Initiated in 1861 by Mithat Pasha, efforts toward national banking materialized in 1913 in Adapazarı under the name "Adapazarı Islamic Commercial Bank," established by 13 founding members. At the time, the financial sector’s inability to meet the country’s credit needs, the challenging conditions posed by foreign banks, and the necessity for developing national trade laid the groundwork for the emergence of Türk Ticaret Bankası. Tradespeople and merchants in Adapazarı decided to unite their capital and labor to establish a bank, marking the launch of the first national private enterprise bank.

The bank’s founding capital was set at 1,472,000 kuruş (13,629.63 Ottoman Liras) by the founding partners, making it a significant milestone in Turkish banking history as the first national bank established by small capital owners. Officially commencing operations in Adapazarı on March 9, 1913, the bank attracted substantial interest from the local community and managed to endure the economic hardships caused by World War I.

After five and a half years of operation, a significant structural change was made, and the bank was renamed Adapazarı Islam Ticaret Bankası Osmanlı Anonim Şirketi.

Following the proclamation of the Republic, the bank experienced rapid development and was renamed Adapazarı Islam Ticaret Bankası Türk Anonim Şirketi on May 15, 1924, and Adapazarı Türk Ticaret Bankası A.Ş. on March 29, 1928. During the Republican era, its activities gained momentum in parallel with the economic progress of the country.

With branches opened in İzmit, Istanbul, Ankara, and Eskişehir, the bank began transforming from a local institution into a national financial entity. On October 25, 1934, the bank’s headquarters were moved to Ankara, and it was renamed Türk Ticaret Bankası A.Ş. on March 31, 1937. The subsequent 20 years marked a period of rapid growth, during which the bank strengthened its financial structure and expanded its branch network across the country.

On March 30, 1952, the bank’s head office was relocated to Bahçekapı, Istanbul, where it operated until 1992 before moving to its service building in Gayrettepe.

In the second half of the 1990s, the banking sector faced significant challenges, culminating in a financial crisis. Türk Ticaret Bankası was included in the SDIF alongside 20 other banks with weak financial structures. Banking operations ceased in 2001.

This was not an end but a pause for a new beginning.

In 2023, the centennial year of our Republic, steps were taken for the rebirth of Türk Ticaret Bankası.

On February 28, 2023, the SDIF held a tender for the sale of the bank, and on April 27, 2023, Türk Ticaret Bankası was acquired by İhracatı Geliştirme A.Ş. (IGE), a joint venture of TIM, Eximbank, 61 exporters’ associations, and 20 banks.

Founded 113 years ago as the first private venture bank with national capital, Türk Ticaret Bankası has made substantial contributions to the national economy over the years. Today, it moves forward with the vision of becoming the primary bank for exporters, providing financial support for Turkey’s export-driven growth. Türk Ticaret Bankası continues to develop innovative financial solutions to offer exporters all the banking products and services they need in the fastest, safest, and most advantageous conditions.