Ziraat Bank at a Glance
• On November 20, 1863, Mithat Pasha established the Memleket Sandıkları (State Cases) in the town of Pirot, which formed the basis of today's Ziraat Bank.
• The first organized credit system legislation was established in our country.
• The Menafi Sandıkları (Cases For Public Benefits) replaced the Memleket Sandıkları (State Cases).
• The funds were strengthened and made permanent.
• The General Directorate of Ziraat Bank began operations
• The first loan was extended to the Treasury.
• Due to the drought, the grain needs of immigrants and the local population in İzmit were met through Ziraat Bank loans.
• Efforts were undertaken to purchase agricultural equipment from Europe using Ziraat Bank’s capital.
• Ziraat Bank funds were established in Cyprus, İpek, Prizren, Tırnavar, and Karacaova.
• Due to the drought in Kosovo, necessary facilities were provided for those in need of access loans from Ziraat Bank.
• A Ziraat Bank branch was opened in Medina.
• Ziraat Bank branches were opened in Baghdad and Basra.
• Loans were provided through Ziraat Bank branches to farmers affected by the earthquake.
• Commercial lending operations were initiated.
• Banking School training programs were launched to develop the qualified personnel required by the Bank.
• The first seed loan was granted.
• The first collective postponement of agricultural receivables was implemented.
• With the opening of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye in Ankara, the administration of the branches and funds located in the territories under the authority of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye was assigned to the Ziraat Bank Ankara Branch.
• İzmir and İstanbul organizations were affiliated with Ankara.
• Work was completed on the set of operational regulations called for by Statute 3202. Consisting of 198 articles, the regulations governing the operations of Ziraat Bank went into effect.
• Ziraat Bank acted as the representative of international agricultural credit institutions and institutes.
• The Bank became a member of the International Confederation of Agricultural Credit (CICA), established to carry out all activities deemed beneficial in the field of agricultural lending.
• Under Statute 7052, Ziraat Bank was authorized to restructure agricultural loan repayments.
• The Hamburg Representative Office was opened.
• Ziraat Bank opened its Lefkoşa, Gazimağusa, and Güzelyurt branches in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
• The New York Representative Office was converted into a branch, and Representative Offices were opened in Düsseldorf, Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart, and Rotterdam.
• By adapting emerging technologies to banking services, automation systems were introduced under the Bank 86 Project in a total of 7 branches in Ankara and İstanbul, aiming to deliver faster, higher-quality, and more efficient services.
• Ziraat Bank ranked 452 in the Top 500 Banks list published by Euromoney magazine.
• The first investment fund (Fund 1) was established.
• Gold sales were launched under the brand “Ziraat Gold.”
• The first consumer loan was granted.
• The Bingöl–Muş Rural Development Project was initiated.
• The “Self-Service Banking” application was introduced.
• With the introduction of ATMs abroad, together with Currency Exchange Machines, Self-Service Information Terminals, and Voice Message Systems, the project enabled operations based on the country’s first “Unmanned Electronic Branch” concept.
• This represented a step toward providing 24-hour banking services.
• Ziraat Bank Moscow, KZI Bank, Turkmen Turkish Commercial Bank (TTC Bank), and Uzbekistan Turkish Bank (UT Bank) were established and became operational.
• In Euromoney magazine’s “Top 500 Banks” ranking, Ziraat Bank ranked 202 globally, 41 by asset size, and 6 by return on equity (ROE).
• The Bank also ranked 12 among the “World’s 50 Fastest Growing Banks.”
• The Sofia Branch was opened.
• The Stuttgart, Hannover, Frankfurt, and Duisburg Representative Offices were converted into branches.
• The Bank’s investment drive facilitated the introduction of new products and services.
• Under the coordination of Turkish-Ziraat Bank Bosnia d.d. and EUROPA İslam Bankası A.Ş., the first Visa acquiring and issuing operations in Bosnia were launched.
• On 25 November 2000, pursuant to Law No. 4603, the Bank was transformed into a joint-stock company.
• A central banking software system was implemented.
• The Bank’s “iTransform” project was launched.
• Ziraat Bank opened branches in Athens and Komotini, Greece.
• With a net profit of 3,511 million TL, Ziraat Bank achieved its highest profit level until 2009.
• The Baghdad, Erbil, and Jeddah branches became operational.
• Ziraat Bank acquired the naming rights of the Türkiye Cup.
• A transformation and change initiative were launched under the slogan "Together, to a Better Future"
• Ziraat Bank celebrated the 150 anniversary of its establishment together with its employees.
• The Sustainability Policy, which summarizes Ziraat Bank’s sustainability vision, targets, and approach and outlines the Bank’s environmental, social, and product/service-oriented sustainability policies, was approved and announced by the Bank’s Board of Directors on 30 September 2014.
• Ziraat Bank published its GRI A+ Sustainability Report.
• Ziraat Bank became the corporate tax champion of 2014.
• Ziraat Katılım Bankası A.Ş. (Ziraat Katılım) commenced operations.
• The Pristina Branch was opened in Kosovo.
• Ziraat Bank Azerbaycan ASC commenced operations.
• Ziraat Bank was selected as the 2 strongest bank in Europe.
• Ziraat Bank Montenegro AD commenced operations.
• In 2015, Ziraat Bank achieved the highest profitability in the Turkish banking sector, driven by its sustainable profitability performance.
• The Marneuli Branch in Georgia and the Bahrain Branch in Manama were opened.
• Ziraat Gayrimenkul Yatırım Ortaklığı A.Ş. (Ziraat Real Estate Investment Trust) commenced operations on 1 January 2016.
• In 2016, Ziraat Bank reached TL 358 billion in total assets and recorded a net profit of TL 6,576 million.
• In 2017, the branch structure in Georgia was transformed into a new bank, leading to the establishment of JSC Ziraat Bank Georgia.
• The Bank’s shareholding in its subsidiary in Uzbekistan was increased to 100%, and the subsidiary’s title was changed to Ziraat Bank Uzbekistan JSC.
• In 2017, Ziraat Bank reached TL 434 billion in total assets.
• The Bankkart product was enhanced with a credit card feature, combining debit and credit card functionalities on a single card.
• The Ziraat Bank Young Farmers Academy project was launched to encourage young people in Türkiye to engage in agricultural entrepreneurship, production, and investment, while aiming to train educated and conscious young farmers and promote agricultural production as a societal movement.
• The Bank's subsidiary, Ziraat Girişim Sermayesi Yatırım Ortaklığı A.Ş. (Ziraat Venture Capital Investment Trust), completed its establishment procedures with a registration announcement in the Turkish Trade Registry Gazette on November 14, 2018.
• In 2018, Ziraat Bank’s total assets exceeded half a trillion Turkish lira, reaching TL 537 billion.
• Ziraat Bank's total assets reached TL 650 billion, an increase of 21% compared to 2018.
• Ziraat Bank became Türkiye's bank brand with the highest brand value.
• Ziraat Bank was selected as Türkiye's most beloved bank brand for the fourth consecutive time.
• Ziraat Finansal Kiralama A.Ş. (Ziraat Leasing) merged with Ziraat Katılım.
• The portfolio management companies of the three public banks merged under the name Ziraat Portföy Yönetimi A.Ş. (Ziraat Asset Management).
• Ziraat Bank’s paid-in capital was increased from TL 6.1 billion to TL 13.1 billion.
• The Bank’s total assets increased by 45% compared to 2019, reaching TL 943 billion.
• The number of service points abroad reached 113.
• Within the scope of the project to consolidate the insurance and life/pension companies owned by public banks under a single structure, Ziraat Sigorta A.Ş. and Ziraat Hayat ve Emeklilik A.Ş. were transferred to the Türkiye Wealth Fund.
• The Bank continued to support the agricultural sector through the “Many Reasons to Live in My Village” project, launched in September 2020.
• The Green, Social, and Sustainable Finance Framework was prepared and published on the Bank’s website.
• Ziraat Bank's total assets reached TL 1,371 billion, an increase of 45% compared to 2020.
• The initial public offering of Ziraat Real Estate Investment Trust, Türkiye's real estate giant, was completed.
• Ziraat Bank made its first Sustainable Bond issuance in international markets.
• In 2021, Ziraat Bank's 5th branch in Bulgaria opened in Burgas, 5 branches of its affiliate Ziraat Bank Uzbekistan JSC opened in Fergana, and the 6th branch of Ziraat Bank Azerbaijan ASC opened in Azadlık.
• Ziraat Bank's total assets reached TL 2,312 billion, an increase of 68.6% compared to 2021.
• Ziraat Bank Azerbaijan ASC's 7th branch in Baku and Ziraat Bank Uzbekistan JSC's 6th branch in Andijan began operations.
• Ziraat Bank obtained a sustainability-linked syndicated loan.
• With a total size of USD 1.3 billion, this loan became the largest sustainability-linked loan obtained by a bank in Türkiye.
• Within the scope of “Financing the Agricultural Ecosystem,” several financing solutions were introduced, including the Young Farmer Loan, Women Farmer Loan, Golden Hive Loan, Solar-Powered Irrigation Loan, Energy Agricultural Irrigation Loan, Producing Cooperative Loan, and Agricultural Transfer Loan.
• Ziraat Bank’s total assets increased by 64.4% compared to 2022, reaching TL 3,800 billion.
• Ziraat Bank submitted its disclosure to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and completed its first CDP reporting. In January 2024, the Bank’s CDP score was announced and rated in Category B.
• A Sustainability Committee was established under the chairmanship of a Board Member.
• Ziraat Bank updated its sustainability policy, taking into account national and international developments.
• The Bank obtained a sustainability-themed syndicated loan with a 367-day maturity totaling USD 1.3 billion, comprising USD 418 million and EUR 784 million.
• Ziraat Bank completed the establishment of the Diversified Payments Rights (DPR) Securitization Program, issuing USD 1 billion under the program with a 5-year maturity and a 2-year grace period.
• The Bank launched the 2023 Credit Guarantee Fund (CGF) Support Packages and Investment Support Packages within the scope of Investment Incentive Certificates (YTB) to support SME and non-SME customers requiring collateral support for investment or working capital financing.
• Within the framework of the cooperation protocol signed with the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), the Zero-Maturity Export Credit Package was made available to exporters.
• An operating license was obtained from the CBRT for Ziraat Finansal Teknolojiler Elektronik Para ve Ödeme Hizmetleri A.Ş. (ZiraatPay), whose establishment preparations have been completed, enabling the company to commence operations in the near future.
• Establishment approval was granted by the BRSA for Ziraat Dinamik Banka A.Ş (Ziraat Dinamik), the first digital bank in Türkiye established under the ownership of a financial group.
• As of year-end, Ziraat Super Branch reached 750 thousand customers.
• The Ziraat Super Platform was launched, offering special advantages to Ziraat Super Branch customers in non-banking products and services.
• The Live Response Customer Representative service was introduced.
• A Cybersecurity Center was established within the Ziraat Finance Group.
• Following the power of attorney inquiry integration with the Notaries Union of Türkiye (TNB), integrations were completed for Signature Circular Inquiry and Certificate of Inheritance Inquiry services.
• With system enhancements, the Secure Account for Title Deed Transactions application became available through Ziraat Bank’s Internet Banking and Mobile Banking channels.
• Under Credit Risk Monitoring activities, the Credit Monitoring Module was implemented, eliminating monthly communication traffic of approximately one million or more email notifications.
• Ziraat Bank expanded the implementation of the Finart Global Project, developed for the use of its international units.
• Mobile Banking applications were introduced in Kosovo, Iraq, and Bulgaria.
• The Babek Branch, the 8th branch of the Ziraat Finance Group in Azerbaijan, was opened.
• Ziraat Bank obtained the Energy Resource Guarantee System (YEK-G) Certificate for 2024.
• The Sederek Branch, the 9th branch of the Ziraat Finance Group in Azerbaijan, was opened.
• To facilitate banking transactions through a single access point, the ATMs of Ziraat Bank, VakıfBank, Halkbank, Ziraat Katılım, Vakıf Katılım, Emlak Katılım, and PTT were integrated under the “TAM” ATM network.
• The “Ziraat Bank 3rd Bank Agricultural Ecosystem Meeting” was held at the Haliç Congress Center in İstanbul.
• Ziraat Bank issued a USD 500 million sustainability bond with a 5-year maturity in international markets.
• Ziraat Bank obtained a license to open a Representative Office at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
• The Bank received approval from the Central Bank of Egypt to operate as a Representative Office.
• Ziraat Bank announced that, under the “Full Support for Exports Loan Package,” exporting companies can access cost-effective loans of up to USD 5 million or TL 150 million.
• With the participation of 70 banks from 32 countries, Ziraat Bank secured a syndicated loan totaling USD 1.7 billion (USD 742 million and EUR 884 million), renewing its 2023 facility at a rate of 132%.
• Ziraat Bank initiated preparatory work for the “Ziraat 1-2-3 SPP” project in Pınarbaşı district of Kayseri, aiming to meet the electricity needs of its service units across Türkiye.
• To strengthen the agricultural ecosystem, several initiatives were launched, including the 3rd Agricultural Ecosystem Meeting, the Ziraat Farmer Platform Mobile Application, climate-compatible loan products, and new financing solutions supporting rural development, contributing to the sustainability of agricultural production and the empowerment of young farmers.
• In April 2025, Ziraat Bank obtained a sustainability-linked syndicated loan totaling USD 1.75 billion, consisting of USD 850 million and EUR 789 million in two tranches, with the participation of 69 banks from 29 countries.
• In October 2025, Ziraat Bank secured its second sustainability-linked syndicated loan of the same year, raising USD 988 million with the participation of 31 banks and increasing its total syndicated loan volume to USD 2.8 billion.
• Under the DPR Securitization Program, Ziraat Bank issued USD 930 million in securities with 5- and 10-year maturities, with the participation of international investors and leading global banks, thereby strengthening its long-term and diversified funding structure.
• A strategic cooperation protocol was signed between Ziraat Bank and TÜBİTAK, covering joint R&D activities in advanced technology fields such as crypto assets, asset custody infrastructure, and blockchain technologies.
• The number of active digital customers of Ziraat Bank reached 24.8 million.
• By strategically expanding its international network, Ziraat Bank maintained its position as the bank with the most extensive overseas organization and the largest asset size among Turkish banks, further strengthening its presence in global financial markets with the opening of the Algeria Branch.
• Through its international network of 128 service points across 20 countries, Ziraat Bank continued to support the development of Türkiye’s foreign trade, contribute to economic value creation in the countries where it operates, and promote mutual investments through financing.
• Ziraat Bank advanced its infrastructure developments enabling installment payments of restructured loans under follow-up to be made via Ziraat Mobile and allowing payment schedules to be viewed through digital channels, thereby enhancing customer experience and accessibility.
• To increase internal operational efficiency, the attorney fee payment processes for contracted lawyers were digitalized through the integration of the Legal Automation System (HOPWEB) and a centralized approval mechanism, creating a single-step, transparent, and traceable process structure.
• Ziraat Bank took a significant digital transformation step by expanding AI-supported workflow request management systems across processes such as EFT, money transfers, cheques, promissory notes, legal inquiries, deposit research, and expropriation transactions, thereby reducing processing times and improving operational efficiency.
