/KASE, May 3, 11/ - Tsesnabank (Astana), whose securities are officially listed on Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE), has provided KASE with the following press-release of May 3, 2011:

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Tsesnabank informs of introducing a new payment card - VISA Virtual.

VISA Virtual is an international card designed for making transactions involving electronic payments for goods and services purchased through the Internet, as well as for making orders by mail or on the phone which do not require presentation of the virtual card.

The virtual card enables the holder to pay for goods and services in the Internet and keep money spent under tight control. The virtual card's account is maintained in one of three currencies: tenge, US dollar, Euro. Absence of a magnet strip and signature window does not allow one to get cash at ATMs or use it for settlements in trading or service outlets. Crediting of the card is possible via an electronic transfer to the bank account as well as through putting cash at a cash desk of the Bank.

Use of the virtual card for all internet-based payments minimizes the risk of fraud, since holders need not disclose any personal data or enter a PIN.

"VISA Virtual is a smart and convenient means for Internet-based settlements enabling you to buy and pay very safely. All those who value comfort, freedom and prefer to spend own spare time efficiently, will find the card very practical and expedient", - says Dauren Zhaksybek, CEO of Tsesnabank.

Currently, the volume of cashless payments is on the rise, which is positive in terms of development of payment card system in Kazakhstan. According to the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the number of transactions in January 2011 made up 9.9 m increasing by 18.1% against January 2010. This was accompanied by a 33.9% increase in cashless payments.

The growing popularity of non-cash transactions as well as the customers' need for safety made Tsesnabank create the new product which will enable cardholders to maintain a high safety level while executing settlements in the internet.

Tsesnabank Address: Pobeda (Victory) ave. 29, Astana, 010000 Call Center: 8 800 080 2525 (call free inside Kazakhstan) tel.: +7 (7172) 770-770; fax: +7 (7172) 770-195 Press-service: tel.: 770-733, Diana Batisheva www.tsb.kz, e-mail: info@tsb.kz

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[2011-05-03]