Annual Report 2024 Turning the Dream of Home into a Goal

Anti-Corruption

The Bank places special emphasis on anti-corruption measures. This area of work is carried out continuously and in strict compliance with the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Bank’s internal regulations.

To prevent corruption, the Bank systematically implements a series of preventive actions designed to completely eliminate corrupt behavior.

The Bank has developed and approved an Anti-Corruption Policy and related Rules. Specific procedures and internal controls, including those related to HR management, have been incorporated into the Bank’s internal documents.

The Bank conducts regular internal training for employees on anti-corruption matters, including mandatory knowledge testing.

On 12 April 2024, with the aim of preventing and combating violations of anti-corruption law, Lyazzat Ibragimova, Chair of the Management Board, together with representatives of the Compliance Control and Security Departments, held an online meeting with all Bank employees.

During the meeting, employees were given explanations regarding the applicable laws and internal regulations on anti-corruption compliance, the consequences of breaches, and the sanctions that could be imposed.

The Chair of the Management Board emphasized the Bank’s zero-tolerance policy for breaches of anti-corruption laws and internal procedures.

In 2024, a total of 1,298 consultants from the Central Office and 20 regional branches, along with 1,440 employees from the Central Office and branches, completed anti-corruption training and passed the associated testing.

Region

Consultants

Employees

Abay Regional Branch

43

31

Akmola Regional Branch

33

27

Aktobe Regional Branch

46

47

Almaty Regional Branch

42

35

Atyrau Regional Branch

60

35

East Kazakhstan Regional Branch

35

39

Zhambyl Regional Branch

58

32

Zhetysu Regional Branch

36

18

West Kazakhstan Regional Branch

58

40

Karaganda Regional Branch

36

42

Kostanay Regional Branch

45

37

Kyzylorda Regional Branch

67

30

Mangystau Regional Branch

64

38

Pavlodar Regional Branch

58

40

North Kazakhstan Regional Branch

30

26

Turkestan Regional Branch

98

14

Ulytau Regional Branch

15

12

Branch in Almaty

73

108

Branch in Shymkent

102

49

Central Office (Almaty)

192

612

Central Branch

93

128

Total

1,284

1,440

The Compliance Control Department is a division performing anti-corruption compliance functions in the Bank, is independent from any activities of the Bank’s structural units and reports through the Chief Compliance Officer to the Board of Directors of the Bank.

All Bank employees, regardless of their position, are required to report any known incidents of corruption to their immediate supervisor, the Security Department, or confidentially via the Bank’s Hotline. Each employee is personally liable for failing to report any known involvement of Bank personnel in corrupt practices.

To prevent corruption, the Bank systematically implements a series of preventive actions designed to completely eliminate corrupt behavior.

The Bank operates a confidential Hotline, which serves as a secure channel for reporting potential violations of anti-corruption policies by employees or consultants. Analysis of the reports received in 2024 showed that all of them were informational or advisory in nature and did not include evidence implicating Bank employees in corrupt practices.

On a quarterly basis, the Bank provides updates to the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan regarding the presence or absence of cases in which Bank executives have been held liable for corruption offenses committed by subordinates.

In Q2 2024, the Bank conducted a themed anti-corruption monitoring. The findings of the monitoring were reported to the Chair of the Management Board and submitted on 5 June 2024, to the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In Q3 2024, the Bank carried out an internal corruption risk assessment focused on the operations of the HR and Organizational Activities Management Department of Otbasy Bank JSC, specifically in the areas of personnel administration and remuneration. Based on the results, a corrective Action Plan was developed to address the causes and conditions contributing to corruption risks identified during the internal analysis of the Housing Provision Center of Otbasy Bank JSC. The analytical report and the Action Plan were published on the Bank’s official website.