BBVA's acquisition of almost 25% of Garanti Bankasi will give the Turkish bank a huge boost in its efforts to become a major player in eastern Europe, the Middle East and north Africa, according to Garanti's chairman. Writer Metin Demirsar
Wealth of promise
September 29, 2010A 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
Private push
May 5, 2010Turkey's privitisation programme is still moving at a rapid pace, despite a change in focus. Writer Metin Demirsar
Bold ambition or pure fantasy?
May 5, 2010The Turkish government has plans to transform Istanbul into an international financial centre complete with specialised courts to deal with international business disputes and a carbon exchange. However, sceptics are already denouncing the project as a pipedream.
The NPL threat to Turkey's progress
May 5, 2010As 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.
Capital markets thrive on adversity
October 5, 2009Despite the downturn, share prices on the Istanbul Stock Exchange are soaring on the strength of the country's banks, as global liquidity and optimism return. Writer Metin Demirsar
Turkey goes it alone
October 5, 2009Turkey's government, led by prime minister Tayyip Erdogan, is exploring alternatives to an IMF loan to finance its budget deficit
Facing 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
ING Bank looks forward after a shaky start
August 4, 2009Despite an adverse response from the bank's military depositors and a sharp recession in Turkey, ING Bank's CEO is planning for growth once the economy turns around. Writer Metin Demirsar
Robust and ready
May 5, 2009The global recession is nothing new to Turkey's bankers, who have learnt the lessons of the country's economic crisis of 2001 and are showing great resilience as their global peers falter. Writer Metin Demirsar
Who's afraid of the IMF?
May 5, 2009
The full force of the global recession has hit Turkey with falls in exports leading to job cuts. Bankers say an IMF deal would help but the government is reluctant. Writer Metin Demirsar
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, prime minister of Turkey
Top 1000 World Banks 2017 - Press releases
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