In short: Suits those who already live in Kazakhstan and want a multi-currency card. The main limits are that Mir is not served and there are no public terms for non-residents.
Terms for non-residents
- Non-residents
- Limited
- Remote account opening
- No
- Visa / Mastercard
- Check with the bank
- Russian-language support
- Yes
- Former name
- Sberbank Kazakhstan
- Founded
- 1993 (according to the finratings.kz catalogue)
- Owner
- Lesha Bank (Qatar); according to media reports the beneficiary is Power International Holding
- Sale to Lesha Bank
- Closed on 8 October 2024: 100% of shares for 65 billion KZT
- Size
- About 2.80 trillion KZT as of 31 December 2025 (Forbes Kazakhstan ranking)
- License
- Banking licence of the ARDFM
- Mir cards
- The bank's POS terminals have not accepted Mir since 17 March 2024
- Contact centre
- 5030 (individuals), +7 727 321 21 11 from abroad
Pros
- One of the largest banks in the country: assets of about 2.80 trillion KZT at the end of 2025
- A multi-currency premium card in tenge, dollars and euros
- Website and support in Russian
Cons and limits
- Mir is not served
- Current terms for non-residents are not published on the website
- A complex ownership structure: according to media reports, Lesha Bank acted as an agent of the Power International Holding group
- Opening only in person
## About the bank
Bereke Bank is the former Sberbank Kazakhstan. In September 2022 Sberbank passed the subsidiary to the Baiterek holding, which renamed it Bereke Bank. On 8 October 2024 Baiterek closed the sale of 100% of the shares to Qatar's Lesha Bank for 65 billion KZT.
According to the audit and media, Lesha Bank acted as an agent of the Power International Holding group, and in the shareholder register of January 2026 Lesha Bank is the only shareholder. In the Forbes Kazakhstan ranking for 2025, the bank's assets were about 2.80 trillion KZT on 31 December 2025. The bank was founded in 1993 according to the catalogue.
## Account for non-residents
Bereke Bank has no published terms for non-residents, and it was not mentioned among the banks that resumed issuing cards to foreigners in February 2025. The usual practice is a personal visit with a passport and an IIN. The bank does not serve foreigners remotely.
If you want to approach the bank, first call the contact centre: 5030 for individuals or +7 727 321 21 11 from abroad. Find out whether the chosen branch accepts foreigners and which documents are needed. The ARDFM decision of 21 September 2026 should simplify checks for non-residents, but the bank has not yet published its own terms for foreigners.
## Cards and payments
Two cards stand out in the range:
- Premium: a multi-currency card in tenge, dollars and euros, with six tiers from Select to Diamond;
- Alga (debit and Alga Installment): a card with 7% cashback that goes towards loan repayment.
The card payment systems are not named on the bank's website, so ask when you apply. As for Mir, the bank's POS terminals have not accepted such cards since 17 March 2024, and it does not issue or serve Mir. The bank still accepted Mir in early 2023, and old texts about this can still be found. There is also no confirmation of the Faster Payments System (SBP) working in Kazakhstan.
## Who it suits
Bereke Bank suits people who live in Kazakhstan and look for a multi-currency card, who want to talk to the bank in Russian and by phone, and who do not count on Mir. For a Mir card, VTB (Kazakhstan) is the option. For a quick start after a short arrival, begin with Freedom Bank Kazakhstan or Kaspi Bank.
Frequently asked questions
Are Bereke Bank and Sberbank Kazakhstan the same bank?
Yes. In September 2022 Sberbank's subsidiary in Kazakhstan passed to the Baiterek holding and was renamed Bereke Bank. The former name is no longer used.
Who owns Bereke Bank?
On 8 October 2024 Baiterek closed the sale of 100% of the shares to Qatar's Lesha Bank for 65 billion KZT. According to the audit and media, Lesha Bank acted as an agent of the Power International Holding group. In the register Lesha Bank is the sole shareholder.
Does Bereke Bank accept Mir cards?
No. Since 17 March 2024 the bank has stopped cashless Mir transactions on POS terminals, and it does not issue Mir cards. For such cards use VTB (Kazakhstan).
Does Bereke Bank open accounts for Russian citizens?
There are no published terms for non-residents. The bank was not among those that resumed issuing cards to foreigners in February 2025. Call the contact centre before visiting.
What cards does the bank have?
The range includes the Alga debit card with 7% cashback that can be used to repay a loan, and the multi-currency Premium card in tenge, dollars and euros with six tiers from Select to Diamond. The payment systems are not named on the website.