As a result, the Bank of Georgia, as a financial institution within the Lion Finance Group, became the first company from Georgia to be included in the London Stock Exchange’s Top 100. The Bank is listed alongside global companies such as HSBC, BP, Unilever, ROLLS-ROYCE, SHELL, BARCLAYS and others.Lion Finance Group officially joined the index on March 20, 2026, after the stock exchange closed, and the change officially entered into force on March 23.For information, Lion Finance Group is a banking group listed on the London Stock Exchange, which unites leading, customer-focused and digitally accessible universal banks, including Bank of Georgia and Ameriabank, which operates in the Armenian market and is the country's largest financial institution.It is worth noting that the group was first listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2006, and became a member of the FTSE 250 index in 2012.

1774354123

The company’s researchers explain that when determining the optimal loan structure, it is first necessary to determine in which currency the business is hedged. According to them, hedging means that “exchange rate changes do not have a material impact on the company’s financial indicators.” In this context, TBC Capital emphasizes that hedging indicators vary by sector: while car prices are pegged to foreign currencies, residential real estate prices, contrary to the dominant view, are “largely denominated in GEL.”Key factors in currency strategy: A one-page summary prepared by the investment company provides several practical recommendations for businesses: Multicurrency basket: According to the study, the dollar-euro-yuan basket is “40% equivalent to real GEL, with much lower costs.” Business cyclicality: The researchers believe that “in contrast to current practice, the share of GEL should be higher in cyclical sectors.” Interest rates: Despite its importance, the differential should not be “the only and overly important factor, as is often the case.” Profitability: A properly hedged structure allows for more borrowing “even without a stress scenario.” Global context and forecasts:The company’s researchers focus on assessing the equilibrium levels of the GEL and EUR/USD. The publication raises the question of whether it is appropriate to borrow in a currency that strengthens during stressful episodes and how relevant the so-called “dollar smile” is today. It also analyzes the impact of the escalation in the Middle East on the dollar as a “strengthening of the status of a safe asset.”TBC Capital notes that the framework, the idea of ​​which was published back in 2019, is becoming increasingly widespread. “Work continues on individual, company-specific approaches,” the investment company says, and partners are ready for further cooperation.

1774353927

Lion Finance Group (BGEO LN) shares closed at GBP 92.95/share (- 5.25% w/w and -9.32% m/m). More than 1.17mn shares traded in the range of GBP 90.85 - 100.50/share. Average daily traded volume was 112k in the last 4 weeks. The volume of BGEO shares traded was at 2.70% of its capitalization.TBC Bank Group (TBCG LN) closed the week at GBP 40.15/share (- 4.63% w/w and -13.93% m/m). More than 398k shares changed hands in the range of GBP 40.00 - 43.25/share. Average daily traded volume was 71k in the last 4 weeks. The volume of TBCG shares traded was at 0.71% of its capitalization.Georgia Capital (CGEO LN) shares closed at GBP 34.50/share (-1.15% w/w and +1.47% m/m). More than 297k shares traded in the range of GBP 34.45 - 37.00/share. Average daily traded volume was 64k in the last 4 weeks. The volume of CGEO shares traded was at 0.85% of its capitalization. 

1774353711

During the same period, the shares of residents and non-residents in total non-cash spending at hotels through TBC Bank channels amounted to 17% and 83%, respectively.In February 2026, non-cash spending by residents at hotels through TBC Bank channels increased by 12% year-on-year, with the average spending amounting to GEL 164.Non-residents' non-cash spending in hotels increased by 34% compared to February last year, and the average transaction volume amounted to 621 GEL.According to a review by "TBC Capital", in February 2026, non-cash spending in restaurants through TBC Bank channels increased by 34% year-on-year. The average transaction volume amounted to 36 GEL.In the same month, residents accounted for 68% of non-cash spending in restaurants through TBC Bank channels, while non-residents accounted for the remaining 32%.In February 2026, non-cash spending by residents in restaurants through TBC Bank channels increased by 25% compared to February 2025. The average spend per transaction was 27 GEL.In the same month, non-cash spending by non-residents in restaurants increased by 59% year-on-year, with the average spend reaching 126 GEL.

1774268426

During the same period, residents accounted for 85% of total non-cash spending through TBC Bank channels, while non-residents accounted for 15%.In February 2026, food spending accounted for 29% of total non-cash spending through TBC Bank channels, while spending in restaurants accounted for 16%.In the same month, non-cash spending on food increased by 21% year-on-year, with the average spending per transaction at GEL 17. Inflation on food and non-alcoholic beverages was 10%.According to a review by TBC Capital, in February 2026, the distribution of total non-cash spending on consumer goods and services through TBC Bank channels was 61% and 39%, respectively.In the same month, the share of spending on food in total non-cash spending on goods through TBC Bank channels was 47%.

1774268337

In the same month, non-cash spending on personal hygiene through TBC Bank channels increased by 22% year-on-year. The average spending was 82 GEL.

1774268014

The placement agent for the unsubordinated bonds secured by the leasing portfolio is TBC Capital. The issuer (TBC Leasing) holds Fitch Ratings - BB / with a stable credit outlook, which gives the right to attract funds from the pension fund.As of 18/03/2026, the rate is 10.8%. The rating may change upon maturity, as stated in the issue prospectus.The rating was last changed on 03.12.2025 to ‘BB’ with a stable outlook, the country’s sovereign rating Traces of improvement. (For 06/2025 it was ‘BB’ with negative).The change in 12/2024 is also related to the deterioration of the country's rating.Previously, the ‘BB’ existing as of April was stable, when it was negatived. Then the deterioration of Georgia's rating was caused by political and governance risks, with their potentially negative impact on the Georgian banking sector.TBC plans to issue bonds with a nominal value of up to 240,000,000 GEL. Part of the raised proceeds (up to 115 million GEL) will be used to refinance the previous issue. The rest will be used to grow the leasing portfolio.

1774267726

By the regulator's decision, sanctions were imposed on NSN Group LLC and Microfinance Organization MJC LLC.The largest sanction, in the amount of 153,600 GEL, was imposed on NSN Group LLC. The National Bank's inspection revealed the following main deficiencies: Non-recording of operations: 19 cases of non-recording of information about clients and transactions in the electronic system were identified (fine 133,000 GEL) Software deficiencies: The organization's system failed to ensure the detection of suspicious and fragmented transactions, as well as the identification of sanctioned and politically active persons (PEP) Failure to investigate sources: No investigation of the origin of funds was carried out in relation to two clients According to the Business Register, the owner and director of the company is Zurab Nikoladze.The National Bank fined LLC "Microfinance Organization MJC" 81,500 GEL. The list of violations identified during the inspection is as follows: Failure to submit information: 25 cases of failure to submit information about transactions to the Financial Monitoring Service (fine 50,000 GEL) Monitoring deficiencies: The business relationship monitoring rule was violated with respect to three clients and the origin of funds was not studied Violation of the sanctions regime: The organization's software system functioned with significant deficiencies in terms of compliance with the sanctions regimes According to the Public Registry, the owner and director of the company in question is Makhare Jamrishvili.

1773921878

Lion Finance Group (BGEO LN) shares closed at GBP 106.10/share (-8.77% w/w and +6.15% m/m). More than 320k shares traded in the range of GBP 104.20 - 118.20/share. Average daily traded volume was 59k in the last 4 weeks. The volume of BGEO shares traded was at 0.74% of its capitalization.TBC Bank Group (TBCG LN) closed the week at GBP 42.10/share (-2.43% w/w and -0.94% m/m). More than 241k shares changed hands in the range of GBP 41.45 - 45.15/share. Average daily traded volume was 65k in the last 4 weeks. The volume of TBCG shares traded was at 0.43% of its capitalization.Georgia Capital (CGEO LN) shares closed at GBP 34.90/share (-2.38% w/w and +5.28% m/m). More than 243k shares traded in the range of GBP 34.25 - 37.25/share. Average daily traded volume was 59k in the last 4 weeks. The volume of CGEO shares traded was at 0.70% of its capitalization. 

1773662087

Starting from March 25, notifications on transactions with any type of card will be available only through paid SMS bank, for 1 GEL per month.This includes balance change operations, and therefore conversions. Other notifications that accompany loan and deposit products. Among them, notifications of approaching loan installment deadlines or other reminders remain free by default.At the moment, among the five leading banks (by assets), only TBC was an exception with a free SMS service.Liberty, which canceled its free SMS banking at the end of last year, Bank of Georgia has a similar tariff, amounting to 1 GEL.Basisbank charges 2 GEL, while Credo customers can receive the mentioned service for 38 tetri.

1773399098