Established since the time of the Ottoman Empire, Turkey's oldest bank is ready to enter the Albanian market

2025-06-27 21:25:41Biznes SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Established since the time of the Ottoman Empire, Turkey's oldest bank is
Ziraat Bank

The banking sector in Albania is expected to be joined by Turkey's oldest bank, established since the time of the Ottoman Empire, within this year.

Sources from the Bank of Albania have confirmed to A2 television that Ziraat Bank, following the application it made last year, has completed all the necessary documentation and is ready to serve in the Albanian market.

From a preliminary assessment made by the Bank of Albania, it appears that the conditions are met, but a final decision is expected to be made during the year.

If this bank wins the license in Albania, it will become the second with Turkish capital in our country and the first licensing after 18 years since 2007 when the last foreign bank received the right to operate in Albania.

Ziraat is a bank with a primarily agricultural profile, and has made a significant contribution to this sector in Turkey.

But in Albania, its focus on lending will not only be on agriculture, but also more broadly in other fields.

Ziraat Bank is a state-owned bank in Turkey, which was founded as a modest cooperative fund in 1863, now ranks among the most valuable assets in the country, with branches in 20 different countries.

If it manages to open a branch in Albania, we will become the fifth country in the Balkans where Ziraat has entered, as it has subsidiaries in Kosovo, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.

Currently, 11 banks operate in Albania, six of which are foreign-owned.

In addition to Ziraat, two other banking institutions are expected to enter the Albanian market this year, the Albanian Development Bank and the European Investment Bank.


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