Many Turkish banks enjoyed record results in 2010, with high return on equity, efficient operations, strong capital ratios and falling inflation. However, changing domestic economic conditions will drive new strategies in 2011 and beyond.
A flourishing private banking sector is developing in Turkey, as bank and wealth managers compete for the deposits of the wealthy, causing some high-net-worth Turkish individuals and institutional investors that previously entrusted their funds to European and US banks to shift their business to domestic institutions. Writer Metin Demirsar
Over the past eight years, Yapi Kredi has been taken over by Turkey's banking regulators, sold and then merged with a smaller bank, yet it still emerged from the recent global financial crisis in robust shape. The secret, according to its CFO, is looking after the customers. Writer David O'Byrne
Is Bank, Turkey's largest private bank, has an unconventional boardroom make-up and an unusual business portfolio. However, it is the bank's focus on conventional banking that has seen it emerge from the crisis in good health and in a position to expand beyond its domestic borders. Writer David O'Byrne
As Turkey pulls out of its economic slump, its relatively unscathed banks are ready to finance growth and are increasing lending and planning significant expansion. However, a growing problem of non-performing loans may stifle recovery and put the brakes on their ambition.
Turkey's government, led by prime minister Tayyip Erdogan, is exploring alternatives to an IMF loan to finance its budget deficitFacing an exploding budget deficit and enormous domestic debts, the Turkish government continues to have a ravenous appetite for borrowing, but still wants to avoid funds from the IMF. Writer Metin Demirsar
Turkish banks, cushioned by regulations implemented in the wake of the country's financial crisis of 2001, have been largely sheltered from the recent global crisis and the majority of those listed in The Banker's 2009 rankings posted double-digit profit on capital. Writer Geraldine Lambe