“We respectfully remember those who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and extend our best wishes to all affected”
Evaluating the financial performance of Akbank in the first quarter of 2020, Hakan Binbaşgil, CEO, said, “First of all, we respectfully remember those who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and extend our best wishes to all affected. We would like to thank everyone, especially our healthcare professionals, who are at the forefront of this extraordinary struggle. With our solid financials, strong technological infrastructure and qualified employees, we are prioritising providing uninterrupted service as well as standing by our customers in this tough period”
“Well-being of our customers and employees, and provision of uninterrupted service are our priorities”
Mentioning the steps taken against the pandemic Binbaşgil commented, “Since the very beginning, the well-being of our customers and employees, and provision of uninterrupted service have been our priorities. This tough period underlined the importance and necessity of the extensive investments we have made in our systems, technology and people. Thanks to our strong digital infrastructure, we have provided continuous service. While most of our employees have started to work remotely, for those who cannot, we have taken various measures including strict social distancing implementations and extensive disinfection activities. With all our employees, we are working devotedly to serve our customers. We fully recognize the importance of supporting our country, society and our customers in this challenging period”
“Akbank owes its 72 years of existence to its customers. During this difficult time, we will continue to stand by our customers”
Regarding the amenities provided to customers, Binbaşgil noted, “Akbank owes its 72 years of existence to its customers who are the key to its success. Standing by our customers, we will emerge from this period together.”
“Payment of almost 550,000 loans belonging to nearly 340,000 customers have been deferred”
Binbaşgil explained, “Our retail and corporate customers are able to defer their principal, interest and instalment payments with the same conditions, upon their request. In this context, the payment of almost 550,000 loans belonging to nearly 340,000 customers have been deferred. The principal amount of those loans is about TL 14 billion while their due payment is almost TL 3 billion. Furthermore, we have participated in The Banks Association of Turkey's Treasury-backed, Credit Guarantee Fund bonded, credit protocol for businesses. During this period, we will continue to evaluate all our customers’ demands with great care and speed as well as doing our best to support them”
“Healthcare professionals or customers aged over 65, calling our call centre are directly connected to a customer representative”
On digital banking, Binbaşgil noted, “In a world where digitalization trend is changing consumer behaviour faster than ever, we have never made any compromises in our long-term innovation-driven mind set. Our digitalization strategy is a holistic one and we keep on reconsidering and designing our service models and business approach. We invested over USD 200 million on technology and infrastructure last year alone. Today, we are seeing the benefits of our vision and investments with our customers.”
Underlining the importance of accessibility in digital services, Binbaşgil added, “With rapid actions, we have introduced many measures and conveniences for the well-being of our customers. For example, healthcare professionals or customers aged over 65 calling our call centre are now directly connected to a customer representative”
“With the experiences gained during the pandemic, we will further focus on our digital capabilities”
Highlighting the 7% increase of Akbank Mobile’s share in total number of financial transactions, Binbaşgil mentioned, “Compared to the beginning of last year, the number of mobile customers performing transactions such as credit card debt payments and money transfers has increased 24%. The share of our direct channels on our consumer loans and credit card sales, which was already high, exceeded 80% during the pandemic.
Following this period, like all companies, banks should become more agile, take quick decisions, create meaningful digital experiences and work more productively. We are already trying to predict what this “new normal” will bring. With this awareness, our teams keep on developing new digital services as well as swiftly putting them into practice for our customers. With the experiences gained during the pandemic, we will further focus on our digital capabilities. Named as “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney in 2019, Akbank will continue to lead digital transformation in both national and international level.
“We provided loans of TL 275 billion to the economy in the first quarter of 2020”
Binbaşgil continued, “In this tough period, the support we provided to the economy increased to a total of TL 275 billion, with TL 232 billion in cash loans. Our deposits increased to TL 271 billion while our assets reached TL 421 billion. With our strong capital adequacy ratio of 20.4, we will continue to support the growth and development of the real sector”
“With its high reputation in international markets, Akbank continues to provide finance to Turkey’s economy”
Highlighting Akbank’s successful syndication loan renewal Binbaşgil said, “In a period marked by a decrease in access to liquidity and FX, our syndicated loan facility has once again attracted a strong global response from international banks. Despite negative developments in the markets and our lowered interest rate; by 25 bps in USD tranche and 40 bps in Euro tranche, our syndicated loan exceeded our initial target and reached USD $605 million with the participation of 29 banks from 15 countries. Our syndication renewal is a concrete sign of confidence in Akbank and in Turkey, even in this tough period”
“With our sense of responsibility and solidarity culture, we will soon leave these days behind”
Underlining that Akbank will continue to invest in Turkey’s future Binbaşgil concluded, “With our qualified employees and strong technological infrastructure, we are resilient and well prepared against any challenges. We strongly believe that, with our sense of responsibility and solidarity culture, we will soon leave these days behind. I would like to thank our customers and shareholders for their confidence; our employees for their strong performance”