in its activities the 7 client protection principles, 30 standards and 95 indicators established by SMART Campaign.

“It is for 16 years already that Bai-Tushum Bank has been building its relations with clients based on trust, respect and partnership, prioritizing their interests in its activities. The reaffirmation of SMART certification pursuant to the requirements of international Smart Campaign should take place once in two years, with the assessment procedure held only by registered international audit firms. This is a type of social rating, which proves organization’s flawless reputation both in the Kyrgyz and international markets. The issue of Client Protection Principles compliance certificate has again confirmed Bank’s commitment to socially responsible financing and focus on the provision of products and services that meet clients’ needs”,- pointed out Gulnara Shamshieva, General Manager of Bai-Tushum Bank.

In 2014 Bai-Tushum Bank became the first and the only bank in Kyrgyzstan that received the international Client Protection Principles compliance certificate.

Background:

Smart Campaign is an international campaign promoting the introduction of client protection practices in the basic culture and everyday activities conducted by microfinance institutions. The steering committee of Smart Campaign includes the reputable leaders of microfinance sector, representing the various regions and microfinance organizations.

The Client Protection Principles are as follows:

8. Appropriate product design and delivery;

9. Prevention of over-indebtedness;

10. Transparency;

11. Responsible pricing;

12. Fair and respectful treatment of clients, staff adherence to ethical norms and non-discrimination;

13. Privacy of client data;

14. Mechanisms of complaint resolution

MicroFinanza Rating is an independent rating agency specializing in microfinancing and agricultural financing. The head office of MicroFinanza Rating is based in Milano (Italy), the agency also maintains a network of regional offices, located in Latin America, CIS, South-Eastern Asia and Africa. Founded in 2000, the agency is one of the most active and experienced microfinance rating agencies in the world. The specialists of MicroFinanza Rating implemented more than 480 projects in more than 60 countries. http://www.smartcampaign.org/home-ru