International Banking

Effective Global Banking Operations

We Are With You in Foreign Trade

Leveraging its extensive international reach, broad correspondent banking network, and strong funding structure, Ziraat Bank continues to conduct its international banking activities on a stable foundation. Through its global relationships and operational expertise, the Bank plays an active role in foreign trade and cross-border financing while managing international banking operations with robust risk management and a commitment to sustainable growth.

Steadily Growing Foreign Trade Volume

By steadily developing its longstanding correspondent banking infrastructure, Ziraat Bank meets its customers’ foreign trade transactions and cross-border payment needs on a global scale. Its network of over 1,700 correspondent banks across 145 countries supports the efficient, reliable, and uninterrupted execution of international trade operations.

Continuous development of foreign trade products and services has led to significant growth in transaction volumes over the past decade, reaching USD 124 billion by the end of 2025.Thanks to the operational advantages provided by its extensive correspondent network, Ziraat Bank offers customers fast and cost-competitive solutions for domestic and international foreign currency transfers, with volumes of intermediary transfers increasing annually.

Ziraat Bank provides overseas financing solutions tailored to different transaction types and scales by leveraging a workforce specialized in foreign trade, addressing customer expectations from a long-term perspective. Through financial instruments such as letter of credit discounting, guaranteed bills, and policy discounting, the Bank facilitates customer access to the necessary resources for their foreign trade operations.

In line with this approach, the Bank works in coordination with correspondent banks and international export credit agencies such as Hermes, SERV, and SACE to meet financing requirements arising from foreign trade transactions, providing customers with medium- and long-term country credit facilities.

With a strong position in foreign trade and foreign exchange transfers, Ziraat Bank continued in 2025 to be among the preferred banks for customers in these areas.

Customer-Oriented Foreign Trade Operations

As of December 31, 2025, Ziraat Bank’s share in Türkiye’s total foreign trade volume stood at 19.3%. Reviewing the 2024-2025 period, overall exports from Türkiye increased by 5%, while export volume facilitated through the Bank grew by 12%. As a result of this performance, Ziraat Bank’s share of Türkiye’s total export volume reached 24.9% at year-end.

In 2025, Ziraat Bank issued 1,463 external guarantee letters in connection with international transactions, with a total value of approximately USD 5 billion. During the same period, 369 letters of guarantee were established under the counter-guarantees of other banks, with a combined value exceeding USD 500 million. These guarantee and collateral transactions were primarily aimed at addressing the financial needs of contractor companies and exporting firms.

Within the framework of special limits allocated by the CBRT, over 2,600 rediscount credits were extended in 2025, totaling approximately TL 60 billion. Through these credits, around 1,500 firms received financing support for their export activities. At year-end, Ziraat Bank’s outstanding balance in CBRT rediscount credits amounted to approximately TL 55 billion.

According to sector data included in the BRSA and independent audit reports, Ziraat Bank’s share of Türkiye’s total letter of credit volume stood at 19.33% as of December 31, 2025, positioning the Bank as the market leader in letter of credit transactions.

Throughout 2025, the Foreign Trade menus on Ziraat Bank’s Internet Branch and Mobile Banking channels were actively utilized by customers. More than 520,000 transactions, including foreign currency transfers, advance and cash-against-goods import payments, EVAC regulation and monitoring operations, trade file inquiries, and Swift GPI transfer tracking, were conducted via non-branch channels. These digital operations contributed to reducing operational pressure in branches while providing customers with fast and convenient transaction experiences.

Ziraat Bank Country Foreign Trade Share by Year

Pioneering Transaction in Sustainability-Focused Syndicated Loans in Türkiye

In April 2025, Ziraat Bank secured a sustainability-linked syndicated loan consisting of two tranches, amounting to USD 850 million and EUR 789 million, with the participation of 69 banks from 29 countries, totaling approximately USD 1.75 billion equivalent.

In October of the same year, a second sustainability-linked syndicated loan was obtained, comprising two tranches of USD 509 million and EUR 413 million, with the participation of 31 banks, totaling USD 988 million. This transaction marked a first for Ziraat Bank, as it represented the Bank’s second syndicated loan issuance within the same year. Within the scope of these syndication transactions, sustainability performance criteria were defined as the financing of sustainable agriculture and contributing to the transition to a low-carbon economy. The funds obtained were intended to be utilized in alignment with the Bank’s core business areas and strategic priorities.

Continuing to strengthen its role in sustainable finance in line with its Responsible Banking approach, Ziraat Bank supported the Turkish economy through the sustainability-linked syndicated loans it secured in 2025.

Continuous Support for Foreign Trade and The Economy Through Foreign Financing, Facilitated by the Securitization of Remittance Flows

Ziraat Bank has continued to effectively utilize the long-term and resilient funding model established through its DPR program since its inception in 2023 to support the financing of foreign trade and the real sector. In 2025, resources obtained through this structure, which is based on overseas remittance flows, supported firms’ access to finance, contributed to the continuity of economic activity, and helped maintain the Bank’s strong position in the field of foreign trade.

Maintaining its focus on diversifying and strengthening its funding base in 2025, Ziraat Bank continued to secure bilateral loans and post-financing through correspondent banks, in addition to syndicated loans and the DPR program. Within this framework, the outstanding balance of resources obtained through bilateral loans and post-financing reached USD 2.8 billion as of year-end 2025. These funds remained a key component of the Bank’s uninterrupted support for foreign trade transactions and the broader economy.

Global Banking Activities with Ziraat Finance Group

Ziraat Bank continued in 2025 to enhance its effectiveness in the markets where it operates through its overseas subsidiaries and branches, while contributing to the development of commercial and economic relations between these countries and Türkiye. In line with the Ziraat Financial Group (ZFG) approach, the growth strategy pursued was shaped not solely by price competition but by strengthening operational quality and technical capabilities. Accordingly, automation infrastructure and control mechanisms were prioritized in letters of credit, documentary transactions, and foreign trade processes subject to the rules of the ICC Türkiye. By reducing manual workload, transactions were executed more rapidly, accurately, and predictably. This integrated structure supported trade flows among Group countries and reinforced the ZFG’s reliability in the eyes of overseas customers and correspondent banks. Within this framework, in 2025, the ZFG intermediated foreign trade transactions amounting to USD 13.4 billion between Türkiye and Group countries, and USD 20.2 billion globally, including Türkiye.

Reliable Correspondent Bank Limit Allocation Model

The credit profiles of correspondent banks operating both domestically and internationally are regularly analyzed and reviewed. Based on these assessments, limit allocations to institutions are carried out in accordance with the internal rating model developed by the Bank.

Strategies Committed to the Diversification of Sources in Capital Markets

In order to strengthen its funding structure and establish a flexible resource composition adaptable to varying market conditions, Ziraat Bank continued its presence in international capital markets in 2025. Within this scope, a USD 750 million, five-year Eurobond issuance was completed in February 2025 under the GMTN program. In November 2025, the Bank executed its first-ever international issuance of an additional Tier 1 capital instrument, amounting to USD 600 million, with no maturity and a call option at the end of the fifth year. During the same year, including private placements carried out under the GMTN program, a total of USD 7 billion in external funding was secured, thereby continuing to support the Bank’s long-term and diversified funding strategy.

Ziraat Bank’s Projects Carried Out in the Field of International Banking In 2025

Visa B2B

Within the scope of the protocol signed with Visa, Visa B2B Connect, which was launched in 2024, positioned Ziraat Bank among the leading banks offering business-to-business (B2B) transfers for the international commercial payments of corporate customers through a secure and transparent infrastructure. Via the Corporate Internet Branch and Corporate Mobile Banking channels, transfers can be executed to companies domiciled in a total of 37 countries across Asia, Far East, North Africa, and Europe, in USD, EUR, and GBP, without amount limits, regardless of whether the beneficiary bank is a Visa B2B member.

As of 2025, the platform delivers a strong value proposition in terms of transparency and cost predictability, supported by a commission and cost structure that is finalized at the time of transaction for international commercial payments. While the platform is currently in its adoption phase, it is expected that usage of Visa B2B Connect will increase gradually in the coming period, driven by rising customer awareness and growing demand for alternative payment channels.

Swift GPI (Overseas Transfer Tracker)

In 2025, overseas payment tracking services offered under SWIFT GPI reached a more widespread and effective level of use, addressing the growing need for visibility and control in international transfer processes. Within this framework, both outbound payments and inbound transfers to Ziraat Bank became fully traceable end to end, including stages prior to funds being credited to accounts. Information such as the current status of a payment, the stage of the process, and the reasons for any delays can be shared with customers simultaneously. Through this functionality, delivered via internet and mobile banking channels, real-time monitoring of outgoing and incoming transfers has been strengthened. As a result, companies are able to plan cash flow management more effectively and manage payment and collection processes within a more predictable framework. Throughout 2025, SWIFT GPI continued to serve as a key operational tool supporting customer experience in international payments through the transparency and traceability it provides.

Swift GO

In 2025, SWIFT GO demonstrated a limited yet stable usage profile as a solution providing transparent cost structures and predictability in international money transfers. The service was restricted to transfers between individuals for amounts of USD/EUR 10,000 or less. While it has not yet become a high-volume product, the ability to determine costs upfront on a net basis and ensure full, uninterrupted payment to the beneficiary offers a significant value proposition, particularly for individual customers. This structure carries potential to increase both usage and transaction frequency in future periods, in line with evolving customer expectations.

Export Tracking

Usage of the Export Tracking, CBRT Regulation Management (EVAC), and Open Export Account Tracking applications, offered via Internet and Mobile Banking channels, increased among exporter customers. These digital solutions, operating in compliance with CBRT regulations, enable exporters to monitor receivables and manage obligations efficiently while delivering significant time savings in operational processes. Approximately 30% of the 650,000 EVAC transactions conducted throughout the year were processed through digital channels, demonstrating that these platforms have become a strong and preferred transaction channel for exporting firms. Based on feedback from branches, customers, and other banks, the Bank’s applications in this area are assessed to hold a leading position in the sector in terms of technological infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and operational scope, meaningfully supporting exporters in executing transactions quickly, securely, and transparently.

OPI Direct Export

It is an innovative service model that digitizes documentary export transactions conducted under ICC Publication No. 522 (URC 522) from end to end and completely centralizes the operation. Exporters submit documents to the Bank via the OPI interface without the need for physical document delivery; basic document checks, system entries, and transaction preparations are carried out centrally by our Foreign Trade Operations Department. The Bank's letter of credit is automatically generated and, thanks to its signature-free structure, can be printed directly by the customer and added to the documentary set. The delivery process is created either by the customer or through the Bank's DHL subscription, according to the customer's preference, and the documents are sent directly to the importer's bank.

With this product, our branches are positioned outside the operational process and only take on a monitoring role, thereby centralizing the operational load and increasing efficiency. For exporters, the physical delivery of documents to the branch, the initiation of operational procedures by the branch, coordination with Head Office units, and time loss arising from overseas delivery processes are eliminated; the transaction time is shortened and costs are minimized. Payment reaches the Bank directly from the importer's bank against documents, and the amount is transferred to the exporter's account via the relevant file. The fact that this method, applied by foreign banks, has been implemented for the first time in Türkiye by the Bank is an important indicator of our digital foreign trade vision and customer-focused operational transformation.