Mission statement

Mission

To provide the best banking experience in Turkey, offering outstanding value for its stakeholders

Vision

To become the most admired company, with the best people, constantly delivering outstanding results.

Company history

When the company was founded and by who

Founded as a local bank in Adana in January 1948, Akbank was originally established with the core objective of providing funding for local cotton producers.

 Since its establishment, a majority of the shares in Akbank have been owned or controlled by the Sabancı Family and the Sabancı Group, which is one of the two largest conglomerates in Turkey, composed of 73 companies with total assets of $83.7 billion. The Sabancı Family and Sabancı Group are long term committed shareholders and see Akbank as a core investment of the Group. Akbank’s main shareholders are 44.5% H.O. Sabanci Holding and subsidiaries, %6.9 Sabancı Family, %20 Citibank Overseas Investment Corporation and 28.6% free float.

Markets and industries the company is and has operated in

With its strong and extensive domestic distribution network consisting of 896 branches and close to 15,350 employees, Akbank offers a wide range of corporate, SME, consumer and private banking services as well as foreign trade financing.

 In addition to the Bank’s traditional delivery channels such as its branches, Akbank also offers customers services through its Retail and Corporate Internet Branches, the Telephone Banking Center, 2,948 ATMs and more than 264,000 POS terminals as well as other high-tech channels.

 Equipped with state-of-the-art IT systems and a staff of experienced bankers, Akbank continues to focus on providing top quality services to an extensive portfolio of consumer and corporate customers.

 Meanwhile, non-banking financial services in addition to capital markets and investment services are provided by the Bank’s subsidiaries (Ak Investment Fund, Ak Asset Management,  AkLease, Ak Investment)

 Akbank conducts overseas operations through its subsidiaries in the Netherlands (Akbank NV), Germany (Akbank AG) and Dubai (Akbank Dubai Limited) along with a branch in Malta.

Akbank’s fixed assets and investments in subsidiaries, which are largely financial in nature, account for only a 0.9% share of its total assets.

 

Significant milestones in the company’s history

• Founded as a local bank in Adana in January 1948, Akbank was originally established with the core objective of providing funding for local cotton producers.

• Growing and developing over time, the Bank opened its first branch in the Sirkeci district of Istanbul on July 14, 1950.

• In 1954, after relocating its Head Office to Istanbul, the Bank rapidly expanded its branch network and in 1963 automated all banking operations.

• Floated to the public in 1990, Akbank shares began trading on international markets and as an American Depository Receipt (ADR) after its secondary public offering in 1998.

• Akbank established AKSecurities in 1996, AKInvestment Fund in 1998, AKAssetManagement Company and its Private Banking Department in 2000. Akbank established Ak Pension Company in 2003 and acquired AKLease in 2005. In February 2006, Ak Pension Company was sold to Ak Insurance.

• With the Transformation Program which was implemented between 2001-2006, Akbank has been restructured with a customer-oriented approach and Akbank's position as the leading bank in the Turkish banking sector has been reinforced.

• On January 9, 2007, Akbank and Citigroup successfully completed a strategic partnership agreement according to which Citigroup acquired a 20% equity stake in Akbank. The strategic partnership with Citigroup has contributed to the enhancement of Akbank’s banking activities, the improvement of its existing products and the development of new products.

• With its strong and extensive domestic distribution network consisting of 896 branches and close to 15,350 employees, Akbank offers a wide range of corporate, SME, consumer and private banking services as well as foreign trade financing.

• Akbank conducts overseas operations through its subsidiaries in the Netherlands (Akbank NV), Germany (Akbank AG) and Dubai (Akbank Dubai Limited) along with a branch in Malta.

Since Akbank’s foundation, we have continuously built on our success. We turned a local bank into the most valuable, most stable and most innovative bank in Turkey.

Brand history

About the logo

Until the 90’s, Akbank logo had been used in different fonts and in different colours even.

This is why, in the earlier 90’s, Akbank’s corporate identity was worked by Repro, and the designs by graphic artist Şener Ünal, at that time, became the new standardized guideline.  The different but acceptable forms of logo usage was set and shared with all Akbank branches and employees.  

Later on, Akbank became business partners with Yorum Publicis and in 2003, Interbrand         re-furbished the logo and gave it a thinner form, the final version that is still being used today.

The effect that was aimed for in the logo change was to portray an Akbank who is closer and friendlier to its customers than its former industrial, firm-standing character.

What the brand stands for

The bank that provides innovative solutions for your quality of life.

Brand architecture etc

Akbank’s logo and ‘red’ colour are the key elements of Akbank corporate identity.

Akbank portrays quite a unified identity in its products and services except credit cards.
Akbank’s credits cards are independent brands with worlds of their own; Axess, Fish, Wings. 

Akbank acts only as an endorser to credit cards.

All other products and services are branded Akbank. Some products and services do have their own identities such as, Büyük Kırmızı Ev, the mortgage brand of Akbank. But these sub brands are very strongly linked to the main brand.

Akbank Private Banking’s identity differentiates with its colours in order to communicate a prestigious look and feel.

 Akbank’s subsidiaries are strongly linked to the mother brand. They leverage from Akbank through ‘AK’ endorsement

Level of awareness and recognition

According to the TNS Miriad Brand Tracking Research, Akbank is the top of mind bank brand in Turkey. It ranks first in spontaneous brand awareness in banking category.
Source: TNS Miriad Brand Tracking Research, October 2010

How the brand is perceived 

Akbank is perceived as a trustworthy, established, prestigious and a stable bank. It is known to be one of the leaders in Turkish financial services category.  It is a bank that people feel close to and trust like a friend.  This makes Akbank a sincere brand in the minds of its consumers.
Source: TNS Optima Brand Perception Research, January 2010      

Geography and products

Geography and products

Akbank is headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey

Akbank conducts overseas operations through its subsidiaries in the Netherlands (Akbank NV), Germany (Akbank AG) and Dubai (Akbank Dubai Limited) along with a branch in Malta.

 

Company	Share	Business Area
Ak Investment Fund	70.04	Investment
Ak Asset Management	99.99	Portfolio Management
Ak Global Funding B.V.	100.00	Fund Management
AkLease	99.99	Leasing
Ak Investment	99.80	Brokerage
Akbank N.V.	100.00	Banking
Akbank A.G.	100.00	Banking
Akbank Dubai Limited	100.00	Banking

Distribution channels

Akbank serves its broad customer base both with its extensive traditional branch channel and alternative distribution channels including ATMs, internet, mobile and telephone banking.

 The Bank has a comprehensive physical presence in the country. As of today, there are 896 branches and 2948 ATMs  in 79 cities all over Turkey.

 Alternative distribution channels are positioned to be complementary to the branch network. They contribute Akbank’s operational efficiency and profitability significantly. 

Hi-res logo

Logo

Until the 90’s, Akbank logo had been used in different fonts and in different colours even.

This is why, in the earlier 90’s, Akbank’s corporate identity was worked by Repro, and the designs by graphic artist Şener Ünal, at that time, became the new standardized guideline.  The different but acceptible forms of logo usage was set and shared with all Akbank branches and employees.  

Later on, Akbank became business partners with Yorum Publicis and in 2003, Interbrand re-furbished the logo and gave it a thinner form, the final version that is still being used today.

The effect that was aimed for in the logo change was to portray an Akbank who is closer and friendlier to its customers than its former industrial, firm-standing character

Strapline

“Akbank. For You”

It was launched in the beginning of 2010   

 “For you” is the expression of Akbank’s customer satisfaction based strategy

in communication.      

Advertising

PR

PR& Sponsorship activities

Akbank has been committed to giving to the public important projects in the fields of culture, arts, education, sports and entrepreneurship since its inception. It has been the forerunner of many new corporate social responsibility projects in Turkey as with the value it attaches to corporate social responsibility. Akbank catches the attention every year with PR projects that set the agenda.

 

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

 Corporate Social Responsibility

 

Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility Committee

2009 was a busy year from the corporate governance and social responsibility perspective. The “Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility Committee” (CGSRC) was established in 2009 with the purpose of evaluating the Bank’s corporate governance practices and to supervise its corporate social responsibility activities. The committee has placed environmental issues at the forefront of its focus. Commitee, coming together regularly, evaluates projects, proposes new steps for the future.

 

United Nations Global Compact

In November 2007, Akbank signed the United Nations Global Compact agreement and became the first and only bank in Turkey participating in the Global Compact. With this Akbank committed itself to respecting human rights, providing a safe and decent working environment, protecting the environment, applying policies and practices that ensure transparent corporate management, and providing its employees and society with sustainable value and benefits. In order to adhere to the terms of the agreement and show its commitment to aligning its operations and strategies with UNGC’s ten universally accepted principles, in January 2010 Akbank published its Communication on Progress Report, a first in the banking sector.

 

GRI Report 2009

Since the day it was founded, our bank has focused on creating sustainable value. In addition to our financial performance we believe that our ethical, environmental, social and economic priorities are important factors which will carry Akbank into the future.

With this knowledge, we are conscious that the path to sustaining the trust of our investors’, employees’, customers’ and all of our stakeholders’ is through transparent and responsible banking. To this end, we are the first commercial bank in Turkey to publish its Sustainability Report.

The fact that we are publishing our first Sustainability Report using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), a reporting standard that has earned worldwide acclaim and that is used by many large companies in the world, is a clear indication of our vision on sustainability, our belief in this matter and a solid example of our understanding of transparent banking.

The Akbank Sustainability Report, which is a pioneering feature for the Turkish Banking Sector, includes the Bank’s social, environmental and economic responsibility areas and its 2009 performance in these fields.

You can access the Akbank Sustainability Report, published in April 2010 from the link below.

http://www.akbank.com/sustainability-report.aspx    

 

Carbon Disclosure Project

Akbank, in collaboration with Sabancı University, launched the “Carbon Disclosure Project” (CDP), the world’s most extensive and prestigious environmental project, in Turkey. During the first year, companies listed on the ISE-50 Index of the Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE), were invited to disclose their carbon emissions as well as their policies on climate change. Established with the contribution of 534 institutional investors that manage assets worth 64 trillion dollars, CDP is a non-profit-organization that keeps an extensive data bank of companies’ greenhouse gas emissions and their measures vis-à-vis climate change, allowing for comparisons on a sectoral basis.

Although 2010 was the first year of CDP in Turkey, response ratio is higher than other developing countries. The commitment given from some of non-responding companies from ISE-50 to respond CDP for the next year is another success of the project. Akbank as a pioneering company on Carbon Disclosure Project in Turkey and as one of the first companies committed to Greenhouse Gas emission reporting in compliance with the international standards – was also listed in the CDP Global 500 report. Akbank has become the first and only Turkish company included in the CDP Global 2010 500 report and with its high average point achieved ranked among the global leaders.

As Akbank, we will continue our efforts to help maintain a more sustainable environment with all of our capacity and sense of responsibility.

 

REC “Before Extinction” Climate Change Project

 Akbank has initiated “Before Extinction” Climate Change Project in 2010 in cooperation with Regional Environment Center (REC) Turkey. Project aims to enhance the awareness in climate change in Turkey and draw attention to the areas which are effected or will be effected by the climate change in Turkey.

In this respect, 15 areas which are effected or will be effected by the climate change in the near future, will be visited. There will be field works in these 15 areas. In each field work, the photographs of the area will be taken and the interviews will be conducted with the related local people effected by the climate change effects.

Volunteered Akbank staff will also participate the project. After a three days long ToT (Training of Trainers) session led by REC Turkey team, Akbank staff will perform training sessions in the primary schools starting from the beginning of 2011.

 

“MAKE A WISH” Project

 Akbank is the main sponsor of the “Make a Wish” association which has been continuing its activities in Turkey since 2000 as a voluntary organization and which has been set up to put into life the wishes of children between 2 and 18 who are fighting against a life threatening disease. The association has been active in more than 30 countries in the world since it was set up and has made the wishes of more than 1600 children come true.

 

CULTURE AND ARTS

 Instead of focusing its support in just one area, Akbank prefers carrying on projects in many different fields. With Akbank Sanat, it has been carrying on culture and arts projects for 17 years without any interruptions. Besides culture and the arts, it has important activities in the areas of education, entrepreneurship and sports.

 Akbank which takes a leading position among the corporations that encourage the arts the most, carries out arts activities throughout the year in many areas, particularly under the umbrella of Akbank Sanat. (www.akbanksanat.com). Akbank also acts as sponsor to various art events from time to time. Akbank Sanat, which has celebrated its 16th year this year, has reached out to 2 million spectators. It hosts approximately 700 shows per year ranging from jazz performances to theatre, from exhibitions to concerts.

• Akbank Sanat: Our arts center which carries out more than 700 activities per year, is the leader of contemporary art in Turkey. In Akbank Sanat’s building in Istanbul Beyoğlu, where the heartbeat of art can be heard, a very wide spectrum of art activities are put into practice. These range from exhibitions to theatre shows, from dance to workshop activities, from concerts to conferences to film performances, from jazz festivals to chamber music concerts.
• Akbank Jazz Festival: The Akbank Jazz Festival which has been going on without interruption for 20 years, is Turkey’s longest surviving jazz festival. The festival takes place in many different locations in October and brings the world’s famous jazz masters together with Turkish jazz artists. Along with the concerts, conferences and workshops are also organized in Akbank Sanat.
• Akbank Chamber Orchestra: The Akbank Chamber Orchestra which has performed concerts in many different cities in Turkey since 1992, has also hosted world-famous conductors and soloists. The orchestra which is under the management of the permanent conductor Cem Mansur, has also made its mission to popularize classical music among young people. Apart from concerts, we also organized music days with themes such as Horse-Melodies, Bach Days, Alla Turca Days and Redbud Time.
• Akbank Children’s Theatre: Akbank Children’s Theatre, which is Turkey’s first private professional children’s theatre, has been carrying out its activities for 39 years. Our childern’s theatre which has performed in every city along with the Karagöz Puppet Theatre until now, has been watched by thousands of children. It continued carrying out its performances in 45 cities; in 2007 with the “35 cities in 35 years” project and in 2008 with the “Freedom is our Right” train project. In 2011 the theatre’s new play “Who is the happiest?” will travel through Anatolia stopping in 15 cities as a corporate social responsibility project, inviting nearby schools in coordination with the Ministry of Education.
• Akbank Sanat New Generation Theatre: Our theatre group which aims to put contemporary plays in the world onto stage with young actors has won many awards and taken part in many festivals.
• Zeynep Tanbay Dance Project: Leading the way again in this area, the Zeynep Tanbay Dance Project which was established for the first time under the sponsorship of a private institution, Akbank, has celebrated its 11th year in 2010.
• Akbank Short Film Festival: The Akbank Short Film Festival which has been going on for 5 years, supports the development of short films in Turkey. The festival to which approximately 400 films apply to every year, is carried out in Akbank Sanat. The festival which is supported by panels and workshop studies, then continues with the showing of award-winning films in nearly 30 universities.
• The International Istanbul Film Festival: For the past 6 years, Akbank has been the main sponsor of the IKSV Istanbul Film Festival which has been organized for the 29th time in 2010.
• Bosphorus Classical Music Activities: Akbank has been the main sponsor of this acitivity since 2006.
• International İzmir Festival: Akbank has been a supporter of the festival since 2002.
• Ankara Art Fair: Akbank is the main sponsor of the Ankara Arts Fair, which is being organized since 2001 by the Contemporary Arts Foundation that was set up in 2000.
• Contemporary Art Fair: Akbank has taken over the main sponsorship of Contemporary Art Fair Istanbul between the years 2008 - 2011. 52 thousand people have visited the fair in 2010.
• The Sonisphere Festival: Sonisphere Festival that travelled to 11 countries in 2010 including Turkey was realised in Istanbul with the sponsorship of Akbank “exi 26 sub brand” that was created to target young people up to the age of 26.The festival hosted bands like Metalica, Rammstein and Megadeth along with other popular music groups. The 3 day long festival was visited by 105.000 people.
• Akbank Art Gallery: The personal and mixed exhibitions arranged with the contributions of national and international artists and curators who produce in the area of contemporary art and who have a reputable place in the international arena are organized in the 300 square meter gallery which is located on the first floor of the Akbank Art Center. Conferences are also organized paralel to the exhibitions in the Akbank Art Gallery which play an important role establishing an understanding of contemporary art in Turkey. These conferences form a hypothetical base for actual art discussions.
• Akbank Publications: In addition to the activities it carries out, Akbank Sanat contributes to the libraries of Turkish art lovers with its publications which explain the developing art trends and movements as well as evaluating art from a conceptual point of view. Akbank Publications which has especially followed a path putting Anatolian art in its axis since 1977, has brought many books together with art lovers. Akbank Publications introduces an important contemporary art book which stands as a reference in the international arena into Turkish every year.
• David Morey Conference: David Morey who is the Vice Chairman of Zyman Group and founder and CEO of DMG, is one of America’s leading strategic consultants—and one of the nation’s most sought-after speakers gave a conferance by hosting Akbank  which is about “ Using the Power of Insurgent Strategy to Put Your Business on Top” . 

 

EDUCATION

 Power of Thinking Project

Akbank, which started a social responsibility project in the 60th year of its establishment, aims for our country’s education system to gain an innovative route and aspires to reach hundreds of thousands of students through thousands of teachers with its “ Power of Thinking” project. In the first stage of the project, which has set out with the slogan “Support for the Education of Teachers for a Questioning and Investigating Youth”, a total of 6 thousand 600 teachers were coached in 8 cities.

 The first stage of the “ Power of Thinking” project, which started with an agreement signed between Turkey’s innovative power Akbank and the National Education Ministry and Education Reform Initiative (ERG), was completed in April 2010. The aim of the project was to reach at least 200 thousand students every year through teachers and to develop the thinking skills of these students. In the first period of the project, Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Kahramanmaraş, Adana, Samsun, Kayseri and Van have been determined as the trial cities.

For detailed information: : www.dusunmegucu.org/

 

The Thinking Club Project

“Akbank Thinking Club” was established in September 2008 to think together with the youth of Turkey and to create additional value for Turkey’s future. The Thinking Club, which will continuously grow with the participation of a certain number of students each year and continue its social activities, forms an important and permanent platform for a long term social association where the members can develop themselves. The Thinking Club aims to ensure that young people who will direct Turkey in the future, who are successful in university life as well as being social people with strong communication skills, form a bond with Akbank and Akbank directors, under the roof of a club which has permanence, a high sense of belonging and which creates value.

 For membership to the club, third year university students who are academically successful, innovative, creative, extroverted, analytical, results-oriented, with strong communication skills, inclined to teamwork and who can think multi-dimensionally are preferred. In 2010, 28 students were chosen to the program from Turkey’s leading universities such as Sabancı University, Bilgi University, Bilkent University, Boğaziçi University, ODTÜ, İTÜ, Koç University, Marmara University, Anadolu University and Çukurova University among more than 2000 applications made under the direction of these criteria.

For detailed information: www.akbankdusuncekulubu.com

 

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

 Akbank supports Endeavour which is an international non governmental organization established with the aim of contributing to economic development in developing countries by supporting active entrepreneurs. Akbank’s Chairman of Board, Suzan Sabancı Dinçer, is the Founding Member and Vice Chairman of Board of Endeavour which is based in New York and which started its activities in Turkey in 2006.

 

SPORTS

 Akbank places high significance on introducing large segments of the society to new types of sports by developing brand new projects in sports.  The credit card, Wings, which was launched in 2007 and offers a milage program, especially supports sailing and skiing. 

 

Wings Winter Cup:

Wings Winter Cup skiing competition was organized in Uludağ in 2009 and 2010 consecutively. 156 competitors were taken place in the race in 2010 and high press coverage was gained especially in lifestyle magazines.

Wings Sailing Fest:

Wings Sailing Fest that took place in 2011 was the most extensive sailing event in İstanbul ever organised. The festival spirit was established by transforming The Bebek Park into a festival village. With more than 60 boats that attended the race and 10.000 people that visited the festival, Wings Sailing Fest is considered one of the best events of 2011. 

Key people

Chairman : Suzan Sabancı Dinçer - Chairman and Executive Board Member

Suzan Sabancı Dinçer was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors on March 28, 2008. Mrs. Sabancı Dinçer was appointed Senior Vice President of the Akbank Treasury Department in 1989, promoted to Executive Vice President in charge of Treasury in 1994, appointed to the Board of Directors as Executive Board Member in charge of Treasury and International Relations in 1997 and as Executive Board Member in charge of all matters of the Board of Directors in 2000. Mrs. Sabancı Dinçer is the Honorary Consul of Luxembourg as well as a member of Citigroup's International Advisory Board, the National Bank of Kuwait's International Advisory Board, Blackstone's International Advisory Board, the Chatham House Panel of Senior Advisers, the Institute of International Finance Board of Directors and Emerging Markets Advisory Board, the Chairman of the Turkish-British Business Council of Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK), the Global Relations Forum Board of Directors and the Forum Istanbul Honorary Advisory Board.

 

CEO: Ziya Akkurt - Board Member and CEO

Ziya Akkurt joined Akbank in 1996 as Vice President of the Corporate Banking Department and was promoted as Executive Vice President in 1997. In 2008, Akkurt was appointed General Manager of AKInvestment, elected Deputy CEO in charge of the Corporate and Commercial Banking Business Units at Akbank in April 2009 and appointed Chief Executive Officer in June 2009. Before joining Akbank, Ziya Akkurt held managerial positions at various commercial banks including Osmanlı Bank and Banqué Paribas/Paris. Ziya Akkurt is a graduate of Middle East Technical University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences. Ziya Akkurt is a member of Institut International d'Etudes Bancaires 

 

CFO: K. Atıl Özus - Executive Vice President – CFO

Atıl Özus joined Akbank in November 2000 as Vice President of Financial Control and Risk Management, after which he was promoted as Senior Vice President. In December 2007, he was appointed as Executive Vice President (CFO) in charge of Financial Coordination. Before joining Akbank, Atıl Özus served as an Audit Manager at Ernst&Young. Atıl Özus is a graduate of Boğaziçi University, Department of Business Administration.

 

CMO: Hakan Binbaşgil - Deputy CEO - Consumer Banking and Corporate Communications

 Hakan Binbaşgil joined Akbank as Executive Vice President in charge of Change Management in October 2002, was appointed as Executive Vice President in charge of Retail Banking in October 2003, as Deputy CEO in charge of Retail Banking in May 2008 and as Deputy CEO in charge of Consumer Banking and Corporate Communications in January 2010. A graduate of Boğaziçi University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Binbaşgil also has an MBA degree in management and finance from LSU-Baton Rouge. In addition to having worked as a management consultant in the London and Istanbul offices of Accenture and as Executive Vice President in charge of Retail Banking at Pamukbank, Binbaşgil also served on the board of directors of numerous companies.

 

Key Brand and Marketing individuals

A. Galip Tözge - Executive Vice President - Consumer Banking

A. Galip Tözge joined Akbank in September 2002 as Senior Vice President in charge of Retail Banking Distribution Channels and was appointed as Executive Vice President in December 2007. Before joining Akbank A. Galip Tözge served as Executive Vice President at Citibank, Turkey. A graduate of Marmara University, Department of Business Administration, A. Galip Tözge holds an MBA degree from the University of Missouri in the US.

 

Mehmet Sindel - Executive Vice President – Payment Systems

Mehmet Sindel joined Akbank on November 1, 2010 as Executive Vice President in charge of Payment Systems. Sindel previously worked at Citibank, Garanti Bank’s Credit Card Marketing & Sales Divisions and finally as Personel Financial Services, Marketing Group Head at HSBC. Mehmet Sindel is a graduate of Boğaziçi University, Faculty of Business Administration.

 

Murat Göllü - Senior Vice President – Corporate Communications

Murat Göllü joined Akbank in 2005 as Executive Vice President in charge of Corporate Communications. Before joining Akbank, Göllü held various positions at Akinternet Electronic Commerce Services of Sabanci Group, Siemens and Gama Industrial Plants Manufacturing & Erection, Inc. Murat Göllü is a graduate of Middle East Technical University, Department of Civil Engineering and holds an MBA degree from Yeditepe University

Additional information

• Akbank established Akbank International Advisory Board (IAB) to discuss and evaluate global and local economic developments and their strategic implications for Turkey and Akbank:

• IAB comprises of prominent global leaders:
• Kemal Derviş, Lord Nicholas Stern, Sir Win Bischoff, Lubna Olayan, Dani Rodrik, Rodrigo de Rato
• IAB enhances Akbank’s strength in identifying significant opportunities that exist for the Turkish economy and elsewhere with its distinguished members and their exceptionally rich global experience and knowledge
• We may count the establishment of Akbank Dubai Office; Akbank’s gateway to opportunities in the Middle East and the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) as an important step to relationst in the region
• Akbank evaluates such opportunities from a broader risk-reward perspective without jeopardising its current position.
• Decisions are taken only if the outcomes would add to shareholder value in a calculable way.

 

Corporate Social responsibility

Akbank is pioneering on sustainability in Turkey and therefore took the following concrete steps since 2009. Akbank;

• Established Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility Committee (CGSRC)
• Updated the Codes of Conduct with social and environmental aspects,
• First reporter of United Nations Global Compact supporter and Communications on Progress among Turkish banks,
• Published the first GRI based Sustainability Report among deposit banks in Turkey,
• Sponsored Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) in 2009 to be started in Turkey,
• Reported to CDP and calculated its Carbon footprint,
• Beyond being the first and only bank in CDP 2010 Global 500 report, was recognized as “leader in its sector” with its significant score of 81,
• Updated its credit policy in line with social and environmental aspects, in addition has started to establish a Social and Environmental Management System (IFC SEMS),
• Updated its purchasing policy in line with social and environmental aspects in line with UNGC principles.

 Furthermore; we contribute to our country in different aspects with the following projects that we have realized and supported. We

• Foster arts, artists and creativity; help culture and arts expand to all segments of society -- (Akbank Art Center, Akbank Jazz Festival, Akbank Children’s Theatre, Akbank Short Film Festival, sponsorship of Contemporary Art Istanbul exhibition, sponsorship of Istanbul Film Festival, sponsorship of Dali exhibition)
• Clear the way for the youth, help them publicize their creative ideas and increase their communication with the business world -- (Akbank Düşünce Kulübü [Akbank Thinking Club])
• Promote entrepreneurship and help increase employment -- (Endeavour Turkey, Kagider BİZ [Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey], Girişimci Geliştirme Platformu [Entrepreneurship Development Platform])
• Help create a secure and decent business environment - respectful to human rights, protect environment -- (Carbon Disclosure Project, UN Global Compact)
• Instil hope and faith into the society -- (Bir Dilek Tut [Make A Wish Turkey])

We will continue taking steps to help Turkey progress further by both our banking activities and business processes, and our projects in sustainability