Includes special features of this country’s banking system and rules/laws that might impact U.S. business.
Last Published: 6/20/2019

The banking sector plays less of a financial intermediary role than one would expect in an economy of Turkey’s size and sophistication.  The three state-owned commercial banks, plus the nine largest private banks hold nearly a 2/3 share of total bank assets. Turkish banks engage in core banking services, securities brokering and other businesses.  For a listing of banks licensed in Turkey.

The Borsa Istanbul (BIST) is the sole exchange entity of Turkey combining the former Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE), the Istanbul Gold Exchange and the Derivatives Exchange of Turkey under one umbrella.  The Capital Markets Board of Turkey, based in Ankara, is responsible for overseeing the activities of capital markets.  The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey is headquartered in Ankara and together with the Turkish Treasury is responsible for the integrity of the banking system.

The Central Bank and the Banking Regulating and Supervision Agency (BDDK) supervises bank activities to ensure, among other aspects, that they meet liquidity requirements as well as enforces banking laws.    It is also authorized to give permits to establish and operate a bank in Turkey as well as determine disposition of insolvent banks.

While the Central Bank's Bank Supervision Division acts as the government's supervisory authority, the Ministry of Treasury and Finance is responsible for the management of the state treasury.

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