Optima Bank has a new chairman of the board of directors, formerly of Jusan Bank

The Board of Directors of Optima Bank OJSC has elected a new chairman. Anuar Kuandikov, an experienced financier with ties to Kazakhstan's largest institutions, including Jusan Bank, which is the 100% owner of Optima Bank, has been appointed to the position.

Kuandikov has more than 15 years of experience in the financial sector. Over the years, he has held senior positions at the National Bank of Kazakhstan, headed the Balance of Payments and Currency Regulation Department, and served as deputy chairman of the Kazakhstan Deposit Guarantee Fund. In 2020, he joined the management of First Heartland Jusan Bank (now Alatau City Bank), where he served as managing director until 30 September this year.

Kuandikov's appointment as head of the Board of Directors of Optima Bank is related to the early departure of Yermek Arginov. The new head will now oversee the bank's strategic development and chair key committees on appointments and remuneration, risk management and audit.

Experts note that the arrival of the Jusan Bank veteran at Optima may strengthen integration with the shareholder and set new benchmarks for the bank's strategy in the Kyrgyz market.