We Aim to Provide Exporters with TRY 110 Billion in Financing in 2026

İlker Yeşil, Board Member and General Manager of Türk Ticaret Bankası, was interviewed by İmam Güneş for the “Export 2026” catalog published by "Nasıl Bir Ekonomi" newspaper. You can read the full article below.

Türk Ticaret Bankası, which resumed operations in the centennial year of the Republic, has quickly become one of the banking sector’s key players with its export-focused banking model. İlker Yeşil, Board Member and General Manager of Türk Ticaret Bankası, said that the Bank aims to increase the financing it provides to exporters from TRY 76.3 billion in 2025 to TRY 110 billion in 2026.

At a time when global trade is being reshaped and access to financing has become one of the key determinants of competitiveness, Türk Ticaret Bankası stands out with a banking model developed specifically for exporters. Brought back into operation through a partnership among the Turkish Exporters Assembly, Türk Eximbank, exporters’ associations, and banks, Türk Ticaret Bankası provides a broad range of services, from export financing to digital banking. Emphasizing that Türk Ticaret Bankası is positioned not merely as a financial institution but as a solution partner for exporters, İlker Yeşil said: “We operate with the vision of becoming the primary bank for exporters. Through our financing, advisory, and technology-focused solutions, we contribute to the growth of the export ecosystem.” Yeşil went on to describe the Bank’s activities as follows:

A Heritage Brand Reborn

Founded in 1913 as Türkiye’s first privately owned bank established with national capital, Türk Ticaret Bankası suspended its operations in the second half of the 1990s. The Bank made a strong comeback in 2023 when it resumed operations. It was acquired by İhracatı Geliştirme A.Ş. (İGE), which was established through a partnership among the Turkish Exporters Assembly, Türk Eximbank, 61 exporters’ associations, and 20 banks.

As we embarked on this new journey in the centennial year of the Republic, we developed a banking model focused on the export ecosystem and designed to facilitate exporters’ access to financing. We positioned our Bank not merely as a financial institution, but as a trusted partner and solution provider for exporters. We continue on this path with the vision of becoming the primary bank for exporters by playing an active role in Türkiye’s export-led growth. Our focus is the export ecosystem. While we offer exporters a full range of credit and non-lending products and services, we provide our non-exporting corporate and retail customers with investment and asset management products, including deposit products. By focusing our financing activities exclusively on the export ecosystem, we are becoming “the preferred banking partner for exporters.”

Technology Lies at the Core of Our Operating Model

We have placed technology at the core of our operations so that we can provide exporters with all the banking products and services they need through innovative financial solutions, as quickly and securely as possible and on the most favorable terms. Building on our robust infrastructure, we launched the Türk Ticaret Mobile and Internet Banking platforms and made them available to our customers. The rapid growth in our customer base within a short period confirms that we are moving in the right direction.

We have successfully delivered a comprehensive range of banking products and services to our customers, including CBRT rediscount credits, working capital and investment loans, Turkish lira and foreign currency loans, bank guarantees, Türk Eximbank loans, and deposit products. We have also redesigned our lending and financing processes around the actual needs of exporters, creating a more accessible and supportive structure.

Strong Support Through İGE-Guaranteed Loans

We provided medium- and long-term financing for export-oriented investments. Throughout 2025, we made İGE-guaranteed loan products developed specifically for Türk Ticaret Bankası available to exporters. Last year, we ranked among the banks extending the highest volumes of rediscount credits and İGE-guaranteed loans. By improving exporters' access to financing, this robust guarantee mechanism significantly expanded our lending capacity and further strengthened the Bank's position within the export ecosystem.

2026 Target: TRY 110 Billion in Financing Support

While continuing to expand its financing capacity for exporters, Türk Ticaret Bankası is also strengthening its service infrastructure through digital banking and AI-powered solutions. With a service model available 24/7, the Bank aims to provide exporters with faster and more efficient access to financing. İlker Yeşil, Board Member and General Manager of Türk Ticaret Bankası, said that the mobile app and Internet Banking infrastructure are user-friendly and built on advanced technology. He added that AI-driven data analytics have streamlined and accelerated business processes, enabling faster decision-making and delivering enhanced customer experience. Addressing the Bank’s financing targets, Yeşil said, “We aim to increase our total financing support from TRY 76.3 billion in 2025 to TRY 110 billion in 2026.”

Exports Are the Key to Economic Independence
As transformations in the global economy continue to reshape global trade patterns, access to financing, technology adoption, and supply chain efficiency have become key determinants of countries' competitiveness. İlker Yeşil, Board Member and General Manager of Türk Ticaret Bankası, noted that exports are no longer merely a source of foreign exchange earnings, but have become one of the principal drivers of economic independence, sustainable growth, and global competitiveness.

“Today, exports are no longer merely a means of generating foreign exchange earnings for countries. They have become one of the fundamental pillars of economic independence, sustainable growth, and global competitiveness. Particularly during periods of ongoing global uncertainty, rising cost pressures, and intensifying competition, having a strong financial support mechanism behind exporters is of strategic importance. The relaunch of our Bank should also be viewed in this context,” Yeşil said.

A Phygital Banking Approach

We do more than provide financial support. Our team of experienced banking professionals helps exporters manage risks and provides our customers with advisory support. We currently serve our customers across our network of 16 branches located in cities across Türkiye with strong export potential. Our approach is based on "phygital" banking, a hybrid model that seamlessly integrates physical and digital banking services. At Türk Ticaret Bankası, we combine personalized relationship banking through our branch network with fast, reliable digital banking services.