ASTANA, March 1. /TASS/. Kazakhstan's Bereke Bank continues to service Mir cards issued by non-sanctioned Russian banks, head of the bank’s press service Nurgul Salykzhanova told TASS on Wednesday.

Bereke Bank is a former subsidiary of Sberbank, which was bought out by the national holding Baiterek.

"In March, we expect the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury to lift sanctions against Bereke Bank. In accordance with the sanctions policy, the bank does not have business relations with persons under sanctions. Service of Mir cards issued by non-sanctioned Russian banks is carried out at ATMs and terminals of the bank as usual," she said.

According to her, service of Mir cards previously issued by Bereke Bank will also be maintained outside of Kazakhstan in the network of non-sanctioned banks connected to the Mir payment system.

Earlier, the bank's press service announced that from March 6, Bereke Bank will not accept incoming and outgoing payments and transfers in any currency that is associated with Sberbank PJSC, its subsidiaries and branches.

"The bank will continue to make incoming and outgoing payments and transfers, accept contracts for currency control under which the partner's bank is another bank in the Russian Federation, which is not subject to international economic sanctions," the bank’s press service explained.

The press service also notified that beginning March 6, money transfers by phone number to Russia will be temporarily unavailable.

"We recommend that all planned transfers be carried out in advance. We will inform you about the resumption of the service later," the press service said.

The sale and purchase transaction between Sberbank and the Baiterek holding took place in early September 2022. The bank changed its name to Bereke Bank.

In September, the new owner of the bank submitted documents to OFAC to lift the sanctions against the bank.