Akbank

Akbank Türk Anonim Şirketi (Akbank T.A.Ş.) is a private bank established in 1948 in Adana. The bank was originally structured to provide financing to cotton producers in Adana and its surrounding regions. Today, it is one of Türkiye’s largest privately capitalized banks, offering services in retail, commercial, corporate, and investment banking.

History

Akbank Türk Anonim Şirketi was founded on 30 January 1948 in the city of Adana. Its founding purpose was to meet the financing needs of cotton production, which was concentrated particularly in the Çukurova region. The founders included Hacı Ömer Sabancı, Nuri Has, Nuh Naci Yazgan, Mustafa Özgür, Ahmet Sapmaz, Bekir Sapmaz, and Seyit Tekin.

Following its establishment, Akbank began its operations in Adana. On 14 July 1950, it opened its first branch in Istanbul in the Sirkeci district. This development marked the bank’s transition from a regional institution to a national one. In 1954, the head office was relocated from Adana to Istanbul. This date is regarded as the year when Akbank transferred its central and corporate structure to Istanbul.

During the 1980s, influenced by financial liberalization and technological advancements in the banking sector, Akbank expanded its branch network, invested in information technologies, and broadened its range of banking products.

In 1990, the bank was publicly offered and began trading on the Borsa İstanbul (then known as İMKB). In 1998, to facilitate access for foreign investors, Akbank launched an American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program, and its shares began trading on international markets.

During the 2000s, the bank developed digital banking services and expanded its product offerings through internet and mobile applications. It also initiated various programs in corporate social responsibility, sustainability, and financial inclusion.

In the 2020s, Akbank diversified its activities in payment systems, investment advisory, electronic money services, and international banking through investments in financial technologies and its subsidiary companies.

Akbank Old Head Office Building (İBB)

Corporate Structure and Ownership

Akbank operates as an anonymous company. It is a publicly traded company whose shares are listed on the Borsa İstanbul. The bank’s capital structure is as follows:

• 42% – Sabancı Holding, Related Entities and Individuals
• 58% – Publicly Traded Shareholding

Areas of Activity

Akbank provides various financial services to individual and corporate customers in Türkiye and abroad. Its areas of activity include:

• Retail banking
• SME banking
• Commercial and corporate banking
• Investment banking
• Private banking
• Treasury operations
• Payment systems
• International banking

The bank delivers its services through physical branches as well as digital channels, mobile applications, and internet banking.

Subsidiaries and Affiliated Companies

Akbank’s controlled financial subsidiaries and affiliated companies include:

• Ak Yatırım Menkul Değerler A.Ş.
• Ak Portföy Yönetimi A.Ş.
• AKLease Finansal Kiralama A.Ş.
• AkÖde Elektronik Para ve Ödeme Hizmetleri A.Ş.
• Akbank AG (Germany)
• Akbank Ventures A.Ş.

Head Office and Organization

Akbank’s head office building is located within the Sabancı Center in the Levent district of Istanbul.