The First MicroFinanceBank won the Tajikistan International Technology & Operations Bank of the Year award in the Asian Banking & Finance (ABF) Wholesale Banking Awards 2019. (https://asianbankingandfinance.net/retail-banking/news/asian-banking-finance-awards-recognises-record-number-outstanding-companies)

As one of the most trusted banks in Tajikistan, FMFB has come up with customer friendly products which have positively influenced the banking and finance sector in the country. The Bank won the 2019 ABF Award for its number of successful initiatives including the unique remittance-linked card product called ‘Korti Oson’, which encourages the direct transfer of remittances sent from abroad to the clients’ card accounts. Clients can then partially withdraw remittances as needed from ATMs or bank outlets, which encourage customers to save. Cardholders can also use Korti Oson cards to make payments for goods and services at merchants equipped with POS terminals without paying additional commission. A web-based online service, PAY.FMFB (https://pay.fmfb.tj/), was developed by FMFB where the Korti Oson card can be used to pay for a variety of services such as mobile phone, loan repayments, utility bills etc. FMFB has also collaborated with Tcell to develop and launch a mobile wallet application, TezSum (https://www.tcell.tj/en/services/mobile-payments/mobile-wallet-tezsum.php), where the Korti Oson card can be used to make cashless payments. FMFB together with Unistream launched a service for direct money transfers to all Korti Milli cards, including Korti Oson cards, issued by FMFB. Direct transfers to the card are a convenient and affordable way to send money to Tajikistan. To receive funds, customers no longer need to stand in queue or fill out a questionnaire; money is instantly credited to the card account through Unistream. FMFB leads the way to develop innovative solutions for its customers and to improve financial inclusion in Tajikistan.

Since 2012, the Asian Banking & Finance Wholesale Banking Awards has been recognizing the most outstanding practices and innovative strategies in Asia's wholesale banking sector. This year, the awards dinner in Singapore gathered more than 270 senior banking executives from nearly 40 Asian countries who celebrated their recognition for being a game-changer in the industry.