Analyzing brokers associated with the Bank of Baku based on the provided criteria requires a structured approach. However, the Bank of Baku (https://www.bankofbaku.com/) is primarily a commercial bank in Azerbaijan, not a brokerage firm. It offers banking services like loans, deposits, and payment cards but does not appear to function as a broker in the traditional sense (e.g., trading securities or investments). If the intent is to analyze brokers linked to or claiming affiliation with the Bank of Baku, or to assess the bank itself for broker-like activities, I’ll proceed by examining the bank’s operations and related entities through the requested lenses. If you meant a specific broker, please clarify. Below is an analysis based on the official website (https://www.bankofbaku.com/), its internet banking portal (https://e-bankofbaku.com/), and available data, tailored to the criteria you provided. Since no specific brokerage service is explicitly offered by the Bank of Baku, I’ll evaluate the bank’s operations, potential brokerage-related activities, and risks, while addressing each requested aspect.

1. Online Complaint Information ¶

• Findings: No specific complaints about brokerage services tied to the Bank of Baku were found in the provided data or accessible sources. General banking complaints (e.g., customer service, loan terms) are not uncommon for banks but are not brokerage-specific. A search for complaints on platforms like Trustpilot or Azerbaijan-based forums yielded no prominent results for Bank of Baku as a broker.
• Analysis: The absence of brokerage-related complaints suggests the bank does not heavily engage in or market brokerage services. However, this could also reflect limited online visibility of complaints in English or on major platforms. Users should check local Azerbaijan financial forums or the Central Bank of Azerbaijan’s complaint portal for more context.
• Red Flags: Lack of brokerage-specific complaints is neutral but could indicate either no brokerage activity or underreported issues in accessible sources.

2. Risk Level Assessment ¶

• Bank’s Profile: The Bank of Baku, established in 1994, is a key player in Azerbaijan’s retail banking sector, focusing on consumer loans, non-cash settlements, and corporate services. Moody’s rated it B1 with a stable outlook in 2013, citing stable financial indicators and high asset quality.
• Brokerage Context: No evidence suggests the bank offers securities trading or investment brokerage. Its risk profile as a bank includes standard banking risks (credit risk, liquidity risk) but not broker-specific risks (e.g., market manipulation, unauthorized trading).
• Risk Level: Low for brokerage-specific risks due to no apparent brokerage services. Moderate for general banking risks, as with any regional bank in a developing economy. Azerbaijan’s banking sector faces challenges like currency volatility and regulatory oversight, which could indirectly affect clients.
• Indicators: Stable Moody’s rating is positive, but the 2013 data is outdated. Users should verify current financial health via the Central Bank of Azerbaijan or recent audits.

3. Website Security Tools ¶

• Website: https://www.bankofbaku.com/ and https://e-bankofbaku.com/
• Security Features:
• SSL/TLS: Both sites use HTTPS, indicating encrypted connections (verified via browser checks).
• Server IP: e-bankofbaku.com resolves to an IP with a 200 HTTP response code, suggesting active hosting.
• Security Tools: The internet banking site (e-bankofbaku.com) claims “modern technology and software” for confidentiality and security. No specific tools (e.g., two-factor authentication, CAPTCHA) are detailed publicly, which is a gap.
• SiteCheck Scan: No malware or blacklisting was reported for e-bankofbaku.com via Sucuri SiteCheck, and it passes Norton ConnectSafe and Google Safe Browsing checks.
• Analysis: Basic security (HTTPS) is in place, but lack of transparency about advanced measures (e.g., MFA, intrusion detection) is a concern for a banking platform. Users should ensure the site uses strong authentication for transactions.
• Red Flags: Limited disclosure of security protocols. Internet banking access is restricted abroad for security, which could inconvenience users but enhances protection.

4. WHOIS Lookup ¶

• Domain: e-bankofbaku.com (internet banking portal, relevant for online services)
• Registrar: Tucows Domains Inc.
• Creation Date: 2009-09-28
• Expiry Date: 2025-09-28
• Updated Date: 2024-08-30
• Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited, clientUpdateProhibited
• Name Servers: ns.e-bankofbaku.com, ns2.e-bankofbaku.com
• DNSSEC: Unsigned
• Domain: bankofbaku.com
• WHOIS data is less detailed in provided sources, but the domain is active and tied to the bank’s official operations.
• Analysis: Long-standing domain registration (since 2009) and recent updates suggest legitimacy. Tucows is a reputable registrar. However, unsigned DNSSEC is a minor security gap, as it increases vulnerability to DNS spoofing.
• Red Flags: Unsigned DNSSEC is a potential risk, though not critical for most users. No evidence of domain misuse or suspicious registration.

5. IP and Hosting Analysis ¶

• Hosting:
• Provider: CASPEL LLC, Baku, Azerbaijan (AS207251).
• Location: Baku, Azerbaijan, aligning with the bank’s operations.
• Abuse Contact: [email protected]
• IP Details: The IP for e-bankofbaku.com resolves correctly, with no reported blacklisting.
• Analysis: Local hosting by CASPEL LLC is consistent with a regional bank’s infrastructure. No signs of suspicious hosting (e.g., offshore servers in high-risk jurisdictions). The RIPE NCC ASN block confirms legitimate network operations.
• Red Flags: None identified. Local hosting reduces latency for Azerbaijan users but may raise concerns about data sovereignty for international clients.

6. Social Media ¶

• Presence: The Bank of Baku has a strong social media presence, notably on Facebook, where its page was certified by Socialbakers in 2013 as a “Socially Devoted Page” for high-quality customer communication.
• Activity: The bank promotes services like Visa cards, savings accounts, and branch openings on social media. Posts highlight non-cash transactions and customer engagement (e.g., giveaways of AZN 382,000).
• Analysis: Active and verified social media presence enhances credibility. No brokerage-specific promotions were noted, reinforcing that the bank focuses on retail banking.
• Red Flags: None. Social media engagement appears legitimate, with no signs of fake followers or scam promotions.

7. Red Flags and Potential Risk Indicators ¶

• General Red Flags:
• Lack of Brokerage Services: The bank does not advertise brokerage services, which could confuse users expecting such offerings. If brokers claim affiliation, verify directly with the bank.
• Data Privacy: The bank’s app collects extensive data (e.g., GPS, IP, MAC addresses, installed apps) and shares some with Kaspersky for fraud prevention. This could raise privacy concerns for users wary of data sharing.
• Limited Transparency: Security tool details and current financial ratings are not prominently disclosed, which is suboptimal for a bank.
• Broker-Specific Risks: None identified, as no brokerage activities are evident. If third-party brokers use the bank’s name, risks include brand impersonation or unregulated trading.
• Indicators: Stable operations since 1994 and Moody’s ratings suggest reliability, but outdated financial data and privacy practices are concerns.

8. Website Content Analysis ¶

• Content Overview:
• bankofbaku.com: Promotes retail banking (loans, Bolkart credit cards, savings accounts), branch expansions, and social projects (e.g., education, charity). Emphasizes accessibility, requiring JavaScript.
• e-bankofbaku.com: Focuses on internet banking, offering 24/7 transactions with security assurances. Access is restricted abroad for safety.
• Brokerage Content: No mention of securities trading, investment accounts, or brokerage services. The focus is on loans, cards, and deposits.
• Analysis: Content aligns with a retail bank, not a broker. Clear, professional design, but lack of detailed security or regulatory info is a gap.
• Red Flags: No misleading claims, but absence of brokerage services could confuse users if third parties misuse the bank’s name.

9. Regulatory Status ¶

• Regulator: The Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan oversees the Bank of Baku, awarding it top rankings for non-cash settlements.
• Compliance: No reported sanctions or regulatory violations. Moody’s positive ratings (B1, stable) in 2013 suggest compliance with international standards at the time.
• Brokerage Regulation: Not applicable, as no brokerage services are offered. If brokers claim affiliation, they must be licensed by Azerbaijan’s Financial Markets Supervisory Authority (FIMSA).
• Analysis: The掾 Strong regulatory status enhances trust. Lack of recent regulatory data limits assessment, but no red flags suggest non-compliance.
• Red Flags: Outdated Moody’s data (2013). Users should verify current status via the Central Bank or FIMSA.

10. User Precautions ¶

• Verify Legitimacy: Only use official sites (bankofbaku.com, e-bankofbaku.com). Avoid third-party brokers claiming affiliation without verification.
• Security Practices:
• Enable two-factor authentication if offered.
• Use strong, unique passwords.
• Avoid public Wi-Fi for banking.
• Data Privacy: Be cautious of extensive data collection (e.g., GPS, app data). Review the privacy policy before using the app.
• Check URLs: Ensure the site is https://www.bankofbaku.com/ or https://e-bankofbaku.com/ to avoid phishing.
• Brokerage Claims: If a broker claims Bank of Baku affiliation, contact the bank directly and verify with FIMSA.
• Monitor Accounts: Regularly check bank statements for unauthorized transactions.

11. Potential Brand Confusion ¶

• Risk: The Bank of Baku’s name could be misused by unregulated brokers or scam sites, especially given its strong local reputation. Similar domain names (e.g., bankofbaku.net, bankofbaku.org) could be used for phishing.
• Examples:
• e-bankofbaku.com (legitimate) vs. potential fakes like ebankofbaku.com.
• Unverified brokers claiming “Bank of Baku-backed” services.
• Analysis: No evidence of current brand misuse, but the bank’s prominence in Azerbaijan makes it a target. The distinct branding (Bolkart, local focus) reduces confusion with global banks but not local scams.
• Red Flags: Any site or broker not explicitly linked to bankofbaku.com or regulated by FIMSA is suspect.

Summary ¶

The Bank of Baku is a legitimate retail bank in Azerbaijan, regulated by the Central Bank, with no apparent brokerage services. Its websites (bankofbaku.com, e-bankofbaku.com) are secure (HTTPS, no malware), hosted locally by CASPEL LLC, and backed by a long-standing domain (since 2009). Social media presence is strong, with no red flags. Risks include limited transparency on security tools, extensive data collection, and potential brand misuse by unregulated brokers. No brokerage-specific complaints or activities were found, suggesting low brokerage-related risk. Recommendations:

• Verify any brokerage claims directly with the bank and FIMSA.
• Use official websites and enable strong security measures.
• Monitor for phishing or brand impersonation.
• Check recent financial and regulatory data for updated risk assessment. If you meant a specific broker or suspect a related entity, please provide details for a targeted analysis. For further info, contact the Bank of Baku or visit https://www.bankofbaku.com/.