Open Banking & Open API

The Interbank Mobile Payment System (IMPS) is the national payment system of the Republic of Kazakhstan, representing a set of services for executing instant payments and transfers of funds between bank accounts opened with second-tier banks.

The system ensures the execution of interbank payment transactions in real time, around the clock and without days off, using simplified identifiers, including a mobile phone number and a QR code, without the need to enter full bank details.

The operator of the system is National Payment Corporation of the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan JSC (NPC JSC). IMPS operates in a standard mode and is part of the ecosystem of the National Digital Financial Infrastructure, ensuring the development of modern payment services and increasing the accessibility of cashless payments.

At present, 12 second-tier banks participate in the industrial operation of the C2C transfer service (transfers by mobile phone number), and 7 second-tier banks participate in the interbank QR payment service. With the connection of new participants, a steady growth in the number of transactions is observed, both for transfers between individuals and for payments for goods and services using QR codes.

Main services of IMPS

IMPS implements key scenarios of interbank payments and transfers, ensuring a unified payment space for clients of second-tier banks.

C2C transfers (Customer-to-Customer)

The service allows making transfers of funds between individuals by the recipient’s mobile phone number. When performing a transfer, the sending bank sends a request to the IMPS system to determine the recipient’s bank based on the mobile number registry, after which the funds are instantly credited to the recipient’s account.

Interbank QR payments (C2B, Customer-to-Business)

The service ensures payment for goods and services using a unified interbank QR code. Scenarios of static QR code (with the payer entering the amount) and dynamic QR code (with a predefined transaction amount) are supported. The payment is carried out in real time with crediting of funds to the recipient’s account.

Technological features of the system

IMPS operates on the basis of the international standard ISO 20022, which ensures the unification of financial message exchange formats and compatibility with modern payment infrastructures.

Within the system, a centralized architecture of interaction of participants is used through the operational center of NPC JSC, which ensures payment routing, maintenance of directories (including the registry of mobile numbers and QR identifiers), as well as control and monitoring of transactions.

Transmission and processing of payment messages are carried out in the ISO 20022 format (including using pacs.008 message types), which ensures high processing speed, reliability, and transparency of settlements.

The system ensures a high level of information security, including mechanisms of authentication, data encryption, and fraud prevention.

Significance of IMPS for the payment market

The implementation of IMPS is aimed at the development of cashless payments, increasing convenience for users, and reducing operational costs for businesses.

The system contributes to the formation of a unified payment space, within which clients can carry out transfers and payments regardless of the servicing bank, and merchants can accept payments using a universal interbank QR code.

The development of IMPS also ensures increased competition in the financial market, reduction of dependence on international payment systems, and implementation of modern digital services within the National Digital Financial Infrastructure.