Continuing to support Türkiye’s export-oriented growth through financing, Türk Ticaret Bankası has launched its R&D Center in Istanbul to develop artificial intelligence, data analytics and digital technologies for banking and foreign trade processes. Established to develop original and scalable solutions to address real-world needs in banking, the Center will focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning, big data and data analytics, software architecture, cloud computing and cybersecurity.
The R&D Center will conduct its activities in academic cooperation with Istanbul Ticaret University. As part of this cooperation, projects focusing on AI-powered analysis and decision-making systems, digital assistants, data analytics, and software solutions compliant with applicable legislation and regulations are planned for completion during 2026–2027. The solutions developed will be gradually integrated into the Bank’s products and services.
The opening ceremony of the Türk Ticaret Bankası R&D Center was held with the participation of Chairman of the Board Prof. Dr. Yusuf Balcı, General Manager İlker Yeşil, Board Member İbrahim Arslan and Bank employees.
“We Develop Technology Based on the Needs of Exporters”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chairman of the Board of Türk Ticaret Bankası Prof. Dr. Yusuf Balcı stated that the R&D Center is more than a technology investment and will play a strategic role in the Bank’s digital transformation and the development of services for exporters. Balcı said:
“We have placed the delivery of innovative digital services in a fast and secure manner at the heart of our business model. Our R&D Center forms the technological backbone of this approach. As Türk Ticaret Bankası, we aim to stand out in the sector and make a difference through our ‘phygital banking’ approach, which brings physical and digital banking together, as well as through our innovative solutions and forward-looking approach. We use technology not only to develop new solutions, but also to address the challenges we encounter in banking and foreign trade processes.”
Balcı noted that the artificial intelligence and data analytics solutions to be developed at the R&D Center are expected to contribute to improving exporters’ access to finance, and continued: “With the artificial intelligence and data analytics solutions we develop, we aim to make exporters’ access to finance faster, more transparent and more secure. We plan to shorten the time from credit application to disbursement through AI-powered analysis and decision-support systems, while enabling our customers to access foreign trade and collateral-related services 24/7 by moving these processes to digital channels.”
İlker Yeşil: “We Will Develop Our Own Software at the R&D Center”
Türk Ticaret Bankası Board Member and General Manager İlker Yeşil stated that the R&D Center will further strengthen the Bank’s technological capabilities and play an important role in developing tailored solutions to meet banking needs. Yeşil continued: “The R&D Center will enable Türk Ticaret Bankası to strengthen its competitiveness over the long term while further enhancing its technological capabilities. At the Center, we will develop our own software solutions that comply with regulations and are tailored to banking legislation and requirements. We will be able to offer our corporate and individual customers timely and personalized solutions that align with their needs.”
Strengthening Knowledge Transfer Between Academia and the Banking Sector
The cooperation brings together the Bank’s industry experience and Istanbul Ticaret University’s academic expertise, with the aim of developing innovative financial applications and implementing joint projects that will create value for the financial sector.
The cooperation also aims to support the development of financial products and services, accelerate digital transformation in banking processes, and strengthen Türk Ticaret Bankası’s R&D capabilities. In this context, the parties plan to explore the use of emerging technologies in banking, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence, data analytics and financial technology (fintech) solutions.
In addition to joint projects and research, the cooperation aims to support academic publications and develop project and internship opportunities through which university students and academics can gain practical experience in the banking sector.
