Evaluating the financial performance of Akbank in 2021, CEO Hakan Binbaşgil stated, “In terms of the global economic recovery, 2021 had been a more favourable year. The steps taken by governments and central banks during the most critical times of the pandemic prevented the worst economic scenarios from occurring, and they also put the recovery on track. Turkey stood out as one of the countries that showed signs of opening and recovery with both a successful vaccination campaign and healthy vaccine supply channels. Meanwhile, the Turkish Banking Sector maintained its robust foundations in 2021 as well. With its high capital, strong liquidity and skilled employees, Akbank continued to support the Turkish economy throughout 2021.”
“We provided loans of TL 485 billion to the economy in 2021”
Evaluating the financial performance of Akbank, Binbaşgil stated, “In 2021, the loan support we provided to the economy increased to a total of TL 485 billion, with TL 397 billion in cash loans. Our deposits reached TL 454 billion, while our assets reached TL 763 billion. With our strong capital adequacy ratio of 21,1%, we have one of the strongest capital structures in the sector. With the strength driven by our structure, we continued to support the development of the real sector with the loans provided to our companies. Akbank reported a consolidated net profit of TL 12 billion 127 million after provisioning TL 4 billion 513 million for taxes.”
“2021 was a year of significant progress in terms of our sustainability goals”
“Although our sustainability journey goes back a long time, we updated our business strategy and sustainability understanding in 2021 in line with developments and changing needs. After working with a wide range of stakeholders, we have identified four different areas of priority in our sustainability activities. We have set long-term goals in sustainable finance, people and community, ecosystem management and climate change. I am delighted that 2021 was a year of significant progress in terms of our sustainability goals. With our efforts in these areas, we will continue to increase our positive impact on our society and nature while reducing our environmental footprint.”
“We celebrated the 20th anniversary of Axess with major changes”
“In 2021, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of Axess with major changes. With Axess, which underwent a comprehensive transformation from brand identity to communication approach, we started to offer brand new features to our customers. With the new 'Living Well Club' platform, which we established to contribute to the lives of our customers by offering value propositions with the idea of'a better life today and every day', we took being a member of Axess beyond being a credit card holder. We have implemented an important step in the context of sustainability, again under the leadership of Axess. In order to decrease natural resource consumption and to reduce environmental impact, we will now offer all of our personal and commercial cards to our customers with recycled card plastic, paper and envelopes. Our Axess digital first card is the first card to start this transformation. Within the framework of this transformation, which will expand to all our cards, we will transform the cards of our existing customers with environmentally friendly materials as their renewals come. Thus, by 2025, all cardstock in our portfolio will be made from recycled materials. We are proud to be the first in Turkey in such an important issue.”
“Digital banking is an important tool in contributing to financial inclusion”
“Through extensive investments, we are implementing a significant digital transformation program: 'New Generation Akbank'. However, as well as being a key pillar in delivering the perfect banking experience for our customers, digital banking is also an important tool for us in contributing to financial inclusion. For this reason, enhancing and extending our digital and innovative services is also important for us. In this respect, we see digital onboarding, which started in 2021 and initiated a new era in banking, as an important opportunity. Through our internationally recognised customer experience and design-oriented approach, we offer a differentiated service”
“Adding a new initiative to our broader social investments, we launched Akbank Youth Academy in 2021”
“Adding a new initiative to our broader social investments, we launched Akbank Youth Academy in 2021. With the Academy, which aims to equip the youth with the competencies of the future like design-oriented thinking, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence and cyber security we have reached 40,000 students. As Akbank, we will continue to be a good companion in the development journey of the youth.”
“Our qualified human resource and corporate culture are our most important strengths that will carry us forward”
“Our employees are at the centre of our success. Therefore, we place emphasis on ensuring that our corporate culture fosters innovation, diversity, and inclusion while also providing equal opportunity and transparency. For our employees who will prepare Akbank for the future, we offer personalized training programs and support them at every stage of their development. We believe that our qualified human resource and corporate culture are our most important strengths that will carry us forward”
“2022 will be a year in which we will introduce important innovations and bring our customers together with our leading products and services”
Akbank CEO Hakan Binbaşgil concluded: “As Akbank, we have never compromised from our long-term, visionary perspective. With our belief in Turkey's future, we continued to invest and to offer our customers the banking of the future today. By expanding our innovative products and services, we added new customers to the Akbank family. 2022 will also be a year in which we will introduce important innovations and bring our customers together with our leading products and services. I would like to extend my deep gratitude to our employees for their strong performance in this successful year, to our shareholders for the trust they place in us, and all other stakeholders.”