CenterCredit bank's regional branch is in top ten by the results of Western Union's Club-500 contest

/IRBIS, Assel Omarova, February 20, 04/ - Bank CenterCredit OJSC (Almaty), whose securities are circulating in official "A" listing category of Kazakhstan Stock Exchange JSC (KASE), released an announcement today, informing that in May- December 2003 Western Union was holding a contest Club-500, aimed at improvement of services and identification of 500 most successful regional centers across the world. According to the results of the contest, Taraz branch of CenterCredit bank took fifth place and is in top ten now. Different teams from African, European and Central Asian regions participated in the contest. CenterCredit bank was the first to represent Western Union services in Kazakhstan since 1996. Western Union's other partners in Kazakhstan are JB LARIBA_BANK OJSC, Kazpost JSC, Bank TuranAlem OJSC, Kazkommertsbank JSC, while ATFBank JSC, Alliance Bank OJSC, DB TAIB Kazakh bank CJSC, DANABANK JSC, Neftebank OJSC act as Bank CenterCredit's sub-agents. According to 2003 report, CenterCredit bank's volume of transactions totaled $64.1 m (over KZT9,039 m), recognized revenues - $1,206.0 th. In addition, during 2003 more than 110 th people became bank's clients. Western Union's analysis for 2003 reveals that CanterCredit bank's market share accounts for 55.7 % of all money transfers made in Kazakhstan. Beginning this year, 15,000 people have already taken advantage of express funds transfer. Stuck to its forecast, in 2004 CenterCredit plans to boost transactions turnover up to $73 m through making 130 th transfers and expanding its network to 100 service centers. Currently bank maintains 75 centers and has 40 sub-agents. Bank also offers complimentary services including sending additional message and notification of the recipient by phone. As of January 1, 2004 CenterCredit OJSC had 19 regional branches and 73 cash settlement offices throughout Kazakhstan. Bank is represented in country's 30 cities and 100 settlements. Bank CenterCredit's ratings are as follows: foreign currency denominated bank deposits - Ba2 (Moody's Investors Services), long term - B+ (Fitch Ratings). [2004-02-20]