Ms Sabanci, 39, who is managing director of the bank, is already in charge of risk management as well as asset and liability management – an important role considering Turkish market fluctuations. Even during the 2001 economic crisis, the bank fared significantly better in its non-performing loan ratio than rival banks when the sector average was more than 20%.
Along with her father and non-family member vice chairman Akin Kozanoglu, Ms Sabanci is responsible for strategy. She told The Banker that Turkey’s stabilised economy meant that Akbank could focus on growth areas such as consumer loans, credit cards, mortgage loans and company loans and reduce its holdings of mainly government securities, currently about 45% of the balance sheet. The bank believes it has an advantage when lending to small and medium-sized enterprises, namely its 610 branches throughout the country where branch managers know their region and clients, plus its $3bn of free capital.
Ms Sabanci does not rule out a foreign joint venture but says that so far, the offers have been too piecemeal. Instead, Akbank would be interested in working with a bank that could bring technological expertise and has a strategy for both Turkey and the entire region, including the former Soviet states. On the domestic front, only banks that could bring an increase of at least 4% of market share are candidates.
Risks: Infighting in the Sabanci family.
